A30198:44
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.
CHAP. IV. Of the Causes of REPROBATION.
Having thus in a word or two showed the Antiquity of Reprobation, I now come in this place to show you the Cause thereof; for doubtless this must stand a truth, That what ever God doth, there is sufficient ground therefore, whether by us apprehended, or else without our reach.
HAving thus in a word or two shewed the Antiquity of Reprobation, I now come in this place to shew you the Cause thereof; for doubtless this must stand a truth, That what ever God doth, there is sufficient ground therefore, whether by us apprehended, or else without our reach.
First then, It is caused from the very Nature of God. There are two things in God, from which, or by the virtue of which, all things have their rise, to wit, the Eternity of God in general, and the eternal Perfection of every one of his Attributes in particular: for as by the first, he must needs be before all things; so by virtue of the second must all things consist. And as he is before all things, they having consistence by him; so also is he before all states, or their Causes, be they either good or bad, of continuance or otherwise, he being the first without beginning, &c. whereas all other things, with their causes, have rise, dependence, or toleration of being from him. Col. 1.17.
First then, It is caused from the very Nature of God. There are two things in God, from which, or by the vertue of which, all things have their rise, to wit, the Eternity of God in general, and the eternal Perfection of every one of his Attributes in particular: for as by the first, he must needs be before all things; so by vertue of the second must all things consist. And as he is before all things, they having consistence by him; so also is he before all states, or their Causes, be they either good or bad, of continuance or otherwise, he being the first without beginning, &c. whereas all other things, with their causes, have rise, dependance, or toleration of being from him.