Twenty-Four Short Sermons On The Doctrine Of Universal Salvation by John Bovee Dods
page 47 of 189 (24%)
page 47 of 189 (24%)
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in no instance, promised eternal to _unbelievers_; and unless you can
prove that the promise does extend to them, your arguments must fall like rottenness to the ground. We have certainly proved this, and to attend to the objector's request would but be, in some measure, going over the ground already occupied. We will, however, just touch this point again. We will introduce the following words of Paul to Titus. "In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised before the world began." If God promised his creatures eternal life before the world began, will they not obtain it? They will for this passage says that he _cannot lie_. But says the objector, he has not promised it to the unbeliever. We would then inquire, what is it that constitutes him an _unbeliever_? Why do you call him an _unbeliever_? Do you say because he disbelieves the truth of God's promise? Then you must, of course, admit the truth of God's promise to him. If so, it must stand, for God cannot lie. You cannot call upon a sinner to _believe_, until you admit the existence of _that very truth_, you wish him to believe, God's promise of eternal life in Christ, is the gospel we are called upon to believe with a sincere heart. If you contend that it is promised to an elect number only, and not to the reprobates, then if they should all be brought to the knowledge of the truth, what would they believe? Ans. The elect would believe the promise of eternal life was made to them, the reprobates would believe right the reverse of the elect, and all would be believers. No, says the objector, the reprobates ought to believe just as the elect do. But in this case, they would believe that they also have the promise of eternal life. This would be believing a lie, because you say that God has not made them that promise? How would you preach to such persons? If you called upon them to believe the truth of the gospel, which is eternal life, |
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