September 13, 2005

Future Posts on John Davenant

I see that I have recently received a number of hits on my blog from people doing searches for material on John Davenant, an English delegate to the Synod of Dort. I posted some of his comments regarding John 3:16 already, but I may type more from his Dissertation on the Death of Christ in the future. I wish this entire work was online. Be sure to check back for more.

I have posted the following quotes in other forums. These are cited in J. C. Ryle's commentary on John 3:16. The first one is probably my favorite:

"The general love of God toward mankind is so clearly testified in Holy Scripture, and so demonstrated by the manifold effects of God's goodness and mercy extended to every particular man in this world, that to doubt thereof were infidelity, and to deny it plain blasphemy."—Davenant's Answer to Hoard, p. 1.

"God hateth nothing which Himself created. And yet it is most true that He hateth sin in any creature, and hateth the creature infected with sin, in such a matter as hatred may be attributed to God. But for all this He so generally loved mankind, fallen in Adam, that He hath given His only begotten Son, that what sinner soever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. And this everlasting life is so provided for man by God, that no decrees of His can bring any man thither without faith and repentance; and no decrees of His can keep any man out who repenteth and believeth. As for the measure of God's love exhibited in the external effect unto man, it must not be denied that God poureth out His grace more abundantly on some men that on others, and worketh more powerfully and effectually in the hearts of some men than of others, and that out of His alone will and pleasure. But yet, when this more special love is not extended, His less special love is not restrained to outward and temporal mercies, but reacheth to internal and spiritual blessings, even such as will bring men to an eternal blessedness, if their voluntary wickedness hinders not."—Davenant's Answer to Hoard, p. 469.

"No divine of the Reformed Church, of sound judgment, will deny a general intention or appointment concerning the salvation of all men individually by the death of Christ, on the condition if they believe. For the intention or appointment of God is general, and is plainly revealed in Holy Scripture, although the absolute and not to be frustrated intention of God concerning the gift of faith and eternal life to some persons, is special, and limited to the elect alone. So I have maintained and do maintain."—Davenant's Opinion on the Gallican Controversy.

Dr. Curt Daniel had, at the time of this post, a few of Davenant's books available for purchase at Good Books

Davenant, John. Animadversions . . . Upon a Treatise Intitled God’s Love to Mankind. 1641. 536 pp. Defends the Reformed doctrines of unconditional election and reprobation. A major Puritan, Anglican bishop and delegate to the Synod of Dort. 1592. $35.

Davenant, John. A Dissertation on the Death of Christ, As to Its Extent and Special Benefits. 1832. 276 pp. A major work. Says Christ died for all, but especially the elect. Exegesis, historical survey, answers to objections. 1593. $25.

Davenant, John. A Treatise on Justification. 1844. 2 vols: 508, 554 pp. One of the largest Reformed works on justification. 1594. $75.

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