08 February, 2017

Peter Martyr Vermigli (1499-1562) on Ezekiel 33:11


Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezek. 33:11)


(I)

[Source: Predestination and Justification (Kirksville, MO: Truman State University Press, 2003), p. 46; emphasis added]

Therefore, by this will, which we call the signified will, he does not will the sinner’s death. Rather he provokes them to repentance [Eze. 33:11]. As to the other will, which they call the will of his good pleasure (beneplacitus), if by it he wills that no one perish, then surely no one would perish. As Augustine says, there is no will so perverse that if he wishes to, God cannot make it good. According to this will he has done all things he wished. This is a simple and plain interpretation. If our adversaries will not accept it, but insist on contending that the prophet’s words are to be understood of the absolute will of God, and the will of his good pleasure, then we answer that the statement does not relate to all sinners universally, but only to those who repent. They are the elect and predestined, to whom God, according to his purpose, gives faith and calling, and repentance.





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