02.02.07. Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7 Contains Answers to the Author’s General Objections
Object. 1. Reprobation, in the most severe absolute Sense of it, says he, stands in such a direct Contradiction to all our Notions of Kindness and Love to others, in which the blessed God is set forth as our Example, that our Reason cannot tell how to receive it (Page 244.).
Answ. 1. That some of the human Race are hated of God, and appointed to Wrath and ever-lasting Condemnation, Is as evident from Scripture, as it is, that others on the contrary are chosen to eternal Felicity. And if this was a Doctrine attended with Difficulties, to us insuperable and inexplicable, we ought, nevertheless, to readily and heartily assent to it, in a holy Submission to the sovereign and righteous Will and Counsel of God, whose Judgments tho’ deep and infathomable, must we are sure, necessarily be equitable and just: In a Refusal of it we shall certainly be deem’d guilty of inexcusable Incredulity and Folly: How much more shall we expose ourselves to the divine Censure, if we refuse to believe a Doctrine, not only revealed of God, but let in such a Light, as raises it above any reasonable Objections, which this Doctrine is, as will quickly appear.
II. This Gentleman observes, that it hath a dreadful Aspect, upon far the greatest Part of our Fellow-Creatures considered as mere Creatures (Ibid.) i.e. as I suppose he means not considered as guilty of Sin.
Answ. 1. This Observation seems to me not true: I cannot but account it a most unfair, as well as a disadvantageous Method of Rating that Doctrine. For, I. Reprobation is either an Act of Preterition, wherein God decreed not to bestow eternal Bliss on some Men, which none had a Right to claim, and therefore he was at Liberty, to appoint Men to that happy State or not, just as it pleased him, and his purposing to bestow it on some, was an Act of undeserved and sovereign Favour towards them; and his Decree not to confer eternal Glory on others, was a sovereign Act of his; but it contains nothing of Injustice in it; since they, nor others, had the least Right or Claim to it.
2. It is Pre-Damnation or an Appointment to suffer Penalty, which Act passed not in the divine Mind without Respect had to Sin, as deserving that Punishment: So that Men were not considered as MERE Creatures; but as guilty and worthy of Death in this Act of God. Now if there is nothing contrary to the Kindness and Goodness of God, in the actual Infliction of Punishment for Sin committed; why it should be thought inconsistent with the Kindness and Goodness of God, to will or purpose to inflict that deferred Punishment, it will be found no easy Matter to assign the Reason of.
3. Is God obliged to provide for the Recovery of his guilty Creatures, and must he be charged with Cruelty if he does not? Then, why is not Provision made for the Salvation of the Apostate Spirits, for Devils as well as Men? His awful Dealing with them, is a full Proof, that his Kindness and Goodness lay him under no Obligation to provide afresh, for the Happiness of his offending Creatures, and to put them on a new Foot of Hope.
4. It is a Favour that sinful Men are permitted to dwell on the Earth, in the Midst of so many Mercies, for so long a Time as they do, since Justice might be much more speedily executed on them.
III. The learned Author enquires, What great Advantages can be derived to Religion and Christianity, by endeavouring to limit the Extent of the Death of Christ and to take away all manner of Hopes, and Prayers, and Endeavours, from the Non-elect (Page 245.).
Answ. 1. No Advantage arises to the Satisfaction of Christ, by asserting that many of those may and certainly will suffer the Torments of Hell for EVER, on whose Account he sustained Punishment: This is a manifest Subversion of the Reality and Perfection of his Satisfaction, and it offers great Prejudice to revealed Religion and Christianity, and therefore is by no means to be endured, let who will appear an Advocate for it.
2. No unregenerate Man, may justly entertain Hopes of Salvation, remaining in a State of Unregeneracy, even upon the Principles of this Author; for he allows that no Man will be saved, unless he believes and repents; an Unbeliever and impenitent Person therefore, while he is so, cannot hope upon solid Grounds, that he shall be happy hereafter. And as none know, while in that State, whether they are Objects of Election, or the contrary: As on the one Hand, they cannot conclude upon their Election; so on the other, they have no Evidence of their Reprobation. Hence it is easily to be discerned, that they are not by the Doctrine of Election justly discouraged from those Hopes, Prayers, and Endeavours, of which any may apprehend them capable, without the Grace of God.
