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343
NINE QUESTIONS
Exhibited, by the Deputies of the Synod, to Their Lordships the Curators of the University of Leyden, for the Purpose of Obtaining an Answer to each of them from the Professors of Divinity; and the Replies which James Arminius Gave to them, in November, 1605. With Other Nine Opposite Questions
THE NINE QUESTIONS: NINE OPPOSITE QUESTIONS
1. Which
is first, Election, or Faith Truly Foreseen, so that God elected his people according to
faith foreseen?
1. Is the decree "for bestowing Faith on any
one," previous to that by which is appointed "the Necessity of Faith to
salvation?"
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
The equivocation in the word "Election," makes it
impossible to answer this question in any other manner, than by distinction. If therefore
"Election" denotes "the decree which is according to election concerning
the justification and salvation of believers." I say Election is prior to Faith, as
being that by which Faith is appointed as the means of obtaining salvation. But if it
signifies "the decree by which God determines to bestow salvation on some one,"
then Faith foreseen is prior to Election. For as believers alone are saved, so only
believers are predestinated to salvation. But the Scriptures know no Election, by which
God precisely and absolutely has determined to save anyone without having first considered
him as a believer. For such an Election would be at variance with the decree by which he
hath determined to save none but believers.
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QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
2. If it be
said, "that God, by his eternal decree, has determined and governs all things and
every thing, even the depraved wills of men, to appointed good ends," does it follow
from this, that God is the author of sin?
2. Is "to determine or direct all things and
every thing, even the depraved wills of men, to appointed good ends," the same thing
as "to determine that man be made corrupt, by which a way may be opened for executing
God’s absolute decree concerning damning some men through wrath, and saving others
through mercy?"
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
Sin is the transgression of the law; therefore, God will be the
author of sin, if He cause any man to transgress the law. This is done by denying or
taking away what is necessary for fulfilling the law, or by impelling men to sin. But if
this "determination" be that of a will which is already depraved, since it does
not signify the denying or the removing of grace nor a corrupt impelling to sin, it
follows, that the consequence of this cannot be that God is the author of sin. But if this
"determination" denote the decree of God by which He resolved that the will
should become depraved, and that man should commit sin, then it follows from this that God
is the author of sin.
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QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
3. Does
original sin, of itself, render man obnoxious to eternal death, even without the addition
of any actual sin? Or is the guilt of original sin taken away from all and every one by
the benefits of Christ the Mediator?
3. If some men are condemned solely on account of
the sin committed by Adam, and others on account of their rejection of the Gospel, are
there not two peremptory decrees concerning the damnation of men, and two judgments, one
Legal, the other Evangelical?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
Those things which in this question are placed in opposition to each
other, easily agree together. For original sin can render man obnoxious to eternal death,
and its guilt can be taken away from all men by Christ. Indeed, in order that guilt may be
removed, it is necessary that men be previously rendered guilty. But to reply to each part
separately: It is perversely said, that "original sin renders a man obnoxious to
death," since that sin is the punishment of Adam’s actual sin, which punishment
is preceded by guilt, that is, an obligation to the punishment denounced by the law. With
regard to the second member of the question, it is very easily answered by the distinction
of the soliciting, obtaining, and the application of the benefits of Christ. For as a
participation of Christ’s benefits consists in faith alone, it follows that, if among
these benefits "deliverance from this guilt" be one, believers only are
delivered from it, since they are those upon whom the wrath of God does not abide.
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QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
4. Are the
works of the unregenerate, which proceed from the powers of nature, so pleasing to God, as
to induce Him on account of them to confer supernatural and saving grace on those who
perform them?
4. Are a serious consciousness of sin, and an
initial fear so pleasing to God, that by them He is induced to forgive sins, and to create
a filial fear?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
Christ says, "To him that hath shall be given, and from him
that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath." Not, indeed, because such
is the worthiness and the excellence of the use of any blessing conferred by God, either
according to nature or to grace, that God should be moved by its merits to confer greater
benefits; but, because such are the benignity and liberality of God, that, though these
works are unworthy, yet He rewards them with a larger blessing. Therefore, as the word
"pleasing" admits of two meanings, we can reply to the question proposed in two
ways — either affirmatively, if that word be viewed as signifying "to
please," "to find favor in his eyes," and "to obtain complacency for
itself;" or negatively if "placeo" be received for that which it also
signifies, "to please by its own excellence." Yet it might be said, that good
works are rewarded, in a moral view, not so much through the powers of nature, as by some
operation in them of the Holy Spirit.
