The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

But let the Place (as it deserves) be more distinctly considered; It is among them,¹ which I refer to the head of the Purposes of God; and a Purpose of God there is (though not expressed, yet) included in the words: The Impossibility of the seduction of some persons from the Faith, is here Asserted: Whence doth this Impossibility arise? Not from any thing in themselves, not from their own careful Consideration of all the Concernments of their Condition, the only preservative in such a season, if some (who pretend themselves skilful and experienced, yea almost the only Physicians of Souls,) may be believed. They can never stand upon such sands, against that opposition they shall be sure to meet withal. Our Saviour therefore intimates, whence the Impossibility expressed doth flow, in a description of the Persons, of whom it is affirmed, in reference to the Purpose of God concerning them. They are the Elect; Those whom God hath chosen before the foundation of the World, ²that they should be holy and unblameable before him in love. His Purpose according to Election must stand firm, and therefore the Election it self shall obtain. This ⟨p. 90⟩then is that, which is here affirmed; God having chosen some, or Elected them to Life, according to the purpose which he purposed in himself, and faith being bestowed on them,³ they believing on the account of their being ordained to eternal life, ⁴it is impossible they should be seduced, so as to be thrown down from that state and Condition of Acceptance with God, (for the substance of it) wherein they stand.

But let the Place (as it deserves) be more distinctly considered; It is among them,¹ which I referre to the head of the Purposes of God; and a Purpose of God there is (though not expressed, yet) included in the words: The Impossibility of the seduction of some persons from the Faith, is here Asserted: Whence doth this Impossibility arise? Not from any thing in themselves, not from their own carefull Consideration of all the Concernments of their Condition, the only preservative in such a season, if some (who pretend themselves skilfull and experienced, yea almost the only Physitians of Soules,) may be believed. They can never stand upon such sands, against that opposition they shall be sure to meet withall. Our Saviour therefore intimates, whence the Impossibility expressed doth flow, in a description of the Persons, of whom it is affirmed, in reference to the Purpose of God concerning them. They are the Elect; Those whom God hath chosen before the foundation of the World,