Turretin - Institutes of Elenctic Theology
XXIII. Since that will of sign has never been universal with respect to each and every one, the mercy signified by it cannot be universal. XXIV. If God by this will signified that he willed the salvation of all without exception, he would have signified that he willed what he least willed, but when it signifies that the wills the salvation of all believers and penitents, it signifies that he wills that which he really wills. XXV. The fourth distinction of the will is into secret and revealed. A. secret will 1. commonly applied to the decretive will which is for the most part concealed in God 2. a profound and unfathomable abyss (Psa. 36:6; Rom. 11:33-34) 3. has for its object all those things which God will either to effect or permit 4. always takes place B. revealed will 1. commonly applied to the preceptive will manifested in the law and gospel 2. discoverable to all, nor is it far from us (Deut. 30:14; Rom. 10:8) 3. relates to those things which belong to our duty and are proposed conditionally 4. often violated XXVI. It is called secret will not because it is concealed from us and never revealed, but that it remains concealed from us until it is revealed. XXVII. Although the secret will concerning our election remains concealed in God, it does not follow that we can have no certainty of salvation because although we cannot gain it a priori, yet we can a posteriori. XXVIII. Whatever Christ willed to be done in time by men, that he has also revealed in time; but it does not forthwith whatever he has decreed to be done by himself from good pleasure. XXIX. It is not necessary that God should exercise a good will to all for salvation by an
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