5. When we say that such as are given to Christ shall never perish, this is to be understood of all and every one of them; Not only such who have an high degree of Grace, but even those that are babes, such as are like the smoking flax and bruised reed; Where there is true grace, though but like a grain of Mustard-seed, yet that shall be so quickened and enlivened, that it shall never go out, and this is of great Consolation to the godly, who are apt to think that though some eminent Believers be carried on to happiness, yet such weak and frail things as they are shall never hold; they cannot withstand any temptation, they presently are ready to fall as soon as ever they are set on their feet, but they are to know that the same divine protection and power is to all, because they are Christs; It is not because one hath more godliness then another, but because all are in Christs hands; A Child in the Ark was as safe as any strong man, so that our protection is not founded upon the measure of our grace but the truth of our grace, That which is true grace will persevere, Perseverance doth not make it to be true, but the Truth of it makes it to persevere, So that where true Grace is, there Perseverance will certainly follow, as where the Sun is, there will be Sun-beams; Therefore that distinction though applauded by the Learned Vossius of a threefold Truth of Essence, To which is opposed no Faith, or a feigned Faith; Truth of intension or degrees to which is opposed a weak and remiss Faith; Truth of radication or perseverance, to which is opposed a temporary abiding, is well called by Amesius, futilis destinctio, a mere frothy distinction, for the least degree of true grace hath perseverance annexed to it, and the good ground and the bad are distinguished not only by their perseverance but by the very nature of the soil, and therefore the good Ground only is called a good and honest heart, so that we are not to say, Grace if it be rooted, but if it be true, will be brought to Eternal Glory
5. When we say that such as are given to Christ shall never perish, this is to be understood of all and every one of them; Not only such who have an high degree of Grace, but even those that are babes, such as are like the smoaking flax and bruised reed; Where there is true grace, though but like a grain of Mustard-seed, yet that shall be so qu•ckened and enlivened, that it shall never goe out, and this is of great Consolation to the godly, who are apt to think that though some eminent Beleevers be carried on to happinesse, yet such weak and frail things as they are shall never hold; they cannot withstand any temptation, they presently are ready to fall as soon as ever they are set on their feet, but they are to know that the same divine protection and power is to all, because they are Christs; It is not because one hath more godlinesse then another, but because all are in Christs hands; A Childe in the Ark was as safe as any strong man, so that our protection is not founded upon the measure of our grace but the truth of our grace, That which is true grace will persevere, Perseverance doth not make it to be true, but the Truth of it makes it to persevere, So that where true Grace is, there Perseverance will certainly follow, as where the Sunne is, there will be Sunne-beams; Therefore that distinction though applauded by the Learned Vossius of a threefold Truth of Essence, To which is opposed no Faith, or a seigned Faith; Truth of intension or degrees to which is opposed a weak and remisse Faith; Truth of radication or perseverance, to which is opposed a temporary abiding, is well called by Amesius, futilis destinctio, a meer frothy distinction, for the least degree of true grace hath perseverance annexed to it, and the good ground and the bad are distinguished not only by their perseverance but by the very nature of the soil, and therefore the good Ground only is called a good and honest heart, so that we are not to say, Grace if it be rooted, but if it be true, will be brought to Eternal Glory
