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

And First Consider, That though we hold the Godly man will persevere to the End, yet this is not to be attributed to his own power and strength, but solely to Gods Help; This Truth was maintained of old by Austin against the Pelagians, who thought a man by his own power might overcome Temptations, and persist constantly in what is good: In his Book De bono perseverantiae and lib. de correptione & gratiâ, He makes it his great work to overthrow that proud and presumptuous doctrine, and among other Arguments this is often urged, That a man prayeth unto God for perseverance, which would be absurd if it were in mans own power to give it, and he also presseth another Argument of two having equal grace (whether he mean true real sanctifying grace, is controverted by the Learned; Vossius saith he doth, but others think not, as Rivet: He propounds this Question, Why one doth persevere and not the other, as ⟨p. 353⟩we may instance, why Peter and not Judas, who though he had not Sanctifying Grace yet had many good Gifts of Gods Spirit, and none can give a difference of this but by running to Gods grace confirming one and not the other, So then as we see it was with the people of Israel in the Wilderness, travelling to Canaan, their shoes and garments did not wax old, or their bread mouldy, God miraculously preserving of it; Thus in our way to Heaven God preserveth the Godly so that their Graces which otherwise would quickly perish and decay, are yet kept lively and vigorous by him; As in Physic there are Medicines to recover out of Diseases, and then to preserve and keep health; So there is the grace of God, out of sin, and Grace to preserve us being thus recovered; Hence Austin well observeth that expression, Rom 11. I have left to my self seven thousand that have not bowed their knees to Baal; It was God that had saved them from Idolatry, he kept them from the common corrupt worship, not they themselves, and Rom. 14. the Apostle speaking of a weak Christian saith, he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand, God is able not he himself; This Truth that profound Doctor Bradwardine doth solidly maintain against Pelagians, lib. 2. De Causâ Dei, cap. 8, 9, 10. where he reproveth Lombard the Master of Sentences for attributing perseverance to a mans Free-will, desiring his Zeal may be excused, because it is for Gods Truth;

And First Consider, That though we hold the Godly man will persevere to the End, yet this is not to be attributed to his own power and strength, but solely to Gods Help; This Truth was maintained of old by Austin against the Pelagians, who thought a man by his own power might overcome Temptations, and persist constantly in what is good: In his Book De bono perseverantiae and lib. de correptione & gratiâ, He makes it his great work to overthrow that proud and presumptuous doctrine, and among other Arguments this is often urged, That a man prayeth unto God for perseverance, which would be absurd if it were in mans own power to give it, and he also presseth another Argument of two having equal grace (whether he mean true real sanctifying grace, is controverted by the Learned; Vossius saith he doth, but others think not, as Rivet: He propounds this Question, Why one doth persevere and not the other, as