On the Goodness, Grace, Mercy & Love of God

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Subsections

Common Grace
Doctrines of Grace
Covenant of Grace
Irresistible Grace
Resistible Grace

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Order of Contents

Goodness  3
.        What Goodness is  1
Grace

Articles  7+
Book  1
Rutherford’s Positions
Sufficient & Efficient  2
Subsequent  1
In Romanism  3
Latin  4+

Mercy  1
Love  1


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On the Goodness of God

Articles

1500’s

Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion  (1560; London, 1563)

Goodness of God  399.a

That God is good  399.a
What it is to be good  399.b
Whether God only be good  399.b
That the goodness of God is immutable and everlasting  400.b
That there be two considerations of God’s goodness  401.a
How many ways we do offend against the goodness of God  401.b

Zanchi, Jerome – Speculum Christianum, or A Christian Survey for the Conscience, containing Three Tractates…  (d. 1590; London, 1614)

The Treatise of Grace stands upon these branches  in Sundry Positions out of the Praelections of Zanchi which were carped at by his Adversaries

Of Grace  in The Confession of Jerome Zanchi touching the Perseverance of the Saints in Faith, 1. Of Faith

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1700’s

Venema, Herman – pp. 162-65  in Translation of Hermann Venema’s inedited Institutes of Theology  tr. Alexander W. Brown  (d. 1787; Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1850), ch. 7, God

Venema (1697-1787) was a professor at Franeker.  Venema “maintained the fundamental line of confessional orthodoxy without drawing heavily on any of the newer philosophies…  and maintained a fairly centrist Reformed position.  Venema… evidence[s] the inroads of a rationalistic model…” – Richard Muller


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What Goodness is, or on the Definition of Goodness

Quote

1900’s

Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange

God: his Existence & his Nature, vol. 1  (B. Herder: 1945), p. 131

“Goodness is desirable being ([Aquinas, ST], Ia, q. 5, a. 1-2).”


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On the Grace of God

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Articles

1500’s

Melanchthon, Philip

ch. 16. ‘On Grace’  in The Loci Communes of Philip Melanchthon…  tr. Charles L. Hill  (1521; Boston: Meador Publishing, 1944), pp. 169-71

Though Melanchthon (1497–1560) was a Lutheran, this work of his was the first ‘systematic theology’ of the Reformation, and, as it was very influential on reformed systematic theologies following shortly thereafter.

ch. 12. ‘Of the Word ‘Grace’’  in Melanchthon on Christian Doctrine, Loci Communes, 1555  tr. Clyde L. Manschreck  (1555; NY: Oxford Univ. Press, 1965), pp. 160-61

Vermigli, Peter Martyr – The Common Places…  (London: Henrie Denham et al., 1583), pt. 3

ch. 2. ‘Of the Calling of God & of his Grace’  44

‘Of Grace’  47
‘How Grace & Works are unto Eternal Life’  52

Musculus, Wolfgang – ‘Grace of God’  in Common Places of the Christian Religion  (1560; London, 1563), folio 125.a

Beza, Theodore, Anthony Faius & Students – 9. ‘Of the Goodness, Grace, Love & Mercy of God’  in Propositions & Principles of Divinity Propounded & Disputed in the University of Geneva by Certain Students of Divinity there, under Mr. Theodore Beza & Mr. Anthony Faius…  (Edinburgh: Waldegrave, 1591), pp. 16-17

Rollock, Robert – 38. ‘Free Grace’  in A Treatise of Effectual Calling  (1603)  in Select Works of Robert Rollock…  (d. 1599; Edinburgh, 1849), vol. 1, pp. 265-74

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1600’s

Alsted, Johannes H.

3. ‘On Grace & the Predestination of God, & on the Free Will of Man’  in Polemical Theology, exhibiting the Principal Eternal Things of Religion in Navigating Controversies  tr. by AI by Nosferatu  (Hanau, 1620; 1627), pt. 4, Controversies with the Romanists, pp. 538-47  Latin

Polemical Theology, exhibiting the Principal Eternal Things of Religion in Navigating Controversies, pt. 2, 4-6 (Partial)  tr. by AI by Onku  (Hanau, 1620; 1627)

pt. 2, 2. A Major catholic Symphony: Theological Common Places

17. ‘Grace of God   55-57  Latin

pt. 6, sect. 1, Of the Dogmas of Jacob Arminius & his Disciples

3-4. ‘On the Grace of God & the Conversion of Man’  115-18  Latin

Rutherford, Samuel – ch. 8, ‘On the State of Grace’  in Examination of Arminianism  (1639-1642; Monergism, 2024), pp. 339-57  This was translated by AI.

