First, How far we may look for Preservation: The Doctrine of Perseverance is much impugned; but the Earth is never the more unsettled, because to giddy brains it seemeth to run round: however let us grant what must be granted, and then the truth will be burdened with less prejudice. Seeming grace may be lost; Take from him that which he hath, Mat. 25. 28. is Luke 8. 18. Take from him that which he seemed to have. Blazing Comets and Meteors are soon spent, and fall from Heaven like lightening, while stars keep their orb and station: A building in the sand will totter; and Hypocrites be discovered before the Congregation, Prov. 26. 26. Again, Initial or preparative grace may fail, such as is spoken of Heb. 6. 4, 5. to wit, illumination, external reformation, temporary faith, devout moods, some good beginnings, &c. Plenty of blossoms do not always foretell store of fruit; some dye in the very pangs of the birth, and are still born. Yet again, True grace may suffer a shrewd decay, but not an utter loss; the leaves may fade when the root liveth: In temptations Gods children are sorely shaken; their heel may be bruised, as Christs was, but their head is not crushed: Peter denied Christ, but did not fall from grace; there is a remaining seed, 1 John 3. 9. 'Tis notable what Chrysostom observeth concerning Christs prayer for Peter, Luke 22. 32. I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: *Mark (saith he) he doth not say, I have prayed for thee that thou shouldst not deny me, but I have prayed that thy faith should not altogether vanish and be abolished. Once more, such grace as serveth to our well-being in Christ may be taken away, joy, peace, cheerfulness, &c. As a man may have a being, though his well-being be lost; he is a man, though a bankrupt, though poor, though sick, though diseased: so a Christian may be living, though he be not lively. Yet further, The operations of grace may be obstructed for a great while: a fit of swooning is not a state of death; there may be no acts, and yet their seed remaineth; ⟨p. 54⟩this may last for a long time: David lay in a spiritual swoon nine months; for he awaked not till Nathan came to him, Psal. 51. the title; and when Nathan came to him, the child begotten upon Bathsheba was born; for he saith, 2 Sam▪ 12. 14. The child which is born to thee shall dye. Yet further, Grace if left to us would soon be lost;
First, How far we may look for Preservation: The Doctrine of Perseverance is much impugned; but the Earth is never the more unsetled, because to giddy brains it seemeth to run round: however let us grant what must be granted, and then the truth will be burdened with less prejudice. Seeming grace may be lost; Take from him that which he hath, Mat. 25. 28. is Luke 8. 18. Take from him that which he seemed to have. Blazing Comets and Meteors are soon spent, and fall from Heaven like lightening, while stars keep their orb and station: A building in the sand will totter; and Hypocrites be discovered before the Congregation, Prov. 26. 26. Again, Initial or preparative grace may fail, such as is spoken of Heb. 6. 4, 5. to wit, illumination, external reformation, temporary faith, devout moods, some good beginnings, &c. Plenty of blossoms do not always foretell store of fruit; some dye in the very pangs of the birth, and are still born. Yet again, True grace may suffer a shrewd decay, but not an utter loss; the leaves may fade when the root liveth: In temptations Gods children are sorely shaken; their heel may be bruised, as Christs was, but their head is not crushed: Peter denyed Christ, but did not fall from grace; there is a remaining seed, 1 John 3. 9. 'Tis notable what Chrysostom observeth concerning Christs prayer for Peter, Luke 22. 32. I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: *Mark (saith he) he doth not say, I have prayed for thee that thou shouldst not deny me, but I have prayed that thy faith should not altogether vanish and be abolished. Once more, such grace as serveth to our well-being in Christ may be taken away, joy, peace, cheerfulness, &c. As a man may have a being, though his well-being be lost; he is a man, though a bankrupt, though poor, though sick, though diseased: so a Christian may be living, though he be not lively. Yet further, The operations of grace may be obstructed for a great while: a fit of swooning is not a state of death; there may be no acts, and yet their seed remaineth; ⟨p. 54⟩this may last for a long time: David lay in a spiritual swoon nine moneths; for he awaked not till Nathan came to him,
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Chrysost.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Chrysost.
