The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

But perhaps,¹ although this first Argument of Mr Goodwin be nothing but an importune suggestion of some Hypothesis of his own, with an arguing from inferences, not only Questionable but Unquestionably false; yet if his second Demonstration will evince the matter under Debate, he may be content to suffer loss in the Hay and Stubble of the first, so that the Gold of the following Argument do abide. Now thus he proceedeth in these words. And lastly this demonstrates the same thing yet farther. If God should Justify all without exception whom he Calleth, and that against all bars of wickedness and unbelief, possible to be laid in his way by those, who are Called; Then might ungodly and unbelieving Persons inherit the kingdom of God: the Reason of the connection is evident: it being a known Truth, that the Persons Justified are in a condition or present capacity of inheriting the kingdom of God.

But perhaps,¹ although this first Argument of Mr Goodwin be nothing but an importune suggestion of some Hypothesis of his owne, with an arguing from inferences, not only Questionable but Vnquestionably false; yet if his second Demonstration will evince the matter under Debate, he may be content to suffer losse in the Hay and Stubble of the first, so that the Gold of the following Argument doe abide. Now thus he proceedeth in these words. And lastly this demonstrates the same thing yet farther. If God should Justifie all without exception whom he Calleth, and that against all barrs of wickednesse and unbeliefe, possible to be layd in his way by those, who are Called; Then might ungodly and unbelieving Persons inherit the kingdome of God: the Reason of the connexion is evident: it being a knowne Truth, that the Persons Justified are in a condition or present capacity of inheriting the kingdome of God.

1. 1§. 32.

Ans: But Carbons pro Thesauro, if it be possible this (being of the same nature with that which went before) is more weak and infirm, as Illogical and Sophistical as it; the whole strength of it lies in a supposal, that those who are so Called, as here is intimated in the text called according to the Purpose of God, called to answer the design of God to make them like to Jesus Christ, so called as to be hereupon Justified, may yet lay such bars of Wickedness, and Unbelief in their own way, when they are so Called, as not to be Justified; when that Calling of theirs consists in the effectual removal of all those bars of Wickedness and Unbelief, which might hinder their free and Gracious Acceptation with God. That is, that they may be called Effectually,