A53688:941
The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance
The doctrine of the saints perseverance, explained and confirmed, or, The certain permanency of their 1. acceptation with God & 2. sanctification from God manifested & proved from the 1. eternal principles 2. effectual causes 3. external means thereof ... vindicated in a full answer to the discourse of Mr. John Goodwin against it, in his book entitled Redemption redeemed : with some digressions concerning 1. the immediate effects of the death of Christ ... : with a discourse touching the epistles of Ignatius, the Episcopacy in them asserted, and some animadversions on Dr. H.H. his dissertations on that subject / by John Owen ...The doctrine of the saints perseverance, explained and confirmed, or, The certain permanency of their 1. acceptation with God & 2. sanctification from God manifested & proved from the 1. eternal principles 2. effectuall causes 3. externall meanes thereof ... vindicated in a full answer to the discourse of Mr. John Goodwin against it, in his book entituled Redemption redeemed : with some degressions concerning 1. the immediate effects of the death of Christ ... : with a discourse touching the epistles of Ignatius, the Episcopacy in them asserted, and some animadversions on Dr. H.H. his dissertations on that subject / by John Owen ...
London: printed by Leon. Lichfield, 1654
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
the Holy Ghost is promised unto them, to abide with them to cause them to Obey, Believe, Repent &c.
4. The Intention of Christ for the sending of the Spirit, and his abiding for ever, with them to whom he is sent, is but one and the same. And if any frustration of his intention do fall out, it may most probably interpose, as to his sending of the Spirit, not as to the Spirits continuance with them to whom he is sent; which is asserted absolutely upon the account of his sending him. He sends him [Greek or Hebrew]: his abode is the end of his sending: which, if he be sent, shall be obtained. Upon the whole doubtless it will be found, that the Doctrine of Perseverance finds so much for its establishment in this place of Scripture, and Promise of our Saviour, that by no Art or cunning it will be prevailed withal, to let go its interest therein. And though many attempts be made to turn and wrest this Testimony of our Saviour several ways, and those contrary too, and inconsistent with one another, yet it abides to look straight forwards to the proof and confirmation of the Truth, that lies not only in the womb and sense of it, but in the very mouth and literal expression of it also. I suppose it is evident to all, that Mr Goodwin knows not what to say to it, nor what sense to fix upon. At first it is made to the Apostles, ⟨p. 183⟩not all Believers; then when this will not serve the turn, there being a Concession in that Interpretation, destructive to his whole cause, then it is made as a Privilege to the Church, not to any individual Persons; but yet for fear that this privilege must be vested in some individuals, it is denied that it is made to any, but only is a Promise of the Spirits abode in the world with the Word: but perhaps some thoughts coming upon him, that this will no way suit the scope of the place, nor be suited to the intendment of Christ, it is lastly added, that let it be made to whom it will, it is conditional, though there be not the least intimation of any condition in the Text, or Context, and that by him assigned, be coincident with the thing it self promised. But hereof so far: And so our second Testimony, the Testimony of the Son abides still by the Truth, for the confirmation whereof it is produced: and in the mouth of these two witnesses, the abiding of the Spirit with Believers to the end, is established.