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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. |
EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT.
his valuable tract was first published without
a date, but according to Doe's List, about the year 1674, and has never been reprinted
in a separate volume; it appeared in only one edition of the collected works of John
Bunyan—that with the notes by Ryland and Mason; and in his select works, published
in America in 1832. No man could have been better qualified to write upon the subject
of reprobation than Bunyan.—His extraordinary knowledge of, and fervent attachment
to, the holy oracles, peculiarly fitted him with unwavering verity to display this
doctrine of divine truth. He was incapable of any misrepresentation with a view of
concealing what fallen reason might deem a deformity, or to render the doctrines
of the cross palatable to mankind. His object is to display the truth, and then humbly
to submit to the wisdom of God, and zealously to vindicate it.
There is no subject which more fully displays our fallen nature, than that of reprobation.
All mankind agree in opinion, that there ever has been an elect, or good class of
society; and a reprobate, or worthless and bad class; varying in turpitude or in
goodness to a great extent and in almost imperceptible degrees. All must unite in
ascribing to God that divine foreknowledge that renders ten thousand years but as
one day, or hour, or moment in his sight. All ascribe to his omnipotence the power
to ordain or decree what shall come to pass—and where is the spirit that can demonstrate
a shade of difference between such foreknowledge and preordination. All agree that
in the lower class of animals some of the same species pass their lives in luxury
and comfort, while others are cruelly tormented, this world comprising their whole
term of existence; and will those who refuse to submit to the sovereignty of God
in the doctrine of election dare to arraign his conduct in leaving some out of his
electing love?
The reprobate or worthless lose nothing by the happiness of others. It is inscrutably
hid from mankind who are the elect, until the Holy Spirit influences them with the
love of God in Christ Jesus, and this sometimes in the last moments of life. There
is every encouragement, nay incentive, to the sinner who feels the burden of guilt
to fly for refuge to the hope set before him in the gospel. 'It is a faithful saying,
and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS';
even the chief of sinners. The glad tidings are addressed to ALL sin- sick souls;
and Bunyan's statement of this truth is clear, scriptural, and reasonable. Very different
is the account of the reprobation given by R. Resburie in his Stop to the Gangrene
of Arminianism, 1651. 'For the reprobate God decrees the permitting of sin in order
to hardening, and their hardening in it, in order to their condemnation.' p. 69.
'As election is the book of life, so reprobation of death; the names of the reprobate
are there registered for destruction.' p. 73.
It is much to be regretted that sentiments like these have been too commonly uttered.
It is as an antidote to such ideas that this little work was written; but, unfortunately,
it has never been widely circulated and read. May the divine blessing follow this
attempt to spread these important, although to many, unpalatable, doctrines.
GEORGE OFFOR.
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