The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Now because we are not only unmeet, to be at first accepted into any such terms of alliance with the Lord, but also shall certainly in the carrying of it on, behave our selves foolishly and frowardly, unanswerable to his loving-kindness, so that he may justly cast us off for ever, he telleth us farther, that he betroths us to himself in Lovingkindness and Mercies, knowing that in entering into this alliance with us, he maketh work for his tenderest bowels of Compassion, his pity, and pardoning mercy. In his continuance in this Relation, whatever his Kindness, Patience, and Pardoning mercy can be extended unto, that he will accomplish ⟨p. 153⟩and bring about. But will not the Lord, when he pardons once, and again, at length be wearied by our innumerable provocations, so as to cast us off for ever? No (saith he) this will I do in Faithfulness. He doubleth the expression of his Grace, and addeth a Property of his nature, that will carry him out to abide by his first Love to the utmost; I will (saith he) even betroth thee unto my self in Faithfulness. His firmness, constancy, and truth, in all his ways and promises will he use in this work of his Grace, Deut: 32. 4. But perhaps notwithstanding all this, the heart is not yet quiet: yet it feareth it self, and its own treachery, least it should utterly fall off from this gracious Husband; wherefore in the close of all, God undertaketh for them also, that no scruple may remain, why our souls should not be satisfied, with the sincere milk that floweth from this breast of Consolation; Thou shalt (saith he) know the Lord; This indeed is required, that under the Accomplishment of this gracious Promise, you know the Lord, (that is) believe, and trust, and obey the Lord: and (saith he) thou shalt do it. I will by my Grace keep alive in thy heart (as a fruit of that Love, wherewith I have betrothed thee to my self) that Knowledge, Faith, and Obedience, which I require of thee

Now because we are not only unmeet, to be at first accepted into any such termes of alliance with the Lord, but also shall certainly in the carrying of it on, behave our selves foolishly and frowardly, unanswerable to his loving-kindnesse, so that he may justly cast us off for ever, he telleth us farther, that he betroths us to himselfe in Lovingkindnesse and Mercies, knowing that in entring into this alliance with us, he maketh worke for his tenderest bowels of Compassion, his pitty, and pardoning mercy. In his continuance in this Relation, whatever his Kindnesse, Patience, and Pardoning mercy can be extended unto, that he will accomplish