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

¹Therefore Thirdly, God keeps them spiritual by making them to persevere and to hold out till the very last; So that notwithstanding all the difficulties which are in the way to Heaven, yet as it is said of Christ, He will not suffer his Holy One to see Corruption; So neither will he suffer his Holy Ones eternally to perish: Here we see Christ praying for his Disciples, and afterwards for all Believers, that they may be kept by his power, and be one with him; so that this is a sure Argument for the perseverance of the Saints: Christ hath prayed to God to keep them, and the Father heareth him in all that he prayeth. For hence God hath promised Jerem. 32.40. to put his fear into the godly wans heart, that he shall never depart from him, and he hath the immortal Seed within him, keeping of him that he cannot sin, viz. unto Death, and so as Cain and wicked men sin who are altogether corrupted: Oh then what matter of Encouragement is this to the Godly man, who is apt to fear his entrance into Canaan, when he seeth so many Anakims and tall Giants in the way; He begins to tremble when he thinks of the Apostles Exclamation who shall be saved? If it be such a difficult thing to get to Heaven, the way be so strait, and so many prove Hypocrites and Apostates; What will become of me? How shall I do? When the Godly are thus afflicted, let them remember God keeps them and with him all things are not only possible but easy; He that could keep the Israelites shoes that they did not wear out, he can much more preserve and deliver thee from being tired out in thy way toward Heaven.

¹Therefore Thirdly, God keeps them spiritual by making them to persevere and to hold out till the very last; So that notwithstanding all the difficulties which are in the way to Heaven, yet as it is said of Christ, He will not suffer his Holy One to see Corruption; So neither will he suffer his Holy Ones eternally to perish: Here we see Christ praying for his D•sciples, and afterwards for all Beleevers, that they may be kept by his power, and be one with him; so that this is a sure Argument for the perseverance of the Saints: Christ hath praied to God to keep them, and the Father heareth him in all that he prayeth. For hence God hath promised