Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

Chapter 21 confesses the liberty Christ has purchased for believers under the gospel: freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemnation of God’s wrath, the curse of the moral law, deliverance from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and the dominion of sin. Believers also have free access to God and yield obedience unto him — not out of slavish fear, but with a child-like love and willing mind.

God alone is Lord of the conscience. He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men in matters of faith or worship which are anything contrary to his Word, or beside it. To require an implicit faith, or absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience.

This chapter is the Reformed Baptist’s charter against ecclesiastical tyranny and against the political coercion of religious belief.

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For the full text of this chapter with scripture proofs, see the1689confession.com or Founders Ministries.