An answer to the discourse of Mr. William Sherlock, touching the knowledge of Christ,…

Secondly, ¹These Men tell us too, that Christs love is immutable, having once sixth his love upon us, though without ⟨p. 583⟩any reason, he can never alter: Sin it self cannot separate us from the Love of Christ. If sin foreseen were not able to hinder him from planting his heart on us: How then shall it (that is, sin committed) be able to over-turn the thoughts of his heart, when once they are fixed on us? This is a strong fixed Love indeed, which sin it self cannot alter: But how wise, and holy a Love it is, let any man judge: Herein Dr. Owen tells us the depth of Christs Love is to be contemplated, that whereas his holy Soul hates every sin, it is a burden, an abomination, a new wound to him; and his poor Spouse, that is, sinful Believers are full of sin, failings, infirmities, he hides all, covers all, bears all, rather than he will loose them. He adds indeed, by his power preserving them from such sins, as a remedy is not provided for in the Covenant of Grace. I suppose he means the sin against the holy Ghost; for there is a remedy provided for all other sins in the Covenant of Grace, and all other sins a Believer it seems may be guilty of; and Christ will hide all rather than lose him. Now this is as down-right Antinomianism, as ever Dr. Crisp or Saltmarsh vented; There have been, and are ⟨p. 584⟩to this day a great many wise learned men, who contend for the perseverance of the Saints, that those, who are once in a state of Grace, shall always continue so: But then they found this not on such an immutable Love, as sin it self cannot alter; for this is not reconcilable with the Holiness of the Divine Nature; nor with those threatenings in Scripture against such back-sliders: When the righteous man turneth away from his Righteousness, and committeth iniquity; and doth according to all the abominations that a wicked man doth, he shall dye, Ezek. 18.24. If any man turn back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him, which is a plain demonstration, the truth of which is which is acknowledged by all sober Writers, that if such men can be supposed to relapse into a sinful state, God will cease to love them; therefore they found the immutability of Gods Love to them on their perseverance in doing good, God loves all good men; but if they cease to be good, he also must cease to love: