PERSEVERANCE OR THE INVINCIBLE PROGRESS OF BELIEVERS IN FAITH AND HOLINESS

for the firmer support and comfort of his people (not­withstanding the present weakness of their faith, and daily infirmities of the flesh,) as also to allure and bring in others who are hankering about the door, or yet in the highways and hedges, it has pleased the .holy and only wise God to indulge us with plain and positive assurance of the certain continuance, and going on, of all who have once believed and received the grace of God in truth, notwithstanding many concerned in this assurance attain not to it. That faith and holiness do inseparably follow election, is shewn be­fore: our business now is to shew, that faith and holiness are of an abiding nature, and shall never be lost: and this is what we call perseverance; which being the crown and glory of all the former points, and that which secures to us the comforts arising thence, being also as much impugned as any of those, the proof and confirmation thereof is appa­rently necessary, and tending to profit. And, I trust, it shall not only appear that the doctrine is true, but also replete with arguments promotive of holiness, by which the con­trary opinion will best be contradicted: for so it is, in the wisdom of God, that every truth has that in it which pro­perly tends to its own defense and establishment. It is the property of men truly wise, to enterprise only attain­able things, and things worthy their wisdom, as also, so to frame and model the means, as not to miss their intent: much more must it become, and be incumbent on him who is wisdom itself so to do. If they) the ultimate end of all things is the glory of God; and the second great end the salvation of his chosen; it may well be concluded, that the properest means for attainment are pitched on, and those, such as will compass his end. Hence also we may be satisfied that all intermediate occurrences, however im­proper in their own nature, and casual to us, were all foreappointed of God, and that by a decree most wise and fixed; and consequently are, and shall be, so dispensed and overruled as not to hinder, but help on, and bring about the thing principally designed; which therefore shall not (cannot) miscarry, nor be finally defeated. However, there­fore, men of corrupt minds may stumble at the word, change the truth of God into a lie, and turn his grace into lasciviousness; and some others, not of design, but by mistake, and unacquaintedness with the true state of the question, may disapprove and object against it: yet may not the truth be discarded, nor its friends shy to own it; but strive the more industriously, by their sobriety, meekness, holiness, and all good fruits, to make the world know, that “to the pure, all things are pure;” while to other men, through the impurity of their own spirits, all things are defiled, and turned into sin; and, in particular, that the doctrine of God's unchangeable love to his chosen, and their endless abiding therein, is no way an inlet or encouragement to sin, or remissness in duty; but the most powerful strengthener against apostasy, and most effectual quickener to gospel obedience.

The substance of what I intend lies in this proposition: namely,

That all and every one of God's elect, being once rege­nerate and believing, are, and shall be, invincibly car­ried on, to the perfect obtainment of blessedness and glory.

Towards the evidencing of this truth,

1. Let us take in things of a lower consideration than that of eternal salvation, and observe how those persons, Formerly instanced, being destined of God to eminent ser­vice in the world, were carried through, and that completely, to the end of their work; notwithstanding the great­est of difficulties, and natural impossibilities, which stood in the way to obstruct it: by which will appear the certain effect of God's purposes; and will contribute not a little to illustrate the point in hand.

1. I begin with Abraham's seed. In Genesis 12:7. the land of Canaan is given them by promise: Isaac, in whom this seed should be called, was not yet born; nor yet, until both his parents were past age, Genesis 19:11. To help this, the Lord brings back the sun many degrees; makes it a new spring time with them, and gives them Isaac, chapter 21:2. When Isaac was married, his wife proves barren: after twenty years waiting, the Lord, in answer to prayer, gives her conception, chapter 25:21. Now, two children they had; the elder of which the Lord rejects, verse 8 23, and the other, to whom the promise belonged, in danger every day to be killed by his brother, and so the line of the promise in danger of failing, chapter 27:41. Jacob, to save his life, flies to Padan Aram, chapter 28:2. there Laban deals hardly with him, chapter 31:41, and when he made homewards, follows him with evil intent: but the Lord, in a dream, takes him off, verse 8 23, 24. No sooner is he escaped from him, but Esau comes against him with four hundred men, full bent to revenge the old grudge, chapter 32:6. the Lord turns his heart in a moment, and melts him into brotherly affection; that, instead of destroying Jacob, he proffers himself to be his guard and convoy, chapter 33- 4. 12.

When Simeon and 'Levi had so highly provoked the Ca­naanites, that it was a thousand to one but they would come and cut off Jacob's family at once, chapter 24:25. the Lord causes a terror to fall on them, that they do not so much as look after them, chapter 35:5. When a seven years' famine was coming on the land, likely enough to eat up poor Jacob and his house, the Lord, by a strange provi­dence, sends a harbinger to make provision for them in .Egypt, chapter 37:28. with chapter 41:54. When oppressed by the Egyptians, and all means used to destroy them, and that both with craft and cruelty, the Lord so orders the mat­ter, that the more they were oppressed, the faster they grew, Exodus 1:12, and by an high hand brings them out at last. In the wilderness, they carry themselves as un­worthily towards God as ever people did; doing all that in them lay to cut off the entail of that good land, by their unbelief, and daily repeated rebellions; insomuch that the Lord threatens to dispossess them: but, for his promise' sake made with Abraham, withdraws his hand, and spares them. I might instance also the great straits and dangers they were in at the Red Sea, which the Lord divided for them: afterwards for want of water, which he brings them out of a rock: then for bread, which also he gives them from heaven: how they were denied passage by some, and waylaid by others; and yet carried on and delivered: and at last, how the Lord drove out those giants, whom they de­spaired of overcoming, and so gave them the land in pos­session, according to his promise hundreds of years be­fore: “there failed not aught of any good thing the Lord had promised: it all came to pass,” Joshua 21:45.

2. Little Joseph is one the Lord will honor; which in several dreams he intimates to him, Genesis 37:7. 9. 11. His brethren therefore hate him: and to frustrate his dreams, which signified their subjection to him, they con­spire to kill him, verse 8 18, and how shall Joseph escape? they are ten to one, and he the least. Reuben, who, being the eldest, was most concerned, in point of honor, to hin­der Joseph's advancement, he shall relent at the very mo­ment of taking him away; and, out of respect to his father, shall deliver him, verse 8 22. Well, though they will not pre­sently kill him, they will cast him into a pit, where, in all likelihood, he must perish: but, in the good providence of God, the Ishmaelite merchants pass by in the very instant, ere any wild beast shall have found him, or his brethren determined worse against him, verse 8 24. 28. to them they sell him, and by them he is brought into Egypt (far enough out of Jacob's inquiry,) and sold to the captain of Pharaoh's guard, a person likely enough to deal roughly with him. But here the Lord owns him, and, to bring him into favor, makes all that he doeth to prosper; which his master ob­serving, puts the management of all his estate in Joseph's hands, chapter 39:3. 4. Now there is fair hopes of his com­ing to honor; but how soon is it dashed! Joseph being a goodly person, his lascivious mistress tempts him to folly; which the fear of God keeping him from, she misreports him to his master, charging her own wickedness on him. Hereby Potiphar's favor is lost, and Joseph cast into prison, and laid in irons, Genesis 39:7. 9. 17. 20. Psalm 105:18. Now all hopes of preferment are gone, and what will be­come of his dreams? yet still the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand; and this downfall of Joseph shall prove another step to his rising: and to make way for it, two of Pharaoh's servants shall fall under their lord's displeasure, be put in prison, and committed to Joseph's keeping: here they shall dream, Joseph shall interpret, and the event shall answer it. Now the day begins again to dawn on Joseph, and, by the chief butler's restorement, some hopes of his en­largement: but this again is soon overcast; for the butler forgot him, Genesis 40:23. notwithstanding all which, the providences of God do still pursue his decree, and cease not until Joseph is lord over Egypt, and his brethren bow down before him, chapter 41, and chapter 42:6, and chapter 50:18.

