And as Presumption betrays the Soul into the Devils Snares, so a vicious dejection of Spirit from a distrust of Relief from God in our Difficulties, and his assistance with our unfeigned endeavours for Salvation is very pernicious. For this damps Industry, and causes either a total neglect, or uncomfortable use of Means for that End. Many Christians considering their Graces are weak, their Nature fickle and apt to revolt, are ready (as David said, One day I shall perish by the hand of Saul) to conclude sadly of the issue of their Condition. To encourage such let them consider, that Perseverance is not only a Condition, but a Privilege of the Covenant of Grace. For that affords supply of spiritual Strength to the ⟨p. 162⟩sincere Believer for performing the condition it requires. Indeed if Grace were the mere product of Free Will, the most fervent Resolutions would vanish into a Lye, upon the Assault of an overpowering Temptation. As Hezekiah acknowledged, that the Assyrian Kings, had destroyed the Gods of the Nations that were no Gods, but Idols the work of Mens Hands. But sanctifying Grace is the effect of the Holy Spirit, and he that begins that good work in the Saints, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He that inclined them joyfully to choose the Spiritual Eternal Good, will bind their unconstant Hearts, that by a faithful adherence they shall cleave to their Duty and Felicity. God has most graciously declared, I will put my Spirit into their Hearts, that they shall never depart from me. The Promise is founded in the unchangeable Love of God to his People. Were God as Man subject to Variation, there might be Jealousies in Believers lest they should lose his good Will. As those who depend on Princes, are suspicious lest from the natural inconstancy of the human Will, a new Favourite should supplant them. But whom God loves he loves to the end. ⟨p. 163⟩The Apostle prays for the Thessalonians, that God would preserve them blameless till unto the coming of Christ, by this Consideration, faithful is he that calleth you, he will do it. He speaks of the Internal Call, that opens the Heart and overpowers all Resistance. As when the Angel came with a Light shining in the Prison to St. Peter, and struck him on the Side, bid him arise quickly loosed his Chains, and led him through the Guards, opened the Doors, and restored him to Liberty.
And as Presumption betrays the Soul into the Devils Snares, so a vicious dejection of Spirit from a distrust of Relief from God in our Difficulties, and his assistance with our unfeigned endeavours for Salvation is very pernicious. For this damps Industry, and causes either a total neglect, or uncomfortable use of Means for that End. Many Christians considering their Graces are weak, their Nature fickle and apt to revolt, are ready (as David said, One day I shall perish by the hand of Saul) to conclude sadly of the issue of their Condition. To encourage such let them consider, that Perseverance is not only a Coudition, but a Privilege of the Covenant of Grace. For that affords supply of spiritual Strength to the ⟨p. 162⟩sincere Believer for performing the condition it requires. Indeed if Grace were the meer product of Free Will, the most fervent Resolutions would vanish into a Lye, upon the Assault of an overpowering Temptation. As Hezekiah acknowledged, that the Assyrian Kings, had destroyed the Gods of the Nations that were no Gods, but Idols the work of Mens Hands. But sanctifying Grace is the effect of the Holy Spirit, and he that begins that good work in the Saints, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He that inclin'd them joyfully to chuse the Spiritual Eternal Good, will bind their unconstant Hearts, that by a faithful adherence they shall cleave to their Duty and Felicity. God has most graciously declared, I will put my Spirit into their Hearts, that they shall never depart from me. The Promise is founded in the unchangeable Love of God to his People. Were God as Man subject to Variation, there might be Jealousies in Believers lest they should lose his good Will. As those who depend on Princes, are suspicious lest from the natural inconstancy of the human Will, a new Favourite should supplant them. But whom God loves he loves to the end. ⟨p. 163⟩The Apostle prays for the Thessalonians, that God would preserve them blameless till unto the coming of Christ, by this Consideration, faithful is he that calleth you, he will do it. He speaks of the Internal Call, that opens the Heart and overpowers all Resistance. As when the Angel came with a Light shining in the Prison to St. Peter, and struck him on the Side, bid him arise quickly loosed his Chains, aud led him through the Guards, open'd the Doors, and restored him to Liberty.
