John Calvin (1509–1564) on the Gospel of God, Wherein He Wills, Urges, and Wishes Men to Repentance and Faith by Giving His Son

We are told, then, that because the kingdom of God is near we must be converted and believe the gospel. We have already explained, though rather briefly, what is meant by ‘the kingdom of God.’ It means that God has chosen to reveal himself to men from whom he was formerly estranged, and who were more or less cut off from him. We have all been banished from the heavenly life by Adam’s sin and fall. God therefore sends his only Son and, as it were, with outstretched arms asks us to turn back to him, for he is willing to receive us. Although we have strayed and are lost because of our demerits, he still wills to show us mercy. Because the kingdom of God is near, our Lord Jesus Christ urges men to repentance and faith.

Notice first of all that nothing should move or inflame us to yield to God more than his offer of infinite grace and goodness. When Paul, for example, seeks to pierce men’s stony hearts and to soften their hardness and obduracy, he appeals to ‘the bowels of God’s mercy’ (Phil. 2:1). In speaking thus, he is really saying: ‘Will you now continue in our madness? Must you be worse than the devils? And when God comes to you, displaying his mercy and opening his heart to welcome you as his own children—when he gives you his own Son, will you be so unfeeling as not to be softened or inflamed by love for his grace? Will you not allow him to lead you, and will you not delight in the goodness he shows you?’ It is in just this way that Jesus Christ urges men to repentance and faith. But on what does he base his appeal? On the fact that God wishes to draw near to those from whom he was once estranged. God, therefore, in receiving us in mercy, sets his goodness before us without waiting for us to seek him out; he forestalls us with such exceptional grace that we cannot grasp even a hundredth part of it. Since he is so kindly disposed toward us, we should be rightly and deeply touched, to the very core of thought and feeling.

John Calvin, “The Gospel of God (Matt. 4:12, 17; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 3:19–20; 4:14–15),” in In the Power of the Spirit: Sermons on Matthew, Mark & Luke, trans. Robert White (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2024), 154–55.

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John Davenant (1572–1641) on Different Senses of God’s Will

That God wills the good of men in bestowing any good gifts or graces upon them, needed no proof at all: We have always willingly granted this proposition. Yet for the true understanding thereof it must be observed, That when we say, This is God’s will, This is God’s aim or intent, these words have not always the same signification. This Author [Hoard] by confounding the divers meaning of these and the like words doth strangely entangle himself through his whole discourse. First therefore; any thing is said to be according to God’s will, which considered in itself is according to the goodness and pureness of the Divine nature. This is a perpetual and necessary volition in God, quâ Deo placet omne bonum. And this simplex complacentia towards all good actions of men, or events unto men, is possible circa creaturas omnes etiam nunquam futuras: For there is no goodness imaginable, which has not an agreement with the good will of God, which we call amorem simplicis complacentiae. Satis constat hujusmodi complacentiam Dei versari circa poenitentiam, gratiam & gloriam possibilem Judae aut cujus libet damnati [Ruiz. disp. 19. pag. 214]. But this is not it which we now speak of. 2. Secondly, God is said to will, desire, or aim-at that good, for the obtaining whereof he affords fitting means, though withal he wills that it shall be in the liberty of the creature to hinder & frustrate those means, & though he have absolutely decreed to permit the creature to abuse them unto his own destruction. This is that which usually is termed by Divines voluntas antecedens, voluntas conditionata, voluntas simplicis complacentiae. And thus God is said to aim-at or to will and desire the conversion, justification and salvation of those who never shall be converted, justified, or saved. Neither must we think that by these men God’s omnipotent will is crossed, because his voluntas simplicis complacentiae is not fulfilled. For the absolute will of God was, that in such persons their own free-will might hinder the good effect of his gifts and graces, which he was absolutely resolved to permit for some greater good. Lastly, there is a will in God which strictly and most properly is called voluntas beneplaciti or his absolute will, which is not only a liking of the good willed unto the creature, and an ordering of fit means whereby the creature (if his own free-will hinder not) may attain it; but a merciful decree of so ordering the means and the very will of the creature, that it shall infallibly and infrustrately obtain the good end whereunto such means were accommodated. … We grant therefore, that in the second acception of the word will God truly wills, likes, desires the repentance, faith, perseverance, and salvation of all to whom the Gospel is preached and Christ offered. But in the last and most proper acception, God wills the perseverance and salvation only of his Elect, in whom he never ceases working till the happy effect be produced.

Our Divines at Dort granted a true and serious will in God according to the second acception of the word will, but not according to the last. Which will simplicis complacentiae may stand with absolute Reprobation.

John Davenant, Animadversions Written By the Right Reverend Father in God, John Lord Bishop of Sarisbury, upon a Treatise intitled, Gods love to Mankind (London: Printed by John Partridge, 1641), 305–307; italics original; some English updated.

