The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

It is known what Mr Goodwin aims at in that Expression [irresistibly necessitated savingly to believe] we will not contend about words: neither of the two first terms mentioned,¹ are either willingly used of us, or can be properly used by any, in reference to the work of Conversion or Calling. What we own in them, relates as to the first term (irresistibly) to the Grace of God Calling, or Converting: and in the latter (necessitatingly) to the Event of the Call it self. If by irresistibly, you intend the manner of operation of that effectual Grace of God, (not which conquers in a reaction, which properly may be termed so: but) which really, and therefore certainly (for unumquodque, quod est, dum est, necessariò est) produces its effect, not by forcing the Will, but (being as intimate to it as it self) making it willing &c. we own it. And if by necessitating they understand only the event of things, that is, it is of necessity, as to to the Event that they shall savingly Believe, who are Effectually Called without the least straitening, or necessitating their Wills in their Conversion, (which are still acted suitably to their native Liberty) we close with that term also, and affirm that the Calling here mentioned imports such an Act of Gods Grace, as whereby they who are Called, are effectually and infallibly brought savingly to believe, and so consequentially, that the persons whose Wickedness and Unbelief abides upon them, were never Called with this Calling here contended about; They who are not Predestinated a part antè, nor Glorified a part pòst, are not Partakers of this Calling. I must add, that (as yet) I have not met with any proof of Mr Goodwin's Interpretation, nor any Exception against ours, that is not resolved into the same principle of Craving the thing in question, producing the thing to be proved, as its own Demonstration. And asserting the things proved against him, not to ⟨p. 73⟩be so, because they are not so.

It is known what Mr Goodwin ayms at in that Expression [iresistibly necessitated savingly to believe] we will not contend about words: neither of the two first termes mentioned,¹ are either willingly used of us, or can be properly used by any, in reference to the worke of Conversion or Calling. What we own in them, relates as to the first terme (irresistibly) to the Grace of God Calling, or Converting: and in the latter (necessitatingly) to the Event of the Call it selfe. If by irresistibly, you intend the manner of operation of that effectuall Grace of God, (not which conquers in a reaction, which properly may be termed so: but) which really, and therfore certainely (for unumquodque, quod est, dum est, necessariò est) produces its effect, not by forcing the Will, but (being as intimate to it as it selfe) making it willing &c. we owne it. And if by necessitating they understand only the event of things, that is, it is of necessity, as to to the Event that they shall savingly Believe, who are Effectually Called without the least straitning, or necessitating their Wills in their Conversion, (which are still acted sutably to their native Liberty) we close with that terme also, and affirme that the Calling here mentioned imports such an Act of Gods Grace, as whereby they who are Called, are effectually and infallibly brought savingly to believe, and so consequentially, that the persons whose Wickednesse and Unbeliefe abides upon them, were never Called with this Calling here contended about; They who are not Predestinated a parte antè, nor Glorified a parte pòst, are not Partakers of this Calling. I must adde, that (as yet) I have not met with any proofe of Mr Goodwin's Interpretation, nor any Exception against ours, that is not resolved into the same principle of Craving the thing in question, producing the thing to be prooved, as its owne Demonstration. And asserting the things prooved against him, not to