3. David. God promised David to give him the king­dom, and anoints him to it, 1 Samuel 16:12. What, not­withstanding all possible interveniencies? Yes, for the promise is absolute: has the Lord said it, and shall he not do it? If, therefore, Saul cast a javelin at him (unsuspected,) to nail him to the wall, a sharpness of eye, and agility of body, shall be given him to discern and avoid it, chapter 18:11. If he determine evil against him, Jonathan shall ad­vertise him of it, chapter 19:7. If he send messengers to Naioth to apprehend him, they shall forget their errand, and fall a prophesying: and if he send others, and others after them, they shall do likewise; yea, Saul himself shall turn prophet for a day and a night together, that David may have time to escape, verse 8 20—24. If he be in a city that will betray him, and not a friend among them to advise him of it, the Lord himself will be his intelligencer, and send him out, chapter 33:12. If Saul's army have encompassed him, and no way left to escape, the Philistines shall invade the land, and tidings shall come in the very instant, and take him off, verse 8 26, 27. If an host do encamp against him, he will not be afraid, Psalm 27:3. Why so? The Lord had made an absolute promise; and, therefore, if no help on earth, “he shall send from heaven, and save me,” Psalm 57:3. Yea, David's wavering at times, and the weakness of his faith, shall not hinder it, and the reason of all was this, the Lord took him to be ruler over his people, and therefore he was with him wheresoever he went, 1 Chronicles 17:7, 8.

4. Josiah. “A child shall be born in the house of Da­vid, Josiah by name, who shall offer the bones of Jereboam's priests on his altar,” 1 Kings 1,3:2. If, therefore, Athaliah determine to destroy all the seed-royal, Joash shall be stolen from among the rest, and preserved, 2 Kings 11:2, and by him David's line shall be continued: and Hezekiah, though sick to death, he shall not die, but be healed, as it were, by a miracle, and fifteen years added for his life, rather than Manasseh, who must be Josiah's grandfather, shall be unborn, chapter 20:6.

5. Paul. Paul was a chosen vessel, appointed to preach Christ to the Gentiles, and at last, to bear witness of him at Rome: and this must be done, although bonds, imprison­ments, and death itself, do attend him in every place. If, therefore, they lie in wait for him at Damascus, and watch the gates night and day, to kill him, he shall be let down by the wall in a basket, and so escape them, Acts 9:2-25. If all Jerusalem be in an uproar to kill him; the chief captain shall come with an army, and rescue him, Acts 21:31,32. though no friend to Paul, nor to his cause. If more than forty men bare bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him, his kinsman shall hear of it and by his means the chief captain shall be a friend again, and grant him a sufficient convoy, chapter 23:14-23, and this attempt shall be an occasion of sending him to Rome, where his last testimony is to be given. If Jews and Gentiles make an assault together, to use him despitefully, and to stone him, he shall be aware of it, arid by fleeing save himself, chapter 14:5,6, 7. by which means also the gospel shall be further spread. But suppose he be loft in their hands, and they so far prevail as to stone him, and drag him out of the city, verse 8 19. then, sure, his work is at an end: no, all this shall not hinder; death itself shall nor separate Paul from his work. It is not his being once atoned, nor his thrice suffering shipwreck, nor his being in deaths often, nor any thing else, that shall make void the purpose of God for his bearing witness of Christ at Rome, as is abundantly evident by the stories of him, and the event at last.

Other instances might be produced to the same effect; but by these we may take an estimate of the thing under proof, and rationally infer, that if the Lord be so exact and punctual, in performing his word, touching these lesser things, carrying on his work through such a press of natural oppositions, much more will he be, in securing and bring­ing about the eternal welfare of his chosen: that as he dealt by his people of old; “be bore them on eagles wings,” Exodus 19:4. above the reach of danger, and “kept them as the apple of his eye,” with all possible care and tenderness, “until he had brought them to himself,” Deuteronomy 32:10. so will he carry it towards his elect; for he values the world but little, save with respect to them.

2. Now for a more direct proof of the proposition; though two or three witnesses might suffice to establish it; yet, since the scriptures do abound with testimonies for it, the collection whereof may be very useful to us, for the help of our faith, in a time of temptation, as, also to fortify our souls against the assaults of such as teach final apostasy, I shall somewhat enlarge in reciting them, with some of those genuine deductions that flow from them. In the Old Testament are many petitions and resolves made by holy men, which import the truth of this doctrine, as, that, “the Lord will perfect that which concerns them: that he will not forsake the work of his own hands,” Psalm 138:8. “That he will guide them by his counsel, and after receive them to glory,” Psalm 73:24, and that in the mean time,” none of their steps shall slide,” Psalm 37:31, and this, because it is God that “girdeth them with strength, and will make their way perfect,” Psalm 18:32. with abundantly more; as also in Paul's Epistles. In every of which is implied a promise of the thing prayed for, or concluded on; without such a promise, they could not have done it in faith, nor justly have given them down as matter of instruction to others. But we know they spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, 2 Peter 1:21. who knowing the deep things of God, what his decrees were, and what was contained in the .' promise of eternal life before the world began,” Tit. 1:2. drew out their hearts to believe, and formed their pray­ers accordingly.

But, besides these, we have many express promises and affirmations of it. In the tenth of John, our Savior says, “his sheep shall never perish,” verse 8 28. which is, in effect, their faith shall never fail; for, safe they cannot be from perishing, without the securement of their faith. Again, speaking of the Spirit of holiness which believers receive from him, John 4:14. he saith expressly, ^u whosoever drinketh thereof, shall never thirst: but it shall be in him a well of water, springing up to everlasting life,” then ii shall not be dried up, Proverbs 10:30. “The righteous shall never be removed,” that is, they shall never fall back into their former state; and the reason is, because “the way of the Lord is strength to the upright,” verse 8 29. Whether by “the way of the Lord” be meant his way or manner of deal­ing with upright persons, which is to increase their strength, according to Job, 17:9. or, of the genuine property of God's ways, which is to afford that peace and satisfaction to those who walk in them, that they are daily more habituated and connatural!zed to them, and estranged from all ways else; they are both to the purpose in hand, Proverbs 24:19. “A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again;” he falls not so as to lie where he fell; he falleth not into mischief, as the wicked do; yea he rather gets ground by his fall, as verse 8 5, “A man of wisdom increaseth strength,” from a sense of his own weakness, he is led to strength everlasting, as was Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Proverbs 12:21. “There shall no evil happen to the just,” then, not the greatest and worst of evils, which is, to “de­part from the living God: “verse 3. “The root of the righteous shall not be removed;” his fruit may sometimes be blighted, or blown of}', his branches tossed with a tem­pest; but still his root is where it was; his life is hid, and free from all commotion, and shall therefore renew both his fruit and branches; “he that trusteth in the Lord, shall not cease from yielding fruit,” Jeremiah 17:7, 8.

Jeremiah 32:40. “I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” This, say some, is the promise of affording them means, but not of effecting the end; therefore see chapter 3:19. “Thou shalt call me, My Father, and shalt not depart from me: “and this, because he worketh effectually in them that believe, 1 Thessalonians 2:13. . as at first in causing them to believe, so now, in maintaining and perfecting their faith.

Psalm 84:11. “The Lord withholdeth no good thing from them that walk uprightly: “and if so, then continuing to walk uprightly shall not be withheld from them; which deduction is also warranted by this; “that the righteous shall hold on his way, and he that has clean hands, shall be stronger and stronger,” Job 17:9. as also from Proverbs 4; 18. “The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more to the perfect day.” And Da­vid further backs it, where, from his present faith, he concludes his future progress, “I have trusted I shall not slide,” Psalm 26:1, and this, because the Lord holdeth his soul in life, and suffereth not his feet to be moved, Psalm 66:9.

Mark 16:16. “He that believeth shall be saved: “and John 11:26. “Whosoever liveth and believeth in me (says Christ) shall never die,” that is, he that once has faith shall never lose k (as some would give the sense) had been a comfortless and empty notion, and injudicious way of speaking. This is yet further confirmed by John 5:24. “He that believeth is passed from death to life, and shall not come into condemnation: “the reason of which is this, that their faith is founded on a rock; which winds and waves may beat and break themselves against; but never the rock itself nor that which is built on it, Matthew 7:25. “He that trusteth in the Lord, is as mount Zion, which cannot be removed,” Psalm 125:1. no, not so much as one of the stakes of that tabernacle shall be removed, and that for ever, Isaiah 33:20. 1 Peter 2:6. “They shall not be asha­med nor confounded, world without end,” Isaiah 45:17.