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QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
5. Can
God now, in his own right, require faith from fallen man in Christ, which he cannot have
of himself? But does God bestow on all and every one, to whom the Gospel is preached,
sufficient grace by which they may believe, if they will?
5. Can God require that man to believe in Jesus
Christ, for whom He has determined by an absolute decree that Christ should not die, and
to whom by the same decree He has determined to refuse the grace necessary for believing?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
The parts of this question are not opposed to each other; on the
contrary, they are at the most perfect agreement. So that the latter clause may be
considered the rendering of a reason, why God may require from fallen man faith in Christ,
which he cannot have of himself. For God may require this, since he has determined to
bestow on man sufficient grace by which he may believe. Perhaps, therefore, the question
may be thus corrected: "Can God, now, in his own right, demand from fallen man faith
in Christ, which he cannot have of himself, though God neither bestows on him, nor is
ready to bestow, sufficient grace by which he may believe?" This question will be
answered by a direct negative. God cannot by any right demand from fallen man faith in
Christ, which he cannot have of himself, except God has either bestowed, or is ready to
bestow, sufficient grace by which he may believe if he will. Nor do I perceive what is
false in that reply, or to what heresy it has affinity. It has no alliance with the
Pelagian heresy: for Pelagius maintained, that with the exception of the preaching of the
Gospel, no internal grace is required to produce faith in the minds of men. But what is of
more consequence, this reply is not opposed to St. Augustine’s doctrine of
Predestination; "yet this doctrine of his, we do not account it necessary to
establish," as Innocent, the Roman Pontiff, has observed.
348
QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
6. Is
justifying faith the effect and the mere gift of God alone, who calls, illuminates, and
reforms the will? and is it peculiar to the elect alone from all eternity?
6. Can that be called a mere gift which, though
offered by the pure liberality of Him who makes the offer, is still capable of being
rejected by him to whom it is offered? But does a voluntary acceptance render it unworthy
of the name of a gift? It may likewise be asked, "Is faith bestowed on these who are
to be saved? Or is salvation bestowed on those who have faith?" Or can both these
questions be answered affirmatively in a different respect? If they can, how is it then
that there is not in those decrees a circle, in which nothing is first and nothing last?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
A double question requires a double answer.
(1.) To the first I reply, Faith is the
effect of God illuminating the mind and sealing the heart, and it is his mere gift.
(2.) To the second I answer, by making
a distinction in the word Election. If it be understood as signifying Election to
salvation; since this, according to the scriptures, is the election of believers, it
cannot be said, "Faith is bestowed on the elect, or on those who are to be
saved," but that "believers are elected and saved." But if it be received
for the decree by which God determines variously to administer the means necessary to
salvation; in this sense I say that Faith is the gift of God, which is conferred on those
only whom He hath chosen to this, that they may hear the word of God, and be made
partakers of the Holy Spirit.
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QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
7.
May every one who is a true believer be assured in this life of his individual salvation;
and is it his duty to have this assurance?
7. Does justifying faith precede, in the order of
nature, remission of sins, or does it not? And can any man be bound to any other faith
than that which justifies?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
Since God promises eternal life to all who believe in Christ, it is
impossible for him who believes, and who knows that he believes, to doubt of his own
salvation, unless he doubts of this willingness of God [to perform his promise.] But God
does not require him to be better assured of his individual salvation as a duty which must
be performed to himself or to Christ; but it is a consequence of that promise, by which
God engages to bestow eternal life on him who believes.
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QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
8.
May true believers and elect persons entirely lose faith for a season?
8. May any man who has faith and retains it, arrive
at such a moment, as, if he were then to die, he would be damned?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
Since Election to salvation comprehends within its limits not only
Faith, but likewise perseverance in Faith; and since St. Augustine says, "God has
chosen to salvation those who he sees will afterwards believe by the aid of his preventing
or preceding grace, and who will persevere by the aid of his subsequent or following
grace; "believers and the elect are not correctly taken for the same persons.
