# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Februar 1861_S37
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Theological Axioms. 37

11. Non propter fidem, sed per fidem ad aeternam salutem eligimur.

Not on account of faith, but through faith, are we chosen to eternal
blessedness.

12. Deus elegit quidem tantum eos, qui credunt, sed non quia credunt.

God has indeed chosen only those who believe, but not because they
believe.

13. "Nullis hominum meritis, nulla humani generis dignitate, quin
nec praevisione bonorum operum vel fidei motus est Deus, ut quosdam ad
vitam aeternam eligeret, sed soli indebitae et immensae ipsius gratiae in-
solidum hoc asscribendum."

God has been moved by no merits of men, by no worthiness of the human
race, indeed not even by the foreseeing of good works or of faith, to
choose some to eternal life; rather this is to be ascribed solely to his
unearned and immeasurable grace.

14. Electi non finaliter quidem, sed totaliter tamen fidem amittere
possunt.

The elect can indeed lose their faith completely, though not finally
[irrecoverably].

15. "Electi in faciem, reprobi retrorsum cadunt."

The elect fall forward, the reprobate fall backward.

16. "Non quaeruntur in christianis initia, sed finis."

In Christians one looks not for the beginning, but for the end.

17. "Deus vasa irae non facit, sed invenit; vasa gratiae non invenit,
sed facit."

God does not make the vessels of wrath, but finds them; the vessels
of grace he does not find, but makes.

18. Deus trahit, sed per rete verbi.

God draws, but through the net of the Word.

19. Tua quod nihil refert, percontari desinas.

Cease inquiring into what has not been commanded you.

20. Quae doctrina solatium vertit in absinthium, illa non est a Deo.

The doctrine that turns comfort into wormwood is not from God.

21. Dei voluntatem, qua serio omnium conversionem et salutem ex-
petit, Scriptura verbis, Christus lacrymis, Deus ipse juramento testatam fecit.

God's will, according to which he earnestly desires the conversion and
salvation of all, Scripture has attested with words, Christ with tears, and
God himself with an oath.

IX. Of the Divine Image in the State of Innocence.

1. Homo in puris naturalibus non datur, nisi fictione mentis.

A man who is neither good nor evil is no creature, but a figment of
the mind.