Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree

4: These angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.^[72]

Q. 13. What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men?
A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory;^[45] and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof:^[46] and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will, (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favor as he pleaseth,) hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonor and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice.^[47]

Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree

3: By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels^[70] are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.^[71]

Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree

2: Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions;^[68] yet has He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.^[69]

Q. 12. What are the decrees of God?
A. God’s decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will,^[43] whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time,^[44] especially concerning angels and men.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q. 7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.^[22]

Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree

1: God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass;^[65] yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin,^[66]nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.^[67]

Q. 11. How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father?
A. The Scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names,^[39] attributes,^[40] works,^[41] and worship,^[42] as are proper to God only.

Q. 10. What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?
A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son,^[36] and to the Son to be begotten of the Father,^[37] and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity.^[38]

Q. 9. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.^[35]

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?
A. There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;^[20] and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.^[21]

Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

3: In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost:^[62] the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;^[63] the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.^[64]

Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

2: God has all life,^[49] glory,^[50] goodness,^[51] blessedness,^[52] in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He has made,^[53] nor deriving any glory from them,^[54] but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;^[55] and has most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever Himself pleases.^[56] In His sight all things are open and manifest,^[57] His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature,^[58] so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain.^[59] He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands.^[60] To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.^[61]

Q. 8. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only, the living and true God.^[34]

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one?
A. There is but one only,^[18] the living and true God.^[19]

Q. 7. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit,^[18] in and of himself infinite in being,^[19] glory,^[20] blessedness,^[21] and perfection;^[22] all-sufficient,^[23] eternal,^[24] unchangeable,^[25] incomprehensible,^[26] every where present,^[27] almighty,^[28] knowing all things,^[29] most wise,^[30] most holy,^[31] most just,^[32] most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.^[33]

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q. 4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit,^[7] infinite,^[8] eternal,^[9] and unchangeable,^[10] in his being,^[11] wisdom,^[12] power,^[13] holiness,^[14] justice,^[15] goodness,^[16] and truth.^[17]

Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

1: There is but one only,^[25] living, and true God,^[26] who is infinite in being and perfection,^[27] a most pure spirit,^[28] invisible,^[29] without body, parts,^[30] or passions;^[31] immutable,^[32] immense,^[33] eternal,^[34] incomprehensible,^[35] almighty,^[36] most wise,^[37] most holy,^[38] most free,^[39] most absolute;^[40] working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will,^[41] for His own glory;^[42] most loving,^[43] gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;^[44] the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him;^[45] and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments,^[46] hating all sin,^[47] and who will by no means clear the guilty.^[48]