the works of john gill vol2 SAMPLE

Part 3: Chapter 7
preparing for and giving the special blessings of grace to all men, the
decree of reprobation must at once be exploded.
But though this decree is opposite to any such mercy in God towards
those who are included in it, yet it is no ways contrary to the mercy of
God shown to the elect; wherefore we cannot but conclude, that our
doctrine represents God as merciful, yea, more merciful than that
which is opposite to it; since, according to our doctrine, God, of his
abundant grace and mercy, has determined to give pardoning,
regenerating, and persevering grace, to a certain number of men,
whereby they shall be infallibly saved, when he denies it to others;
whereas, according to the contrary scheme, God has not absolutely
chosen one single person to salvation; but his choice proceeds upon
their faith, repentance, and perseverance; which also are left to the
power and will of man; so that at most, the salvation of every man is
precarious and uncertain, nay, I will venture to say, entirely impossible.
I proceed to consider the particular instances of the cruelty and
unmercifulness of the decree of reprobation,
8. The Supralapsarian scheme is greatly found fault with; and it is
asked 29 , “What can be supposed more cruelly of God, than that he
should, of his mere will and pleasure, appoint men nondum
consideratos ut condendos, not yet considered as to be created, much
less as sinners, to the everlasting torments of hell?”
I observe, that this learned writer greatly mistakes the Supralapsarian
scheme: which considers the objects of election and reprobation as
men either already created, but not fallen, or to be created, and in the
pure mass of creatureship, but not as men not yet considered, whether
they should be created or no.
Besides, he confounds, as these men usually do, the decree of
negative with positive reprobation, or the decree of preterition with
that of damnation; whereas the Supralapsarians, though they think
29 Limborch, p. 339.
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