Sunday, November 30, 2014

God desires to save all men from different orders

"That no one but a man deprived of his common sense and common judgment can believe that salvation was ordained by the secret counsel of God equally and indiscriminately for all men. The true meaning of Paul, however, in the passage now under consideration is perfectly clear and intelligible to every one who is not determined on contention. The apostle is exhorting that all solemn 'supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and for all that are in authority.' And because there were, in that age, so many and such wrathful and bitter enemies of the Church, Paul, to prevent despair from hindering the prayers of the faithful, hastens to meet their distresses by earnestly entreating them to be instant in prayer 'for all men,' and especially 'for all those in authority.' 'For (said the apostle) God will have all men to be saved.' Who does not see that the apostle is here speaking of orders of men rather than of individuals?" - John Calvin, The Eternal Predestination of God

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