A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Further Christ addeth, Which are about to die, where he answereth to a question, that is moved by sundry at this day, namely: whether graces that concern salvation, may be utterly lost or not? Christ answereth by a distinction, that some graces that pertain to salvation, may be lost quite: and others may be decayed, so as they are about to die. For the graces of God that pertain to salvation, be of two sorts: some be absolutely necessary, so as without them a man of years cannot be saved: and such are faith and regeneration. Others be less necessary, which sometime go with faith, but not always; such are, A plentiful feeling of the favour of God, joy in the holy Ghost, and boldness in prayer; these may be lost wholly for a time in the servants of God. Yea, faith and regeneration themselves, may ⟨p. 168⟩decay grievously, and be ready to di•, as this text saith. Secondly, consider faith and regeneration in themselves, and they may be wholly lost, for nothing in it self is unchangeable, but God. The state of the elect Angels by nature is changeable, for they stand by the power of God. Thirdly, these graces may perish and decay finally, unless thy be confirmed. Question. Why then do not the elect finally fall away after their calling? Ans. Their standing cometh not from the constancy of grace or faith, but from the promise of God made unto them, & to their faith, so Christ saith to Peter, ^aThou art Peter, and upon this rock, that is, upon thy faith which thou hast professed, will I build my temple, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it: that is, though they may assault it, and grievously weaken it, yet they shall never be able finally to overcome it.

Further Christ addeth, Which are about to die, where he answereth to a question, that is mooued by sundry at this day, namely: whether graces that concerne saluation, may be vtterly lost or not? Christ answeareth by a distinction, that some graces that pertaine to saluation, may be lost quite: and others may be decayed, so as they are about to die. For the graces of God that pertaine to saluation, be of two sorts: some be absolutely necessarie, so as without them a man of yeares cannot be saued: and such are faith and regeneration. Others bee lesse necessary, which sometime goe with faith, but not alwaies; such are, A plentifull feeling of the fauour of God, ioy in the holy Ghost, and boldnesse in prayer; these may be lost wholy for a time in the seruants of God. Yea, faith and regeneration themselues, may