The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

To the first Assumption then and Inference I say, there is a twofold fear of eternal death and destruction. 1. An Anxious perplexing Fear, in respect of the End it self; 2. A Watchful careful Fear in respect of the means leading thereunto; In respect of the first, it is utterly denied, that the use and end of the Threatenings of God, in respect of his Saints, are to ingenerate any such Fear in them, it being directly opposed to that Faith, Assurance, Peace, Boldness Consolation, and Joy, that God is pleased to afford to them and abundantly exhorts them to live up unto; Yea an Anxious abiding Fear of Hell, is fully contrary to that very Conditional Assurance of Salvation, which Mr Goodwin himself in respect of their present Condition allows to them; Nor hath the Lord instituted his Ordinances at such a difference and Opposition one to another, as that at the same time towards the same persons, they should be effectual to beget opposite and contrary frames and principles. For the other, or a Watchful heedful Fear for the avoiding of the way & means, that would lead them, and do lead others to destruction, that is not in the least inconsistent with any Assurance, that God is pleased by his Promises to give to his Saints of their Perseverance. God will have them expect their Perseverance in the way wherein he hath promised it; that is, by the use of such and such Means, helps, and Advantages, as he hath appointed for ⟨p. 294⟩the effectual Accomplishment thereof. And therefore nothing is in vain, or uselessly applied to them, which according to his appointment is suited to the stirring of them up to the use of the means ordained for that end, as before mentioned. Therefore to Mr Goodwin's second Assertion which he calls evident: I say

To the first Assumption then and Inference I say, there is a twofold feare of eternall death and destruction. 1. An Anxious perplexing Feare, in respect of the End it selfe; 2. A Watchfull carefull Feare in respect of the meanes leading thereunto; In respect of the first, it is utterly denyed, that the use and end of the Threatnings of God, in respect of his Saints, are to ingenerate any such Feare in them, it being directly opposed to that Faith, Assurance, Peace, Boldnesse Consolation, and Joy, that God is pleased to afford to them and abundantly exhorts them to live up unto; Yea an Anxious abiding Feare of Hell, is fully contrary to that very Conditionall Assurance of Salvation, which Mr Goodwin hinselfe in respect of their present Condition allowes to them; Nor hath the Lord instituted his Ordinances at such a difference and Opposition one to another, as that at the same time towards the same persons, they should be effectuall to beget opposite and contrary frames and principles. For the other, or a Watchfull heedfull Feare for the avoiding of the way & meanes, that would lead them, and do lead others to destruction, that is not in the least inconsistent with any Assurance, that God is pleased by his Promises to give to his Saints of their Perseverance. God will have them expect their Perseverance in the way wherein he hath promised it; that is, by the use of such and such Meanes, helpes, and Advantages, as he hath appointed for