The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

That the Saints, notwithstanding the possibility of their final falling away, have, or may have, such an Assurance of the perpetuity of their standing, in the Grace and Favour of God, as may exclude all fear, at least that, which is of a discouraging or enfeebling nature, The Apostle, as we have formerly showed, lived at a very excellent rate both of courage, and confidence; notwithstanding he know that it was possible for him to become a Reprobate; The assurance he had, that upon a diligent use of those means, which he know assuredly God would vouchsafe unto him, he should prevent his being a Reprobate, was a Golden foundation unto him, of that confidence, and courage, wherein he equalized the Holy Angels themselves.

That the Saints, notwithstanding the possibility of their finall falling away, have, or may have, such an Assurance of the perpetuity of their standing, in the Grace and Favour of God, as may exclude all feare, at least that, which is of a discouraging or enfeebling nature, The Apostle, as we have formerly shewed, lived at a very excellent rate both of courage, and confidence; notwithstanding he know that it was possible for him to become a Reprobate; The assurance he had, that upon a diligent use of those meanes, which he know assuredly God would vouchsafe unto him, he should prevent his being a Reprobate, was a Golden foundation unto him, of that confidence, and courage, wherein he equalized the Holy Angels themselves.

Ans. 1. The grounds asserted by Mr Goodwin, on which Believers may build the Assurance pretended of the perpetuity of their standing in the Grace and Favour of God, notwithstanding the possibility of their defection, (the assertion whereof costs no less, then the denying of all, or any influence from the Purpose, Promises, Covenant, or Oath of God, or Mediation of Christ, into their preservation) I have formerly considered: and manifested them to be so exceeding unable, to bear any such building of Confidence upon, as is pretended, that it is almost a Miracle, how any thoughts of such a structure on such quicksands, could ever find place in the mind of a man, any thing seriously acquainted with the ways of God; The whole of the Saints preservation in the Love and Favour of God, (as it is also expressed in this Section) is resolved into mens self-considerations, and endeavours. Being weary it seemeth, of leaning on the Power of God, to be kept thereby unto eternal Salvation, men begin to trust to themselves, and their own Abilities, to be their own keepers: But what will they do in the end thereof? The sum of what Mr Goodwin hath formerly said & what he repeateth again to the end of this Section, is, Men need not fear their falling away, though it is possible, seeing they may easily prevent it, if they will; Expressions sufficiently contemptive of the Grace of God, and the Salvation that God assureth us thereby; an assertion, which those Ancients, which Mr Goodwin laboureth to draw into communion with him, would have rejected, and cast out as Heretical. Mans ability thus to preserve himself, in the Grace and Favour of God, to the end, is either from himself, or from the Grace of God? If from himself? Let us know, what that Ability is, and wherein it doth consist, and how he comes by it? Christ telleth us, that without him we can do nothing, and