A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

We do not plead for any wild assurance and certainty of Perseverance; we do not say that they that neglect means, or grieve the Spirit, and do what they list, are sure that they shall not miscarry; that is against the nature of Gods dispensation, and the nature of this assurance, and therefore but a vain cavil. 'Tis against the nature of Gods dispensation; whom he maketh to persevere, he maketh them to persevere in the use of means: Hezekiah had assurance from God of life for fifteen years, yet he taketh a lump of figs, and applieth it as a plaster to the boil, Isai. 38. 5, with 21. More clearly, Acts 27. 31. All shall come to Land; but, Except ye abide in the ship ye cannot be safe: We are sure of life as long as ⟨p. 55⟩God hath any service to do for us, yet we are bound to get food and raiment, and to use all means to preserve life: This was Satan's cavil against Gods protection over Christ, Thou art sure not to fall, therefore neglect means, cast thy self upon danger, Mat. 4. 9, 10. You learn this Doctrine from the Devil; Thou mayst do what thou lift, thou art sure to be safe; 'tis the Devils Divinity. Again, 'Tis against the nature of this assurance; he that hath tasted Gods love in Gods way, cannot reason so: A child that hath a good father that will not see him perish, shall he waste and embezzle his estate he careth not how? A wicked child may presume thus of his father (though it be very disingenuous) because of his natural interest and relation to his father; the kindness which he expecteth is not built upon moral choice, but nature: but a child of God cannot, because he cannot grow up to this certainty but in the exercise of grace; 'tis begotten and nourished by godly exercises: and the thing it self implieth a contradiction; this were to fall away because we cannot fall away: You may as soon say that the fire should make a man freeze with cold, as that certainty of perseverance in grace should make us do actions contrary to grace.

We do not plead for any wilde assurance and certainty of Perseverance; we do not say that they that neglect means, or grieve the Spirit, and do what they list, are sure that they shall not miscarry; that is against the nature of Gods dispensation, and the nature of this assurance, and therefore but a vain cavil. 'Tis against the nature of Gods dispensation; whom he maketh to persevere, he maketh them to persevere in the use of means: Hezekiah had assurance from God of life for fifteen years, yet he taketh a lump of figs, and applyeth it as a plaister to the boyl,