A30198:74
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.
The Determinations of God touching the destruction of the Creature, they are either ordinary or extraordinary: Those I count ordinary that were commonly pronounced by the Prophets and Apostles, &c. in their ordinary way of preaching, to the end men might be affected with the love of their own Salvation; now these either bound or loosed but as the condition or qualification was answered by the Creature under Sentence; and no otherwise. 1 Sam. 12.25. Isa. 1.20. Mat. 18.3. Luk. 13.1, 2, 3. Rom. 2.8, 9. Rom. 8.13. Rom. 11.13. 1 Cor. 6.9.
Again, Those extraordinary, though they respect the same conditions, yet they are not grounded immediately upon them, but upon the infallible fore-knowledge and fore-sight of God, and are thus distinguished: First the ordinary determination, it stands but at best upon a supposition that the Creature may continue in Sin, and admits of a possibility that it may not; but the extraordinary stands upon an infallible fore-sight that the Creature will continue in sin; wherefore this must needs be positive, and as infallible as God himself.
Again, These two Determinations are also distinguished thus: The ordinary is applicable to the Elect as well as to the Reprobate, but the other to the Reprobate only: It is proper to say even to the Elect themselves, He that believeth shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned; but not to say to them, These are appointed to UTTER destruction, or that they shall UTTERLY perish in their own Corruptions; or that for them is RESERVED the blackness of darkness FOR EVER.