John Davenant, Animadversions Written By the Right Reverend Father in God, John Lord Bishop of Sarisbury, upon a Treatise intitled, Gods love to Mankind (Cambridge: Printed by Roger Daniel […], 1641), 390–93; italics original; some English updated.

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John Calvin (1509–1564) on Hosea 11:4

The Prophet states, first, that this people had not been severely dealt with, as either slaves, or oxen, or asses, are wont to be treated. He had said before, that the people of Israel were like a heifer, which shakes off the yoke, and in wantonness loves only the treading of corn. But though the perverseness of the people was so great, yet God shows here that he had not used extreme rigour: I have drawn him, he says, with human cords and lovely bands. By the cords of man, he means humane government. “I have not,” he says, “treated you as slaves, but dealt with you as with children; and I have not regarded you as cattle, I have not driven you into a stall; but I have only drawn you with lovely bands.” The sum of the whole is, that the government which God had laid on the people was a certain and singular token of his paternal favour, so that the people could not complain of too much rigour, as if God had considered their disposition, and had used a hard wedge (as the common proverb is) for a hard knot; for if God had dealt thus with the people, they could have objected, and said, that they had not been kindly drawn by him, and that it was no wonder if they did not obey, since they had been so roughly treated. “But there is no ground for them,” the Lord says, “to allege that I have used severity: for I could not have dealt more kindly with them, I have drawn them with human cords; I have not otherwise governed them than as a father his own children; I have been bountiful towards them. I indeed wished to do them good, and, as it was right, required obedience from them. I have at the same time laid on them a yoke, not servile, nor such as is [393] wont to be laid on brute animals; but I was content with paternal discipline.” Since then such kindness had no influence over them, is it not right to conclude that their wickedness is irreclaimable and extreme?

He then adds, I have been to them like those who raise up the yoke upon the cheeks. “I have not laden you,” he says, “with too heavy burdens, as oxen and other beasts are wont to be burdened; but I have raised up the yoke upon the cheeks. I have chosen rather to bear the yoke myself, and to ease these ungodly and wicked men of their burden.” And God does not in vain allege this, for we know that when he uses his power, and vindicates his authority, he does this not to burden the people, as earthly kings are wont to do; but he bears the burden which he lays on men. It is no wonder then that he says now, that he had lifted the yoke upon the cheeks of his people, like one who wishes not to burden his ox, but bears up the yoke himself with his own hands, lest the ox should faint through weariness.

He afterwards adds, And I have made them to eat in quietness, or, “I have brought meat to them.” Some think the verb אוכיל, aukil, to be in the future tense, and that אוכיל, aukil, is put for אאכיל; aakil; that is, I will cause them to eat; and that the future is to be resolved into the past: and it is certain that the word אט; ath, means tranquil sometimes. Then it will be, “I have caused them quietly to eat.” But another exposition is more commonly received; as the word אט, ath, is derived from נטה, nathe, to raise, it is the same as though the Prophet had said, that meat had been brought to them.

God then does here in various ways enhance the ingratitude and wickedness of the people, because they had not acknowledged his paternal kindness, when he had himself so kindly set forth his favour before their eyes; I have, he says, extended meat to them; that is, “I have not thrown it on the ground, nor placed it too high for them; they have not toiled in getting it; but I have, as it were, brought it with mine own hand and set it before them, that they might eat without [394] any trouble.” In short, God declares that he had tried in every way to find out, whether there was any meekness or docility in the people of Israel, and that he had ill bestowed all his blessings; for this people were blind to favours so kind, to such as clearly proved, that God had in every way showed himself to be a Father.

John Calvin, “Commentaries on the Twelve Minor Prophets. Volume 1: Hosea,” trans. John Owen, in Calvin’s Commentaries, 22 vols. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996), 13:392–94; Hos 11:4.

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Henry Boynton Smith (1815–1877) on the Term “Decree”

§ 2. Of the Terms used to denote the Doctrine.

The term purpose is equivalent to the term decrees. The word decree is in some respects unfortunate, because misunderstood so frequently. Decree is used ordinarily, and in Scripture, in the sense of edict or law, that which God commands. But the theological usage takes the word not in the sense of command or approbation on God’s part, but of what He permits or determines to be done as a whole plan. It does not imply moral approval on the side of God, or fate or necessity on the side of the act, but it does imply certainty. Of the general decree of God, predestination is a part. The decree of God embraces all that occurs; predestination is technically a part of the divine decree, and is used of that which relates to moral beings, and especially to their final condition (although predestination really applies to every event of their history as well as to their final destiny). As thus used it implies that man’s final state is involved in God’s plan, yet never without respect to what has gone before, rather as being the sum of what has gone before. Predestination contains the end only as containing the sum total of what has gone before.