It would very much allay that superlative cause of re­joicing, that our names are written in heaven, if possibly they might be blotted out again; since we find in ourselves so great a proneness to revolt, which every one acquainted with his own heart must acknowledge: but we are sure Christ, would not propound to us a fallible ground of rejoi­cing: for that kind of dependence he is evermore calling us Romans Believers are indeed sometimes foiled, but never overcome: though they fall, and that seven times in a day, (as was said,) as often do they rise again: and it is no dis­paragement to their leader: nay, it is the glory of a general, to give his enemy advantages, and take them again at his pleasure, to his enemy's greater confusion and overthrow. Satan got nothing by his winnowing Peter: Peter lost some of his chaff, which well might be spared, and the tempt­er lost many an after advantage; for the world of believers have been the warier ever since. To this I shall only add that of the holy apostle, in Romans 8:he was persuaded, that is, he was thoroughly swayed in his faith, to believe it for himself, .and deliver it down to the ages to come, as a truth infallible, that “neither height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” verse 8 38, 39. He reck­ons up all that can be named; and, lest any thing might have slipped him, he brings in height and depth; as being those two extremes that take in all, and more than men can think; and then resolves, that even these shall not be able to do it. And, surely, if the super celestial height of God's holiness, nor the infra-infernal depth of sinful sin, shall not separate from that day of glory, which the sons of God were predestinated to, and for which they were both made and redeemed, called into, and groan for, then are believers roundly secured against final apostasy.

lit. A third sort of evidence for confirmation, are cer­tain arguments or reasons why the saints must needs perse­vere in faith and holiness.

By needs must, I understand no other kind of necessity, than well consists with perfect freedom; such as was on Paul to preach the gospel, which was a work he rejoiced in; and such as was on Jesus Christ to bring home his sheep, and to lay down his life for them; he “must needs suffer,” Acts 17:3. “Yea, he was straitened till it was accomplish­ed,” Luke 12:50. Thus it was written in his heart, was no hindrance to the freedom of his will.

Argument 1. The first argument, in proof of perseverance, is founded on the saints' extract or original, “they are born of God,” John 1:13, and this has the force of a double argument.

1. As God is their father and eternal root. Our Savior holds forth this relation as the ground of our faith in prayer, Matthew 6:9, and he begins with it himself, when he prays for his own glory, and that his disciples might be partakers of it, John 17:1. to the same end, he frequently useth that style of Father in the gospel of John; as taking de­light in mentioning that relation, “the Father himself loveth you,” chapter 16:27, and “I ascend to my Father, and your Father,” chapter 20:17. It is to strengthen our faith in God, (through himself) on the account of his fa­therhood to us. “The father loveth the Son,” chapter 3:25, and he loves his believers, as he loveth Christ him­self, chapter 17:23. on which ground the apostle concludes, that “he cannot but give us all things else,” Romans 8:32. Believers are the product of his love, both in respect of election and regeneration; and being so, he cannot but have a paternal affection for' them; to administer to them whatever tends to their sustentation and growth, and to keep off whatever would intercept or weaken his gracious influences towards them: “having once loved them, he loves them for ever,” John 13:1. They may therefore be confident, that “what he has begun in the spirit, he will not let end in the flesh: “that “having begun a good work, he will also perform it,” Philippians 1:6. for, as they have their spiritual being from him, as the Father of it; so it is as natural to him to diffuse his virtues into them without in­termission, as for a vine to send up its sap into its own branches, or the sun to cherish the plants of its own pro­duction. All the natural affections that are in creatures towards their own, are but drops of his immense fullness: a mother may possibly forget the child of her womb; but the Lord cannot forget his offspring; “that none may hurt them, (nor they themselves,) he will keep them night and day, and water them every moment,” Isaiah 27:3. they are born by him from the belly, and carried from the womb; and even to their old age he will carry them, and deliver them, Isaiah 46:3,4.

2. The new creature, as it comes from God, so it exists in him, and lives on him, and it is natural to it to seek its nourishment where it had its original: nothing can sa­tisfy it, but that great deep from whence it sprung: as a newborn child, that has not the use of reason, will hunt for the breast by natural instinct, and not be quiet without it. As soon as ever Paul was converted, “Behold he prays,” Acts 9:11. Having once received the Spirit of Christ, they cannot but incline after him, as Elisha did to Elijah, on the casting of his mantle on him, 1 Kings 19:19, 20. it is natural to them, as for sparks to fly upwards. They are said to be “baptized with fire;” not only because of its purifying nature, but in respect of its aspiring quality; it will be mounting, and not rest till it comes to its own element. Obstructions many it meets withal; but still it presseth onwards, and by degrees bears down all before it, and carries that with it in which it dwells, to the place of its birth; as the dove could not rest till she came to the ark whence she set out. This is set forth in a lively manner by our Savior, in John 7:38. “He that believeth in me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters;” rivers that bear down all opposition; and rivers of living waters, not land floods, which are of but short continuance; or standing pools, subject to drying up; but rivers, and those such as have an immortal head. We see how all things tend to their center: “The wicked sleep not unless they do evil,” Proverbs 4:16. They can bear the want of things most necessary to their being, rather than cease from sin: they are of the serpent's brood, and “the lusts of their father they will do,” John 8:44. Judas was a devil, and that carried him headlong to his own place, Acts 1:25. And if being born of the devil, habituates men with so strong and restless a bent to devilish lusts, the divine nature must needs work as efficaciously towards God, and godlike ac­tions: his love constrains them, 2 Corinthians 5:14. And if it were not so, the engrafted word had never borne a human stock to heaven: the first fruits of the Spirit possess them with an earnest expectation and longing for the harvest, Romans 8:23. It is true, the remainders of the old man will be opposing the new, and many contests there are be­tween them: but grace (like him that is advocate for the king) will ever have the last word, and will also go out victor. Ye may see it in Jeremiah, the word of the Lord was made a reproach to him; he therefore resolves to stifle it, and will no more speak in his name. But how succeeds this carnal resolution? “The word of the Lord was in his heart, as fire shut up in his bones, he was weary of forbear­ing, he could not hold,” chapter 20:8, 9. And Jonas, when he thought himself cut off, and in the belly of hell; “yet (saith he,) will I look again towards thy holy temple,” Jonah 2:2.4. Psalm 84:6,7. (as the needle, that is rightly touched, never rests, but in pointing towards the pole;) and when obstructed in their course, they cry the more earnestly, “O, when shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:2.

Argument 2. Another argument is taken from the graces themselves, which are the subjects of perseverance; name­ly, faith and holiness: which, let us consider first, as they are a gift, then in the genuine use and property of them.

1. As they are a gift. They are of those good and perfect gifts which come down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning,” James 1:17,18. This attribute of God's unchangeableness is fitly and significantly added, to show, that as good and perfect gifts are from God, and from him only; so that he never changeth in his purpose concerning those to whom he once gives them; they are of those gifts which are without repentance: as also, that these gifts do partake of his own invariableness they cannot die, nor turn to be any other than what they were at first, save only in point of perfection. There can happen no after unworthiness in those he gives them to, which he did not foresee when he gave them, (which seems to be implied in the following words, “Of his own will begat he us,”) and so, no cause why he should withdraw them, which would not as well have hindered his giving them at first. As the word of God is not yea and nay, so neither are his gifts. They are also God's workmanship; and “we know, saith Solomon, that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever, nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it,” Ecclesiastes 3:14.

2. Let faith and holiness be considered in the genuine use and property of them. Nothing so endangers the soul as self fullness; faith, therefore, was ordained to nullify that, and devolve the soul on another, namely, Christ; which the more it does, the safer it is; and having once done it, it never undoes it again. Faith also is an active grace, and diligent, and therefore thriving; he that has it, shall have more of it, Luke 19:26. then sure he shall not lose that he has! it is always traveling and never tired; 1. Because it travels in the strength of Omnipotence, “which never faints, nor is weary,” Isaiah 40:28, and, 2. Because it works by love, Galatians 5:6. which is the most kindly and efficacious princi­ple of service and great acts. Love is an endless screw: it has truly attained the perpetual motion; it enables to en­dure all things, and faileth not, 1 Corinthians 13:7, 8. All that God doeth for his people is from love, John 3:16, and alt that they do for God grows from the same root; they love him, because he loved them first, 1 John 4:19. Love is that which renders a work both pleasant to the agent, and acceptable to the object of it; faith, therefore, working by love, shall never be weary of its work, nor fail of its end; “it is of faith, that it might be by grace,” and consequent­ly sure, Romans 4:16. And as for holiness, (which is a dis­position according to God, and capacitates for the blessed vision.) a little of it, in truth, is of infinite value; the very smoke of it shall not be quenched, Matthew 12:20, and it would be strange, if a thing so precious should be liable to putrefaction; but it is not; yea, it changeth other things, but is itself never changed. It is of a spreading nature; compared therefore to leaven put into dough, and hid there, till the whole lump be seasoned. It is of an assimi­lating property; there is an heavenly tincture in it, which sanctifies all that it touches; “to the pure all things are pure,” Tit. 1:15. It also meetens for converse with. God, and it draws and engages the soul to him; there it is in its proper element, and out of which it cannot live; and by this converse it is both increased and sublimated.

