The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Yea but (saith Mr Goodwin) No Scripture proves that those, whom Christ preserves, must by any compulsory, necessitating Power, use their diligence in preserving them selves. And who I pray ever said they did? Compulsory Actings of Grace are your own figment; so are all such necessitating Acts, which proceed any further, then only as to the infallibility of the Event aimed at. God doth not compel the Wills of men,¹ when he works in them to will. Christ doth not compel men to Care and Diligence,² when he works in them Holy Care and Diligence;³ when the Disciples prayed, Lord increase our Faith, they did not pray that they might be compelled to Believe.⁴ Gods working in them, that Believe, according to the exceeding greatness of his Power, strengthening them with all might, according to his Glorious Power unto all patience and long-suffering, with Joyfulness, very far from ⟨p. 88⟩any Compulsion or necessitation, inconsistent with the most absolute freedom, ⁵that a Creature is capable of. He that works Faith in Believers, can continue it and increase it in them, without Compulsion. And this is the sum of Mr Goodwins Answer to an Argument that notwithstanding all which he hath spoken, hath yet strength enough left, to cast his whole building down to the ground. What he further speaks to the particular place, which gave occasion to this Discourse, may briefly be considered.

Yea but (saith Mr Goodwin) No Scripture prooves that those, whom Christ preserves, must by any compulsory, necessitating Power, use their diligence in preserving them selves. And who I pray ever said they did? Compulsory Actings of Grace are your own figment; so are all such necessitating Acts, which procceed any further, then only as to the infallibillity of the Event aymed at. God doth not compell the Wills of men,¹