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280 THE HISTORY OF HERESIES,
VII.
GOD NEVER PREDESTINED ANY ONE TO ETERNAL DAMNATION WITHOUT
REGARD TO HIS SINS.
57. Calvin teaches that God has predestined many to eternal
damnation, not because of their sins, but merely for his own
pleasure. Here are his words : (1)
"
damnatio a3terna ; praoordinatur itaquc prout
Aliis vita aeterna, aliis
in alterutrum finem
quisque conditus est, ita vel ad vitam, vel ad mortem prsDdestinatum
dicimus," and the only reason he assigns for this predestina
"
tion is the will of God : (2) Nequc in aliis reprobandis aliud
habebiinus, quam ejus voluntatem." I can understand very well
how the heretics embrace this doctrine, for they argue thus : I
may commit whatever sins I please, with out fear or remorse ; for,
if I am predestined to heaven, I will, notwithstanding, be infal
libly saved, no matter what wickedness I commit ; if I am among
the reprobate I will be damned, no matter how virtuously 1 live.
Cesarius tells a story of a certain physician who gave a very
good answer to this argument, if it can be called one. A man of
the name of Louis Landgrave got a mortal fit of sickness, and
sent for this physician, who called on him, and asked him what he
wanted with him.
"
I hope" said the sick man,
"
you
will be able
what can
to restore me to health."
"
Oh," said the physician,
"
I do for you ? If your hour is come you will die, no matter
what remedies I may give you, but if not, you will recover,
without any assistance from me." Remember this was the same
answer the sick man had previously given to a person who repri
manded him in presence of the
"
If I am to be saved," said he,
physician, for his wicked life.
"
I will be so, no matter how
wicked I may be ; and if I am to be damned, it will happen, no
matter how good I am."
"
Oh," said the sick man,
"
do what
you can for me, perhaps your skill will restore me, but if you do
nothing for me I will surely die." The physician, then, who was
(1) Calvin. List. /. 1, c. 21, sec. 5. (2) Calvin, lust. /. 1, c. 21. s. o.