A30198:122
Reprobation asserted, or, The doctrine of eternal election & reprobation promiscuously handled in eleven…
Reprobation asserted, or, The doctrine of eternal election & reprobation promiscuously handled in eleven chapters wherein the most material objections made by the opposers of this doctrine are fully answered, several doubts removed, and sundry cases of conscience resolved / by John Bunyan.
London: printed for G.L., 1674
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
TO this Question I shall Answer,
First, In the Language of our Lord, Go preach the Gospel unto every Creature: and again, Look unto me, all ye Ends of the Earth, and be ye saved: And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely. And the reason is, because Christ died for all, tasted death for every man; is the Saviour of the World, and the Propitiation for the sins of the whole World. Mark. 16.15. Isa. 45.22. Rev. 22.17. Hebr. 2.9. 2 Cor. 5.15. 1 John 4.14. & 2.1, 2, 3.
Secondly, I gather it from those several censures that even every one goeth under, that doth not receive Christ, when offered in the general Tenders of the Gospel; He that believeth not, shall be damned; He that believeth not, makes God a Liar, because he believeth not the Record that God hath given of his Son: and, Woe unto thee Capernaum, woe unto thee Coraxin, woe unto thee Bethsaida; with many other sayings: All which words, with ⟨p. 26⟩many other of the same nature, carry in them a very great argument to this very purpose: For if those that perish in the days of the Gospel, shall have, at least, their damnation heightened, because they have neglected and refused to receive the Gospel, it must needs be that the Gospel was with all faithfulness to be tendered unto them; the which it could not be, unless the death of Christ did extend it self unto them: for the offer of the Gospel cannot, with Gods allowance, be offered any further then the death of Jesus Christ doth go; because if that be taken away, there is indeed no Gospel, nor Grace to be extended. Besides, if by every Creature, and the like, should be meant only the Elect, then are all the persuasions of the Gospel to no effect at all: for still the Unconverted, who are here condemned for refusing of it, they return it as fast again: I do not know I am Elect, and therefore dare not come to Jesus Christ; for if the Death of Jesus Christ, and so the general Tender of the Gospel, concern the Elect alone; I, not knowing my self to be one of that number, am at a mighty plunge; nor know I whether is the greater sin, to Believe, or to Despair: for I say again, If Christ died only for the Elect, &c. then, I not knowing my self to be one of that number, dare not believe the Gospel, that holds forth his Blood to save me; nay, I think with safety may not, until I first do know I am Elect of God, and appointed thereunto.