A natural body, once in being, can never be reduced to nothing; how then should things of divine substance? They are “born of incorruptible seed, which liveth and abideth for ever,” 1 Peter 1:33, and as the seed is, such will be the fruit; the older it grows, the firmer it is; “he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger,” Job 17:9. They are the holy seed; and, therefore, though they cast their leaves, at times, “their substance is in them,” Isaiah 6:13. by which they are still renewed. Holiness is the seed of glory; and holy persons are in glory, as to its kind, and the certainty of their obtainment; although it has no glory at present, in comparison with that which shall be, as the seed of the rose or lily, compared with the flowers they will grew into, and which are virtually in them. According with this is that of our Savior, “He that believeth, has everlasting life,” John 3:36. it argues the certainty of their perseverance, “the law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide,” Psalm 37:31, and therefore he saith, “Destroy it not, there is a blessing in it,” Isaiah 65:5. 8.

Argument 3. Another proof arises from the nature, extent, and design of providence; or from the intent and purpose of God, in that great variety of things which believers are exercised with in the world. There are three things to be considered to make out this argument.

1. That there is a divine providence which governs the world; as in dividing to the nations their inheritance, and bounding their habitations, at first; so by continuing them in possession, or removing them, at his pleasure; and this, sometimes, by very unlikely means, and overruling things accordingly. Seir being given to Esau, and Ar to the children of Lot, and their term not yet expired, the Lord inclines them to let Israel pass through, and to give them meat for their money: whereas the Amorites, who were destined to destruction, “he hardens their spirits, and makes them obstinate,” Deuteronomy 2:29, 80. that they deny them passage, and come out against them in battle. So, when he would translate the Chaldean monarchy to the Persians, he enfeebles the one, but stirs up the other's spirits, and “girds them with strength,” Jeremiah 15:11. Isaiah 45:1— 5. How often doth the scripture repeat, “that the Lord reigneth: that he puts down one, and sets up another,” Psalm 93:1. 97:1. 75:7. “that he doeth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and amongst the inhabitants of the earth,” Daniel 4:35. How evident is it in his hum­bling of Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and others? This pro­vidence reacheth to all manner of persons, times, and things, and circumscribes them: it leaves not the least things to a contingency; even ravens, sparrows, and lilies; yea, and the hairs of your head are all numbered, and under the conduct of the providence of God, Matthew 6:26.

2. That the design and course of God's providence is to accomplish his purpose. As providence governs the world, so purpose is the director of providence. He is a provi­dent man that orders his affairs prudently; that is, so that nothing is wanting, nor any thing spent in waste. Both these are in the providence of God eminently: for, 1. It is all sufficient; supplies all needs; gives all things pertaining to means and end. 2. It does nothing in vain, nothing superfluous or impertinent to his purpose. Things most casual to men are leveled at a set and certain end: “what the Lord speaks with his mouth, he fulfils with his hand,” 1 Kings 8:24, and his act shall not vary a tittle from his decree: for, known to God are all his works from the be­ginning of the world. Whence was it that Esau tarried so long at hunting that he was over faint? that Jacob was making pottage just, when Esau came in, which set his ap­petite on edge after it, but that the purpose of God, ac­cording to election, might stand? the elder must serve the younger, which no came to pass, by the sale of his birth­right? and thus the providence of God makes even the profaneness of men subservient to his end. The Lord had de­termined to cast Judah and Jerusalem out of his sight for their obstinacy,' and to this end (that is, to make way for it,) “It came to pass, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon,” 2 Kings 24:20. it was to fulfill the word of the Lord before declared, 2 Chronicles 86:21. though that was far from the rebel's intent. So he gave Cyrus all the kingdoms of the earth, that he might build his temple at Jerusalem; and it was to fulfill his purpose before also re­corded, as is evident, verse 8 22, 23. In like manner, Herod, Pilate, and the Jews, all conspire the death of Christ, and each party on a several account; not thinking in the least to fulfill the determinate counsel of God: yet that was it which providence intended, as is plain by Acts 2:23. As also the soldiers, in parting his garments, and piercing his side: it was their barbarous rudeness which put them on it; but providence designed to make good a prophecy; “these things therefore the soldiers did,” John 19:24. All that God does in the world, is the transcript or impression of his ancient decrees.

3. That the providence of God never fails of its end. If he will work, who shall hinder it? for “our God is in heaven, and doeth whatsoever he will,” Psalm 115:3. And what will he work? “the things that are coming, and shall come,” Isaiah 44:7. “he has both devised, and done it,” Jeremiah 51:12. His purpose is to preserve his people; and, therefore, “no weapon that is formed against them shall prosper: who­soever gathers together against them shall fall for their sakes,” Isaiah 54:15:17. “for as he has purposed, so it shall stand,” chapter 14:24. The scriptures abound with instances of this kind: as, on the contrary, when the Lord will execute judgment, the thing shall be done, be the means ever so weak and improbable; “though the army of the Chaldeans were all wounded men, yet shall they burn Jerusalem with fire,” Jeremiah 37:10. Shamgar shall kill six hundred men with an ox goad, Judg. 3:13, and Sam­son a thousand with the jawbone of an ass, chapter 15:15. These things considered, and laid together (though mostly referring to temporal things,) do strongly enforce the argu­ment for things of spiritual concernment: inasmuch as things of eternal moment are worthy of more peculiar re­gard and security.

Now, all a believer's exercises, which may seem to en­danger him, are either from the guilt of sins committed; from the power of indwelling corruption; from Satan's temptation, or persecution from the world: none of which come on them accidentally, but as things fore appointed of God, and for a good intent. It is “for the elect's sake that all things else have their being,” 2 Corinthians 4:15. “and are all caused to work together for their good,” Romans 8:28. as, namely, to humble them for sin; to wean them from the world; to endear Jesus Christ to them; to shew them the Usefulness of ordinances; to exercise and try their graces; to purge out their dross; to enable them to succor others; to demonstrate the wisdom, power, and faithfulness of God towards them; to meeten them for glory; and to make them groan and long to be clothed on with their house from heaven; as might plentifully be made out by the scriptures, and the visible effects thereof on those who have been exercised thereby. To instance a few par­ticulars: David, after that great miscarriage in the matter of Uriah, with his broken bones on it, walked the more humbly and warily all his days: he was also the more in­tent on that great duty of “teaching sinners the way of God,” Psalm 51:13. Peter, he also got ground by deny­ing his master; thereby he came to see his own weakness, the need he had of Christ's support, and continual prayer for him; and we hear no more of his carnal confidence after that: but what a clamor and outcry does he make against our adversary the devil! 1 Peter 5:8. to warn others by his own example, what danger they are in by a carnal confi­dence. And, doubtless, whatever the tempter got by Peter's fall, he lost twice as much by the after watchfullness of others; for that is the designed end, to strengthen, estab­lish, and settle them, verse 8 16. Luke 22:31. Paul had a messenger of Satan let loose on him, to buffet him; the end of which was, to humble him, and to shew him the sufficiency of the grace of Christ. It is likely, also, that he got as much by that thorn in his flesh, as by his rapture and revelation: to be sure, they did well together, and poised him the better for his work. The like effect on Job, Job 23:10. with chapter 40:4, and chapter 42:6. Mary Magdalene, the remembrance of the seven devils which once possessed her, and of that love which cast them out; how did it heighten her love to Christ, and keep her heart in a melting frame! “she loved much, because much was forgiven her,” Luke 7:47 The people's forty years' travel through that great and terrible wilderness, among fiery serpents and scorpions. it was to prove them, and to do them good in the latter end, Deuteronomy 8:15, 16. They were also sent into captivity for their good, Jeremiah 24:5. this was all the fruit intended, to take away their sin, -Isaiah 27:9. to make them partakers of his holiness, Hebrews 12:10. These things, indeed, at present, are physic, which nature de­sires not: yet they are as needful, in their season, as our food; and in very faithfulness we must have them; which also is evident by the scope of the new covenant; as will appear afterwards. Now, these things considered and laid together, I think it may be well inferred, that “all these things worketh God with man,” not to destroy him, but to bring back his soul from the pit,” Job 33:29, 30. they are all made to turn to their salvation; they have always tri­umphed over them, and been “more than conquerors, through him that loved them,” Romans 8:37, and ever shall. And if this be the fruit of all that doth or can be a believer, while in this world, and there is no more of evil or danger when this is done, then welcome let them be, by the grace of God, as another demonstration of their invin­cible perseverance. “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kind­ness of the Lord,” Psalm 107:43.

