John. 10. The Lord saith of his1 sheep, I do give unto them life eternal, neither shall they perish for ever; neither shall any man take them out of my hand. These words are declaratory, first, that his will is, that the sheep given to him of his father shall not be taken out of his hands; secondly he declareth that this his will is accomplished: that both the father ⟨p. 243⟩which giveth, and he which receiveth, are stronger then all creatures. Therefore it is a necessary consequent, that after the Elect be once given into the hands of Christ by faith, they cannot after be taken out of his hands; and (that) neither for ever, nor for a time. For thereupon it would follow, that the Father and Christ should be more infirm, and weak (at least) for a time, then he who should violently take such sheep out of his hands for a time. But this is blasphemy: for he saith absolutely, Himself, and the Father which gave, is mightier, to wit at all times, and always, then all creatures. Therefore in no case can it be, that the Elect, after they be once given by faith into the saving hand of Christ, should be taken out of his hand, or utterly fail from him. So also hath Bucer expounded this place; Again (saith he) it is to be observed, that it is of his only love that we are sheep and do follow Christ; then, being such we can never ⟨p. 244⟩fall away, for that the Father and Son are one, and have the same hand, that is, power: out of which none can never take away them, whom it hath once apprehended for salvation: And they are apprehended, to whomsoever it is given to hear and follow the voice of Christ; for that none can do, but sheep. These things Bucer. Therefore as well out of the words and argumentation of Christ, as of the interpretation of Bucer, and also that particle (Once) it appeareth, That the evasion is very childish, whereby the adversaries strive to avoid all these places, by (quamdiu) How long, and (finaliter) finally. Besides these testimonies of the Scriptures in the old and new Testaments, which ye have in my Lectures, these also which I have now alleged, do to me appear by sufficient plainness to confirm this doctrine of the Perseverance of Saints in the Faith. When you desire, I will produce more.
Iohn. 10. The Lord saith of his1 sheepe, I doe giue vnto them life eternall, neither shall they perish for euer; neither shall any man take them out of my hand. These words are declaratorie, first, that his wil is, that the sheep giuen to him of his father shall not bee taken out of his hands; secondlle hee declareth that this his will is accomplished: that both the father ⟨p. 243⟩which giueth, and hee which receiueth, are stronger then all creatures. Therefore it is a necessary consequent, that after the Elect be once giuen into the hands of Christ by faith, they cannot after be taken out of his hands; and (that) neither for euer, nor for a time. For therevpon it would follow, that the Father and Christ should bee more infirme, and weake (at least) for a time, then hee who should violentlie take such sheepe out of his hands for a time. But this is blasphemie: for hee saith absolutely, Himselfe, and the Father which gaue, is mightier, to wit at all times, and alwaies, then al creatures. Therefore in no case can it be, that the Elect, after they be once giuen by faith into the sauing hand of Christ, should bee taken out of his hand, or vtterly faile from him. So also hath Bucer expounded this place; Againe (saith hee) it is to be obserued, that it is of his onely loue that wee are sheepe and doe follow Christ; then, being such wee can neuer ⟨p. 244⟩fal away, for that the Father and Sonne are one, and haue the same hand, that is, power: out of which none can neuer take away them, whome it hath once apprehended for saluation: And they are apprehended, to whomesoeuer it is giuen to heare and follow the voice of Ch•ist; for that none can doe, but sheepe. These things Bucer. Therefore as well out of the words and argumentation of Christ, as of the interpretation of Bucer, and also that particle (Once) it appeareth, That the euasion is very childish, whereby the aduersaries striue to auoid all these places, by (quamdiu) How long, and (finaliter) finallie. Besides these testimonies of the Scriptures in the old and new Testaments, which ye haue in my Lectures, these also which I haue now alleadged, do to mee appeare by sufficient plainenesse to confirme this doctrine of the Perseuerance of Saints in the Faith. When you desire, I wil produce more.
- 15 John. 6. 17.5 Iohn. 6. 17.
