The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Ans. Believers hold not their Relation to Christ, upon any worthiness that is in themselves for it, but upon the account merely of Grace, according to the tenor of the Covenant of Mercy. That they may fall into such wicked and abominable ways, as shall render them altogether unmeet for that Relation, according to the Law of it, is that great Argument called petitio principii which Mr Goodwin hath used in this case an hundred times. But the comparison instituted in the first words is admirable; Confessed it is, that 'tis no dishonour to Jesus Christ; yea, that 'tis his great honour, seeing he came to destroy the works of the Devil, to bind the strong man, to spoil his goods, to destroy him that had the power of death, and to deliver them who by reason of death were in bondage all their days, to deliver his people from their sins, washing them in his blood, and to make them a peculiar people unto himself, zealous of good works; that 'tis no dishonour (I say) for him to translate them from the power of Satan, into his own Kingdom, making them meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, by redeeming them from their vain Conversation, to do according as he intended, and to take his own, given him of his Father, out of the hands of the Tyrant which held them under bondage. Therefore having undertaken to keep them and preserve them, having so overcome Satan in them, for them, by them, broken the head of the Serpent, 'tis no dishonour for him, to loose ground given for his Inheritance, with his subjects, members, brethren, children, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, into the hand of the Devil again; what fort is so strong as to hold out against such a battery? If it be no honour for Christ to bind Satan, and to spoil his goods, then 'tis no dishonour for him to be bound by Satan and to have his goods spoiled.

Ans. Believers hold not their Relation to Christ, upon any worthinesse that is in themselves for it, but upon the account meerely of Grace, according to the tenour of the Covenant of Mercy. That they may fall into such wicked and abominable waies, as shall render them altogether unmeet for that Relation, according to the Law of it, is that great Argument call'd petitio principii which Mr Goodwin hath used in this case an hundred times. But the comparison instituted in the first words is admirable; Confest it is, that 'tis no dishonour to Jesus Christ; yea, that 'tis his great honour, seeing he came to destroy the workes of the Devill, to bind the strong man, to spoyle his goods, to destroy him that had the power of death, and to deliver them who by reason of death were in bondage all their dayes, to deliver his people from their sinnes, washing them in his bloud, and to make them a peculiar people unto himselfe, zealous of good workes; that 'tis no dishonour (I say) for him to translate them from the power of Sathan, into his own Kingdome, making them meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light, by redeeming them from their vaine Conversation, to do according as he intended, and to take his own, given him of his Father, out of the hands of the Tyrant which held them under bondage. Therefore having undertaken to keep them and preserve them, having so overcome Sathan in them, for them, by them, broken the head of the Serpent, 'tis no dishonour for him, to loose ground given for his Inheritance, with his subjects, members, brethren, children, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, into the hand of the Devill againe; what fort is so strong as to hold out against such a battery? If it be no honour for Christ to bind Sathan, and to spoile his goods, then 'tis no dishonour for him to be bound by Sathan and to have his goods spoiled.