Institutes of the Christian Religion (Vol. 2 of 2)
CHAPTER XXIV.02
Election Confirmed By The Divine Call. The Destined Destruction Of The Reprobate Procured By Themselves - Reading 02
III. Here two errors are to be avoided. For some suppose
man to be a coöperator with God, so that the validity of election
depends on his consent; thus, according to them, the will
of man is superior to the counsel of God. As though the
Scripture taught, that we are only given an ability to believe,
and not faith itself. Others, not thus enervating the grace of
the Holy Spirit, yet induced by I know not what mode of reasoning,
suspend election on that which is subsequent to it; as
though it were doubtful and ineffectual till it is confirmed by
faith. That this is its confirmation to us is very clear; that it
is the manifestation of God’s secret counsel before concealed, we
have already seen; but all that we are to understand by this, is
that what was before unknown is verified, and as it were ratified
with a seal. But it is contrary to the truth to assert, that election
has no efficacy till after we have embraced the gospel,
and that this circumstance gives it all its energy. The certainty
of it, indeed, we are to seek here; for if we attempt to
penetrate to the eternal decree of God, we shall be ingulfed in
the profound abyss. But when God has discovered it to us,
we must ascend to loftier heights, that the cause may not be
lost in the effect. For what can be more absurd and inconsistent,
when the Scripture teaches that we are illuminated
according as God has chosen us, than that our eyes should be so
dazzled with the blaze of this light as to refuse to contemplate
election? At the same time I admit that, in order to attain an
assurance of our salvation, we ought to begin with the word,
and that with it our confidence ought to be satisfied, so as to
call upon God as our Father. For some persons, to obtain
certainty respecting the counsel of God, “which is nigh unto
us, in our mouth and in our heart,” [530]
IV. As it is erroneous, therefore, to suspend the efficacy of
election upon the faith of the gospel, by which we discover
our interest in election, so we shall observe the best order, if,
in seeking an assurance of our election, we confine our attention
to those subsequent signs which are certain attestations of
it. Satan never attacks believers with a more grievous or
dangerous temptation, than when he disquiets them with
doubts of their election, and stimulates to an improper desire
of seeking it in a wrong way. I call it seeking in a wrong
way, when miserable man endeavours to force his way into the
secret recesses of Divine wisdom, and to penetrate even to the
highest eternity, that he may discover what is determined concerning
him at the tribunal of God. Then he precipitates
himself to be absorbed in the profound of an unfathomable
gulf; then he entangles himself in numberless and inextricable
snares; then he sinks himself in an abyss of total darkness. For
it is right that the folly of the human mind should be thus
punished with horrible destruction, when it attempts by its own
ability to rise to the summit of Divine wisdom. This temptation
is the more fatal, because there is no other to which men
in general have a stronger propensity. For there is scarcely a
person to be found, whose mind is not sometimes struck with
this thought—Whence can you obtain salvation but from the
election of God? And what revelation have you received of
election? If this has once impressed a man, it either perpetually
excruciates the unhappy being with dreadful torments,
or altogether stupefies him with astonishment. Indeed, I
should desire no stronger argument to prove how extremely
erroneous the conceptions of such persons are respecting predestination,
than experience itself; since no error can affect
the mind, more pestilent than such as disturbs the conscience,
and destroys its peace and tranquillity towards God. Therefore,
if we dread shipwreck, let us anxiously beware of this
rock, on which none ever strike without being destroyed.
But though the discussion of predestination may be compared
to a dangerous ocean, yet, in traversing over it, the navigation
is safe and serene, and I will also add pleasant, unless any one
freely wishes to expose himself to danger. For as those who,
in order to gain an assurance of their election, examine into
the eternal counsel of God without the word, plunge themselves
into a fatal abyss, so they who investigate it in a regular
and orderly manner, as it is contained in the word, derive
from such inquiry the benefit of peculiar consolation. Let this,
then, be our way of inquiry; to begin and end with the calling
of God. Though this prevents not believers from perceiving,
that the blessings they daily receive from the hand of God
descend from that secret adoption; as Isaiah introduces them,
saying, “Thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of
old are faithfulness and truth;” [531]