Two Dissertations · §388 · John Davenant

Cap. IV Arg. 7 Sol close: proper praedestinatio decrees special mercy to elect, denial to others

But the mercy that puts itself forth in the predestination decree decrees, prepares, and bestows on a singular predestinated person what it does not decree, prepare, or bestow on one not predestinated. The justice in the reprobation decree decrees something denied to the reprobate that is not denied to the Predestinated. So it is not enough for predestination properly so called that, with diverse acts of human choice intervening, mercy falls on these and justice on those. What is required is a decree that, from God's primary intention and special operation in decreeing, includes mercy to be shown to these, and from his freest, most just will hints that the same special mercy is to be denied to others.

Latin

Illa autem misericordia quae in decreto praedestinationis se exserit, decernit, praeparat, donat singulari alicui praedestinatae personae quod alii non praedestinatae minime decernit, praeparat aut donat. Illa etiam Justitia quae in decreto reprobationis consideratur, decernit aliquid negandum reprobato quod idem decernitur haud negandum Praedestinato. Non igitur sufficit ad constituendum praedestinationis proprie dictae decretum, quod secundum illud intervenientibus diversis humani arbitrii actibus, misericordia in hos, justitia in illos exseratur; sed requiritur tale decretum quod ex primaria intentione et speciali operatione Dei decernentis, includat misericordiam hisce exhibendam; et ex liberrima et justissima Dei voluntate innuat eandem specialem misericordiam aliis denegandam.

Report a mistake in this passage