The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Farther,¹ why the Ministers of England should be thought to entertain this Doctrine merely upon the Authority and countenance of Mr Perkins given thereunto, when the universality of the Teachers of all other Reformed Churches, of the same confession in other things with them, did also embrace the same Doctrine, and do continue in profession of it to this day, what reason can be assigned? Had there been a particular inducement to the Ministers of England for the receiving of it, which was altogether foreign unto them, who as to our Nation are foreigners, whence is it that there should be such a a coincidence of their Judgments with them therein? Or why may not ours be thought to take it upon the same account with them, upon whose Judgements & understandings the Authority of Mr Perkins cannot be supposed to have any influence? Is M. G. the only Person, who, in this Nation hath impartially weighed all things of concernement, to the refusing or embracing any matters or Doctrines in Religion? Have no other in the sincerity of their hearts searched the Scriptures, & earnestly begged the guidance of the Spirit, according to that encouraging Promise left by their Master, that they should receive him so doing? The good Lord take away from us all high thoughts of our selves, and all ⟨p. 312⟩contempt of them that profess the Fear of the Lord, with whom we have to do. For the Reason of Mr Goodwin's Faith in this thing, concerning the readiness of the Godly Ministers of this Nation, to Apostatize from the Doctrine of the Saints Perseverance, namely, their manifesting themselves to be possessed of many Principles of a contrary tendency unto it, in the applicatory parts of their Sermons; the vanity of it hath been long since discovered; so that there is no farther need to lay open the unreasonableness thereof.

Farther,¹ why the Ministers of England should be thought to entertaine this Doctrine meerely upon the Authority and countenance of Mr Perkins given thereunto, when the universality of the Teachers of all other Reformed Churches, of the same confession in other things with them, did also embrace the same Doctrine, and do continue in profession of it to this day, what reason can be assigned? Had there been a particular inducement to the Ministers of England for the receiving of it, which was altogether forraigne unto them, who as to our Nation are forraigners, whence is it that there should be such a a coincidence of their Judgments with them therein? Or why may not ours be thought to take it upon the same account with them, upon whose Judgements & understandings the Authority of Mr Perkins cannot be supposed to have any influence? Is M. G. the only Person, who, in this Nation hath impartially weighed all things of concernement, to the refusing or imbracing any matters or Doctrines in Religion? Have no other in the sincerity of their hearts searched the Scriptures, & earnestly begged the guidance of the Spirit, according to that incouraging Promise left by their Master, that they should receive him so doing? The good Lord take away from us all high thoughts of our selves, and all