1689 Confession, ch. 21, para. 3: the Corruption of Christian Liberty

1689 CONFESSION, CH. 21, "OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY," PARA. 3: ITS CORRUPTION

I. THE COMPOSITION OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY (para. 1)
II. THE COROLLARY OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY: Liberty of Conscience (para. 2).
III. THE CORRUPTION OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY (para. 3).
Waldron's Summary: "The folly and perversion of corrupting Christian liberty so that it becomes a nursery for our lusts is helpfully illustrated by the Exodus. The Exodus of Israel from Egypt was the Old Testament type of both redemption and liberation. Why did God liberate Israel from Egypt? The sole purpose was that they might serve him. Even so we are freed from the slavery of sin, Satan and men, that we might serve God without fear (Luke 1:74-75; Rom. 14:9; Gal. 5:13). Liberty is not the ultimate good. It is to be limited by higher values. There is a difference between Christian liberty and the cult of liberty. Liberty is not the right to do as I please. Liberty is the right to do as God pleases without fear. This understanding of Christian liberty will prevent us from sinfully insisting on the exercise of our rights and liberties. Yet we may not so give up our liberty as to misrepresent the faith."

Its essence.
B. Its fruits.

1. Its impact on gospel grace.
2. Its impact on Christian liberty