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

Argum. 5 5. A Fifth Argument is, The Godly mans divine protection to Everlasting Happiness is confirmed by assertory places as well as promissory; There are several Texts of Scripture that do plainly and clearly declare as much: Therefore let that be believed before mens Opinions, John 6.39. It is the Fathers Will that of those who are given me I should lose none of them; To this purpose also is that in John 10.28. Yea, that we may firmly be established herein, Matth. 16.18. Our Saviour tells us, That he will build his Church upon a Rock, that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it; Some would limit the Gates of Hell to Death, as it were an Hebraism, but it is plain our Saviour meaneth every thing that shall oppose and hinder him in the Building of his Church, and thus not only Death, but Sin and Hell are great Adversaries, otherwise it might so fall out that God should have no Church here upon the Earth, which would be a horrible Derogation to Christ, as if he might be a Head without Members: Another pregnant place affirming this is in 1 John 2.19. If they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us; No doubt: See how the Apostle puts it out of all Question; There is a Disciple indeed, and a Disciple in Appearance and Profession only: The Disciple indeed is a Pillar that shall never be removed out of the House, but shall abide for ever; But the Disciple in Appearance and Show only, he is not a fixed Star but a Meteor, For all his light and blaze is compounded of terrestrial matter, and so will quickly perish and vanish away: We may say, Dust he is, and unto Dust he will return: Of such our Saviour speaketh, John 10. Every Branch in me that bringeth not forth Fruit, he cutteth off, and casteth away: It is a Branch in him not by lively Insition but external Profession: Another place to bring up the Rear of these Assertory Texts of Scripture, is 1 John 3.9. Whosoever is born of God (there is the Universality) he sinneth not, neither can he, viz. not as a Cain, as a wicked one he doth not sin, he cannot give up himself wholly unto sin, and the Reason is because the Seed of God abideth in him.