The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

And in the pursuit of this proposition, he further proves at large, that the perseverance given to the Saints in Christ, is not a supplement of Helps, and advantages, whereby they may preserve it if they will; but such as causes them, on whom it is bestowed certainly, & actually so to do: and that in it's efficacy, and operation, it cannot depend on any free cooperation of our wills, all the Good Acts tending to our perseverance, being fruits of that Grace which is bestowed on us, according to the absolute unchangeable Decree of the will of God.

And in the pursuit of this proposition, he further proves at large, that the persverance given to the Saints in Christ, is not a supplement of Helps, and advantages, whereby they may preserve it if they will; but such as causes them, on whom it is bestowed certainly, & actually so to do: and that in it's efficacy, and operation, it cannot depend on any free cooperation of our wills, all the Good Acts tending to our perseverance, being fruits of that Grace which is bestowed on us, according to the absolute unchangeable Decree of the will of God.

This indeed is common with this Author and the Rest of his associates (the Dominicans, and pres••• Jansenians) in these controversies, together with the residue of the Romanists, that having their Judgments wrested by the abominable figments, of implicit Faith, and the efficacy of the Sacraments of the new Testament, conveying & really exhibiting the grace signified, or sealed by them; that they are enforced to grant, that many may be, & are Regenerate, & made True Believers, who are not predestinate, & that these cannot persevere▪ nor shall eventually be saved. Certain it is, that there is not any Truth, which that Generation of men do receive, & admit, but more or less it suffers in their Hands, from that gross ignorance of the free Grace of God in Jesus Christ, the power whereof they are practically under: what the poor Vassals, and Slaves will do, upon the late Bull of their Holy Father casting them in sundry main Concernments of their Quarrel, with their Adversaries, is uncertain; otherwise setting aside some such deviations, as the above mentioned, (whereunto they are enforced, by their Ignorance of the Grace, and Justification with is in Jesus Christ,) there is so much of Ancient Candid Truth in opposition to the Pelagians, and Semi-Pelagians, preserved, and asserted in the writings of the Dominican Fryers, as will rise up (as I said before) in Judgment against those of our Days, who enjoying greater Light, & Advantages, do yet close in with those and are long since Cursed Enemies of the grace of God.