C of D sec. 1 art. 16 & 17

C of D sec. 1 art. 16 & 17 #34327 Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 379 NJ AC. OP Enthusiast
OP AC. Enthusiast Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 379 NJ	These may very well be the most hopeful articles in the whole canon - can you expand on their content! Quote Article 16 Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace. Much less cause have they to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation, who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please Him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire; since a merciful God has promised that He will not quench the smoking flax nor break the bruised reed. But this doctrine is justly terrible to those, who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God. Article 17 Since we are to judge of the will of God from His Word which testifies that the children of believers are holy, not by nature, but in virtue of the covenant of grace, in which they, together with the parents, are comprehended, godly parents have no reason to doubt of the election and salvation of their children whom it pleaseth God to call out of this life in their infancy. The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine

Re: C of D sec. 1 art. 16 & 17 AC. #34328 Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:21 PM
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 15,051 Likes: 286 NH, USA Pilgrim Head Honcho
Pilgrim Head Honcho Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 15,051 Likes: 286 NH, USA	Article 16: This is simply stating that those who have a measure of outward interest in God, Christ and salvation but who in themselves have not come to a measure of assurance should not and have no warrant to consign themselves to Reprobation, i.e., that God has eternally predestined them to damnation and thus there is no hope of salvation. They are to persevere in the use of the "means of grace", e.g., the preaching of the Word, reading of the Scriptures, fervent prayer, fellowship of the saints, etc. Article 17: Unfortunately, this article teaches "presumptive regeneration" of which I find no biblical basis. The authors presumed the election of covenant children which IMHO has led to the downfall of the Dutch churches as a whole (exceptions are noted). We have had numerous discussions on this Board on this subject in the past. A little searching should turn up any number of them. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> That covenant children are "holy" is true (cf. 1Cor 7:14), i.e., they are set apart from the world in that they are a privileged group no less than an unbeliever who is married to a believing spouse. To them is granted the "means of grace" through which the Holy Spirit works regeneration and brings the elect to salvation. FYI, the "Canons of Dordt" can be found on The Highway here... and/or you can download the marvelous program called, Refcon3. In His grace, simul iustus et peccator

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