In respect to its positive element, reprobation is not sovereign, but simply judicial, because God inflicts misery in any case only as the righteous punishment of sin. " The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sins." — Con. Faith, Chap. III., Sec. 7.
22. How may this doctrine of reprobation be proved to be true ?
1st. It is involved in the doctrine of unconditional election, and is therefore established by all the evidence upon which that doctrine rests, (see above, question 15.)
2d. It is directly taught in such passages as the following :
184 PREDESTINATION.
Kom. ix., 10-24 ; 1 Pet. ii., 8 ; 2d Pet. ii., 12 : Jude 4; Kev. xiii., 8.
23. What is the objection to this doctrine stated, (Kom. ix., 197) and how does Paul answer it ?
" Why doth he yet find fault ?" If he has not given gracious ability to obey, how can he command. — See also Methodist Doc- trinal Tracts, p. 171.
The apostle answers by showing, 1st, (verses 20, 21,) that God is under no obligation to extend his grace to all or to any ; and, 2d, that the " vessels of wrath" were condemned for their own sins, to manifest God's just wrath, while the "vessels of mercy" were chosen not for any good in them, but to manifest his glorious grace (verses 22, 23).
24. In what sense is God said to harden men (see Kom. i., 24-28, and ix., 18) ?
This is doubtless a judicial act wherein God withdraws from sinful men, whom he has not elected to life, for the just punish- ment of their sins, all gracious influences, and leaves them to the unrestrained tendencies of their own hearts, and to the uncoun- teracted influences of the world and the devil.
25. How can the doctrine of reprobation be reconciled with the holiness of God ?
Reprobation leaves men in sin, and thus leads to the increase of sin throughout eternity. How then can God, in consistency with his holiness, form a purpose the designed effect of which is to leave men in sin, and thus lead inevitably to the increase of sin.
But it is acknowledged by Arminians as well as Calvinists, that God did create the human race in spite of his certain fore- knowledge that sin would be largely occasioned thereby, and he did create individual men in spite of his certain foreknowledge that these very men would continue eternally to sin. The sim- ple difficulty is, the fact that God does not convert all men.
26. What is the practical bearing of this doctrine on Chris- tian experience and conduct ?
PRACTICAL EFFECT OF THIS DOCTRINE. 185
It must be remembered, 1st. That this truth is not inconsis- tent with, but is part of the same gracious system with the equally certain principles of the moral liberty and responsibility of man, and the free offers of the gospel to all. 2d. That the sole rule of our duty is the commands, threatenings, and prom- ises of God clearly expressed in the gospel, and not this decree of election, which he never reveals except in its consequents of effec- tual calling, faith, and holy living.
When thus held the doctrine of predestination —
1st. Exalts the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God, while it illustrates the riches of his free grace and his just dis- pleasure with sin.
2d. It enforces upon us the essential truth that salvation is entirely of grace. That no one can either complain, if passed over, or boasts himself, if saved.
3d. It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair, and the cordial embrace of the free offer of Christ.
4th. In the case of the believer, who has the witness in him- self, this doctrine at once deepens his humility, and elevates his confidence to the full assurance of hope.
CHAPTER XI.
THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.
1. What is the primary signification, and what the biblical usage of the word a-ns ?
"1st. Strictly, To hew, cutout. 2d. To form, make, produce, (whether out of nothing or not) Gen. i., 1, 21, 27 ; ii., 3, 4 ; Isa. xliii., 1, 7 ; xlv., 1 ; lxv., 18 ; Ps. Ii., 12 ; Jer. xxxi., 22; Amos iv., 13. Mphal, 1st. To be created, Gen. ii., 4; v., 2. 2d. To be born, Ps. cii., 19 ; Ezek. xxi., 35. Piel. 1st. To hew, cut down, e. g., a wood, Josh, xvii., 15, 18. 2d. To cut down (with the sword,) to hilly Ezek. xxiii., 47. 3d. To form, engrave, mark out, Ezek. xxi., 24." — Gesenius' Lex.
2. What different theories have been advocated in opposition to the doctrine of creation ?