One of Calvin's most important works on the central topic of predestination, translated and introduced by J.K.S. Reid. This treatise is the longest and most sustained exposition which Calvin wrote on the subject that epitomises his theological approach. It supplies more than a bare statement about a God who, for his glory, apportions equally the lot of both the redeemed and the rejected; at a more profound level it also sets forth the theory of a God of grace.

Professor J.K.S. Reid's widely praised translation has been used as a model for other translations of Reformation texts. It is now available for the first time in paperback.

Editor's Preface
Editor's Introduction

Author's Introduction

I. Calvin's Opponents and Their Theses
II. Calvin's Contrary Thesis
III. Supporting Evidence from St Paul
IV. Supporting Evidence from St Augustine
V. The Witness of Scripture
     1. St Paul and St Peter
     2. The Fourth Gospel
     3. Romans 9
     4. The Covenant
     5. Isaiah 6.9
     6. John 12.37ff
VI. Pighius' Arguments
VII. Pighius' Proofs
VIII. Refutation of Pighius
     1. Preaching
     2. God's will that all be saved
     3. Respect of persons
     4. The reason for election
     5. The reason for reprobation
     6. Christ's place in election
     7. Perseverance
     8. Exhortation
     9. The perversity of the reprobate
     10. The supposed ill-effects of Predestination
     11. Reprobation and the goodness of God
     12. Man's will and God's grace
IX. Georgius
     1. Georgius: Election has different senses
     2. Georgius: Election is on the basis of faith
     3. Georgius: Scriptural blindness is punishment
     4. Georgius' denial of particular election
     5. Christ the propitiation for the whole world
     6. The Gospel rightly preached to all
     7. How the reprobate cause their own destruction
     8. Election precedes faith and perseverance
X. Providence
     1. Definition of providence
     2. Particular application of providence
     3. Providence especially directed to the Church
     4. Exposition of providence requires discretion
     5. The end of providence a proper confidence
     6. Providence refers to past as well as future
     7. God the cause of all happenings, yet not the author of evil
     8. God's use of inferior causes
     9. Man's counsels overruled by God
     10. God moves in the hearts of the ungodly
     11. No mere permission in God
     12. The will of God the necessity of all things
     13. God's reasons
     14. God not the author of evil
     15. God's nature and will are simple