3. The Sentiments of this Gentleman are full as discouraging, as the Opinion he opposes is: For since he will not allow, that God gives effectual Grace to the Non-elect, their Salvation is impossible, and their Damnation is ascertain, as if no such conditional Provision of Salvation was made for them, which will be hereafter prov’d. His Opinion really sinks the Merit of the Redeemer, infinitely below its true Value, subverts his proper Satisfaction for Sin, without the least Advantage to the Non-elect, for whom he thinks Christ died, as well as for the Elect.
IV. He enquires, Are the Elect discouraged by it? Not in the least (P. 246.).
Answ. 1. Many of the Elect, under serious Impressions, are much in doubt about their Election: This I suppose will be granted.
2. It is affirmed that God by his Spirit often works upon the Minds of the Non-elect, and excites and stirs them up to desire and seek after Salvation in Christ: But since he gives them not effectual Grace, they may thro’ their own Folly and Obstinacy cause the Spirit to withdraw from them, and may never become regenerate or meet for Heaven; and therefore notwithstanding these divine Influences upon them, and their Desires after Christ and his Salvation, to Hell they must as certainly go, as if they had never felt or experienced any of those Things. Doctrine of a more discouraging Nature to a tender Mind, convinced of Sin, and of a Need of Christ, without a Persuasion of an Interest in God’s electing Love, will not, I am of Opinion, very soon be invented and propagated by Men, who are profess’d Adversaries to evangelical Truths. The Case in Fact is this, if the Sentiments of this Gentleman contain any Thing of an encouraging Nature to Sinners, they are not the spiritually awakened and convinc’d; but the Careless and Unconcerned about heavenly Things, as it seems to me, who are but too apt to presume upon the Sufficiency of their own NATURAL Powers, with COMMON Helps to obtain Salvation.
IV. Says this Gentleman, But many Persons who are awakened to a Sense of Sin, and are seeking after Christ for Salvation, by this narrow Doctrine may be terribly discouraged, from receiving his Offers of Grace, when they are taught to doubt whether there be any Grace provided for them, or whether Jesus be appointed to act as their Saviour (Ibid.).
Answ. 1. A narrow Doctrine is most likely to be true, because the Way to Life is narrow, and but Few will find it, as we think, since he who is the Truth hath said it, and those Few, are only the chosen Few: None besides them discover and walk in this Way. And this Doctrine being called narrow in a Way of Contempt, by any Man, or Set of Men whatsoever, will give us no other Concern, than what arises from the Consideration of their offending against Christ and his Gospel.
2. Who teach Men awakened to a Sense of Sin, and to seek after Christ, to doubt whether any Grace is provided for them, or whether Jesus was appointed to act as a Saviour for them? Surely not such as constantly teach, that because Grace was provided for them in eternal Election, and Christ was appointed to act as a Saviour for them, therefore his Spirit operates in this Manner on their Hearts, and raises Desires in them after Christ and his Salvation, which Desires God graciously hears, and will certainly satisfy: I say not such Teachers surely, and I pray the Lord to deliver his Churches, from all such as teach otherwise.
V. It may, says he, drive some poor Souls to Despair, when they hear that unless they are elected they may seek after Salvation by Christ in vain (Ibid.).
Answ. The Doctrine of Election affords the greatest Encouragement to such as seek after Christ and Salvation by him, because it supposes, that this Act of seeking, is a Fruit of it, and that they who seek shall find.
VI. It may, adds he, tempt them to begin at the wrong End, and seek to pry into the Counsels of God, etc. before they dare trust in Grace, or submit to the Gospel of Christ (Ibid.).
Answ. 1. God’s Word, and not his secret Purpose is the Rule of our Conduct.
2. There is nothing in the Doctrine, that leads to this Practice, and if Men are prevailed with to act such a Part, by Unbelief, or Satan, that is no just Objection to the Doctrine itself.
3. In thus seeking they submit to Christ’s Gospel, and therefore shall be saved.