The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

And indeed when we say that it is Possible, or Impossible for a man to sin or fall away, there is some degree of Impropriety in the Terms; because Possible and Impossible are terms properly relating to some power apportioned to a work: but sinning and falling away thereby, are the consequents of impotency, and not the effects of Power: except we speak of the ⟨p. 214⟩natural act, wherein the sin abideth. But this must be born with, for want of a fitter word to express our meaning by. But I'll leave these things which are not fit for you, and desire you to leave them and overpass them, if you understand them not.

And indeed when we say that it is Possible, or Impossible for a man to sin or fall away, there is some degree of Impropriety in the Terms; because Possible and Impossible are terms properly relating to some power apportioned to a work: but sinning and falling away thereby, are the consequents of impotency, and not the effects of Power: except we speak of the ⟨p. 214⟩natural act, wherein the sin abideth. But this must be born with, for want of a fitter word to express our meaning by. But I'le leave these things which are not fit for you, and desire you to leave them and overpass them, if you understand them not.

2. I here told you also, that you must not look to be above all apprehension of danger of your miscarrying. The grounds of this are these: 1. Because, as is said, our miscarrying remaineth still Possible. 2. Because the perfect certain knowledge of our Election, and that we shall not fall away, is proper to God only: We have our selves but a Defective, interrupted Assurance of it. 3. The Covenant gives us salvation but on condition of our perseverance, and perseverance on condition that we quench not the Spirit: which we shall do, if we lose the apprehension of our danger. 4. Accordingly there is a connection in our Assurance, between all the several causes of our Salvation, and necessaries thereto; whereof the apprehension of danger is one. We are sure we shall be saved, if we be sure to Persevere: else not. We are sure to Persevere, if we be sure faithfully to resist Temptations. We can be no surer of