"Although it be true that the elect only believe unto salvation, yet it is the convinced sinner, as such, and not the elect sinner, as such, that savingly believes. Yet the gospel being offered to all mankind sinners, God’s elect, in believing, do condemn the world of unbelievers, because they receive Christ on no special ground, but offered to them as, and in common with, others. The work of God’s Spirit, in convincing of sin and misery, enlightening the mind in the knowledge of Christ, renewing the will, and persuading and enabling them to embrace Christ, is special to God’s elect: but their being saved is not on the ground of their being so, but because they believe on Jesus Christ as perishing sinners like others." (Dr. John 'Rabbi' Duncan) |