Lambeth Articles
1595
The Lambeth Articles of 1595 were a set of theological propositions put forward by Archbishop John Whitgift and other leading theologians within the Church of England. These articles were intended to address growing controversies within the church, particularly the rise of Puritanism and debates about predestination and the nature of divine grace. The Lambeth Articles were strongly influenced by Calvinist theology and were aimed at affirming Reformed doctrines in opposition to Arminianism, which emphasized free will and resisted some of the Calvinistic ideas. However, these articles were met with opposition and criticism, both from within the Church of England and from other theological perspectives. They were not officially adopted as a statement of faith by the Church and did not gain wide acceptance. The Lambeth Articles highlight the theological tensions and debates of the time, reflecting the broader struggle between different theological viewpoints within the Church of England during the late 16th century.
John Whitgift, 1583 - 1604
1. God from eternity hath predestinated certain men unto life; certain men he hath reprobated.
2. The moving or efficient cause of predestination unto life is not the foresight of faith, or of perseverance, or of good works, or of any thing that is in the person predestinated, but only the good will and pleasure of God.
3. There is predetermined a certain number of the predestinate, which can neither be augmented nor diminished.
4. Those who are not predestinated to salvation shall be necessarily damned for their sins.
5. A true, living, and justifying faith, and the Spirit of God justifying [sanctifying], is not extinguished, falleth not away; it vanisheth not away in the elect, either finally or totally.
6. A man truly faithful, that is, such a one who is endued with a justifying faith, is certain, with the full assurance of faith, of the remission of his sins and of his everlasting salvation by Christ.
7. Saving grace is not given, is not granted, is not communicated to all men, by which they may be saved if they will.
8. No man can come unto Christ unless it shall be given unto him, and unless the Father shall draw him; and all men are not drawn by the Father, that they may come to the Son.
9. It is not in the will or power of every one to be saved.