Argument 4. A fourth argument for the saints' perseverance, is built on their union with Christ, which is of that intimateness, that the scripture sets it forth by terms of the nearest relation, as foundation and building, vine and branches, father and children, husband and spouse, head and members, yea, they are both called, interchangeably, by the same name; he is called Jacob, and they are called Christ, Psalm 24:6. with 1 Corinthians 12:12. And, which is more, if more can be, he communicates to them that title which one would think incommunicable, namely, “The Lord our righteousness,” Jeremiah 23:6. with 33:16. And this union is such as can never be dissolved: there  a the like oneness between Christ and them, as between the Father and Christ, as is plain by that passage of his prayer in the 17th of John, 21. “That they all may be one”(how one?) “as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they may be one in us.” They are so near to him, that they are said to be “of his flesh, and of his bones,” Ephesians 5:30. as, also, that they are “one spirit,” 1 Corinthians 6:17. He and they are actuated by the same Spirit, as the head and members of the same body are by one soul.

And this is the reason why believers cannot walk after the flesh. “The Spirit of life which is in Christ Jesus (as their root) rules in them,” Romans 8:2. They are preserved in Christ, Jude verse 8 1. as Noah was in the ark; or as branches in their own stock: for this difference is still to be noted, that believers have not this life in themselves, as Christ has; but they have it in him, which is better for them than if in their own keeping: for, being in him as in a root, it is natural to him to communicate to them; and as natural to them, by virtue of the divine nature communicated to them, to derive from him: and, consequently, “because, and while he lives, they shall live also,” John 14:19. “he that has the Son has life,” 1 John 5:12, and they have it in a way of right; as he that is possessed of the soil has right to all that grows on it. All that is Christ's is theirs; there is a happy commutation of interests; their debts, with the consequences thereof, are devolved on him; and all that was his imputed and communicated to them. And his care of them is such, that he will be able to say at the lat­ter day, “Of all that thou hast given me, I have lost nothing,” John 17:12. he will not leave a hoof behind. The signet on his right hand (men of shining outsides) may possibly be plucked thence. Jeremiah 22:24. but the least joint of his finger shall not; no man that is compos mentis will suffer the meanest part of himself to gangrene and perish, if it be in his power to help it; how then should our Lord Christ? who, besides the natural affection he has to those of his own body, Ephesians 5:25. has also received a commandment from the Father to keep them safe, John 6:40, and is perfectly qualified in all respects to make it good. On this account, as well as others, they are “com­plete in him,” Colossians 2:10. Believers are so one with Christ, that whatsoever he did, they are said to do it with him; circumcised with him, verse 8 11. crucified with him, Romans 6:6. buried with him, verse 8 4. risen with him, verse 8 5. as­cended with him, Ephesians 4:8, and they sit in heaven with him, chapter 2:6. It is no more possible for believers to miscarry finally, than for Christ himself to be held under the power of the grave; there is one law for them both: it is a faithful saying, “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him,” 2 Timothy 2:11. If we suffer with him, we shall be glorified together,” Romans 8:17. As Christ once raised, dies no more, chapter 6:9. so none of those raised with him, shall return any more to corruption: for he gave himself for his church; not only to sanctify and cleanse it once, but once for all; and to “present it without spot or wrinkle,” at the last day, Ephesians 5:25,26,27. by that “one offering, he perfected for ever them that are sanctified,” Hebrews 10:14. These are those “sure mercies of David,” recorded in the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah, and explained in the thirteenth chapter of the Acts.

It is not for nothing that our blessed Lord and Savior so often repeats that good word and promise concerning believers, which surely he did as being greatly pleased with the thoughts of it; “I will raise him up at the last day;” and “I will raise him up at the last day,” John 6:39, 40, 44. 54. q. d. “I will be with him to the end of the world, and see him safe in heaven;” and this may be said of it, as by Joseph to Pharaoh, “the thing is doubled, be­cause it is established of God, and he will bring it to pass,” (Jen. 41:32.

Argument 5. Another argument for believers' invincible per­severance, is, that all the attributes of God do stand engaged for it. Virtue invincible has undertaken it; therefore it must needs succeed.

1. Power. In Jeremiah 32:27. God's sovereign power over all flesh is laid down as the ground of their faith, touching their return from captivity, and his giving them a new heart; and for his so keeping them, that they “should not depart from him any more,” as they had done, Jeremiah 82:36—41. So, when he would strengthen his fainting people, he styles himself, “The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, who fainteth not, neither is weary,” Isaiah 40:28, and which is yet more, his right hand, and the arm of his strength are engaged by oath, chapter 42:8, In 2 Timothy 1:12. the apostle argues the certainty of his salva­tion from the power of God; which he could not have done with any good reason or comfort, had not that power been engaged for it. “I am not ashamed—for I know in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that I have committed to him against that day.” And he gives the like counsel to others, where he points at the “power of God, to make all grace abound in them,” 2 Corinthians 9:8. The calling also of the Jews, and grafting them into Christ, is laid on the same rock, for “God is able to graft them in again,” Romans 11:23. Colossians 1:11. In Ephesians chapter 6. he tells them what kind of enemies they were to wrestle with, namely, “prin­cipalities and powers, and spiritual wickednesses in high places,” Ephesians 6:12. a sort of adversaries too potent for spirits housed in clay: but, to harness them fit for the bat­tle, he shows them a power that is higher than those, and, indeed, much more above them, than they above us; and with this he would have them to invest themselves. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” verse 8 10. this is an armor complete; aptly termed, “the whole armor of God,” verse 8 11, and in this strong tower believers arc sale. So likewise in Ephesians chapter l. to confirm them, touching the hope of calling, he brings in the mighty power of God, even “that exceeding greatness of his power, by which he raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principalities and powers, and putting all things un­der his feet,” chapter 1:19—22. where he sets forth Christ as a pattern of what God will do for believers; they shall be rais­ed and set above all, as he was. And though they sometimes fall, (“for there is no man which sinneth not,” 1 Chronicles 6:36.) let it make them more wary, but not discourage them, “for they shall not be utterly cast down,” Psalm 37:24, and this, because '. the Lord upholdeth them with his hand.” The archers may shoot at them, and sorely grieve them; yet shall their “bow abide in strength, and the arms of their hands be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob,” Genesis 49:23,24. And well it is for us that the di­vine power has undertaken this difficult work, and that the scriptures do so clearly avouch it; for nothing less could be a buttress sufficient to stay our faith on, touch­ing our holding out to the end; but because “he is strong in power, not one faileth,” Isaiah 40:26.

2. Wisdom. This is an ability to fit and direct means to their proper end. In matters of less concern, we find the Lord so laying his work that it cannot miscarry. If, therefore, it be his good pleasure to ordain men to salva­tion, his wisdom requires that it be in such a way as is sure to succeed, and that all sorts of impediments be either prevented, or so overruled as not to interrupt, but become subservient to this great end. Having counted his cost, and paid it off, and also begun to build, it behooves his wisdom to see that his work be done, and brought to per­fection, Luke 14:29, 30, and accordingly to provide suita­ble instruments, such as he knows will do, and yet not overdo the thing intended; much like to the husbandman sorting his seed to the nature of the soil, and threshing instruments to the capacity of his grain; he will not use a wheel, where the rod will serve; nor a rod, where the wheel is needful: and this he has from his God, “who instructeth him to discretion,” Isaiah 28:25. 28. So, the Lord “stayeth the rough wind in the day of the eastwind,” chapter 27:8. he does not only design the end of a man's journey, but every step in it is of his ordering, Paul. 37:23. Job 31:4. “the Lord preserveth his going out, and his coming in,” Psalm 121:8. In Isaiah 26:7. the Lord is said “to weigh the path of the just,” which is not meant only of his ob­serving their works, and dispensing to them accordingly; but as prepondering what they are to do, and what is re­quisite for their doing of it, and apportioning their faith and assistance answerably. As at the making of the world “he weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance,” Isaiah 40:12. that its parts might be of equal weight; or, as one that is to run in a race, and must carry weights about him, will be wise to have them equally poised; so the Lord sets one thing against another in our souls' concerns. Paul, therefore, brings in this wisdom of God, as well as his power, to help their faith touching their establishment, Romans 16:25,27, and the apostle Jude, in the close of his epistle, gives glory to God, “as the only wise God,” on the account of “his keeping them from falling; and presenting them faultless before the pre­sence of his glory,” Jude verse 8 24,25.

3. Honor. The concernment of God's honor, is also an important argument for proof of his doctrine: the Lord's manner of dealing with his people of old, and the reason of it, is an instance above contradiction. The promise of giving them Canaan was not more absolute than the prom­ise of salvation to believers; nor was it less clogged with conditions, threatenings, and cautions, which were afterwards added; but, the promise being once made absolute “To thy seed will I give this land,” Genesis 12:7. chapter 15:18 the Lord held himself obliged in honor to make it good. How often did he seem to be pouring out his wrath to destroy them? first in Egypt, then in the wilderness, etc. Ezekiel 20:8—40. And what kept it off, but the interest of his honor? this put him on finding out ways to deliver them; “I wrought (says he) for my name's sake,” verse 8 14. The Lord did, as it were, labor to suppress his righteous fury, incensed by their intolerable provocations, his name and honor were concerned, and that held his hands; he had once made an absolute promise, which therefore must be made good; though they made themselves ever so unworthy of it. We likewise find, in the 48th of Isaiah, that they had dealt very treacherously, than which nothing is more provoking; but says the Lord, “For mine own sake will I defer mine anger: “and again, “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it; for how should my name be polluted?” Isaiah 48:9. 11. The Lord will overlook a thousand trans­gressions, rather than expose his name and honor to re­proach, as once it was by a temporary suspension; to re­cover which, and that his name might be sanctified, he will bring them home again; yea, though it be in the eyes of men a thing impossible; and they themselves do think so likewise; for, “our hope is lost and we are cut off,” Ezekiel 37:11, and, again, my “hope is perished from the Lord,” Lam. 3:18. Whether at home, or abroad, they still caused his name to be profaned; and for this his holy name, he had pity on them, Ezekiel 36:20. for if he should have cast them off for ever, it would have been said, that he did not foresee how unworthy a people they would be; or, he was not able to keep them in their own land, nor to bring them back again; or else, that he was changeable in his purpo­ses, and not true to his word, etc. Some reflection or other they would cast on him, which he would not bear. All which, and much more of a like kind, is applicable to be­lievers with respect to their perseverance.

4. Justice, or Righteousness. There can hardly be found a firmer support, or more full consolation to believers, than that the justice of God is engaged to save them; “for, the righteous Lord loveth righteousness,” Psalm 11:7, and “cannot deny himself.” He would not justify any, no, not his very elect, but in a way consistent with his justice: for which cause, he sent forth his Son a propitiation for sin. Surely, then, having received the atonement, he will not expose his justice to censure, by leaving them in any. wise obnoxious to condemnation. Salvation now is their due, his grace has made it so, by both giving and accept­ing such a price for it, as engageth righteousness itself to save them; for, “who shall condemn, since it is Christ that died?” Romans 8:34. it is as righteous a thing with God to give rest to his people, as tribulation to those that trouble them, 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7. Paul therefore builds his expectation of the crown on this attribute, as well as any other; “henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteous­ness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day,” 2 Timothy 4:8. The righteousness of God se­cures to them their holding out, “to finish their course, and to keep the faith,” as well as the reward when their work is done. “God is not unrighteous to forget his people's labor of love,” Hebrews 6:10. much less Christ's. This gave the apostle to be persuaded better things of those he writes to, than to be subject to falling away, Hebrews 6:9. The blood of the everlasting covenant, is engaged to make them perfect in every good work, to do his will, chapter 13:20, 21. Yea, they shall bring forth fruit in their old age, Psalm 92:14, and this, to declare that the Lord is upright, and no unrighteousness in him, verse 15.

5. The faithfulness, or truth of God, is also concerned in the final perseverance of believers. For, having drawn them from all created bottoms, to a total reliance on himself he cannot but give them that they have trusted him for. The Lord will not be to his people, as that broken staff Egypt was to the Jews, to fail them at their greatest need; which is, when they are lost, driven away, broken, and sick, and perhaps have no mind to return; as Ephraim, who “went on frowardly,” Isaiah 57:17, 18. then is the fit time for the faithfulness of God to discover itself, by seeking them out, bringing them back, binding them up, healing, and comforting them. Ezekiel 34:1.6. To heal their backslidings, as it shows the freeness of God's love, so his faithfulness. “The Lord will not behold iniquity in Ja­cob,” Numb. 23:21. that is, he will not take notice of it, so as to recede from his word; for he could not but see their perverseness and murmurings; for which he punished them severely; and sometimes made as if he would disobey them: but still he remembered his covenant, and that restrained it; the Lord had blessed, and therefore men could not reverse it; neither themselves, by their insuf­ferable contumacy, nor Balaam with his enchantments, verse 20. “The Lord loveth judgment” that is, truth and faithfulness, and “therefore he forsaketh not his saints, they are preserved for ever,” Psalm 37:28. The saints are in league with God, “they have made a covenant with him by sacrifice,” Psalm 50:5, and it is a league of his own propounding, by which he has obliged himself to protect them. And though men may break their compacts, the holy One of Israel will not; “he is not ft man, that he should lie, nor the son of man, that he should repent,” Numb. 23:19. David having made God his fortress, con­cludes from thence, that “the name of God was engaged to lead, and to guide him,” Psalm 16:1. with Psalm 31:8, 4. Those Corinthians were as liable to temptations, as other men who fell by them; for they had strong re­mainders of corruption, as appears by both the epistles, and a subtle adversary to observe and draw it out; besides, they were highly gifted, and so the more ready to think themselves above the rank of ordinary Christians; than which nothing could more expose them to danger: but not­withstanding all these disadvantages, they shall be kept the faithfulness of God, that secures them, and “shall con­firm them to the end,” 1 Corinthians 1:8, 9. for “God is faithful, (says he,) by whom ye were called;” it is as if he had said, God would never have called you into the fellowship of his Son, if he had not resolved to keep you there. So, again, he tells them, “God will not suffer them to be tempted above what they are able,” 1 Corinthians 10:13, and he brings it in as an inference from the faithfulness of God. He likewise lays the stress of his confidence for the Thessalonians' being preserved blameless to the coming of Christ, on the same attribute; “Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it,” 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24. And when he would move the Hebrews to purpose, to hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering, he uses the same engine, “faithful is he that promised,” Hebrews 10:23. Peter, also directs the saints to “commit their souls to God, in well doing, as to a faithful Creator,” 1 Pet, 4:19. Now, the scripture always propounds to us, such attributes and motives as are proper to the matter in hand; and, therefore, in styling God, here, a “faithful Creator,” it is as much as to say “he that has wrought you for this selfsame thing is God,” 2 Corinthians 5:5. who is faithful to his purpose, or first intent of his work, and will therefore perfect it, notwithstanding the fiery trial you are to pass under, 1 Peter 4:12. you may therefore build on it, and commit yourselves to him accordingly; for “his faithfulness shall not fail,” Psalm 89:33, and, consequently, not yours.

6. Mercy. This attribute also freely contributes to the saints' perseverance. Mercy respects men in distress, to support and bring them out, not having of their own to help themselves: this, none are so sensible of as believers; them, therefore, will mercy especially provide for; Hog. 14:3. “In thee the fatherless find mercy.”  Psalm 59:10. ^M The God of mercy shall preserve me.”  Mercy is the name of God, and his glory, Exodus 34:7. Mercy is his way, “and all the paths of the Lord are mercy,” Psalm 25:10, and it is his pleasant path, called, therefore, his delight, Micah, 7:18. it pleaseth him above any thing; yea, “he takes pleasure in them that hope in his mercy,” Psalm 147:11. We may say, in a good sense, “his throne (that is, his glory in the world,) is upholden by mercy,” Proverbs 20:28. It is mercy that makes men to fear him, Psalm 130:4. The 186th Psalm throughout, is an enco­mium of mercy, as that which doeth all for us; and this, because it “endureth for verse 8.  In the 138th Psalm, the prophet grounds his confidence, touching his perseverance, on this attribute expressly, namely, that God would perfect that which concerned him, “because his mercy, (which began the work,) endureth for verse 8. The great covenant is founded in mercy, and is therefore styled, “the sure mercies of David,” Isaiah 55:3. I shall not add more touching this attribute: for if all the rest be on our side, (as you see they are,) the mercy of God must needs be for us; for it is that, indeed, which has engaged and brought in all the rest.

