The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

4. That there is, by all that walk with God, great weight to be laid on those Doctrines of Truth, which directly and effectually tend to the promotion of Faith, Love, Fear, Reverence of God, with universal holiness in their hearts and ways: this being that, whereunto they are called, and whereby God is glorified, Jesus Christ and the Gospel exalted, wherein his Kingdom in them consists, on which their own peace in their own bosoms, their usefulness unto others in this World, their being made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints of Light, doth much depend: If these things be of weight or moment unto them, (as surely they are all, that is, so to Believers) then doubtless, great valuation, and dear esteem will be entertained of those helps and Assistances, with they have, leading and carrying them on thereunto.

4. That there is, by all that walke with God, great weight to be laid on those Doctrines of Truth, which directly and effectually tend to the promotion of Faith, Love, Feare, Rever•nce of God, with universall holinesse in their hearts and waies: this being that, whereunto they are called, and whereby God is glorified, Jesus Christ and the Gospell exalted, wherein his Kingdome in them consists, on which their owne peace in their owne bosomes, their usefulnesse unto others in this World, their being made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints of Light, doth much depend: If these things be of weight or moment unto them, (as surely they are all, that is, so to Believers) then doubtlesse, great valuation, and deare esteeme will be entertained of those helps and Assistances, wich they have, leading and carrying them on thereunto.

5. That a Judgement of what Truths and Doctrines are peculiarly conducing unto the promotion of Piety and Godliness, is not to be made upon the Apprehensions and reasonings of men, wrested with a thousand Corruptions and prejudices, full of darkness and vanity, but according to what the Scripture it self holds forth, and the nature of the things themselves, (that is, the Evidence and Consequence that is between the Truth revealed, and Obedience) doth require; If the Testimonies of the Sons of men must be admitted in this case, to determine what Doctrine is according to Godliness, the cry and noise of them, will be found so various, discrepant; confused, and directly contradictory to it self, that none will ever thereby be lead to establishment; Then Papists will cry out for their Merits, Penance, Vows, Purgatory; the Socinians, Familists, Formalists, all contend upon the foundation of their own persuasions, as to their tendency to Godliness, of their Abominations. That Doctrine, which hath no other proof of its Truth and worth, but that men,