A30198:60
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.
Secondly, This Decree is made sure by the number, measure, and bounds of Election; for Election and Reprobation do enclose all reasonable Creatures; that is, either the one or the other; Election, those that are set apart for Glory; and Reprobation, those left out of this Choice.
Secondly, This Decree is made sure by the number, measure, and bounds of Election; for Election and Reprobation do inclose all reasonable Creatures; that is, either the one or the other; Election, those that are set apart for Glory; and Reprobation, those left out of this Choice.
Now as touching the Elect, they are by this Decree confined to that limited number of Persons that must amount to the complete making up the fullness of the mystical Body of Christ; yea so confined by this eternal purpose, that nothing can be diminished from or added thereunto: and hence it is that they are called his Body and Members in particular, the fullness of him that fills all in all, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; which Body, considering him as the Head thereof, in conclusion maketh up one perfect man, and holy Temple for the Lord: these are called, Christs Substance, Inheritance and Lot; and are said to be booked, marked, and sealed with Gods most excellent knowledge, approbation and liking. As Christ said to his Father, Thine eyes did see my Substance, yet being imperfect, and in thy Book are all my Members written, which in continuance were finished, when yet there was none of them. This being thus, I say, it is in the first place impossible that any of those Members should miscarry, for who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? and because they are as to number every way sufficient, being his Body, and so by their completing to be made a perfect man: therefore all others are rejected, that the purpose of God according to Election might stand. Besides, it would not only argue weakness in the Decree, but monstrousness in the Body, if after this, any appointed should miscarry, or any besides them be added to them. Ephes. 1.22, 23. & 4.11, 12, 13