Leigh, Edward – 11. ‘Of God’s Grace & Mercy’  in A System or Body of Divinity…  (London, A.M., 1654), bk. 2, pp. 175-81

Le Blanc de Beaulieu, Louis

‘The Various Distinctions & Meanings of the Word ‘Grace’ used in the Reformed Schools’  tr. Michael Lynch  7 pp.

Theological Theses in which the Doctrine of the Roman School concerning the Division of Grace into Sufficient & Efficient, and the Harmony of Human Freedom with the Efficacy of Grace are set forth  tr. by AI by Inquisitor (@WesternCatholik on Twitter)  (d. 1675) pp. 1-72

Theological Theses in which are explained Various distinctions and acceptances of ‘Grace’ which are in use among Doctors of the Roman School, pp. 1-15

Theological Theses in which are explained Various distinctions and acceptances of Grace, which are customary in Reformed Schools, pp. 15-24

Theological Theses in which is expounded the Doctrine of the Roman School concerning the division of Grace into sufficient and efficacious, and the harmony of human liberty with the efficacy of Grace, pp. 24-56

In which the Doctrine of Protestants is explained regarding the distinction between sufficient and efficacious Grace, and the harmony of human freedom with the efficacy of divine grace, pp. 56-72

Le Blanc (1614-1675) was a reformed professor of theology at Sedan.

Turretin, Francis – 20. ‘How does the goodness, love, grace and mercy of God differ from each other?’  in Institutes of Elenctic Theology, tr. George M. Giger, ed. James Dennison Jr.  (1679–1685; P&R, 1992), vol. 1, 3rd Topic, pp. 241-44


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Books

1600’s

Perkins, William – A Treatise of God’s Free Grace & Man’s Freewill  (Cambridge: Legat, 1601)  184 pp.  no ToC  on Mt. 23:27-28

Pemble, William – Vindiciæ gratiæ = A Plea for Grace, More especially the Grace of Faith…  (London: 1627)  162 pp.  ToC  Index


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Rutherford’s Positions on Grace in the Drawing of Christ

Christ Dying & Drawing Sinners to Himself  (London: 1647), pp. 233-39

For the ground, reason and cause on Christ’s part of drawing, it is free grace and only free grace

Position 1.  …so there is as much love, mankindness and free grace in heaven in the breast of Christ as would save all in hell, or out of hell.  I speak this in regard, not of the Lord’s intention, as if He did bear all and every one of mankind a good will, purposing to save them.  But because their lies and flows such a sea and ocean of infinite love about the heart and in the bowels of Jesus Christ as would over-save and out-love infinite worlds of sinners…  in regard of the intrinsical weight and magnitude of this love…

Position 2.  Could any created eye of men or angels reach or compass the thousand thousandth part of this love with one look, such an act of adoration and admiration must follow thereupon as should break the soul and breast of this creature in a thousand pieces; but Christ in heaven and out of heaven is hid.  Infiniteness is a secret that angels, or men never did, never shall comprehensively know; there is a secret of love seen in heaven, but never seen; how little of the sea do our natural eyes behold?

Position 3.  The manner of graces working on saints is gracious and so essentially free, as is evident in our first drawing to Christ when many sins are forgiven and so the soul loves much; and the sweetest burden in heaven or out of heaven is a burden of the love of Christ:

Position 4.  It’s an abasement of Christ that He who gives such a ransom to justice for free grace should wait for a penny from sinners, that sinners must bid and buy, and engage Him to give…

Position 5.  Free grace is the loveliest piece in heaven or earth, it makes us partakers of the divine nature, 2 Pet. 1:4.

Position 6.  Grace is not educed or extracted out of the potency of any created nature.  Grace is born in heaven and came from the inmost of the heart of Christ; it has neither seed nor parent on earth; therefore the Lord challenges it as his own, 2 Cor. 12.9, ‘The Lord said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.’


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Contra the Romanist & Arminian Distinction of Grace into Sufficient & Efficient

Articles

1600’s

Pemble, William – pp. 88-117  in Vindiciæ gratiæ. = A Plea for Grace, More especially the Grace of Faith…  (London: 1627)

Rutherford, Samuel – ch. 8, ‘On the State of Grace’, ‘On Grace Sufficient & Grace Efficient’  in Rutherford’s Examination of Arminianism: the Tables of Contents with Excerpts from Every Chapter  tr. Charles Johnson & Travis Fentiman  (1668 / 2019), pp. 88-89

Le Blanc de Beaulieu, Louis – Theological Theses in which it is inquired, Whether sufficient Grace is given to all Men for Conversion, & for avoiding Sins?  And on this matter, the Doctrine of the Roman School is explained, and compared with the Doctrine of the Protestants’  tr. by AI by Onku

Le Blanc (1614-1675) was a reformed professor of theology at Sedan.


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On Subsequent Grace

Article

1600’s

Voet, Gisbert – Disputations on Subsequent Grace, pt. 1-5  tr. by AI by Onku  in Select Theological Disputations, vol. 5  (1669), pp. 716-63  Latin

“…we will prove that subsequent grace exists and that it is necessary for every good work.

