THE Arminian Magazine, 1 For JUNE 1791. DIALOGUES on PREDESTINATION. [By Dr. WOBACK, fometime BISHOP of WORCESTER.] IN that diflinction, of grace into common and faving, I speak according to the fsense of some Calvinists, and so it is Argumentum ad hominem. For, though it be true, that there is a divine light and power, which may be called Common grace, vouchsafed even unto Heathens; yet that grace of Chrift's purchafing, which is recommended and offered to us in the golpel is χάρις σωτήριον πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις, Tit. ii. 11. That it is not eventually saving in most men is, because they do obicem ponere, vid. Luke vii. 30. A&ts xiii. 46. Jude 4. 2 Cor. vi. 1. Heb. xii. 15. THE GENERAL ARGUMENT. Those articles of religion, which are unprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inftruction in righteousness, are not profitable in the exercise of the minifterial function, not ferviceable to the intereft of fouls, not according to godliness, VOL. XIV. M m The The articles of religion concerning God's decrees, with their appendages, whether as dreffed up by the Supra-lapfarians, or as they are (after a little finer trimming) espoused by the Sub-lapfarians, are unprofitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inftruction in righteoufnefs. Therefore, The articles of religion concerning God's decrees, with their appendages, whether as dreffed up by the Supra-lapfarians, or as they are (after a little finer trimming) espoused by the Sub-lapfarians, are not profitable in the exercife of the minifterial funclion, not ferviceable to the intereft of fouls, not according to godliness. The First is evident, from the apostle's enumeration of the feveral uses of Holy Scripture.* The Second is proved, beyond all poffible evasion, in the enfuing Dialogues. DIALOGUE I. CALVINISM a fcandal to PAGANS, and a difcourage ment to CHRISTIANITY. PAGANUS. DIOTREPHES and PAGANUS. OOD day to you, Sir. It is now fo long fince your arrival in thefe parts, that I hope it will not be unfeasonable to ask you how the climate agrees with you; how you like the foil, and the fituation of the country; and I fhall add this requeft, that you would take the freedom, as if it were the place of your nativity, to acquaint me with your wants, that I may take order for your further 'accommodation. Dio. Sir, I am much obliged to you for your civility; for which I return my hearty thanks. I am much affected to this climate, and the more, because it agrees fo well with my confitution; and moft of all, for the extreme civility I find amongst the inhabitants. Sir, you have a fruitful foil, and therein you fee much of the riches of God's bounty; and you have a sweet light, and warm influences; and thefe, as they ferve to dif cover fomewhat of his wifdom and beauty to you, so they ferve to bring his bleffings to maturity and ripeness for you: but, Sir, as your own observation prompts you to the notice, how fading and unfatisfactory all these things are; fo let me tell you (for indeed it is my office, and the beft inftance of my gratitude) that I give you intelligence of a better country; for the furnishing whereof, to the unfpeakable joy and glory of the inhabitants, the Almighty hath been pleased to disburse the richest treasures of his bounty; and the fruits that grow there, never fade, but adminifter a durable fatisfaction, and are perpetuated to an everlasting enjoyment; for indeed in their paffages thither, they that obtain an interefl in it, have all their rags of infirmity ftript off, and are cloathed with immortality. PAG. Such a place, Sir, would invite a huge ambition to make a voyage thither, if the journey were not too far. But perhaps, unless one could procure a happy fettlement there, the thoughts of a return would prevent our enjoying it. Dio. Sir, fuch as are bound for that place, make no return. If they be accounted worthy of admiffion into that fociety, as their hearts are immediately fettled upon the ftate of blifs, wherein they are fwallowed up; fo do they receive poffeffion of their feveral mansions that are established, to all eternity. PAG. I pray, in what part of the world is this kingdom fituated? Dio. Not in this world, Sir: it is above all heavens ! PAG. But where fhould we find a ladder long enough to reach up thither to convey us to it? Dio. Almighty God hath made a ladder for us himself, and fent it down to convey us thither. PAG. That is a great mystery to my understanding. I pray, what may that ladder be made of? We have no trees that are long or ftrong enough for such a service. Dio. This ladder is made of the tree of life, that grows in the paradife of God. Indeed it is the Son of God himself; who is therefore filed, "The way, the truth, and the life. For God fo loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whofoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." PAG. What need was there of fuch a dispensation? Could he not have made us happy otherwise? Dio. God did make man upright at his firft creation, and allowed him a communion with himself, and fair promise, upon proof of his conftant obedience, of further happiness ; but, upon the temptation of the devil, he violated the command which his Maker had given him, and so betrayed himfelf, and all his offspring, to a flate of misery, fin, and ruin : but it pleafed God, that his own Son, out of his love to man, should interpofe himself for our redemption. To this end he clothed himself with our nature, and became obedient, not only by obedience to the whole law of God, but by suffering too; for he humbled himself to the death of the cross, that fuffering in the flesh, he might fatisfy God's justice, and purchase a people to himself by the price of his own blood; and as many as will heartily fubmit to him, and faithfully believe in him, shall be endued with his Spirit; and finally, inherit eternal life in his kingdom. PAG. This I confefs was a wonderful condefcenfion of the divine compassion. But that God should fend his Son, and so much debase him, and all to exalt us! This is a mystery fo far above my apprehenfion, that human reafon cannot entertain it upon a bare affertion. That you may gain credit therefore |