A30198:85
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.
Object. But God did not only admit that Sin should be offered for trial, and there to stay; but did suffer it to prevail, and overcome the World.
Object. But God did not onely admit that Sin should be offered for trial, and there to stay; but did suffer it to prevail, and overcome the World.
Answ. Well, this is granted: But yet consider, 1. God did neither suffer it, nor yet consent it should, but under this consideration; If Adam, upright Adam, gave way thereto, by forsaking his Command, In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die: Which Adam did, not because God did compel him or persuade him to it, but voluntarily of his own mind, contrary to his God's Command: So then, God by suffering sin to break into the World, did it rather in Judgement, as disliking Adam's Act, and as a punishment to man for listening to the Tempter; and as a discovery of his anger at mans disobedience; then ⟨p. 18⟩to prove that he is guilty of the misery of his Creature. Gen. 2.17. & 3.3. 2. Consider also, that when God permitted Sin for trial, it was, when offered first, to them only who were upright, and had sufficient strength to resist it. 3. They were by Gods Command to the contrary, driven to no strait to tempt them to incline to Satan: Of every Tree of the Garden thou mayst freely eat, saith God; only let this alone. 4. As touching the beauty and goodness that was in the Object unto which they were allured; What was it? Was it better then God? Yea, was it better then the Tree of Life? for from that they were not exempted till after they had sinned. Did not God know best what was best to do them good? 5. Touching him that persuaded them to do this wicked Act; Was his word more to be valued for truth, more to be ventured on for safety, or more to be honoured for the worthiness of him that spake, then was his that had forbade it? The one being the Devil, with a Lie, and to kill them; the other being God, with his Truth, and to preserve them safe.