The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

4. The scope of this Exposition (which looks but to one part of the Promise about bestowing of Grace, overlooking the main End and intendment of it, as hath been showed) being to darken the words of the Holy Ghost, so far, as to make them represent a contribution of means, instead of an effectual working the end and the event, on which the means supplied have an influence of persuasion, to prevail with men to do the things they are afforded them for: I desire to know, (First) What new thing is here promised to them, which exceeded that mentioned ch. 25. v: 4, 5. Wherein the Lord testifies, that he had granted them formerly a large supply of outward means (and especially of the word) for the end here spoken of. (Secondly) To what end, and on what account, is this administration of means for a work expressed by terms of a real efficiency in reference to the work it self, which proceeding from the intendment of God, for the event aimed at, must needs produce it? And (Thirdly) Why these words should not be of the same importance with the associate expression, which of necessity must be interpreted of an actual and absolute efficiency? v. 41, 42. And (Fourthly) Whether the Administration of outward sufficient means for the producing of an Event, can be a ground of an infallible prediction of that Event? As God here absolutely saith, they shall all know him from the Greatest to the least. Ch: 31. 34. which how it is brought about, the Holy Ghost acquaints us Is. 4. 13. They shall be all taught of the Lord, and Joh: 6. 44, 45, 46. It is written of the Prophets. And they shall be all taught of God: Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. But Mr Goodwin hath sundry Reasons to confirm his Gloss, which must also be considered; and he saith.

4. The scope of this Exposition (which lookes but to one part of the Promise about bestowing of Grace, overlooking the maine End and intendment of it, as hath been shewed) being to darken the words of the Holy Ghost, so farre, as to make them represent a contribution of means, instead of an effectuall working the end and the event, on which the means supplied have an influence of perswasion, to prevaile with men to doe the things they are afforded them for: I desire to know, (First) What new thing is here promised to them, which exceeded that mentioned ch. 25. v: 4, 5. Wherein the Lord testifies, that he had granted them formerly a large supply of outward means (and especially of the word) for the end here spoken of. (Secondly) To what end, and on what account, is this administration of means for a work expressed by termes of a reall efficiency in reference to the work it selfe, which proceeding from the intendment of God, for the event aimed at, must needs produce it? And (Thirdly) Why these words should not be of the same importance with the associate expression, which of necessity must be interpreted of an actuall and absolute efficiency? v. 41, 42. And (Fourthly) Whether the Administration of outward sufficient means for the producing of an Event, can be a ground of an infallible prediction of that Event? As God here absolutely saith, they shall all know him from the Greatest to the least. Ch: 31. 34. which how it is brought about, the Holy Ghost acquaints us Is. 4. 13. They shall be all taught of the Lord, and Ioh: 6. 44, 45, 46. It is written of the Prophets. And they shall be all taught of God: Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto mee. But Mr Goodwin hath sundry Reasons to confirme his Glosse, which must also be considered; and he saith.