The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

Doubtless it were better for men, to captivate their understandings to the obedience of Faith, then to invent Distinctions and Evasions, to escape the power of so many plain Texts of Scripture, and those literally, and properly, not Figuratively and Metaphorically, expressing the Truth contained in then: which, though it may be done sometimes, yet is not in a constant uniform tenure of expression any where, the manner of the Holy Ghost. The Apostle also affirms farther v. 15. that Believers receive the spirit of Adoption to cry Abba Father; which being a work within them, cannot be wrought and effected by Adoption it self, which is an extrinsical Relation. Neither can Adoption, and the Spirit of Adoption be conceived to be the same. He also farther affirms it 1 Cor: 2. 12. we have received the spirit, which is of God, that we might know the things, that are freely given us of God. We have so received him, as that he abides with us, to teach us, to acquaint our hearts, with Gods dealing with us: bearing witness with our spirits to the condition wherein we are, in reference to our Favour from God, and Acceptation with him; and ⟨p. 191⟩the same he most distinctly asserts Gal. 4. 6. God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son, into our hearts, crying Abba Father. The distinct Economy of the Father, Son, and Spirit, in the work of Adoption, is clearly discovered. He is sent, sent of God, that is, the Father. That name is Personally to be appropriated, when it is distinguished (as here) from Son, and Spirit; That is the Fathers work, that work of his Love, he sends him. He hath sent him, as the spirit of his Son, procured by him for us, promised by him to us, proceeding from him, as to his personal subsistence, and sent by him, as to his office of Adoption and Consolation. Then whether the Father hath sent the spirit of his Son, where he is to abide and make his residence is expressed; it is into our Hearts saith the Apostle: there he dwells and abides. And lastly, what there he doth is also manifested: he sets them on work in whom he is, gives them privileges for it, Ability to it, Encouragement in it, causing them to cry Abba Father; Once, and again, to Timothy, doth the same Apostle assert the same truth, 1 Epist. 3. 14. the good thing committed unto thee, keep by the Holy Spirit, which dwelleth in us.

Doubtlesse it were better for men, to captivate their understandings to the obedience of Faith, then to invent Distinctions and Evasions, to escape the power of so many plaine Texts of Scripture, and those litterally, and properly, not Figuratively and Metaphorically, expressing the Truth contained in then: which, though it may be done sometimes, yet is not in a constant uniforme tenure of expression any where, the manner of the Holy Ghost. The Apostle also affirmes farther v. 15. that Believers receive the spirit of Adoption to cry Abba Father; which being a worke within them, cannot be wrought and effected by Adoption it selfe, which is an extrinsicall Relation. Neither can Adoption, and the Spirit of Adoption be conceived to be the same. He also farther affirmes it 1 Cor: 2. 12. we have received the spirit, which is of God, that we might know the things, that are freely given us of God. We have so received him, as that he abides with us, to teach us, to acquaint our hearts, with Gods dealing with us: bearing witnesse with our spirits to the condition wherein we are, in reference to our Favour from God, and Acceptation with him; and