Argument 6. The saints' perseverance may also be argued from the ends of their being, with the author of those ends: this the scripture puts weight on. Their ends are to glorify God, and to be glorified with him; but neither of these can be attained without persevering; not the first; for nothing so dishonors God as apostasy: not the latter, because such only as endure to the end shall be saved. They must, therefore, persevere, or those ends will be frustrated; which will not stand with the author's interest or authority. That these were the ends of their being is evident, Isaiah 43:21. “These people have I formed for myself;” and verse 7. “I created him for my glory.” The apostle also is very express for it, in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. where, speaking of that divine building in the heavens, prepared for believers, he tells us, “they were wrought for that self­same thing.” The manner of expression is worthy of re­mark: it is not barely said this end or this thing, we are made for; but in effect, this very thing, and nothing else, to be sure nothing less, was the scope and end of our cre­ation, both old and new, even of all God's workmanship on us. And as evident it is, that God himself is the author of those ends, and that therefore they cannot mis­carry. On this ground the Lord would have his people to found an undauntable confidence; as may well be gathered from his so frequent indicating of it. In Isaiah 43. ik. thus fortifies them against the sorest of evils; “fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee;” and verse 8 7. “I have created him; I have formed him; yea, I have made him, I, even I the Lord,” verse 11, and chapter 41:10. “Fear thou not, for I am with thee: I will strengthen thee, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee: “the emphasis lies in the person active, I, that is, I the Lord, a note of infinite significancy and security to believers! the apostle also in 2 Corinthians 5. that believers might know themselves invincibly secu­red, points us to God, as the great author of those important ends, and almighty undertaker for their accomplishment; “he that wrought us for the selfsame thing is God.” It is as if he had said; it is impossible we should lose the thing we were wrought for, because it is God that wrought it for us. It is not the designment of an idol; that is, of some ignorant, rash, fallible, or mutable agent, such a one as may possibly be surprised by unlooked for accidents, circumvented by a sublime understanding, over­borne by a power above him, or recede from his purpose through levity and fickleness of his nature, etc. But it is God, who is “wise in heart, and mighty in strength,” Job 9:4. It is he from whom all things that are have their being, and are perfectly under his rule and obeisance. He had eternity before him, to lay his design surely; and accordingly, “he declared the end from the beginning.” It is therefore as impossible for him either to do, or neg­lect to do, or suffer to be done, any thing whereby his purpose might suffer disappointment; as it is impossible that God should lie. He would never have set up those ends as the sum and substance of his design, if he had not determined to see them made good. And therefore, as says the apostle, “We are always confident, that when absent from the body, we shall be present with the Lord,” 2 Corinthians 5:6. 8. This is also further confirmed by that com­pendious promise, Jeremiah 31:b3. “I will be their God, and they shall be my people: “every word here has a peculiar emphasis; 1. That he will be a God to them; 2. Their God; and, 3. for ever: this I will, imports both a fixed resolution, and time without limit. It is as if he had said, though other lords have had the rule over you, and you have still a proneness to revolt to them, it shall not be; I will not be excluded any more; I will heal your backslidings, and be your God still; I will carry it towards you, as becomes a God to do; and I will make you such a people, as becometh God to own: “I will not be ashamed to be called your God,'' Hebrews 11:16. It would indeed be both a disparagement and dissatisfaction to God, if his people should fail of that he made them for; which certain­ly cannot be, because God is theirs; and if God be theirs, all things are theirs, both this world and that to come, 1 Corinthians 3:22, 23.

Argument 7. Lastly. For the final perseverance of be­lievers, a principal argument is derived from the sover­eign decree of election. I call it sovereign, partly because it is the highest manifestation of God's absolute dominion over his creatures, in choosing whom he would, and pass­ing by the rest: partly, also, because all sorts of things what­soever are subjected to it, and made subservient to its final accomplishment. And this I take for a principal reason why election is so frequently placed in eternity, or before the foundation of the world, namely, to show, that the very fabric of the world and all occurrences therein, were so contrived and framed in God's decree, as having election for their primary scope and end: that this first cause is the supreme moderator of all intermediate causes, and is itself subject to none. It was not any loveliness in elect persons which moved God to love them at first; so neither shall their unlovely backslidings deprive them of it, though it may be eclipsed by their own default, to the breaking of their bones. The Lord chose them for that blessed image of his own, which he would afterwards imprint on them; and this he still prosecutes through all dispensations.

That elect nation was the Jews; they apostatized from  3od, and did worse than any other; yet would not the Lord utterly cast them off. In Samuel's time their wickedness was very great; yet, saith he (to stay them from total apostasy,) “The Lord will not forsake you: “but what is the ground of that his confidence, and grand warranty⁷ The very same that now we are on: “The Lord will not forsake you, because it has pleased the Lord to make you his people: “not because they remembered their duty, and returned to God; but because “he remembered them for his covenant” in pursuance whereof he long maintained their title, notwithstanding their often repeated forfeitures; and, when in captivity, brought them home again.

And, indeed, there is nothing so melts the hearts of those in covenant with God, as that “the Lord should be paci­fied towards them after all their abominations,” Ezekiel 16:63. The manner of God's dealings with his people is es­pecially instructive to help the faith of the spiritual elec­tion on all occasions, as holding forth the special regard the Lord has for them, because of his covenant: that though he may and will punish their iniquities, yet his loving kind­ness he will not take from them. And he puts it still on his having once chosen them, as ye have it in Jeremiah 41:9. “I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.” This latter clause, “and not cast thee away,'' seems added to shew, that his choosing them was an act unrepeatable, q. d. I knew beforehand what thou wouldest do, and how thou wouldest prove; and if I had meant ever to cast thee off; yea, if I had not resolved against it, I would not have cho­sen thee at all: but, since I have, be sure I will stand by thee; “I will strengthen thee; I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” It is true, the body of that nation, for their unbelief, are now broken off; there is a suspension of the outward part of the covenant: not that God intends an utter rejection of them: for such as have part in the special election are al­ways saved, Romans 11:7, and the time will come when all Israel shall be saved; for as touching the election, they are beloved still, though yet unborn. For their sakes it was, that “those days of tribulation were shortened,” Matthew 24:22. which answers to that in Isaiah 65:8. “Destroy it not, there is a blessing in it.” The Lord will not so much re­gard what they have done 01 deserved, as what his covenant is concerning Abraham's seed; which minding of his cove­nant, is from the unchangeableness of his purpose; and, therefore, though broken off at present, “they shall be grafted in again,” verse 8 24. though driven into all lands; scattered into corners; mingled with the heathen; and be­come so like them, as not to be known asunder; yet being his chosen, and within his covenant, he will bring them out of their holes, and gather them one by one, Isaiah 27:12. he will do it so accurately, exactly, punctually, that none shall be wanting, “though sifted among all nations, “not one grain shall fall to the earth,” Amos 9:9. The reservation mentioned in Romans 11. was God's omnipotent safeguarding his elect, when the rest of the nation fell to idolatry: they had gone all, as well as some, had not election held them hack; it is therefore said to be according to the election of grace: election was the pattern, and reservation the copy of it. And that this was not a single case, or restrained to that present time, is evident from Matthew 24. where our Savior foretells, that the subtlety of deceivers, and tempta­tions of the times, shall be such, and the torrent rise to that strength, that it will be next to impossible not to be carried away by it; but for the elect, they are safeguarded: how? By the coming in of the first and sovereign cause, by the virtue of which, the whole force and influence of those second causes shall either be prevented, or removed, miti­gated, inverted, shortened, or overruled, Matthew 24:22, and the faith of his sealed ones so confirmed, that they shall not l»o hurt by them, Ezekiel 9:6. Revelation 7:3. yea, and which is more, those very things which are destructive to others shall work life in them. This turned Balaam's curse into a blessing to Israel, Deuteronomy 23:5, and Paul's afflictions to his salvation, Phil, 2:19. they are to them a cause of” lifting up the head,” Luke 21:28. And if it were not so, the apos­tle could not exhort us to “count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations,” James 1:2. but that in the midst thereof “he keepeth the feet of his saints,” 1 Samuel 2:9. for, says God, “they are my people; children that will not lie,” Isaiah 63:8. q. d. They are of those I have chosen, and set apart for myself, and therefore they shall not frustrate my purpose in choosing them; which seems implied in the word so, '. so he was their Savior;” I will save them, because I have made them my people.

