The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

1. That they are free and Gracious as to the rise,¹ and fountain of them. They are given unto us, ²merely through the good will and pleasure of God. That which is of Promise, ³is every where opposed to that, which is of doubt, or that which is any way deserved or procured by us. Gal. 3. 18. If the inheritance be of the Law, (which includes all that in us is desirable, acceptable and deserving) ⟨p. 113⟩it is no more of Promise, that is, free, and of mere Grace. He that can find out any Reason, or cause without God himself, why he should promise any good things whatever to Sinners, (as all are, & are shut up under sin, till the Promise came, ⁴Gal. 3. 22.) may be allowed to Glory in the invention which he hath found out. A well conditioned Nature, necessitating him to a velleity of doing good, and yielding relief to them that are in misery (though justly receiving the due reward of their deeds, which even among the Sons of men, is a virtue dwelling upon the confines of vice) for their recovery, is by some imposed on him. But that this is not the fountain and rise of his Promises, needs no other evidence, but the light of this Consideration. That, which is natural, is necessary, and universal: Promises are distinguishing as to them in misery: at least they are given to men, and not to fallen Angels: But may not God do what he will with his own?

1. That they are free and Gracious as to the rise,¹ and fountain of them. They are given unto us, ²meerely through the good will and pleasure of God. That which is of Promise,