The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Even a change in the outward dispensation of Providence, which none ever denied, being that which may, nay is done for the bringing about and accomplishment (in a way suitable to the advancement of his Glory) of his unchangeable Purpose. What proportion there is to be argued from▪ between the general effects of various Dispensations, and that peculiar Love, and Grace of the Covenant thereof, wherein God assures his Saints of their Stability upon the account of his own Unchangeableness I know not: Because he may remove his Candlestick from a fruitless, Faithless People, and give them up to desolation, may he therefore take his holy Spirit from them that Believe? For whilst that continues the root of the matter is in them. So that (Secondly) there is a peculiar Dispensation of Grace, exerted towards those peculiar ones, whom he owneth and receiveth as above mentioned; wherein there are such engagements of the Purpose, Decrees and Will of God, as that the stream of them cannot be forced back, without as Great an Alteration & change in God, as the thoughts of the heart of the meanest worm in the world, are liable unto; And on this the Lord asserts the steadfastness of his Love to them, in the midst of the changes of outward Dispensations towards the body of that People, wherein also their External concernments were wrapped up, 1 Sam. 12. 22. But this will afterwards be more fully cleared. The Substance of this Exception amounts only to thus much; there are changes wrought in the works which outwardly are of God, as to general and common administrations; therefore also are his Eternal purposes of Spiritual Grace liable to the like Alterations. Whereas Mr Godwin says that this will not import any alteration in God, at least any such alteration as is incompetent to him; I know not of any shadow of alteration, that may be ascribed to him, without the greatest and most substantial derogation from his Glory, that you can engage into.

Even a change in the outward dispensation of Providence, which none ever denied, being that which may, nay is done for the bringing about and accomplishment (in a way sutable to the advancement of his Glory) of his unchangeable Purpose. What proportion there is to be argued from▪ betweene the generall effects of various Dispensations, and that peculiar Love, and Grace of the Covenant thereof, wherein God assures his Saints of their Stability upon the account of his own Unchangeablenes I know not: Because he may remove his Candlestick from a fruitlesse, Faithlesse People, and give them up to desolation, may he therfore take his holy Spirit from them that Believe? For whilst that continues the root of the matter is in them. So that (Secondly) there is a peculiar Dispensation of Grace, exerted towards those peculiar ones, whom he owneth and receiveth as above mentioned; wherein there are such ingagements of the Purpose, Decrees and Will of God, as that the streame of them cannot be forced back, without as Great an Alteration & change in God, as the thoughts of the heart of the meanest worme in the world, are lyable unto; And on this the Lord asserts the stedfastnesse of his Love to them, in the midst of the changes of outward Dispensations towards the body of that People, wherein also their Externall concernments were wrapt up,