Chapter 7, Paragraph 3

Here is the text of the third paragraph of chapter 7 in the 1689 London Baptist Confession: This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman,⁵ and afterwards by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in the New Testament;⁶ and it is founded in that eternal covenant transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the redemption of the elect;⁷ and it is alone by the grace of this covenant that all the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain life and blessed immortality, man being now utterly incapable of acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state of innocency.

Supporting Scripture:

And I will put enmity
    between you and the woman,
    and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
    and you will strike his heel.” -Genesis 3:15 (NIV)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, -Heb. 1:1 (NIV)

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. -2 Tim. 1:9 (NLT)

in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, -Titus 1:2 (NIV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. -Heb.11:6,13 (NIV)

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. -Romans 4:1-2 (NIV)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” -Acts 4:12 (NIV)

Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” -John 8:56 (NIV)