![]() It will indeed sometimes happen that the pious also will fall into errors, and will be seduced by the wicked but it will only be in some respects and for a time so that they never fall from the foundation, and presently recover themselves. This, then, is sufficient to refute all carnal and perverse reasoning and blasphemies, viz., that whosoever are right in heart are guarded by the aid of the Spirit from the poisonous influence of Satan, and that no one perishes against his will.Īnd thus we come to the conclusion, that all who, having once seemed to embrace the doctrines of salvation, afterwards reject and deny them, had never possessed anything more than the disguise of a false profession, because, if they sincerely loved God, they would remain firm in heart in the midst of all things tending to disturb them. It is true, I confess, that integrity of heart is a peculiar gift of God and the fruit of His secret election but, since their own consciences reproach the reprobate with their contempt of God, their hypocrisy, pride, or depravity, the blame of the iniquity that dwells in them is unjustly laid upon God. Only let us cleave to this axiom, that all, who heartily love and reverence God, will always be sure and safe under the protection of God. Since, then, all the good are sure to overcome, so that the wiles of Satan are to them nothing but the exercises of their virtue why should God be blamed, because the malice of Satan and of the wicked prepares for them the grounds of their victory and triumph? Meanwhile, why should He not devote to just destruction those who willfully desire to perish? Nor need we be surprised at what He elsewhere declares, that it is He who deceives false prophets, that by them he may inflict just vengeance on the reprobate, who eagerly go in search of their destructive deceits. Whosoever loves God with a pure heart is armed with the invincible power of the Divine Spirit, that he should not be ensnared by falsehoods God thus rewards true and not fictitious piety, so that whosoever are of a true heart, should be protected by his faithful guardianship, and never feel the deadly wound. I acknowledge indeed that, since our carnal sense is tender, this may seem hard, and inconsistent with the fatherly kindness of God for, surely, when a miracle presents itself before our eyes, it is difficult not to submit to it.īut, since the temptation injures none but those whose impiety, which it lays bare, was already convicted and condemned, while the sincere worshippers of God are preserved free from injury, how unjust would it be to take away from God this liberty of plucking the mask from treachery and deceit? If any should still object, that, since the weakness of mankind is only too notorious, God deals with them somewhat unkindly when He subjects them to these dangerous temptations, an answer may be readily given. Wherefore we must not be impatient, nor murmur against God, if He chooses that the firmness of our faith, which is more precious than silver or gold, should be tried in the fiery furnace but it behooves us humbly to acquiesce in His justice and wisdom. ![]() The Apostle declares the same thing also with regard to heresies, which…must needs arise in the Church, “that they which are approved may be made manifest.” ( 1 Corinthians 11:19). …He designedly brings the truly pious to the test, in order to distinguish them from the hypocrites and this takes place, when they constantly persevere in the true faith against the assaults of their temptations, and do not fall from their standing. John Calvin has a lot to say about verse three:įor the Lord your God you. Deuteronomy 13:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV) You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. Some of the aforementioned offer other gods to serve. If you’ve read, listened to, or watched the news, you know the alarm that current events bring. If you’ve attended some North American churches, you’ve experienced the winds of doctrine.
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