The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

It is concerning the uselessness of means, and Exhortations unto the use of them, if the End to be attained by them be irrevocably determined, although those Exhortations are part of the means appointed for the Accomplishment of the end so designed. I shall not (as I said) in this place insist upon it: One thing only I shall observe in Sect. 17. he grants, that God is able to determine the Wills of the Elect to the use of means, proper and sufficient to prevent their being deceived; by this determining the Wills of the Elect to the use of proper means, the Efficacy of Grace in and with Believers, to a certain preservation of them to the end, is intended. It is the thing he opposeth, as we are informed in the next words (he hath no where declared himself willing or resolved to do it). That by this one Assertion Mr Goodwin hath absolved our Doctrine from all the absurd Consequences and Guilt of I know not what Abominations, which in various Criminations he hath charged upon it, is evident upon the first view and Consideration. All that we affirm God to do, Mr Goodwin grants that he can do. Now if God should do all he is able, there would no Absurdity or evil, that is truly so, follow. What he can do, that he can Decree to do: and this is the sum of our Doctrine, which he hath chosen to oppose. God (we say) hath Everlastingly Purposed to give, and doth actually give his Holy Spirit to Believers, to put forth such an exceeding greatness of. Power, as whereby in the use of means, they shall certainly be preserved to Salvation; This God can do, says our Author. This Concession being made by the Remonstrants in their Synodalia, Mr Goodwin (I presume) thought it but duty to be as free, as his Predecessors, and therefore consented unto it also, although it be an axe laid at the root of almost all ⟨p. 94⟩the Arguments he sets up against the Truth, as shall hereafter be farther manifested.

It is concerning the uselesnesse of meanes, and Exhortations unto the use of them, if the End to be attained by them be irrevocably determined, although those Exhortations are part of the meanes appointed for the Accomplishment of the end so designed. I shall not (as I said) in this place insist upon it: One thing only I shall observe in Sect. 17. he grants, that God is able to determine the Wills of the Elect to the use of meanes, proper and sufficient to prevent their being deceived; by this determining the Wills of the Elect to the use of proper meanes, the Efficacy of Grace in and with Believers, to a certaine preservation of them to the end, is intended. It is the thing he opposeth, as we are informed in the next words (he hath no where declared himselfe willing or resolved to doe it). That by this one Assertion Mr Goodwin hath absolved our Doctrine from all the absurd Consequences and Guilt of I know not what Abominations, which in various Criminations he hath charged upon it, is evident upon the first view and Consideration. All that we affirme God to doe, Mr Goodwin grants that he can doe. Now if God should doe all he is able, there would no Absurdity or evill, that is truly so, follow. What he can doe, that he can Decree to doe: and this is the summe of our Doctrine, which he hath chosen to oppose. God (wee say) hath Everlastingly Purposed to give, and doth actually give his Holy Spirit to Believers, to put forth such an exceeding greatnesse of. Power, as whereby in the use of meanes, they shall certainely be preserved to Salvation; This God can doe, saies our Author. This Concession being made by the Remonstrants in their Synodalia, Mr Goodwin (I presume) thought it but duty to be as free, as his Predecessors, and therefore consented unto it also, although it be an axe laid at the root of almost all