Now the Elect being under this eternal Grace and Mercy, they must needs be under it both before present Justice seizeth upon them, while it seizeth them, and also continueth with them longer then present Justice can, it being from everlasting to everlasting. This being so, here is the reason why no sin, nor yet temptation of the Enemy, with any other evil, can hurt or destroy those thus Elect of God: Yea this is that which maketh even those things that in themselves are the very bane of men, yet prove very much for good to those within this purpose; and as David saith, It is good for me that I have been afflicted: and again, For when we are judged of the Lord, we are chastened, that we should not be condemned with the World. Now Afflictions, &c. in themselves are not only fruitless and unprofitable, but, being unsanctified, are destructive; I smote him, and he went on frowardly: But now eternal Mercy working with this or that affliction, makes it profitable to the Chosen; I have seen his ways, and will heal him, and will restore comfort to him and to his Mourners: as he saith in another place, Blessed is the man whom thou chastisest, and teachest out of thy Law. For eternal Mercy doth not look on those who are the Elect and Chosen of God, as poor sinful creatures only, but also as the Generation whom the Lord hath blessed, in whom he hath designed to magnify his mercy to the utmost, by pardoning the transgressions of the remnant of his Heritage; Having predestinated us to the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself, wherein also he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Wherefore I say, the Elect, as they do also receive that Grace and Mercy that may be sinned away, so they have that Grace and Mercy which cannot be lost, and that sin cannot deprive them of, even mercy that abounds, and goeth beyond all sin; such mercy as hath engaged the power of God, the intercession of Christ, and the communication of the blessed Spirit of Adoption, which Spirit also engageth the heart, directs it into the love of God, that it may not depart from God after that rate as the Reprobates do. I will make an everlasting Covenant with them, saith God, that I will not turn away from them to do them good, but will put my fear in their heart, that they shall not depart from me. Rom. 8.28. Psal. 119.71. 1 Cor. 11.31, 32. Isa. 57.17, 18. Psal 94.12. 1 Pet. 2.9. Mic.
Now the Elect being under this eternal Grace and Mercy, they must needs be under it both before present Justice seizeth upon them, while it seizeth them, and also continueth with them longer then present Justice can, it being from everlasting to everlasting. This being so, here is the reason why no sin, nor yet temptation of the Enemy, with any other evil, can hurt or destroy those thus Elect of God: Yea this is that which maketh even those things that in themselves are the very bane of men, yet prove very much for good to those within this purpose; and as David saith, It is good for me that I have been afflicted: and again, For when we are judged of the Lord, we are chastened, that we should not be condemned with the World. Now Afflictions, &c. in themselves are not onely fruitless and unprofitable, but, being unsanctified, are destructive; I smote him, and he went on frowardly: But now eternal Mercy working with this or that affliction, makes it profitable to the Chosen; I have seen his ways, and will heal him, and will restore comfort to him and to his Mourners: as he saith in another place, Blessed is the man whom thou chastisest, and teachest out of thy Law. For eternal Mercy doth not look on those who are the Elect and Chosen of God, as poor sinful creatures onely, but also as the Generation whom the Lord hath blessed, in whom he hath designed to magnifie his mercy to the utmost, by pardoning the transgressions of the remnant of his Heritage; Having predestinated us to the adoption of Children by Jesus Christ to himself, wherein also he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. VVherefore I say, the Elect, as they do also receive that Grace and Mercy that may be sinned away, so they have that Grace and Mercy which cannot be lost, and that sin cannot deprive them of, even mercy that abounds, and goeth beyond all sin; such mercy as hath engaged the power of God, the intercession of Christ, and the communication of the blessed Spirit of Adoption, which Spirit also engageth the heart, directs it into the love of God, that it may not depart from God after that rate as the Reprobates do. I will make an everlasting Covenant with them, saith God, that I will not turn away from them to do them good, but will put my fear in their heart, that they shall not depart from me. Rom. 8.28. Psal. 119.71. 1 Cor. 11.31, 32. Isa. 57.17, 18. Psal 94.12. 1 Pet. 2.9. Mic.
