The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

This I say is the First part of that State, wherein they are supposed to be: a Condition of the greatest difficulty in the World, for the receiving of Satisfaction; Secondly, of Barrenness, Unprofitableness, and withering, which seems and that justly, to be the cause of their fear: v. 3. They are as the thirsty and dry ground, parched in it self, fruitless to its owners, withering in their own Souls, and bringing forth no fruit to God. A sad condition on both hands; within they find decays, they find no active principles of bringing forth fruit unto God: and without desertion, fears at least, that they are forsaken; upon ⟨p. 39⟩this ye have the foundation that the Lord lays for the refreshment of their spirits in this condition, and reducing of them into an established Assurance of the continuance of his love; and that is his free gracious Election, and choosing of them; thou art Jacob whom I have chosen. (vers: 1. Jesurun whom I have chosen: even from Eternity, when he appointed the ancient people, and the things that are coming and shall come, v. 7. When he purposed mercy for the Fathers of old, whom long since he had brought upon that account unto himself: This is the foundation of doing them good, which standeth sure, as the Apostle makes use of it to the same purpose: 2 Tim: 2. 19. This Foundation being laid v. 3. he gives them a twofold promise, suited to the double state wherein they were: (First) for the removal of their drought and barrenness: he will give them waters, and floods, for the taking of it away: which in the following words, he interpreteth of the Spirit, as likewise doth the Apostle John 7. 39. He is the great Soul Refresher, in him are all our springs. Saith the Lord then, fear not you Poor thirsty Souls, you shall have him as a Flood, in great abundance until all his Fruits be brought forth in you. (Secondly) For the removal of the other evil, or Fears of desertion and casting off,¹ he minds them of his Covenant, or the blessing of their off-spring, of them and their seed, according to his promise, when he undertook to be their God; and then (Fourthly,) there is a two fold Issue of Gods thus dealing with them. First, Of real Fruitfulness, v. 4.

This I say is the First part of that State, wherein they are supposed to be: a Condition of the greatest difficulty in the World, for the receiving of Satisfaction; Secondly, of Barrennesse, Vnprofitablenesse, and withering, which seems and that justly, to be the cause of their feare: v. 3. They are as the thirsty and dry ground, parched in it selfe, fruitlesse to its owners, withering in their owne Soules, and bringing forth no fruit to God. A sad condition on both hands; within they find decayes, they find no active principles of bringing forth fruit unto God: and without desertion, fears at least, that they are forsaken; upon