---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [T]he Papist and the Arminian on the one…"
description: "\"“[T]he Papist and the Arminian on the one extremity, enthroneth Nature, and extolleth proud merit, and abaseth Christ and free grace. The Familist, lib..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/samuel-rutherford-3289_nature_t-he-papist-and-the-arminian-on-the-one_1331766.jpg"
---

#  \[T\]he Papist and the Arminian on the one extremity…

![“[T]he Papist and the Arminian on the one extremity, enthroneth Nature, and extolleth proud merit, and abaseth Christ and free grace. The Familist, libertine, and Antinomian, on a contrary extremity and opposition, turn man into a block, and make him into a mere patient in the way to heaven.” quote by Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/samuel-rutherford-3289_nature_t-he-papist-and-the-arminian-on-the-one_1331766.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/samuel-rutherford-3289_nature_t-he-papist-and-the-arminian-on-the-one_1331766.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/samuel-rutherford-3289_nature_t-he-papist-and-the-arminian-on-the-one_1331766.jpg)

> ““\[T\]he Papist and the Arminian on the one extremity, enthroneth Nature, and extolleth proud merit, and abaseth Christ and free grace. The Familist, libertine, and Antinomian, on a contrary extremity and opposition, turn man into a block, and make him into a mere patient in the way to heaven.””

[Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote contrasts two extremes: one elevates nature and merit over Christ and grace, the other reduces humanity to a passive block, denying agency in salvation.

**In simple terms:** It warns against both extreme pride and passive fatalism in faith.

Key Takeaway

Seek a balanced view that honors both divine grace and human responsibility.

Themes

theology human nature salvation extremism

Mood

reflective critical thoughtful

Type

theological philosophical

When to use this quote

- church debates
- personal belief formation
- interfaith dialogue
- ethical teaching
- spiritual counseling

Key Concepts

Grace merit agency predestination faith

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you reconcile divine grace with human effort?
- What dangers arise from viewing believers as merely passive?

A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex theological positions into binary extremes.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/)

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