CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

4. Because they are the Fathers therefore they are sure to persevere, and not to apostatize from the ways of grace and holiness; Adam indeed was his, and the Angels before their Fall were his, but because not his in that sure and better Covenant, which is established by the blood of Christ. Therefore they fell from that propriety, but now a sure and everlasting Covenant is made through Christ; They if once his, always his▪ Hence our Saviour saith, None can pluck them out of his Fathers hand, John 18.29. Because the Father is greater then all: Out of his hand, that is a very comfortable expression, as if God held them always in his hand, as we do those things that are precious, and therefore we are kept by the power of God to Salvation; Oh how often should we lose our propriety, forfeit our Interest, become sins and Satan's, did not he keep us his? This preserving of us his, is more then making us his at first, for such is our falsehood and inconstancy, that we should every day dissolve all those bonds of love between God and us: Did not he put this fear in our hearts? Oh by this it is that we do not only live his but die his: By this it is that we may with Triumph take up Pauls persuasion, That nothing shall separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8. Build not then thy Perseverance upon thy graces but Gods propriety.

4. Because they are the Fathers therefore they are sure to persevere, and not to apostatize from the waies of grace and holinesse; Adam indeed was his, and the Angels before their Fall were his, but because not his in that sure and better Covenant, which is established by the bloud of Christ. Therefore they fell from that propriety, but now a sure and everlasting Covenant is made through Christ; They if once his, alwaies his▪ Hence our Saviour saith, None can pluck them out of his Fathers hand, John 18.29. Because the Father is greater then all: Out of his hand, that is a very comfortable expression, as if God held them alwaies in his hand, as we do those things that are precious, and therefore we are kept by the power of God to Salvation; Oh how often should we lose our propriety, forfeit our Interest, become sinnes and Satans, did not he keep us his? This preserving of us his, is more then making us his at first, for such is our falshood and inconstancy, that we should every day dissolve all those bonds of love between God and us: Did not he put this fear in our hearts? Oh by this it is that we do not only live his but die his: By this it is that we may with Triumph take up Pauls perswasion, That nothing shall separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus,