A. 1. From the sweetness of that grace, life, and power they have felt in the society of the Saints, sweeter than which they shall not find in any other company, or in a solitary condition, that sweetness which they have found in Christ, and his Ordinances, and his Members, will make them cleave close to them, and not depart from them, Joh. 6.66, 67. Whither shall we go, thou hast the words of eternal life? where can we mend our selves, this is the House of God, and the Gate of Heaven, so that they intend to dwell here for ever, Psal. 84.1, 2, 3, 4. & 8, 9, 10. they find such sweetness and fullness in Gods House, that they had rather to be Door-keepers in Gods House, than to dwell in the Courts of Princes without, Heb. 11.26, 27. he that hath once seen Gods face in his Church, he regards not the wrath of men, and for the pleasure of the World, he accounts the very reproaches of the people of God to be sweeter, and if they be better and sweeter, what are the consolations and Promises, and Hopes of Gods people, the true Church of Christ that have found conjugal society with Christ, what should move them to turn aside to other companions, Cant. 1.6, 7, 8. therefore up to Jerusalem, and rest there, there you may find me, Psal. 16.3. My delight is in the Saints.

A. 1. From the sweetnesse of that grace, life, and power they have felt in the society of the Saints, sweeter than which they shall not find in any other company, or in a solitary condition, that sweetnesse which they have found in Christ, and his Ordinances, and his Members, will make them cleave close to them, and not depart from them, Joh. 6.66, 67. Whither shall we goe, thou hast the words of eternal life? where can we mend our selves, this is the House of God, and the Gate of Heaven, so that they intend to dwell here for ever, Psal. 84.1, 2, 3, 4. & 8, 9, 10. they find such sweetness and fulnesse in Gods House, that they had rather to be Door-keepers in Gods House, than to dwell in the Courts of Princes without, Heb. 11.26, 27. he that hath once seen Gods face in his Church, he regards not the wrath of men, and for the pleasure of the World, he accounts the very reproaches of the people of God to be sweeter, and if they be better and sweeter, what are the consolations and Promises, and Hopes of Gods people, the true Church of Christ that have found conjugal society with Christ, what should move them to turne aside to other companions, Cant. 1.6, 7, 8. therefore up to Jerusalem, and rest there, there you may find me, Psal. 16.3. My delight is in the Saints.

Q. If Christians cannot fall off, what needs there so many exhortations and threatenings to back-sliders? 1 Cor. 5.1, 2. 1 Cor. 10. Rom. 8.13.

Q. If Christians cannot fall off, what needs there so many exhortations and threatnings to back-sliders? 1 Cor. 5.1, 2. 1 Cor. 10. Rom. 8.13.

A. These are not Arguments of Apostasy, but means of perseverance, they are as means to keep us from Apostasy, for he that hath appointed the end, hath appointed the means.

A. These are not Arguments of Apostacy, but means of perseverance, they are as means to keep us from Apostacy, for he that hath appointed the end, hath appointed the means.

Obj. This Doctrine breeds security, seeing they cannot fall off, what need they care how they live?

A, This is no doctrine of security but only to carnal men, for we shall find that no Christian is more careful to please God, and fearful to offend him, than those that have got most assurance of Gods love, and fellowship with Christ and his members, 2 Cor. 5.4. Gen. 39.19.

A, This is no doctrin of security but only to carnal men, for we shall find that no Christian is more careful to please God, and fearful to offend him, than those that have got most assurance of Gods love, and fellowship with Christ and his members, 2 Cor. 5.4. Gen. 39.19.

2 If Gods Children do wax wanton, yet he hath means to scourge them soundly, though he doth not take away his loving kindness; and we say, though he cannot loose grace wholly, yet he may loose the strength of his grace. And Secondly, Corruption may grow strong; and Thirdly, He may loose all the comfort of his grace; Fourthly, he can make them meet with such afflictions from men as David did, though he cast him not out of Heaven, yet out of his Kingdom, after he had committed murder and Adultery, he raised up his own Son to rebel against him; so that David saw the bitterness of his wantonness against Gods grace, As if a Physician should give a man such a Drug, and say it will not only free you from your sickness, but also preserve you that you shall never dye; therefore should he say, What need I care what enemies I meet with, or what diet I use? no, it implieth that he ⟨p. 154⟩must have a care of such things; so though God give us a Well-spring of eternal life, yet if you look not to your selves, but rush into danger, you may be so wounded and unsettled, and so terrify your Consciences, that you shall feel the smart of your wantonness all your days.

2 If Gods Children doe wax wanton, yet he hath means to scourge them soundly, though he doth not take away his loving kindnesse; and we say, though he cannot loose grace wholly, yet he may loose the strength of his grace. And Secondly, Corruption may grow strong; and Thirdly, He may loose all the comfort of his grace; Fourthly, he can make them meet with such afflictions from men as David did, though he cast him not out of Heaven, yet out of his Kingdome, after he had committed murther and Adultery, he raised up his own Son to rebel against him; so that David saw the bitternesse of his wantonness against Gods grace, As if a Phisitian should give a man such a Drugg, and say it will not only free you from your sicknesse, but also preserve you that you shall never dye; therefore should he say, What need I care what enemies I meet with, or what dyet I use? no, it implieth that he ⟨p. 154⟩must have a care of such things; so though God give us a Wel-spring of eternal life, yet if you look not to your selves, but rush into danger, you may be so wounded and unsetled, and so terrifie your Consciences, that you shall feel the smart of your wantonnesse all your dayes.

Obj. Did not Lot depart from the fellowship of Abraham, and pitch his Tents in Sodom? Gen. 13.9. to 13.

A. 1. This was dangerous to Lot.

2 It was not without the consent of Abraham, and there was some necessity of it, for they could not well live together, they had such great estates.

3 The church was not then in Congregations, but in Families, &c.

Obj. But what say you to the Ten Tribes, did not they renounce fellowship with the Church? 2 King. 12.16.

A. Herein they did reject the Covenant of Grace, and so had no fellowship with the church.

Obj. Were there no good people there?

A. The good people of the Land left their possessions and went to Jerusalem, with the Priests and Levites, 2 Chron. 11.13. to 17. so that rather then they would leave the Fellowship of the church, they would sell all that they had to purchase such a Pearl.

Use 1. To reprove the error of the Pelagians and Papists, that do teach, that the true Members of the church may fall away, not only for a time, but finally, and for ever, contrary to this Doctrine, for though they may be as ornaments, or supports, yet they are no true members, for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.

Ʋse 1. To reprove the errour of the Pelagians and Papists, that doe teach, that the true Members of the church may fall away, not onely for a time, but finally, and for ever, contrary to this Doctrine, for though they may be as ornaments, or supports, yet they are no true members, for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.