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Reprobation Asserted: By J O H N.B U N Y A N of Bedford, A Lover of Peace and Truth. L O N D O N, Printed for G. L., and are to be sold in Turn-stile-alley, in Holbourn, 1674. (Year approximate.) Published two years after John Bunyan's twelve year incarceration. |
CHAPTER 5.
f the Unchangeableness of Eternal Reprobation.
Many opinions have passed through the hearts of the sons of men concerning reprobation;
most of them endeavouring so to hold it forth, as therewith they might, if not heal
their conscience slightly, yet maintain their own opinion, in their judgment, of
other things; still wringing, now the word this way, and anon again that, for their
purpose; also framing within their soul such an imagination of God and his acts in
eternity, as would suit with such opinions, and so present all to the world. And
the rather they have with greatest labour strained unweariedly at this above many
other truths, because of the grim and dreadful face it carrieth in most men's apprehensions.
But none of these things, however they may please the creature, can by any means
in any measure, either cause God to undo, unsay, or undetermine what he hath concerning
this, decreed and established.
First, Because they suit not with his nature, especially in these foundation-acts:
'The foundation of God standeth sure' (2 Tim 2:19), even touching reprobation, 'that
the purpose of God according to election might stand' (Rom 9:11). 'I know [saith
Solomon] that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it,
nor any thing taken from it,' &c. (Eccl 3:14). 'Hath he said, and shall he not
do it? Hath he spoken, and shall not make it good?' (Num 23:19). His decrees are
composed according to his eternal wisdom, established upon his unchangeable will,
governed by his knowledge, prudence, power, justice, and mercy, and are brought to
conclusion, on his part, in perfect holiness, through the abiding of his most blessed
truth and faithfulness: 'He is the rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are
judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he' (Deut 32:4).
Second, 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 fulness 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 fulness of him that filleth all in all' (Eph 1:23) and 'the measure
of the stature of the fulness of Christ' (Eph 4:13). Which body, considering him
as the head thereof, in conclusion maketh up one perfect man, and holy temple for
the Lord. These are called Christ's substance, inheritance and lot (Psa 16); and
are said to be booked, marked, and sealed with God's most excellent knowledge, approbation
and liking (2 Tim 2:19). As Christ said to his Father, 'Thine eyes did see my substance,
yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance
were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them' (Psa 139:16). 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 God's elect?' (Rom 8:33) 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' (Rom 9:11). 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 (Matt 24:24).
Thirdly, Nay further, that all may see how punctual, exact, and to a tittle this
decree of election is, God hath not only as to number and quantity confined the persons,
but also determined and measured, and that before the world, the number of the gifts
and graces that are to be bestowed on these members in general; and also what graces
and gifts to be bestowed on this or that member in particular: He 'hath blessed us
with all spiritual blessings - in Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before
the foundation of the word' (Eph 1:3,4). And bestoweth them in time upon us, 'According
to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord' (Eph 3:11). He
hath given to the eye, the grace that belongeth to the eye; and to the hand that
which he also hath appointed for it. And so to every other member of the body elect,
he doth deal out to them their determined measure of grace and gifts most fit for
their place and office. Thus is the decree established, both of the saved, and also
the non-elect (Rom 12:3; Eph 4:16; Col 2:19; Eph 4:12,13).
Fourth, But again, another thing that doth establish this decree of eternal reprobation,
is the weakness that sin, in the fall, and since, hath brought all reprobates into:
For though it be most true, that sin is no cause of eternal reprobation; yet seeing
sin hath seized on the reprobate, it cannot be but thereby the decree must needs
be the faster fixed. If the king, for this or the other weighty reason, doth decree
not to give this or that man, who yet did never offend him, a place in his privy
chamber; if this man after this shall be infected with the plague, this rather fastens
than loosens the king's decree. As the angels that were left out of God's election,
by reason of the sin they committed after, are so far off from being by that received
into God's decree, that they are therefore bound for it in chains of everlasting
darkness to the judgment of the great day.
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