Reformed Classics

Book 2, Chapter 5, Sections 1–5 — The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted, Part 1

Book 2, Chapter 5, Sections 1–5 — The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted, Part 1

Sections 1. Absurd fictions of opponents first refuted, and then certain passages of Scripture explained. Answer by a negative. Confirmation of the answer. 2. Another absurdity of Aristotle and Pelagius. Answer by a distinction. Answer fortified by

Book 2, Chapter 4, Sections 1–8 — How God Works in the Hearts of Men

Book 2, Chapter 4, Sections 1–8 — How God Works in the Hearts of Men

Sections 1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine’s similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil. 2. Question answered in respect to God and man. Example from the history of Job. The works of...

Book 2, Chapter 3, Sections 10–14 — Everything Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable

Book 2, Chapter 3, Sections 10–14 — Everything Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable

Sections 10. A fourth Objection. Answer. Fifth Objection. Answer. Answer confirmed by many passages of Scripture, and supported by a passage from Augustine. 11. Perseverance not of ourselves, but of God. Objection. Two errors in the objection. Refut

Book 2, Chapter 3, Sections 5-9 – Everything Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable

Book 2, Chapter 3, Sections 1-4 – Everything Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable

Book 2, Chapter 3, Sections 1-4 – Everything Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable

Sections 1. The intellect and will of the whole man corrupt. The term flesh applies not only to the sensual, but also to the higher part of the soul. This demonstrated from Scripture. 2. The heart also involved in corruption, and hence in no...

Book 2, Chapter 2, Sections 21-27 — Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will

Book 2, Chapter 2, Sections 21-27 — Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will

Sections 21. Fourth argument. Scripture ascribes the glory of our adoption and salvation to God only. The human intellect blind as to heavenly things until it is illuminated. Disposal of a heretical objection. 22. Human intellect ignorant of the true

Book 2, Chapter 2, Sections 14-20 – Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will

Book 2, Chapter 2, Sections 9-13 – Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will

Book 2, Chapter 2, Sections 5-8 – Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will

Book 2, Chapter 2, Sections 1-4 – Man Now Deprived of Human Will…

Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 8-11 – Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam

Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 8-11 – Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam

Sections 8. Definition of original sin. Two parts in the definition. Exposition of the latter part. Original sin exposes us to the wrath of God. It also produces in us the works of the flesh. Other definitions considered. 9. Exposition of the...

Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 4-7 – Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam

Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 4-7 – Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam

Sections 4. In considering this latter part, two points to be considered; 1. How it happened that Adam involved himself and the whole human race in this dreadful calamity. This the result not of sensual intemperance, but of infidelity (the source...

Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 1-3 – Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam

Book 2, Chapter 1, Sections 1-3 – Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam

Sections The knowledge of ourselves most necessary. To use it properly we must be divested of pride, and clothed with true humility, which will dispose us to consider our fall, and embrace the mercy of God in Christ. Though there is plausibili

Book 1, Chapter 18 – The Instrumentality of the World…

Book 1, Chapter 18 – The Instrumentality of the World…

Sections The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but...

Book 1, Chapter 17, Sections 11-14 – Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence

Book 1, Chapter 17, Sections 11-14 – Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence

Sections 11. The use of the foregoing meditation. 12. The second part of the chapter, disposing of two objections. 1. That Scripture represents God as changing his purpose, or repenting, and that, therefore, his Providence is not fixed. Answer to this

Book 1, Chapter 17, Sections 6-10 – Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence

Book 1, Chapter 17, Sections 6-10 – Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence

Sections 6. A holy meditation on Divine Providence. 1. All events happen by the ordination of God. 2. All things contribute to the advantage of the godly. 3. The hearts of men and all their endeavours are in the hand of...

Book 1, Chapter 17, Sections 1-5 – Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence

Book 1, Chapter 17, Sections 1-5 – Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence

Sections 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode...

Book 1, Chapter 16, Sections 5-9 – The World Created by God

Book 1, Chapter 16, Sections 5-9 – The World Created by God

Sections 5. Special Providence of God asserted and proved by arguments founded on a consideration of the Divine Justice and Mercy. Proved also by passages of Scripture, relating to the sky, the earth, and animals. 6. Special Providence proved by passa

Book 1, Chapter 16, Sections 1-4 – The World Created by God…

Book 1, Chapter 16, Sections 1-4 – The World Created by God…

Sections 1. Even the wicked, under the guidance of carnal sense, acknowledge that God is the Creator. The godly acknowledge not this only, but that he is a most wise and powerful governor and preserver of all created objects. In so...

Book 1, Chapter 15, Sections 5-8 – State in which Man was Created

Book 1, Chapter 15, Sections 5-8 – State in which Man was Created

Sections 5. The dreams of the Manichees and of Servetus, as to the origin of the soul, refuted. Also of Osiander, who denies that there is any image of God in man without essential righteousness. 6. The doctrine of philosophers as to...

Book 1, Chapter 15, Sections 1-4 – State in which Man was Created

Book 1, Chapter 15, Sections 1-4 – State in which Man was Created

Sections 1. A twofold knowledge of God—viz. before the fall and after it. The former here considered. Particular rules or precautions to be observed in this discussion. What we are taught by a body formed ant of the dust, and tenanted...

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 17-22: In the Creation of the World…

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 17-22: In the Creation of the World…

Sections 17. Though the devil is always opposed in will and endeavour to the will of God, he can do nothing without his permission and consent. 18. God so overrules wicked spirits as to permit them to try the faithful, and rule...

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 12-16: In the Creation of the World

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 12-16: In the Creation of the World

Sections 12. Use of the doctrine of Scripture concerning the holy angels. 13. The doctrine concerning bad angels or devils reduced to four heads. 1. That we may guard against their wiles and assaults. 14. That we may be stimulated to exercises of...

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 7-11: In the Creation of the World…

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 7-11: In the Creation of the World…

Sections 7. A kind of prefects over kingdoms and provinces, but specially the guardians of the elect. Not certain that every believer is under the charge of a single angel. Enough, that all angels watch over the safety of the Church. 8....

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 1-6: In the Creation of the World…

Book 1, Chapter 14, Sections 1-6: In the Creation of the World…

1. The mere fact of creation should lead us to acknowledge God, but to prevent our falling away to Gentile fictions, God has been pleased to furnish a history of the creation. An impious objection, Why the world was not...

Book 1, Chapter 13, Sections 26-29: The Unity of the Divine Essence

Book 1, Chapter 13, Sections 26-29: The Unity of the Divine Essence

Sections 26. Previous refutations further explained. 27. Reply to certain passages produced from Irenaeus. The meaning of Irenaeus. 28. Reply to certain passages produced from Tertullian. The meaning of Tertullian. 29. Anti Trinitarians refuted by a

Book 1, Chapter 13, Sections 21-25: The Unity of the Divine Essence

Book 1, Chapter 13, Sections 21-25: The Unity of the Divine Essence

Sections 21. Refutation of Arian, Macedonian, and Anti Trinitarian heresies. Caution to be observed. 22. The more modern Anti Trinitarians, and especially Servetus, refuted. 23. Other Anti Trinitarians refuted. No good objection that Christ is called

Book 1, Chapter 13, Sections 16-20: The Unity of the Divine Essence