Wesley Corpus

That this was the judgment of those who had the most deeply considered the nature of these decrees, of the Assembly of English and Scotch Divines, of the Reformed Churches both in France and the Low Countries, and of Mr. Calvin himself, appears from their own words, beyond all possibility of contradiction. “Out of the general corruption,” saith the French Church, “he draws those whom he hath elected; leaving the others in the same corruption, according to his immovable decree.” “By the decree of God,” says the Assembly of English and Scotch Divines, “some are predesti nated unto everlasting life, others fore-ordained to everlasting death.” “God hath once for all,” saith Mr. Calvin, “appointed, by an eternal and unchangeable decree, to whom he would give salvation, and whom he would devote to destruction.” (Inst., cap. 3, sec. 7.) Nay, it is observable, Mr. Calvin speaks with utter contempt and disdain of all who endeavour to separate one from the other, who assert election without reprobation. “Many,” says he, “as it were to excuse God, own election, and deny reprobation. But this is quite silly and childish. For election cannot stand without reprobation. Whom God passes by, those he reprobates. It is one and the same thing.” (Inst., l. 3, c. 23, sec. 1.) 10. Perhaps upon deeper consideration, you will find yourself of the same judgment. It may be, you also hold reprobation, though you know it not. Do not you believe, that God who made “one vessel unto honour,” hath made “another unto.” eternal “dishonour?” Do not you believe, that the men who “turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness, were before ordained of God unto this condemnation?” Do not you think, that for “this same purpose God raised Pharaoh up, that he might show his sovereign power in his destruction?” and that “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated,” refers to their eternal state? Why, then, you hold absolute reprobation, and you think Esau and Pharaoh were instances of it, as well as all those “vessels made unto dishonour,” those men “before ordained unto condemnation.” 11. To set this matter in a still clearer light, you need only answer one question: Is any man saved who is not elected? Is it possible, that any not elected should be saved ? If you say, “No,” you put an end to the doubt.