We presuppose: 1. That grace is a supernatural gift, operation, and work of God.  So that it may be distinguished from nature and from natural operation and gift as the author, preserver, and governor of all nature, especially human nature; to which He gives being, which He preserves in being, which He governs by His concurrence and precursive assistance in operating, as the prime cause of all motions and operations. Acts 27:28 “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”  And verse 25 “He himself gives to all life and breath and everything.”

Therefore, it is a gratuitous gift and most precious thing, which is not conferred in and with nature, nor has been conferred, nor arises or emanates from the principles of nature; but it is a work and gift superadded to nature and coming upon it from outside.”


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On Grace in Romanism

Articles

Le Blanc de Beaulieu, Louis – Theological Theses in which the Doctrine of the Roman School concerning the Division of Grace into Sufficient & Efficent, and the Harmony of Human Freedom with the Efficacy of Grace are set forth  tr. Inquisitor (@WesternCatholik on Twitter)  (d. 1675)

Theological Theses in which are explained Various distinctions and acceptances of ‘Grace’ which are in use among Doctors of the Roman School, pp. 1-15

Theological Theses in which are explained Various distinctions and acceptances of Grace, which are customary in Reformed Schools, pp. 15-24

Theological Theses in which is expounded the Doctrine of the Roman School concerning the division of Grace into sufficient and efficacious, and the harmony of human liberty with the efficacy of Grace, pp. 24-56

In which the Doctrine of Protestants is explained regarding the distinction between sufficient and efficacious Grace, and the harmony of human freedom with the efficacy of divine grace, pp. 56-72

Le Blanc (1614-1675) was a reformed professor of theology at Sedan.

Pascal, Blaise – Letter 1  in Pensees – The Provincial Letters  in The Modern Library  (d. 1662; NY: Modern Library, 1941), pp. 325-35

Pascal, a Romanist, relates a humorous, though sad and sick account of Parisian Jesuit Molinists who conspired with Dominicans (Thomists), through sophistry (through affirming the same term ‘proximate’, yet in different senses, while refusing to acknowledge or explain the difference), to condemn a (Romanist) Jansenist theologian (who would not affirm the term ‘proximate’ without it being explained to him) over a doctrinal/philosophical point relating to the ability of man to keep God’s commandments proximately, though the end shows all were agreed that man could not keep the commandments without the merciful efficacious will of God.

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Latin Articles

1600’s

Voet, Gisbert – Select Theological Disputations  (Amsterdam: Jansson, 1669), vol. 5

On Subsequent Grace, pt. 1  716
.     pt. 2  726
.     pt. 3  733
.     pt. 4  741
.     pt. 5  749-63

‘Subsequent grace’ was used by Romanists in distinction from prevenient grace.  For a definition of subsequent grace, see p. 718 (bot).


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Latin

1600’s

Alsted, Johann H. – 1. ‘On the Grace of God’  in Chronicles of Theological Similitudes  in Theological Common Places Illustrated by Perpetual Similitudes  (Frankfurt, 1630), pp. 168-74

Rutherford, Samuel – ch. 8, ‘On the State of Grace’  in The Examination of Arminianism  ed. Matthew Nethenus  (1639-1643; Utrecht, 1668), pp. 351-72

Voet, Gisbert

Syllabus of Theological Problems  (Utrecht, 1643), pt. 1, section 2, tract 3   Abbr.

1. Grace
.     Of the DivisionCause of Grace

‘On the Grace of God’  in 50. ‘A Syllabus of Questions on the Whole Decalogue’  in Select Theological Disputations  (Amsterdam: Jansson, 1667 / 1669), vol. 4, p. 770


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On the Mercy of God

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Article

1500’s

Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion  (1560; London, 1563)

Mercy of God  411.b

What mercy is  411.b
That God is merciful  412.a
How mercy agrees unto God  412.b
Of whence mercy is in God  413.b
What is the operation of God’s mercy  414.b
Upon whom God has mercy  415.a
That the time of mercy is one and the time of judgment another  416.a


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On God’s Love

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Article

1500’s

Musculus, Wolfgang – Common Places of the Christian Religion  (1560; London, 1563)

Lovingness of God towards Man  402.b

Whether that love do agree unto God  402.b
Which be the kinds of God’s love  403.b
The first sort of God’s love  403.b
The second sort of God’s love  404.a
The third sort of God’s love  404.a
The fourth kind of God’s love  405.a
The fifth kind of God’s love  405.b
Of that which the schoolmen do say, that man knows not whether he be worthy of love or of hate  406.a
Of the causes of this doubt  408.b
Of the false persuasion of the love and grace of God which agrees not to the faithful of Christ  411.a

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Related Pages

On the State of Grace