Sometimes the claim is put forward that John Murray’s thesis on the Sincere, or Well-meant, offer of the Gospel in the mid-1900’s (that the Gospel Call to particular, unconverted sinners reflects God’s gracious nature and will for them to come to Him, and that God, by his Revealed Will, desires the salvation of all men) was novel and does not broadly represent historic, reformed theology from the days of the reformers and puritans in the 1500’s and 1600’s (the post-Reformation).  

So, to demonstrate that Murray’s position is broadly reflective of the majority, historic reformed viewpoint, we have summoned the testimony of one of the world’s leading authorities on the history of reformed theology during the post-Reformation era: Dr. Richard Muller.  

Below, for the sake of comparison, quotes from Murray have been provided followed by quotes from Muller summarizing the thought of the 1500’s and 1600’s, under 12 topical questions.  As will be seen, every element of Murray’s position on the Sincere Free Offer of the Gospel was standard fare during the puritan era.  

John Murray Compared with the Post-Reformation on the Sincere Free Offer of the Gospel