The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Now least any should think, that there is the least tendency in such Promises as these (as held out to Believers) to turn them aside from close walking with God, before I enter upon the consideration of any other (this seeming of all others most exposed to Exceptions of that nature) I shall give some few Observations, that may a little direct Believers, to whom I write, and for whose sake this task is undertaken, into the right improvement of them.

Now least any should think, that there is the least tendency in such Promises as these (as held out to Believers) to turne them aside from close walking with God, before I enter upon the consideration of any other (this seeming of all others most exposed to Exceptions of that nature) I shall give some few Observations, that may a little direct Believers, to whom I write, and for whose sake this taske is undertaken, into the right improvement of them.

The genuine influence which this,¹ and the like Promises have upon the souls of the Saints, is, mightily to stir them up unto, and to assist them in answering, what lieth in them, that inexpressible Love and Kindness, which their God and Father in Jesus Christ, holdeth out unto their hearts in them: This the Apostle inferreth from them. 2 Cor: 7. 1. Having these Promises (that is those especially mentioned in the words preceding the conclusion, and the inference the Apostle here maketh, Ch. 6. v. 16, 18. I will dwell in them, and will be a Father unto them, and they shall be my children) therefore (saith he) let us cleanse our selves from all pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Universal purity, holiness, and close walking with God, is that which these Promises do press unto, and naturally promote in the hearts of Believers: and in 2 Pet. 4. 5, 6. that Apostle pursueth the same at large; God hath called us to Glory and Virtue, hath given us exceeding great and precious Promises, that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption, that is in the World through lust: Besides this giving all diligence &c The exceeding great and precious Promises, which are given unto us, in our calling, are bestowed for this end, that by them we may be made partakers of the Divine Nature; they have no tendency to communicate to us the Nature of the Devil, and to stir us up to Rebellion, Uncleanness, and hatred of the God of all that Love that is in them; But lye indeed, at the bottom, the Root, and foundation of the practice and exercise of all those Graces, which he enumerates, and from the receiving of those Promises, exhorts us to, in the following verse. Some […] fesse do, or may turn the Grace of God into lasciviousness; that is […] trine of grace, and of pardon of sin in the blood of Jesus Christ; and so the mercy mentioned in such Promises as these, (merely as in them it is mentioned) Grace and Mercy communicated, cannot be turned into Wantonness; but what are they that do so? Ungodly men, men of old ordained to condemnation;