A53688:377
The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance
The doctrine of the saints perseverance, explained and confirmed, or, The certain permanency of their 1. acceptation with God & 2. sanctification from God manifested & proved from the 1. eternal principles 2. effectual causes 3. external means thereof ... vindicated in a full answer to the discourse of Mr. John Goodwin against it, in his book entitled Redemption redeemed : with some digressions concerning 1. the immediate effects of the death of Christ ... : with a discourse touching the epistles of Ignatius, the Episcopacy in them asserted, and some animadversions on Dr. H.H. his dissertations on that subject / by John Owen ...The doctrine of the saints perseverance, explained and confirmed, or, The certain permanency of their 1. acceptation with God & 2. sanctification from God manifested & proved from the 1. eternal principles 2. effectuall causes 3. externall meanes thereof ... vindicated in a full answer to the discourse of Mr. John Goodwin against it, in his book entituled Redemption redeemed : with some degressions concerning 1. the immediate effects of the death of Christ ... : with a discourse touching the epistles of Ignatius, the Episcopacy in them asserted, and some animadversions on Dr. H.H. his dissertations on that subject / by John Owen ...
London: printed by Leon. Lichfield, 1654
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. God Proposeth his Immutability to the Faith of the Saints,1 for their establishment & consolation, in this very case of the stability of his Love unto them: we dare not draw conclusions in reference to our selves, from any Property of God, but only upon the account of the Revelation, which he hath made thereof unto us, for that end and purpose: But this being done, we have a sure anchor firm and steadfast, to fix us against all blasts of Temptation or opposition whatsoever; When God proposes his Immutability or Unchangeableness, to assure us of the continuance of his Love unto us, if we might truly apprehend, yea & ought so to do, that his Unchangeableness may be preserved, and himself vindicated from the least shadow of Turning, though he should change his Mind, Thoughts, Love, Purposes concerning us every day, what conclusion for consolation could possibly arise from such Proposals of Gods Immutability unto us? Yea would it not rather appear to be a way suited to the delusion of poor Souls, that when they shall ⟨p. 41⟩think they have a solid Pillar, no less then an Essential Property of the nature of God to rest upon, they shall find themselves leaning on a Cloud, or Shadow, or on a broken Reed, that will run into their hands, instead of yielding them the least supportment. God deals not thus with his Saints: His discoveries of himself in Christ, for the Establishment of the Hearts of his, are not such Flints, as from whence the most skilful, and exercised Faith cannot expect one drop of Consolation. Whatsoever of his Name he holds out to the Sons of men, it will be a strong Tower, and place of Refuge and safety to them, that fly unto it.
1. God Proposeth his Immutability to the Faith of the Saints,1 for their establishment & consolation, in this very case of the stability of his Love unto them: we dare not draw conclusions in reference to our selves, from any Property of God, but only upon the account of the Revelation, which he hath made thereof unto us, for that end and purpose: But this being done, we have a sure anchor firme and stedfast, to fix us against all blasts of Temptation or opposition whatsoever; When God proposes his Immutability or Unchangeablenesse, to assure us of the continuance of his Love unto us, if we might truly aprehend, yea & ought so to doe, that his Unchangeablenesse may be preserved, and himselfe vindicated from the least shadow of Turning, though he should change his Mind, Thoughts, Love, Purposes concerning us every day, what conclusion for consolation could possibly arise from such Proposalls of Gods Immutability unto us? Yea would it not rather appeare to be a way suited to the delusion of poore Soules, that when they shall