The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

In sum; these are the exceptions which are given into this Testimony of God, concerning the abiding of the spirit with them, on whom he is bestowed, and for whom he is procured, to whom he is sent by Jesus Christ. And this is the Interpretation of the words▪ [As for me] for my part, or as much as in me lieth [this is my Covenant] I will deal bountifully and graciously [with them] the whole Nation of the Jews, [my spirit that is in thee] that they ought to take care that they entertain, and retain the Holy Spirit, and not walk so extremely unworthily, that he should depart from them: the residue of the words wherein the main Emphasis of them doth lye, is left untouched. The import then of this Promise, is the same with that of the Promises insisted on before, with especial reference to the Holy Spirit, procured for us, and given unto us by Christ. The stability, and establishing Grace of the Covenant, is here called the Covenant; as sundry other particular mercies of it are also. Of the Covenant of Grace in Christ, the blessed Spirit to dwell in us, and rest upon us, is the main and principal Promise: This for our consolation is renewed, again and again, in the Old and New Testament. As a Spirit of sanctification, he is given to men to make them believe; and as a spirit of Adoption, upon their Believing. In either sense, God, even the Father, who takes us into Covenant in Jesus Christ, affirms here, that he shall never depart from us: which is our first Testimony in the case in hand. With whom the Spirit abides, and whilst he abides with them, they cannot utterly forsake God, nor be forsaken of him; for they who have the spirit of God, are the Children of God, sons, and Heirs. But God hath promised that his Spirit shall abide with Believers for ever: as hath been clearly evinced from the Text under consideration, with a removal of all exceptions put in thereto.

In summe; these are the exceptions which are given into this Testimony of God, concerning the abiding of the spirit with them, on whom he is bestowed, and for whom he is procured, to whom he is sent by Jesus Christ. And this is the Interpretation of the words▪ [As for mee] for my part, or as much as in me lieth [this is my Covenant] I will deale bountifully and gratiously [with them] the whole Nation of the Jewes, [my spirit that is in thee] that they ought to take care that they entertaine, and retaine the Holy Spirit, and not walk so extremely unworthily, that he should depart frō them: the residue of the words wherein the maine Emphasis of them doth lye, is left untouched. The import then of this Promise, is the same with that of the Promises insisted on before, with especiall reference to the Holy Spirit, procured for us, and given unto us by Christ. The stability, and establishing Grace of the Covenant, is here called the Covenant; as sundry other particular mercies of it are also. Of the Covenant of Grace in Christ, the blessed Spirit to dwell in us, and rest upon us, is the maine and principall Promise: This for our consolation is renewed, againe and againe, in the Old and New Testoment. As a Spirit of sanctification, he is given to men to make them believe; and as a spirit of Adoplion, upon their Believing. In either sence, God, even the Father, who takes us into Covenant in Jesus Christ, affirmes here, that he shall never depart from us: which is our first Testimony in the case in hand. With whom the Spirit abides, and whilest he abides with them, they cannot utterly forsake God, nor be forsaken of him; for they who have the spirit of God, are the Children of God, sonnes, and Heyres. But God hath promised that his Spirit shall abide with Believers for ever: as hath been clearly evinced from the Text under consideration, with a removall of all exceptions put in thereto.