Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

yet He which did begin the good work in them, [Greek or Hebrew], will perform it until the day of Christ, Phil. 1.6. And what if temptations and fiery darts fly about on ⟨p. 417⟩all sides, they are in garrison in the power of God, 1 Pet. 1.5. and there shall be a way to escape, 1 Cor. 10.13. In such Promises as these every way securing the Believers state of Grace, the Covenant of Grace lifts up it self in a transcendent excellency above that of Works, which had no Promise of Perseverance annexed to it. Shall we now say, That all these Promises are Conditional, if we will persevere, and not otherwise? Is not this to turn the Covenant of Grace into that of Works, and a sure state in Christ into a lubricous Adamical one? Is it not to evacuate all those glorious and magnificent Promises touching Perseverance, as if God in them spoke only in such cold Language as this, I will preserve you from all evils and dangers, only for that greatest of all, which is in your own hearts and wills. I will not undertake: or in such contradictory terms as these; if you persevere, I will make you persevere; as if Perseverance could be the condition of it self? After these Promises so interpreted Believers are but where they were before; before these Promises it would have been true, that if Believers persevere and continue in Grace, they do so; and after them so interpreted, What have they more? What do they contribute to Believers, when the main stress of Perseverance is laid on Mans Will, and not on Gods Grace? But this obiter. The experienced Believer knows better how to use Promises, and from them communes with his own Heart; Hath God promised Perseverance, and will ⟨p. 418⟩he not do it? is not his Covenant [Greek or Hebrew] an Everlasting Covenant, and are not his Mercies sure Mercies? Can his Faithfulness fail, or his words of Grace fall to the ground? Shall I trust him for Pardon and Salvation, and not for Perseverance? Will he give me Heaven, and shall I faint by the way? It cannot be; He will guide me with his counsel, and then receive me to glory. Till I come there I shall be supported by his hand, and supplied with his Spirit; Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. In such sort may the Believer be assured of his Perseverance in Grace, and so of his Salvation.