such profane contempt of God's institution, it betrays such a servitude to the god of this world, that such a case has not been provided for in Scripture; and one should almost dread to speak where God in His word has been silent. For Simon Magus is no such case; since of him Scripture positively affirms that he believed[1], however soon he fell away; so that St. Peter's exhortation to him, to repent, holds out no encouragement to them who make a mock or a gain of God's institution. Where God gives repentance, we are safe in concluding that He is ready to pardon the offence, however in its own nature it may seem to put a person out of the covenant of Grace and repentance, and at the same time to preclude his entering again into it; and to any person, who, having thus sinned, is concerned about his salvation, that very concern is a proof that God, in his case, has not withdrawn
- ↑ "Then Simon himself believed also; and when he was baptized, continued constantly with Philip." Acts viii. 13. This surely cannot by any means be interpreted of a feigned belief: rather Calvin seems herein to have rightly yielded to the letter of Scripture, although opposed to his views. "In that faith is ascribed to him, we do not understand with some that he pretended a faith which he had not; but rather that overcome by the majesty of the Gospel he believed it after a manner, and so acknowledged Christ to be the author of life and salvation as gladly to subject himself to Him." (Institt. 3, 2, 10.) It is overlooked also that Simon Magus was converted by Philip, and continued for a while with him; and that it was not until the arrival of St. Peter furnished the temptation especially adapted to him, of exercising again as a Christian, by corrupt means, the influence which he had as a Pagan, that he fell. His history then is, alas! nothing so insulated in that of mankind: it is the simple, though fearful, occurrence of those who struck by some awful event around them, or in their own lives, or by some imposing act of God's Providence, for a while abandon their evil courses, and then, in time of temptation, fall away. Exactly this view (though only hypothetically) is given by St. Augustine (de Bapt. c. Donatist. L. 4. § 17.) "Was that Simon Magus baptized with Christ's Baptism? They will answer, yes! for they are compelled by the authority of Holy Scripture. I ask, then, whether they confess that his sins were forgiven him? They will confess it. I ask again, why did Peter say to him that he had no part in the lot of the saints? Because, they say, he afterwards sinned, wishing to purchase with money the gift of God, whereof he thought the Apostles were sellers." And, L. 6, § 19. "For that Simon Magus was born of water and the Spirit, and yet did not enter into the kingdom of Heaven."
