The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

(104) concludes, ex his sequitur differentiam inter donum perseverantiae, & confirmationis in gratiâ▪ he means that which is granted in viâ) in hoc consistere, quòd donum perseverantiae nullam perfectionem intrinsecam constituit in ipsâ gratiâ habituali, quam tamen perfectionem intrinsecam illi tribuit Confirmatio in Gratiâ. What this intrinsical perfection of habitual grace, given it by confirmation, is he cannot tell: for, in those who are so confirmed in Grace, he asserts only in impeccability upon supposition, and that not alone from their intrinsical principle, as it is with the blessed in heaven, but from help and assistance also daily communicated from without: Durandus in 3. d. 3. q. 4, assigns the deliverance from sin which those who are confirmed in grace do obtain unto the Holy Ghost: so far well: but he kicks down his milk by his addition, that he doth it only by the removal of all occasion of sin: But of these persons, and their Judgment in the point under debate, more afterwards.

(104) concludes, ex his sequitur differentiam inter donum perseverantiae, & confirmationis in gratiâ▪ he meanes that which is granted in viâ) in hoc consistere, quòd donum perseverantiae nullam perfectionem intrinsecam constituit in ipsâ gratiâ habituali, quam tamen perfectionem intrinsecam illi tribuit Confirmatio in Gratiâ. What this intrinsecal perfection of habitual grace, given it by confirmation, is he cannot tell: for, in those who are so confirmed in Grace, he asserts only in inpeccability upon supposition, and that not alone from their intrinsecal principle, as it is with the blessed in heaven, but from help and assistance also dayly communicated from without: Durandus in 3. d. 3. q. 4, assignes the deliverance from sin which those who are confirmed in grace doe obtaine unto the Holy Ghost: so far well: but he kicks down his milke by his addition, that he doth it only by the removeal of all occasion of sin: But of these persons, and their Judgment in the point under debate, more afterwards.

For the thing it self last proposed, on what foot of account it is placed, and on what foundation asserted, The Treatise it self will discover. That the thing aimed at, is not to be straitened or restrained to any one peculiar Act of grace, will easily appear. The main foundation of that which we plead for, is, The Eternal purpose of God, which his own nature requireth to be absolutely immutable and irreversible. The Eternal Act of the will of God designing some to salvation by Christ, infallibly to be obtained, for the Praise of the, glory of hu grace, is The Bottom of the whole; Even that foundation which standeth for ever, having this seal, The Lord knoweth who are his. For the Accomplishment of this eternal purpose, and for the procurement of all the good things, that lye within the compass of it's in tendment, are The Oblation and Intercession, (the whole mediatory undertaking of Christ) taking away sin, bringing in Life and immortality, interposed, giving further causal influence into the truth contended for. In him and for his sake, as God graciously, powerfully, and freely gives his Holy Spirit, faith, with all the things that accompany salvation unto all them, whom he accepts and pardons by his being made sin or them, and Righteousness unto them, so he takes them thereby into an everlasting Covenant that shall not be broken, and hath therein given them innumerable promises that he will continue to be their God for ever, and preserve them to be, and in bing his people: to this end, because the principle of Grace, and living to him, as in them inherent, is a thing in its own nature changeable, and liable to failing, he doth according to his promise, and for the Accomplishment of his purpose, daily make out to them, by his Holy Spirit, from the great treasury and store-house thereof, the Lord Jesus Christ, helps and supplies, increasing of faith, Love, and Holiness, recovering them from falls, healing their back-slidings, strengthening them with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness, so preserving them by his power through faith unto salvation: