The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

2. This Promise was appropriated and fitted to the state of the Jews, in a sad captivity: but the Promise of Perseverance was (if our Adversaries might be Believed) a standing Promise among them, not appropriated to their condition.

2. This Promise was appropriated and fitted to the state of the Jewes, in a sad captivity: but the Promise of Perseverance was (if our Adversaries might be Believed) a standing Promise among them, not appropriated to their condition.

Ans. 1. Non venit ex pharetris ista sagitta tuis. It is Socinus's, in reference to Ezekiel 36. In Prael: Theol: cap. 12. Sect: 6. And so is the whole Interpretation of the place afterwards insisted on, derived to Mr Goodwin through the hands of the Remonstrants at the Hague Conference. 2. If this exception against the Testimony given in these words for the confirmation of the Thesis in hand may be allowed, what will become of Mr Goodwins Argument from Ezekiel 18. for the Apostasy of the Saints? It is most certain, the words from thence, by him and others insisted on, with the whole discourse, of whose contexture they are a part, are appropriated to a peculiar state of the Jews, and are brought forth as a meet vindication of the Righteousness of God in his dealing with them in that condition. This then may be laid up in store to refresh Mr Goodwin with something of his own providing, when we are gone so far onward in our journey: But 3. It is most evident to all the World, that Mr Goodwin is not such a stranger in the Scriptures, as not to have observed long since, that Spiritual Promises are frequently given to the People of God, to support their Souls under Temporal distresses: and that not always new Promises for the matter of them, (for indeed the substance of all Promises is comprised in the first promise of Christ) but either such, as enlarge and clear up Grace formerly given or promised; or such, as have need of a solemn Renewal, for the establishing of the Faith of the Saints, assaulted in some particular manner, in reference to them: which was the state of the Saints among the Jews at this time. How often was the same promise renewed to Abraham? And upon what several occasions? And yet that Promise, for the matter of it, was the same that had bin given from the beginning of the World; That Gods solemn Renewal of the Covenant at any time, is