History of Protestantism in the Netherlands - James Aitken Wylie

into deep and hidden things; it was quicker to
discern the apparent antagonisms than the real
harmonies between truth and truth; it was prone to
look only at one question, or at one side of a
question, forgetful of its balancings and
modifications, and so was in danger of distorting or
even caricaturing truth. The empirical treatment
which the doctrine of predestination received --
perhaps we ought to say on both sides -- is an
example of this. Instead of the awe and reverence
with which a question involving the character and
government of God, and the eternal destinies of
men, ought ever to inspire those who undertake to
deal with a subject so awful, and the solution of
which so far transcends the human faculties, it was
approached in a proud, self-sufficient, and flippant
spirit, that was at once unchristian and
unphilosophical. Election and reprobation were
singled out, separated from the great and
surpassingly solemn subject of which they are only
parts, looked at entirely dissociated from their
relations to other necessary truths, subjected to an
iron logic, and compelled to yield consequences
which were impious and revolting. The very
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