Omitting, therefore, all notice of the word "Election," I reply, believers are
sometimes so circumstanced, as not to produce, for a season, any effect of true faith, not
even the actual apprehension of grace and the promises of God, nor confidence or trust in
God and Christ; yet this is the very thing which is necessary to obtain salvation. But the
apostle says, concerning faith, in reference to its being a quality and a capability of
believing, "some, having cast away a good conscience concerning faith, have made
shipwreck."
351
QUESTION OPPOSITE QUESTION
9. Can
believers under the grace of the New Covenant, perfectly observe the law of God in this
life?
9. May God, or may He not, require of those who are
partakers of the New Covenant, that the flesh do not lust against the Spirit, as a duty
corresponding with the grace of that covenant?
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION
The performance of the law is to be estimated according to the mind
of Him who requires it to be observed. The answer will be two-fold, since He either wills
it to be rigidly observed in the highest degree of perfection, or only according to epieikeian
clemency; that is, if he require this according to
clemency, and if the strength or powers which he confers be proportionate to the demand.
(1.) Man cannot perfectly perform such
a law of God, if it be considered as to be performed according to rigor.
(2.) But if he require it according to
clemency, and if the powers conferred be proportionate, (which must be acknowledged, since
He requires it according to the evangelical covenant,) the answer is, it can be perfectly
observed. But the question about capability is not of such great importance,
"provided a man confesses that it is possible to be done by the grace of
Christ," as St. Augustine justly observes.
352 REMARKS ON THE PRECEDING
QUESTIONS, AND ON THOSE OPPOSED TO THEM
In reply to some queries which Uytenbogard had addressed to
Arminius, concerning these nine questions and their opposites, the latter gave his friend
the following explanation, in a letter dated the 31st of January, 1606:
"1. In answer to the First Question, this is the order of the
decrees.
(1.) It is my will to save believers.
(2.) On this man I will bestow faith
and preserve him in it.
(3.) I will save this man. For thus
does the first of these decrees prescribe, which must necessarily be placed foremost;
because, without this, faith is not necessary to salvation, and therefore no necessity
exists to administer the means for faith. But to this is directly opposed the opinion
which asserts, that faith is bestowed on him on whom God had previously willed to bestow
salvation. For, in this case, it would be his will to save one who did not believe. All
that has been said about the difference of the decree and its execution, is futile; as if,
in fact, God willed salvation to any one prior to faith, and yet not to bestow salvation
on any others than believers. For, beside the consistent agreement of these, [the decree
and its execution,] it is certain that God cannot will to bestow that which, on account of
his previous decree, He cannot bestow. As therefore faith is, in a general manner, placed
before salvation by the first decree; so it must, specially and particularly, be placed
before the salvation of this and that man, even in the special decree which has the
subsequent execution.
"3. To the Third Question I shall in preference oppose the
following: Has God determined peremptorily to act with some men according to the strict
rigor of the law, as He did with the fallen angels, and to act with others according to
the grace of the Gospel? If they deny this, I have what I wish. But if they affirm it,
such a sentiment must be overwhelmed with absurdities; because in such a case God would
have acted towards many
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men with greater severity, than towards the fallen angels, who, as
being creatures purely spiritual, each sinned of himself, through his own wickedness
without persuasion from any one.
"4. They will not be able to deny my Fourth opposite Question.
For remission is promised to those who confess their sins; and the fear is called initial
in reference to the filial fear which follows. If they acknowledge it, but say, ‘Yet
God is not induced by them;’ I will then command them to erase the same word out of
their interrogatory, and in a better form to enunciate their own opinion.
"5. They will not consider it their duty entirely to deny my
Fifth opposing Question. If they affirm it, they will declare a falsehood, and will incur
the ill opinion of all prudent persons, even of those who are weak. Let them therefore
search out what they may place as an intermediate postulate between theirs and mine, and I
will then show that it co-incides either with their postulate or with mine.
"6. I have placed two questions in opposition to the Sixth,
because their question is also a double one. On the First of them you require no
observation. About the Second I have said, for the sake of explanation, ‘that it is a
circle, in which nothing is first and nothing last,’ but in every part of it a
beginning and an end are found — which cannot, without absurdity, have place in the
decrees of God. I ask, has God determined to bestow salvation on those who believe, or to
bestow faith on those who are to be saved? If both of these be asserted, I ask, which of
them is the first, and which the last? They will reply, neither; and it is then a circle.
