Calvinism and Arminianism

SOVEREIGNTY, FREEWILL AND SALVATION
PROF. M. M. NINAN
have been made, unless sin, and misery through sin, had entered into the world, to form at
least some degree of misery for the least sin. And in this manner is sin also necessarily
introduced, through the necessity of such a demonstration of the Divine glory. Since the fall
of Adam is already laid down to be necessary, and, on that account, to be a means for
executing the preceding decree of Predestination; creation itself is likewise at the same
time laid down as a means subservient to the execution of the same decree. For the fall
cannot be necessarily consequent upon the creation, except through the decree of
Predestination, which cannot be placed between the creation and the fall, but is prefixed to
both of them, as having the precedence, and ordaining creation for the fall, and both of
them for executing one and the same decree — to demonstrate the justice of God in the
punishment of sin, and his mercy in its remission. Because, if this were not the case, that
which must necessarily ensue from the act of creation had not seen intended by God when
he created, which is to suppose an impossibility. But let it be granted, that the necessity of
the fall of Adam cannot be deduced from either of the two latter opinions, yet all the
preceding arguments which have been produced against the first opinion, are, after a
trifling modification to suit the varied purpose, equally valid against the two latter. This
would be very apparent, if, to demonstrate it, a conference were to be instituted.
6. MY OWN SENTIMENTS ON PREDESTINATION.
I have hitherto been stating those opinions concerning the article of Predestination which
are inculcated in our Churches and in the University of Leyden, and of which I disapprove. I
have at the same time produced my own reasons, why I form such an unfavorable
judgment concerning them; and I will now declare my own opinions on this subject, which
are of such a description as, according to my views, appear most conformable to the word
of God.
1. The first absolute decree of God concerning the salvation of sinful man, is that by which
he decreed to appoint his Son, Jesus Christ, for a Mediator, Redeemer, Savior, Priest and
King, who might destroy sin by his own death, might by his obedience obtain the salvation
which had been lost, and might communicate it by his own virtue.
2. The second precise and absolute decree of God, is that in which he decreed to receive
into favor those who repent and believe, and, in Christ, for his sake and through Him, to
effect the salvation of such penitents and believers as persevered to the end; but to leave
in sin, and under wrath, all impenitent persons and unbelievers, and to damn them as
aliens from Christ.
3. The third Divine decree is that by which God decreed to administer in a sufficient and
efficacious manner the means which were necessary for repentance and faith; and to have
such administration instituted
(1.) according to the Divine Wisdom, by which God knows what is proper and becoming
both to his mercy and his severity, and
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