Henry Boynton Smith, System of Christian Theology (New York A.C. Armstrong, 1884), 117.

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Edward Polhill (1622–1694) Distinguishing Between the Decrees of God as Related to His General Promise

3. As to the third act of reprobation, the thing decreed is eternal damnation; hence reprobates are said to be made for the day of evil. Neither can any man doubt that there is such a decree; for God doth actually condemn them in time, and both reason tells us, that whatsoever God doth, even in his judgments, he doth it volent; and scripture tells us, that whatsoever he doth, he doth it according to the counsel of his own will; wherefore both assure us that there is such a decree. But you will say, doth not that promise [whosoever believeth shall be saved] both import God’s will, and extend even to reprobates, and how then can God decree their damnation? Which way can both these wills stand together in the heart of God? I answer: It is true that the promise doth both import God’s will, and extend to reprobates; nevertheless it very well consists with the decree of damnation, and this will appear by a double distinction.

1. Let us distinguish the decrees of God: some of them are merely productive of truths, others are definitive of things which shall actually exist. The first are accomplished in connexions, the last in events. To clear it by scripture instances: the decree, that David should be king of Israel, was definitive of a thing; but the decree, that if Saul obeyed, his kingdom should have continued, (1 Sam. 13:13,) is but productive of a truth. The decree that David should not be delivered up by the men of Keilah, was definitive of a thing; but the decree, that if he had staid there they would have delivered him up, (1 Sam. 23:12,) was but productive of a truth. The decree, that Jerusalem should be burnt with fire, was definitive of a thing; but the decree, that if Zedekiah did go forth to the king of Babylon it should not be burnt, (Jer. 38:17,) was but productive of a truth. Moreover, that there are decrees definitive of things, is proved by the events; that there are decrees productive of truths, is proved by the connexions; if there be no such connexions, how is the Scripture verified? but if there be, how are these things connected? There is no natural connexion between Saul’s obedience and his crown; David’s stay, and the Keilites treachery; Zedekiah’s out-going, and Jerusalem’s firing: wherefore these connexions do flow out of God’s decrees as productive of truths. Now, to apply this distinction to our present purpose: The decree of damning the reprobate for final sin is definitive of a thing; but the decree imported in the general promise, is but productive of a truth, viz., That there is an universal connexion between faith and salvation; such a connexion, that reprobates themselves, if believers, should be saved. Now these two decrees may very well stand together; for decrees definitive of events, contradict not decrees productive of truths, unless the event in the one decree contradict the truth in the other. Wherefore if (which is not) there were a decree of damning reprobates, whether they did believe or not, it could not stand with the general promise; for the event of that decree would contradict the truth of the promise. But the decree (such as indeed it is) of damning reprobates for final sin, may well consist with the general promise; for the event of that decree no way crosses the truth of the promise. Reprobates are damned for final sin, that is the event of one decree; and reprobates, if believers, shall be saved; that is the truth of another: both which may well consist together.

2. Let us distinguish the objects of these decrees; the objects stand not under the same qualifications as to both of them. The decree of salvation upon gospel terms respects men as lapsed sinners; but the decree of everlasting damnation respects them as final sinners; and so there is no inconsistency between them.

Thus much, by way of answer to the objection: yet withal, before I pass on to the next thing, suffer me a little to stand and adore the stupendous abyss of the divine decrees. The elect arrive at heaven, yet by the way see hell flaming in the threatening: the reprobate sink to hell, yet by the way see heaven opening in the promise. The elect cannot live and die in sin, but they will be sub gladio; the reprobates cannot repent and return, but they will be sub corona. Tremble, work and watch, O saints, for the Holy One thunders out from heaven in that sacred sentence, “If you live after the flesh you shall die.” Repent, return and believe, O sinners! for the divine philanthropy woos you in those real undissembled offers of mercy, “Whosoever believes shall be saved; Whosoever forsakes his sins shall find mercy.” Here, O here, is πολυποίκιλος σοφία, the manifold wisdom of God; a fit reserve for the apocalypse of the judgment day, whose clear light will display these wonderful consistencies before men and angels.

Edward Polhill, “The Divine Will Considered in Its Eternal Decrees,” in The Works of Edward Polhill (London: Thomas Ward and Co., 1844), 131–32.

