The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

1. For (first) some Persons, as well as Things, are said to be holy, especially in the old Testament, and in the Epistle to the Hebrews, almost constantly using the terms of Sanctifying and Sanctified in a legal or Temple signification, in reference unto their being separated from the residue of men, with relation to God and his worship;¹ or being consecrated, and dedicated peculiarly to the performance of any part of his will,² or distinct enjoyment of any portion of his mercy:³ thus the Ark was said to be holy, and the Altar holy, the Temple was holy and all the utensils of it,⁴ with the vestments of its officers. So the whole people of the Jews, were said to be holy: the particular respects of Covenant, Worship, Separation, Law, Mercy, & the like, upon which this denomination of Holiness and Saintship was given unto them, & did depend, are known to all: yea persons Inherently unclean, and personally notoriously ⟨p. 10⟩wicked, in respect of their designment to some outward work, which by them God will bring about are said to be sanctified: distinguishing gifts, with designation to some distinct employment, is a bottom for this Appellation; though their gifts may be recalled, and the employment taken from them. Isai 13. 3. We confess Perseverance, not to be a proper and inseparable adjunct of this subject, nor to belong unto such persons as such: though they may have a right to it, it is upon another account: yet in the pursuit of this business, it will appear that many of our adversaries Arguments, smite these men only, and prove that Such as they, may be totally rejected of God which none ever denied.

1. For (first) some Persons, as well as Things, are said to be holy, especially in the old Testament, and in the Epistle to the Hebrewes, almost constantly using the termes of Sanctifying and Sanctifyed in a legall or Temple signification, in reference unto their being separated from the residue of men, with relation to God and his worship;