Heretic William Perkins begins his work On Predestination like so:
“To the Right Worshipful, Sir Peter Buck, Knight; and to the virtuous lady his wife, grace, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Right Worshipful amongst the manifold points of Christian Religion, the truth of the Doctrine concerning predestination, is worthy serious and sober study, for the sound understanding thereof. For first, it is something difficult and obscure” (William Perkins, On Predestination).
Perkins’ prejudice is showing. The Biblical doctrine of predestination is not difficult, and is certainly not an obscure teaching in the Bible.
Perkins continues:
“Secondly, because it is by some eagerly impugned, as a frivolous and forged invention of mans’ brain.”
Most who call themselves “Calvinist” or “Reformed” impugn the truth of Biblical predestination by putting forth a false view, forged in the futile fires of their “compatibilistic” brains.
“Thirdly, divers opinions have passed from divers men diversely, about this one point; whereas notwithstanding there is but one truth, and one definite and constant sentence to be found in holy writ concerning it.”
Yes. There is but one truth concerning God’s predestination. Here is a studious and accurate unpacking of God’s Sovereign Suitcase: http://www.outsidethecamp.org/reprobation.htm God’s Sovereign Suitcase is a figurative expression describing the many contents whereby true believers are graciously clothed with wisdom and knowledge.
“For Jehovah gives wisdom; out of His mouth are knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
More from Perkins:
“Fourthly, this one doctrine doth give very good evidence, and an ample demonstration of God’s infinite mercy, and exact justice. Fiftly, it affordeth some taste of His profound and impenetrable counsel. Sixtly, it doth notably manifest His admirable wisdom and policy, and the incorruptible purity of His nature, who wisely disposeth all things, and useth even evils without injustice; and the least receipt or infusion or corruption; and all the manifestation of the glory of His Name, and of the splendor of His renowned properties. Seventhly, it confoundeth the common cavil of many desperate and infatuated Atheists, who would make God’s predestination the pillar of their sensual security, and secure sensuality. Lastly, it ministreth exceeding comfort unto those, who renouncing the kingdom of Sin, do live like Saints in the kingdom of Grace” (William Perkins, On Predestination).
I cannot recall the infatuated ones “who would make God’s predestination the pillar of their sensual security, and secure sensuality.” But I do recall this verse:
“And it happened, after Amaziah came in from smiting the Edomites, that he brought in the gods of the sons of Seir and made them stand as gods for himself; and bowed himself before them, and burned incense to them. And the anger of Jehovah glowed against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him; and he said to him, Why have you sought the gods of the people that have not delivered their people out of your hand? And it happened, as he spoke with him, that he said to him, Have we given you as a counselor to the king? Stop! Why should they strike you? And the prophet stopped, and said, I know that God has counseled to destroy you because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel” (2 Chronicles 25:14-16).
King Amaziah was a fool who despised wisdom and instruction. He did not know who he was dealing with. He did not fear Jehovah (and many tolerant Calvinists empathize with him).
“The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).
Agrammatos 