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Calvin and Calvinism » 2007 » September » 2

Archive for September 2nd, 2007

1) Our God is the God of all men and nations, who according to the saying of the apostle, “would have al men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth[1 Tim 2:4]:” and therefore has he, for the benefit, life, and salvation of all men, revealed in his word, that so indeed there might be a rule and a certain way to lead men by this path of justice into life everlasting. Decades, 1st Decade, Sermon 2, vol 1, p.,57.

2) Dearly beloved, this hour you have heard our bountiful Lord and God, “who would have all men saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” how he has revealed his word to all men throughout the whole world, to the intent that all men in all places, of what kind [Lat: sexus], age, or degree soever they be, may know the truth, and be instructed in the true salvation; and may learn a perfect way how to live rightly, well, and holily, so that the man of God may be perfect, instructed to all good works. Decades, 1st Decade, Sermon 2, vol 1, p.,69.

3) Wherefore our Lord Jesus Christ, being both God and man, was a fit Mediator for both parties. Which thing the apostle witnessing saith: “One God, and one Mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself the price of redemption for all [1 Tim 2:5,6.] Decades, 1st Decade, Sermon 7, vol 1, p., 131.

4) Whereupon we do necessarily gather, that only Christ is the mediator or intercessor with the Father. For principally Christ may se himself in the midst between God and men, because he only is partaker of both natures. The saints participate but only one; for they are men; but Christ is both God and man. Furthermore, he that is an intercessor must also be a reconciliator, or an atonement-maker. For the end, whereat he maketh intercession doth shoot at reconciliation. But Christ is the only reconciliator of men, therefore, also the only intercessor. For it belongeth to an intercessor to dissolve the cause of contention and discord, that is to say, to abolish and take away sin. But Christ alone, and no creature taketh away sin. It remaineth therefore that Christ is the only intercessor. Hithertoo do now pertain the testimonies of Scripture. Paul saith: “There is one God, and one reconciler (or mediator) of God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself the price (or ransom) for the redemption of all [1 Tim 2.]. And although the apostle speak expressly of redemption, yet notwithstanding these words are placed in the midst between the disputation of the invocation upon God which is done by Christ, who is the only mediator of redemption and intercession. For he alone redeemed us, so doth he alone even now command us, being redeemed, unto the Father. Decades, Decades, 4th Decade, Sermon 5, vol 2, p., 214-215.

Vermigli:

Unlimited redemption:

1) This word predestination will signify nothing else than the eternal ordinance of God regarding his creatures (Dei de creaturis suis aeternam dispositionem), relating to a certain use. The Scriptures do not often use the word predestination in this sense except with reference to the elect alone. Although in Acts 4 we read “they assembled together to do whatever your hand and purpose predestined to happen” (Acts 4:28). If these words refer to the death of Christ and the redemption of mankind, they do not pass beyond the bounds of election to salvation; if they include those who gathered together against the Lord, they also include the reprobate. Let us make our judgments based on how the Scriptures most often use the term predestination. Peter Martyr Vermigli, Predestination and Justification, trans., by Frank A. James, (Kirksville, Missouri: Sixteenth Century Essays and Studies, 2003), vol., 8, p., 16.

2) “They [the anti-predestinarians] also grant that “Christ died for us all” and infer from this that his benefits are common to everyone. We gladly grant this, too, if we are considering only the worthiness of the death of Christ, for it might be sufficient for all the world’s sinners. Yet even if in itself it is enough, yet it did not have, nor has, nor will have effect in all men. The Scholastics also acknowledge the same thing when they affirm that Christ redeemed all men sufficiently but not effectually.” Peter Martyr Vermigli, Predestination and Justification, trans., by Frank A. James, (Kirksville, Missouri: Sixteenth Century Essays and Studies, 2003), vol., 8, p., 62.

3) FROM PSALM 74: If it were to happen, O almighty God, which we do not doubt often occurs, that we provoke your wrath against us because of the sins that we have just committed and we bring down the heavy whips which chastise us: remember, I entreat, your goodness and promises which you know we have laid hold of by faith. Do not hand our souls over to the power of those who oppose your glory and our salvation. They strive for nothing but destroying your works or making them useless and bringing to naught the salvation of the human race which you purchased by your mercy. All their efforts are finally aimed at making your name blasphemed and vilified. We ask you to remember how you previously conferred benefits on us. Do not put an end to the work of redemption you have already begun in us. Arise, O God, and assist those who call on you lest the plans of the wicked enjoy success either against your glory or against our salvation. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Peter Martyr Vermigli, Sacred Prayers, trans., by John Patrick Donnelly, (Kirksville, Missouri: Sixteenth Century Essays and Studies, 1994), vol 3, p., 69.

4) Even Christ himself, when he had been raised from the dead, carried back with him the scars from his wounds and said to doubting Thomas, “Put your fingers here… in my side and in the nail marks, and do not be faithless, but believing” ((John 20:27). The wounds had already performed their function, for by them the human race was redeemed, but he still had them after he was raised from the dead, that his body might be displayed as the same one which had suffered earlier. Peter Martyr Vermigli, “Resurrection: Commentary on 2 Kings 4″in Philosophical Works, trans., by Joseph P. McLelland, (Kirksville, Missouri: Sixteenth Century Essays and Studies, 1994), vol 4, p., 113.

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