A30198:68
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.
Thirdly, As to the Causes; Sovereignty being according to the Will of God, but Justice according to the Sin of Man. For God, though he be the only Sovereign Lord, and that to the height of perfection; yet he appointeth no man to the pains of everlasting fire, merely from Sovereignty, but by the Rule of Justice: God damneth not the man because he is a man, but a Sinner; and fore-appoints him to that place and state, by fore-seeing of him wicked. Rom. 1.18, 19. Col. 3.6.
Thirdly, As to the Causes; Soveraignty being according to the Will of God, but Justice according to the Sin of Man. For God, though he be the onely Sovereign Lord, and that to the height of perfection; yet he appointeth no man to the pains of everlasting fire, meerly from Soveraignty, but by the Rule of Justice: God damneth not the man because he is a man, but a Sinner; and fore-appoints him to that place and state, by fore-seeing of him wicked. Rom. 1.18, 19. Col. 3.6.
Again, As Reprobation is not the same with fore-appointing to eternal Condemnation; so neither is it the Cause thereof.
If it be the Cause, then it must either, 1. Leave him infirm. Or, 2. Infuse sin into him. Or, 3. Take from him something that otherwise would keep him upright. 4. Or both license Satan to tempt, and the Reprobate to close in with the temptation. But it doth none of these; therefore it is not the Cause of the Condemnation of the Creature.