If they affirm the latter, that God has determined to bestow faith on those who are to be
saved; I will prove, that He has determined to bestow salvation on those who believe, and
shall then have formed a circle, notwithstanding their unwillingness. If they adduce the
different respect, I will endeavor to confute it; which cannot be a work of much
difficulty in so very plain a matter.
"7. In the Seventh opposite Question, I had regard to the
expression, is it his duty? for about its possibility there is no contention. But
justifying faith is not that by which I believe that my sins are remitted; for thus the
same thing will be the object and the effect of justifying faith. By this [justifying
faith] I obtain remission of sins, therefore it precedes the other
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object; [the remission of sins;] and no one can believe that his
sins are remitted, unless he knows that he believes by a justifying faith. For this
reason, also, no one can believe that his future sins will likewise be remitted, unless he
knows that he will believe to the end. For sins are forgiven to him who believes, and only
after they have been committed; wherefore the promise of forgiveness, which is that of the
New Testament, must be considered as depending on a condition stipulated by God, that is FAITH, without which there is no covenant.
"8. With respect to the Eighth Question, let a distinction be
made between Faith as it is a quality or habit, and between the same as it is an art.
Actual believing justifies, or the act of believing is imputed for righteousness. Because
God requires actual faith; for our capability to perform which, He infuses that which is
habitual. Therefore, as actual faith does not consist with moral sin, he who falls into
mortal sin may be damned. But it is possible for a believer to fall into mortal sin, of
which David is seen as an instance Therefore, he may fall at such a moment as, if he were
then to die, he would be damned. ‘If our heart condemn us not, then have we
confidence toward God.’ Therefore, if it does condemn us, we have no confidence, we
cannot have any; because ‘God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all
things.’ What is said about the impossibility of this event, because, God has
determined not to take such persons out of the world at that moment, conduces nothing in
favor of their hypothesis. For this is opposed to final destruction, not to temporary, and
to their total destruction for a season, which is the subject of their Eighth Question.
"9. If it be replied to my Ninth opposing Question, that, in
the covenant of grace, God requires a duty which is impossible to man; they will be forced
to confess, that, in addition to this covenant, another is necessary, according to which
God pardons a duty not performed according to that covenant of grace; as it was necessary
that there should be another covenant, by which God might pardon a duty not performed
according to the legal covenant. And thus shall we proceed on ad infinitum. At length we
must arrive at the point from which we can say, God save sinners, of his infinite mercy,
which is limited by no conditions prescribed by his equity. This seems to be an expression
which will be entirely conformable to the whole doctrine of those who urge absolute
predestination, For, since wrath and mercy are opposed to each other, as wrath is
infinite, may not
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mercy too, be infinite? According to their doctrine, whatever they
oppose to the contrary, wrath makes men sinners, that it may have those whom it can
punish. But they expressly say, mercy makes men believers by an omnipotent force, and
preserves them from the possibility of falling, that it may have those whom it can save.
But, as Nicasius Van der Schuer says, if God could make a sinner, that He might have one
whom He could punish; He could also punish without sin; therefore He could likewise
mercifully save without faith. And as Wrath willed to have a just title for damnation,
through the intervention of sin, so it became Mercy to save, without the intervention of
any duty, that it might be manifest that the whole is of mercy without the semblance of
justice. I say, without the semblance of justice; because it begets faith by an
irresistible force, and by an irresistible force it causes man to continue in faith to the
end, and thus necessarily to be saved, according to the decree, he that believes and
perseveres, shall be saved This being laid down, all equity is excluded, as well from the
decree of predestination to salvation, as from that of predestination to death. These
objections, I am conscientiously of opinion, may, without calumny, be made to their
sentiments; and I am prepared to maintain this very thing against any patron whatsoever of
those sentiments. For they do not extricate themselves when they say, that man
spontaneously sins, and believes by a spontaneous motion. For that which is spontaneous,
and that which is natural, are not in opposition. And that which is spontaneous coincides
with that which is absolutely necessary; as, a stone is moved downwards; a beast eats, and
propagates its species; man loves that which is good for himself. But all excuses
terminate in this spontaneous matter."
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