The nature of saving conversion, and the way

2 If a principle of grace were once there, it is always there. It was otherwise under the covenant of works; Adam's grace was perfect but mutable; for he did not fulfil the condition of the covenant; if he had once done that, his grace would have been immutable. But under the new covenant, if a man be once godly, he always will be godly; for every one who is godly, has fulfilled the condition of the covenant. Grace may decay, but it never will be lost: It may wither, but never die. Common grace may be lost, but saving grace cannot be lost: If grace be once begun it will continue; Phil. 6. I am confident of this very thing, that he that hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it to the day of Christ. The power of God is engaged for the preservation of grace. Once godly and always godly; 1 Pet. 1.5. Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation. Sometimes they are afraid they shall fall away, but whether they have more strength or less strength, they shall never fall away; God's covenant is their security. Such men may have great temptations; Heretics may endeavour to seduce them, vicious men may seek to debauch them, worldly men may entice them, persecutors may seek to fright them out of their religion; but nothing can be too hard for them: Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it, Cant. 8.7. They may have temptation to pride, to presumption, ⟨p. 127⟩to discouragement; but if they be led into temptation, they will be delivered from evil. A principle of grace is like a living fountain; Joh. 4.14. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him. shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. False hearted men may fall away, but those that are sincere will be more than Conquerors. If Abraham be once godly, he will continue so, though he lives an hundred and seventy years. If grace be begun here, it will be perfected in heaven.

2 If a principle of grace were once there, it is always there. It was otherwise under the covenant of works; Adam's grace was perfect but mutable; for he did not fulfil the condition of the covenant; if he had once done that, his grace would have been immutable. But under the new covenant, if a man be once godly, he always will be godly; for every one who is godly, has fulfilled the condition of the covenant. Grace may decay, but it never will be lost: It may wither, but never die. Common grace may be lost, but saving grace cannot be lost: If grace be once begun it will continue; Phil. 6. I am confident of this very thing, that he that hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it to the day of Christ. The power of God is engaged for the preservation of grace. Once godly and always godly;