March 26, 2013

David Millar (1687–1757) on Grace to the Reprobate

We [the Calvinists] make not God the Author of Sin, say not that he made Men to damn them, or that they are destroyed of mere Pleasure. We say not, that God hinders the Non-elect from doing all the good they can and will, that he gives them no Grace, that he refuses to hear the importunate Cry of the humble, the weary, the thirsty Sinner, or ever casts off the Believing and the Penitent. We believe that though God has not elected all Men, yet he gives more help to every one than he was obliged to give to any; or, than any one ever yet improved, as they might and ought. Yea, we think that he often gives more Grace to the very worst of the Non-elect, than Pelagians and Arminians can be brought to believe he gives to the Elect themselves. They can't endure to hear of Grace that conquers and determines the Will, but will have all Grace subject to it; whereas we believe that he often gives Grace to the Reprobate, which of it self is effectual for some good Purposes, which it would never have been, had it not powerfully of unwilling made them willing.
David Millar, The Principles of the Reformed Churches, And particularly of the Church of England, Stated and Vindicated; in Several Letters to Mr. Fancourt's Friend (London: Printed for the Author; and Sold by A. Millar, at Buchanan's-Head, against St. Clement's Church in the Strand, 1731), x.

Writings:
PRDL

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