The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

The doctrine asserted, and the error opposed, are the concernments of the common people of Christianity. Arminianism is crept into the bodies of sundry congregations, and the weaker men are, who entertain it, the more gross and carnal are their notions, and Conceptions in, and about it. Pelagius himself was never so injurious to the grace of God, as some amongst us. Now the souls of men, whose good is sought in this work, are no less precious in the sight of God, though they are unacquainted with Philosophical terms, and ways of arguing, than the souls of the most learned. Besides, that which we account our wisdom, and learning may, if too rigorously attended, be our folly: when we think to sharpen the reason of the Scripture, we may straighten the Efficacy of the spirit of it. It is oftentimes more effectual in it's own liberty, then when restrained to our methods of arguing. And the weapons of it keener in their own soft breathings, then when sharpened in the forge of Aristotle. There is a way of persuasion and conviction in the Scriptures, that is more divine & sublime, then to be reduced to any Rules of Art that men can reach unto. God in his word, instructs men to make them wise unto salvation. Syllogisms are not (doubtless) the only way of making men wise with humane wisdom, much less divine: Some Testimonies, on this account, are left at their own liberty, improved only by Explanation, that they might lose nothing of their own strength, seeing no other can be added to them: Where the corrupt Philosophy, or sophistical arguings, or indeed regular syllo•tical proceedings of the Adversaries, have rendered a more close Logical way of proceeding necessary, I hope your favourable judgments, will not find cause to complain of the want thereof. Whatever is amiss, what ever is defective, what ever upon any account, cometh short of desire or expectation, as I know none in the world more able to discern, and find out, then your selves, so there are none from whom I can expect, and justly promise my self, a more easy & candid Censure, a more free and general pardon, a more favourable Acceptation of this endeavour for the service of the Truth, then from you.

The doctrine asserted, and the errour opposed, are the concernments of the common people of Christianity. Arminianisme is crept into the bodies of sundry congregations, and the weaker men are, who entertaine it, the more gross and carnal are their notions, and Conceptions in, and about it. Pelagius himselfe was never so injurious to the grace of God, as some amongst us. Now the souls of men, whose good is sought in this work, are no less precious in the sight of God, though they are unacquainted with Philosophical termes, and wayes of arguing, than the soules of the most learned. Besides, that which we account our wisedome, and learning may, if too rigoously attended, be our folly: when we think to sharpen the reason of the Scripture, we may straighten the Efficacy of the spirit of it. It is oftentimes more effectual in it's own liberty, then when restrained to our methods of arguing. And the weapons of it keener in their own soft breathings, then when sharpned in the forge of Aristotle. There is a way of perswasion and conviction in the Scriptures, that is more divine & sublime, then to be reduced to any Rules of Art that men can reach unto. God in his word, instructs men to make them wise unto salvation. Syllogismes are not (doubtless) the only way of making men wise with humane wisedome, much less divine: Some Testimonies, on this account, are left at their own liberty, improved only by Explanation, that they might lose nothing of their owne strength, seeing no other can be added to them: Where the corrupt Philosophy, or sophistical arguings, or indeed regular syllotical proceedings of the Adversaries, have rendred a more close Logical way of proceeding necessary, I hope your favourable judgments, will not find cause to complaine of the want thereof. Whatever is amiss, what ever is defective, what ever upon any account, cometh short of desire or expectation, as I know none in the world more able to discerne, and find out, then your selves, so there are none from whom I can expect, and justly promise my selfe, a more easy & candid Censure, a more free and general pardon, a more favourable Acceptation of this endeavour for the service of the Truth, then from you.