During the revival ministry of Asahel Nettleton (1783-1844) more than 25,000 were converted, principally in the New England area. Nettleton, for one, did not shrink back from proclaiming Divine election. This vignette comes from the book on his life by his friend Bennet Tyler.
A certain individual said to him: “I cannot get along with the doctrine of election.”
“Then,” said Nettleton, “get along without it. You are at liberty to get to heaven the easiest way you can. Whether the doctrine of election is true or not, it is true that you must repent, and believe, and love God. Now, what we tell you is, that such is the wickedness of your heart, that you never will do these things unless God has determined to renew your heart. If you do not believe that your heart is so wicked, make it manifest by complying with the terms of salvation. Why do you stand cavilling with the doctrine of election? Suppose you should prove it to be false, what have you gained? You must repent and believe in Christ after all. Why do you not immediately comply with these terms of the gospel? When you have done this, without the aids of the divine grace, it will be soon enough to oppose the doctrine of election . Until you shall have done this, we shall still believe that the doctrine of election lies at the foundation of all hope in your case.”
Bennet Tyler and Andrew Bonar, The Life and Labours of Asahel Nettleton, p. 405. Reprint, Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1975
-
Recent Posts
- Where Sin Abounded Grace Did Much More Abound
- Wise Men
- Poison In Our Hearts
- Wounded and Healed
- Acts of Grace Cannot Be Reversed
- The Evil of Sin
- Supernatural Salvation
- Hidden In Dunghills
- The Measure of a Minister
- Effectual Redemption
- Chloroforming Thousands Into Hell
- Better To Die In A Ditch
- Two Gulfs of Error
- Spare No Arrows
- The Best Laid Plans Of Men
- The Tremendous Judgment of God
- God’s Most Stubborn Enemy
- Private Devotions
- The Elect of God
- High Treason Against The Emperor of Heaven
- The Purpose of God
- Where Sin Abounded Grace Did Much More Abound
- The Utmost the Law Can Accomplish
- The Great Rareness of True Religion
- Unfaithfully Pandering to the Flesh
- Enemies of the Cross – What is the Real Issue?
- Flogging Ourselves and Loving Christ
- Filled With Disturbing Doubts
- Without Christ
- A Dictator in the Pulpit
- The Devil’s Drug
- Meditate Upon the Word of God
- Cosmic Treason
- A Perpetual War With Grace
- Preachers of Grace Pastor’s Conference
- The Grace of God – part 3 of 3
- The Grace of God – part 2 of 3
- The Grace of God – part 1 of 3
- Fatal Assumption
- Professional, Spectacular, Fleshly Music
- Safeguard Against False Doctrine
- Your Lust Dead At Your Feet
- Dead Fish Swim Downstream
- God’s Word Divides
- The Armour of God
- Submission To The Will of God
- The Death of Christ
- To Maintain Purity
- A Famine In The Land
- Unfurl the Gospel Banner!
Categories
Archives
A Particular Baptist Blog 