The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

First, In its universality; In Unregenerate men, every figment of their heart is only evil and that every day; there is an universality of actings expressed positively, & exclusively, to any actings of another kind; every figment of their heart is only evil; and of time, every day: whatever good they seem to do, or do, whatever duties they perform, that in them all, which is the proper figment of their heart, is only evil. On this account, take any duty they do, any work they perform, and weigh it in the balance and 'twill be found in respect of principles, and circumstances, or aims, to be wholly evil. That indeed there is nothing in it that is acceptable to God: & their hearts are casting, minting, and coining sin, all the day long. With Believers 'tis not so, there is also a good treasure in their hearts, from whence they bring out good things; there is a good Root in them that bears good fruit; though they are, or may be overtaken with many sins yea with great sins, yet lust doth not tempt them as it doth unregenerate men, with a perpetual continual active inclination unto evil, even some way or other in all the good they do. The Spirit is in them, & will, and doth in what state so ever they are, dispose their hearts to Faith, Love, Meekness, and actuates those Graces, at least in the elicit acts of the will; for a good tree will bring forth good fruit, never any Believer is, or was so deserted of God, or did so forsake God, as that every figment of his heart should be evil only, and that continually; That no one act of sin, can possibly expel his habit of Grace, hath been formerly showed; neither is he ever cast into such a condition, but from the good principle that is in him. There is a panting after God, longing for his Salvation with more or less efficacy; the spark is warm and glowing, though under ashes.

First, In its universality; In Unregenerate men, every figment of their heart is only evill and that every day; there is an universality of actings exprest positively, & exclusively, to any actings of another kind; every figment of their heart is only evill; and of time, every day: whatever good they seeme to do, or do, whatever dutyes they performe, that in them all, which is the proper figment of their heart, is only evill. On this account, take any duty they do, any worke they performe, and weigh it in the ballance and t'will be found in respect of principles, and circumstances, or aimes, to be wholly evill. That indeed there is nothing in it that is acceptable to God: & their hearts are casting, minting, and coyning sinne, all the day long. With Believers 'tis not so, there is also a good treasure in their hearts, from whence they bring out good things; there is a good Root in them that beares good fruit; though they are, or may be overtaken with many sins yea with great sins, yet lust doth not tempt thē as it doth unregenerate men, with a perpetuall continuall active inclination unto evill, even some way or other in all the good they do. The Spirit is in them, & will, and doth in what state so ever they are, dispose their hearts to Faith, Love, Meekenesse, and actuates those Graces, at least in the elicite acts of the will; for a good tree will bring forth good fruit, never any Believer is, or was so deserted of God, or did so forsake God, as that every figment of his heart should be evill only, and that continually; That no one act of sinne, can possibly expell his habit of Grace, hath been formerly shewed; neither is he ever cast into such a condition, but from the good principle that is in him. There is a panting after God, longing for his Salvation with more or lesse efficacy; the sparke is warme and glowing, though under ashes.