In 1730, I wrote a piece on the other side of the question, which began with laying for its foundation this fact: “That almost all men in...

John Smyth commented on Calvinism:

Before the transgression of Adam all three substances in the human being‑flesh, soul, and spirit‑were good, Gen. 1:31. For God considered all the things which he /385/ had made and they were very good‑indeed, especially the human being made in the image of God, Gen. 1:31. The three substances were also wholly free to choose good or evil, life or death, heaven or hell. Thus they were originally made good and free also in the recognition, in the capability, and performance of g

Wherefore, I go to this interpreter and diviner and say, “Examine for me the entrails, and tell me what signs they give.” The fellow takes and spreads them out and then interprets: “Man, you have a moral purpose free by nature from hindrances and constraint. This stands written here in these entrails. I will prove you that first in the sphere of assent. Can anyone prevent you from assenting to truth? No one at all. Can anyone force you to accept the false? No one at all. Do y