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Martin Bucer (1491–1551) on Romans 2:4

Don’t Presume on God’s Patience. Martin Bucer: As we said before, this creates a dilemma. You know that God will punish sins, but despite this, as long as God is putting off exacting punishment from you on account of his leniency, you continue in every respect to live sinfully. Therefore, either you must think that you will escape God’s judgment, or you despise the goodness of God. The former is impossible, while the latter renders you liable to even more serious punishments. They were able to reason along these lines: “Since God treats us so indulgently and blesses us so abundantly, why should we have such a great fear of his judging us? Why should we not trust that we will escape it? For the things that he confers on us are not evidence of a wrathful Being or of One about to exact punishment.” The apostle therefore answers, “On account of this very thing—that while God shows you so much leniency and directs you to himself by such profuse goodness, you, hardened in your ungodliness, will not allow yourselves to be moved by these things to repentance for your perversities—there hangs over you a more severe judgment, and the wrath of God will make up for this slowness of punishment with an intolerable severity. Therefore, while you continue to despise the goodness and leniency of God that is, as it were, urging you to come to your senses out of your sins, you are doing nothing else than depositing something more everyday to the cumulative weight of your punishment, which will be unleashed on you all at once when the determined time for this judgment arrives.” Therefore we have this proposition: the more amply you enjoy the benefits of God while living in an ungodly way, and the less you feel sorry for evil, the more severe will be the punishments for your ungodliness that will be meted out to you. But, in case you may be entertaining doubts, let it be far from any of you to conclude that when that time comes you will escape the judgment of God. Commentary on Romans (1562).¹²
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12 Bucer, Metaphrasis et Enarratio, 92 (this is a reprint of the 1536 edition).

Gwenfair Walters Adams, Timothy George, and Scott M. Manetsch, eds., Romans 1–8: New Testament, vol. VII of Reformation Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019), 85–86.

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Heinrich Bullinger (1504–1575) on Romans 2:4 and God’s Wish

Don’t Mistake God’s Long-Suffering for Approval of Your Sin. Heinrich Bullinger: It is as if they were saying, “If he does not leave evil unpunished, but we are evil men and women, why are you being so dishonest with us? Certainly such a long time passing without our being punished is a powerful argument that we are not the kind of people you say we are, Paul.” This is like a benign creditor whose debtor denies that he owes him anything since he has not demanded the payment of the debt for a very long time. He will answer: “Is this how you thank me for my goodness and delay, by now denying me what is owed because I, having compassion on you, have for so long put off demanding it back?” Indeed, Paul vehemently sets his oration ablaze with an interrogation, as if he were saying, “With what impudence, may I ask, do you dare to invoke the long-suffering of the most blessed God as a defense of your ungodly behavior? As if he favors your misdeeds because until now he has employed such abundant goodness toward you! He is not delaying your punishment because he is pleased with your manner of life, but rather because by his long-suffering he wishes [voluit] to call you to your senses. For in the same way that God does not desire iniquity, he also “does not desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he should be converted and live.” Commentary on Romans (1582).¹⁰
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10 Bullinger, Commentarii in Omnes Epistolas, 15; citing Ezek 18:23.

Gwenfair Walters Adams, Timothy George, and Scott M. Manetsch, eds., Romans 1–8: New Testament, vol. VII of Reformation Commentary on Scripture (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019), 85.

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Donald W. Sinnema (b. 1947) on the Compromise at the Synod of Dordt on Article II

When the Canons were being drafted, the difficulties remained especially with Art. II. In response to the first committee draft, the majority of the synod wanted to restrict the universal statements of Scripture to the elect alone. The British delegation, on the contrary, contended that such universal statements should neither be explained nor restricted to the elect. This would lay a foundation for preaching the gospel to all people, and it would in large part avoid giving offense to Lutherans (Limborch: 1684, 565–566).

In preparing the final draft of the Canons, the final difficulties had to do with rejections two and six of the Rejection of Errors section. The debate on the last rejection six centered on the scholastic issue of the nature of the necessity—absolute or hypothetical—of Christ’s incarnation for the sufficiency of the price of human redemption. On 18 April, as the last changes were being made to the Canons, the British theologians debated the matter at length over against the rest of the synod. They thought rejection six was a matter of scholastic speculation, and so they argued that this rejection should be omitted from the Canons. Most other synod delegates wished to retain this rejection. The president proposed that it be expressed in such a way that everyone would be satisfied. On 23 April, the synod, on the recommendation of the drafting committee, finally decided to delete this last rejection (Balcanqual: 1673, 2:144, 148–150, 153–154; Sinnema: 2011, 304–306; Lynch: 2019, 169–172).¹⁶

The final version of chapter II of the Canons accepted the received distinction between the sufficiency of Christ’s death for all and the efficacy of his death only for the elect. But this chapter is also clothed with universal language and emphases, reflecting the influence of the British and Bremen theologians.
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16. On this issue, see also Gatiss: 2013, 143–163.

Donald Sinnema, “Doctrinal Dissension among Delegates at the Synod of Dordt (1618–1619),” in A Landmark in Turbulent Times: The Meaning and Relevance of the Synod of Dordt (1618–1619), ed. Henk van den Belt, Klaas-Willem de Jong, and Willem van Vlastuin, Refo500 Academic Studies 84, ed. Herman J. Selderhuis (Göttingen, Germany: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2022), 186–87.