The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-26

sess. though they comprise the whole OF the
subject. yet have not used language sufficiently
expressive OF its operation and usefulness. For
our nature 10 not only destitute of all good. but
il is so fertile in all evils that il cannot remain
inactive. Those who have called it concupis-
cence unlawful desire especially of carnRl
pleasure; lust have used an expression not i'm
proper. if il were only added that everything
In mantle understanding and will, the SOId
and bO1y-is polluted and engrossed by this
concupiscence; or 10 express 1t more briefly,
that man is of himself nothing but conoupis-
cence.
The full character and weight of Cal
vanism would be lacking, if. in this con-
nection, the doctrine of Eternal Elec-
ton; or, Presdestination." were over
looked. In Book III Of the Institutes"
Calvin proclaims as follows:
The covenant Of life not being duly preached
by all aud among those 60 whom tits preached,
not always finding the same reception, this di-
verslty discovers the wonderful depth oil the
divine judgment. Nor is it 10 be doubted that
this variety always follows. subject TO the de-
elslon OF Gods eternal election. III il be evil
IDENTIFY the result of divine will that salvation
is freely offered to some, and others are pre-
vented from obtaining il. this Immediately
gives rise to important and difficult
questions, which incapable of
any other explanation than by the
establishment OF piOus minds on what ought TO
be received concerning election and predestinG-
uon--a question, IN the opinion OF many, full
oil perDlexity; for they consider nothing more
unreasonable than that OF the common mass OF
mankind some should be predestinated to
s2lvat' N and others 90 destruction. But how
| unre' '1ablg they perpleX themselves will
afterWSrd appear from the sequel OF our dis
| course. Besides the very obscurity which
| eXcites such dread not only displays the utility
| OF tn doctrine, but shows it to be productive
/ OF the most delightful benefit. We shall never
| be clearly convinced we ought 20 be. that
| our salvation flows from tue fountain of Gods
free mercy, till We are acquainted with His eteT-
! nal election which illustrates the grace of God
| by this compGrSOn-that He adopts not all
promIscuOusly 20 the hope of salvation, but
/ gives to some what He refuses TO Others.
Ignorance of this principle evidently de-
i tracts from the divine glory and dimlnishes
real humility. In ascribiug the saliva
ton of the remnant" of the people TO the
election of Gods grace" Paul clearly testihes
that 1t Is then only known that God saves
whom He will of His mere good pleas
ure. And hence the church rises to
our view, which otherwise could neither be
| discovered recognized among creatures,
| being In two respects wonderfully concealed
in the bosom of blessed predesunation and
| IN the mass OF q miserable dGmnation.
No one must question this doctrine, or
| think for himself; no one must investi-
| gate or give his own reason any degree of
freedom. Calvin knows it ali and lays
down the law contrary to all his prede-
cessors. Hear him:
The discussion of proclamation is made
| very perplexed and. therefore. dangerous by
human curiosity, which no barriers can restrain
from wandering into forbidden labyrinths, and
soaring beyond its sphere, if TO
| leave none of the divine secrets unscru-
| tinized or unexplOred. As we see multitudes
! guilty of this arrogance and presumption, il is
| proper to admonish them OF their duty in this
respect. Let them remember then that when
they inquire into predestnation they penetrate
| into the Utmost recesses OF the divine wisdom,
| where the careless and confident intruder viii
| obtain no satisfaction TO his curiosity, but
| will enter q labyrinth from which he will find
| no way to depart. For il lie unreasonable that
man should scrutinize with impunity those
| things which the Lord hath determined TO be
hidden in Himself, and investigate, even from
| eterGity, that sublimity OF wisdom which God
would have us adore, and not comprehend, to
| promote our admiration of His glory.
In conformity TO the clear doctrine oil
| scripture assert that by an eternal ana i'm.
| mutable counsel God hath once for ell de-
termined both whom He would admit to saliva
ton aud whom he would condemn TO de-
struction. We affirm that this counsel, as far as
concerns the elect. is founded on His erstui-
tous mercy, totally irrespective OF human
merit; but that to those whom lie devotes to
| condemnation the gate of life is closed by 6
just and irreprehensibe, but incOm-
| prehensble. judgment In the elect
We consider calling as evidence of election
| and justification as another token OF its mani
| festaIion, till they arrive in glory which con
sttutes its completion. As God seals His elect
| by vocation and justification, by excludir &
| the reprobate from the knowledge of His name
| and the specification of His spirit. be affords
| an indication of the judgment that awaits him
The above is given as history, and needs
no comment at the hand of the writer. To
those who do not fear the stake" there Is
ample room for investigation of the
scriptures to find a justification OF the
doctrines therein set forth. There is much
food for reflection in the possibilities oil
such n creed having any tangible fOundR-
ton in truth, although the followers, even
in this enlightened age. are not counted
by hundreds. but perhaps by millions OF
devout and God-fearing Christians.
| SAM L. LEFFINGWELL.