(From Outside the Camp Vol. 3, No. 3)
"Born, as all of us are by
nature, an Arminian, I still believed the old things I had heard continually
from the pulpit, and did not see the grace of God. When I was coming to Christ,
I thought I was doing it all myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I
had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the young convert is at
first aware of this. ... I recollect an Arminian brother telling me that he had
read the Scriptures through a score or more times, and he could never find the
doctrine of election in them. ... There is no soul living who holds more firmly
to the doctrines of grace than I do, and if any man asks me whether I am
ashamed to be called a Calvinist, I answer - I wish to be called nothing but a Christian;
but if you ask me, do I hold the doctrinal views which were held by John
Calvin, I reply, I do in the main hold them, and rejoice to avow it. But far be
it from me to imagine that Zion contains none but Calvinistic Christians within
her walls, or that there are none saved who do not hold our views. Most
atrocious things have been spoken about the character and spiritual condition
of John Wesley, the modern prince of Arminians. I can only say concerning him
that, while I detest many of the doctrines which he preached, yet for the man
himself I have a reverence second to no Wesleyan; and if there were wanted two
apostles to be added to the number of the twelve, I do not believe that there
could be found two men more fit to be so added than George Whitefield and John
Wesley. The character of John Wesley stands beyond all imputation for
self-sacrifice, zeal, holiness, and communion with God; he lived far above the
ordinary level of common Christians, and was one of whom the world was not
worthy. I believe there are multitudes of men who cannot see the truths, or at
least, cannot see them in the way in which we put them, who nevertheless have
received Christ as their Saviour, and are as dear to
the heart of the God of grace as the soundest Calvinists in or out of
heaven."
[unregenerate "Calvinist" Charles H. Spurgeon, from "A Defense of Calvinism" (ironically enough)]