One notable degree of continuance is to have a1 purpose to continue: and therefore those that have not this purpose to abide in the truth, come life, come death; but rather purpose, if an other time should come, they are as ready for that, as for this, they are nothing but hypocrites, and have a witness in their own heart of their condemnation. And we must not only have a purpose, but we must labour to be strong, and use all means for the confirming of us, calling on the name of God for it. For Peter had a purpose indeed not to deny CHRIST, but to stand for him: but yet he denied him grossly, because he did not call earnestly unto the Lord for strength, neither did use the means of abstaining himself from danger before he was called, but would needs run into danger to the high Priests house, and lean too much ⟨p. 76⟩[…] ⟨p. 77⟩[…] ⟨p. 78⟩[…] ⟨p. 79⟩[…] ⟨image 45⟩⟨p. 83⟩[…] ⟨p. 84⟩upon himself. Doctrine Again, we learn, that they that are once truly reconciled & called, shall abide for ever: for the Apostle saith, they are reconciled, if they continue and abide; and therefore if they abide not they are not truly reconciled and sanctified: So that this is a true doctrine, a Saint once, a Saint ever, & that if God once love us, he will never forsake us. As Rom. 8. Neither 2life, nor death, &c. shall separate us, from the love of God in CHRIST. And here it is that our Saviour prayeth for all: John 17. not only for Peter, but for all that3 shall believe by the doctrine of his Apostles unto the worlds end, even for all the faithful; and he was heard in his prayer, and therefore it is unpossible that they which believe should perish. Mat. 24. They shall seduce if it were possible, the Elect: so that it is impossible for the Elect to perish. And those only are elected which believe: Therefore it is said, that those 4believed that were chosen to life. And therefore we see that the inheritance which God hath given unto us, by his son, we cannot be disherited of, CHRISTS Sheep shall not perish: none shall pull them, out of5 his hands, nor deprive them of that life, which in him is laid up for them.
One notable degree of contiuance is to haue a1 purpose to continue: and therefore those that haue not this purpose to abide in the truth, come life, come death; but rather purpose, if an other time should come, they are as ready for that, as for this, they are nothing but hypocrites, and haue a witnesse in their owne heart of their condemnation. And we must not onely haue a purpose, but wee must labour to bee strong, and vse all meanes for the confirming of vs, calling on the name of God for it. For Peter had a purpose indeed not to deny CHRIST, but to stand for him: but yet he denied him grosly, because he did not call earnestly vnto the Lord for strenght, neither did vse the meanes of absteyning himselfe from danger before hee was called, but would needs runne into danger to the high Priests house, and leane too much ⟨p. 76⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 77⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 78⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 79⟩〈…〉 ⟨image 45⟩⟨p. 83⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 84⟩vpon himselfe. Doctrine Againe, we learne, that they that are once truly reconciled & called, shal abide for euer: for the Apostle saith, they are reconciled, if they continue and abide; and therefore if they abide not they are not truely reconciled and sanctified: So that this is a true doctrine, a Saint once, a Saint euer, & that if God once loue vs, he will neuer forsake vs. As Rom. 8. Neither 2life, nor death, &c. shall seperate vs, from the loue of God in CHRIST. And here it is that our Sauiour prayeth for all: Iohn 17. not onely for Peter, but for all that
- 1Note.
- 2Rom. 8. 39.
- 3Joh. 17. 20.Ioh. 17. 20.
- 4Acts 13. 48.
- 5Joh. 10. 28.Ioh. 10. 28.