And, further, it is worthy your notice, that this sove­reign decree is always regnant; a kingdom that beareth rule over all, and shall never be broken, Daniel 2:44. Psalm 89:

34. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips: my covenant shall stand fast with him,” verse 8 28. It. is meant of the covenant made with David and his house; or rather with Christ and his spi­ritual seed, of whom David was a type. And thus we might have strong consolation, the Lord is pleased to bind it with an oath; “once,” (that is, once for all, and once for ever; it was so full, perfect, and absolute, that it needed no alteration, amendment, or repetition,) “once have [ sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie to David,” verse 8, 35. And how impossible it was that this covenant should be broken, appears by Jeremiah, who, speaking in the name of the Lord, delivers it thus; “If you can break my cove­nant of the day, and my covenant of the night, that, there should not be day and night in their season; then may also my covenant be broken with David, my servant,” Jeremiah 33:20, 21. Here note, by the way, that day and night take their turns; but still it is in their season. And David him­self says of it, that “it is a covenant everlasting, ordered in all things, and sure,” 2 Samuel 23:5. that is, whatever might possibly fall in to interrupt it, there was that order observed in the composition of the covenant, and such a power laid up within it, as should certainly overrun and barred down those impediments, triumph over all, and hold on its way; as all the tempests and tumults that happen in this lower world can in no wise obstruct the course and harmony of the superior orbs. He therefore declares in high, yet humble expressions, that he desires no other or better security for his salvation. And it is not unlikely that David and Solomon were both of them left to those great and grievous backslidings, to give proof of the sureness of this covenant, which indeed was sufficiently done by them, and tried to the uttermost: for they both broke the covenant on their part, and yet the covenant was not nulled: no thanks to them, but to that sovereign grace, that had laid in provi­sion before to prevent it, by making it absolute and unrepealable. Yet will not the Lord connive at their miscar­riages; but “if his children forsake my law, and break my statutes, 1 will visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes: nevertheless, my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail,” Psalm 89:31, 32, 33. There was, in­deed, at times, a seeming to make void this covenant) ver, 39, and great complaints are made on it, as well there might; but it revives, and looks fresh again; joy comes in the morning; as is evident by the close of that Psalm, “Blessed be the Lord for evermore, Amen, and Amen!” Its return was the more welcome for its temporary absence; and therefore he meets with a double gratulation, Amen, and Amen! It was but in a little wrath that he hid his face from them, and that but for a moment of time! “but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed;—but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that has mercy on thee,” Isaiah 54:8.10. In Jeremiah another impossibility is instanced, to shew the eternal validity of this covenant; “Thus saith the Lord, if heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel, for all that they have done, saith the Lord,” Jeremiah 31:37. the Lord, you see, has made himself both the alpha and omega of this great sentence; to shew that both ends of the covenant are in his own hands.

By these scriptures, with many others, it is apparent, there shall be no failure on God's part, and consequently none at all, because he has taken on himself the perform­ance of the whole; not so as to exempt us from our duty, but to reduce us to it, and carry us through it: believers, therefore, shall be invincibly secured to the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls.

Yet doth not this doctrine go free of contradiction; and, truly, considering how plain and pertinent the scripture is for it, it may well be conjectured, that if the first impugners of perseverance had not found themselves in a toil, and necessitated to oppose it, for the maintenance of other principles they had before espoused, and which would not stand with this, they would never have set themselves against it. But errors (like truths in that) do hang together, or as links in a chain; the first mover draws the rest after it: but I trust, through help from above, all the objections that are laid against this doctrine shall, by one hand or other, prove to its farther confirmation. The chief that have occurred to me are these that follow; and if I had met with any more considerable, I trust I should not have shunned their trial.

Objection: The doctrine of absolute perseverance deprives men of the sharpest bit which God has given them to curb the unregenerate part of the soul; we mean the fear and dread of eternal fire.

Answer: The law is good, if lawfully used; so is fear, in its time and place; but out of that. it is as a bone out of joint. The law works by fear, as a schoolmaster to Christ: it is ordinarily the first occasion of our motion towards believing. The heir, whilst a child, may be under the tutor­age of fear: but when faith is grown up, then cast out the bondwoman and her son; fear shall not be heir with faith; for, though it be a good servant, it is an ill master. For fear to predominate over faith, is for ^w servants to ride, while princes walk on the earth, which is an error the earth cannot bear,” Ecclesiastes 10:5. 7. with Proverbs 30:21,22. Be­lievers, especially such as know themselves so to be, “re­ceive not the spirit of bondage again to fear,” Romans 8:15. they are actuated now by another principle, as a horse that is thoroughly broke and well tempered, is better managed by a gentle hand than a biting curb. Faith works by love: it is not henceforth the fear of wrath, but the sense of Christ's love, in delivering from wrath, that both curbs the unrege­nerate part, and carries to higher acts of obedience than fear is capable of, although, at times, all sorts of motives may be needful to keep us going; and the Lord, for exercise of our graces, and other holy ends, may let the dearest of his children long conflict with their fears, under which he yet supports them, and brings them forth like gold at last.

See Ethan's complaint, and the close he makes, in the 89th Psalm: see also that excellent treatise, “A Child of Light walking in Darkness,” etc. by Dr. Goodwin.

There are two sorts of fear; of God, and of the creature. Creature fear believers are still called from, and with good reason, as ye will find after. Godly fear is quite another thing; it is a grace of the largest import: no saving grace, but this fear is put for it, or joined with it; which juncture shows its import in that place. It is sometimes put for faith, Genesis 22:12. with Hebrews 11:17. sometimes for love, Psalm 130:4. with Luke 7:47. for reverence also, Psalm 89:7. Lev. 19:3. Hebrews 12:28. for vigilance and circumspec­tion, 2 Corinthians 7:11. for subjection, or observance, Mai. 1:6. Holiness also is coupled with fear, 2 Corinthians 7:1. So is meekness, 1 Peter 3:15. So also is knowledge, wisdom, and good understanding, Proverbs 1:7. Psalm Ill: 12. Some­times the whole of religious worship is intended by it, Judges 6:10. Isaiah 8:13. Job 1:1, and 8. This fear ariseth from the sight of God's holiness, greatness, just severity against sin, with the freeness of his grace, sureness of his covenant, fullness that is in Christ, and our interest in him, wherewith that slavish fear of hell will not consist. On this account, the Lord our God is said to be a “fearful name,” Deuteronomy 28:59. that is, it is the only object worthy of our faith, love, reverence, and religious worship: and, ac­cording to this sense of the word, “Blessed is the man that feareth always.” But, touching the fear of hell, as supposed the best to curb sin, and promoter of persever­ance, it ought to be rejected. How far it may influence an unregenerate person, as a curb to his lusts, is not the ques­tion here; but if Saul and Judas ran headlong to hell, with this bit in their mouths, then the sharpest bit is not the most effectual curb. Arguments against it are obvious; 1. That by which God purifies the heart, and whereby believ­ers are strengthened to a concurrence with him in that work, is surely the properest curb to sin: that also which weakens and tends to destroy the root, must, needs be more effec­tual than that which only hinders some puttings of it forth: but all this is done by faith; this lays the axe to the root: “By faith God purifies the heart,” Acts 15:9, and “every one that has this hope, purifieth himself, as he is pure,” 1 John 8:3. There is no such virtue ascribed to the fear of hell; but, plainly, the spirit of fear is opposed to the spirit of love, of faith, and of a sound mind, 2 Timothy 1:7. 2. That which has the place of an end in Christ's deliver­ing from enemies, can be no let to perseverance; but, that we might serve God “without fear,” has the place of an end in that deliverance, Luke 1:74, 75. 3. That which the scripture holds forth as an help to perseverance, cannot be an hindrance to it; but the scripture holds forth faith and confidence in God as a principal help to perseverance, Rom, 6:12. 14. Hebrews 3:14. chapter 10:55. 4. That which irritates the unregenerate part, cannot be said to curb it: but this does the fear of wrath; “When the commandment came, sin revived,” Romans 7:9. that is, it took occasion, by the law's restraint, to rise the more powerful against it; and so, the “law worketh wrath,” chapter 4:15. as a torrent stopped in its course, grows more impetuous. Cain was an instance of this, Genesis 4:5, and even Paul, in his unregeneracy, Romans 7:10, 11. when thoroughly convinced of sin, if grace step not in as its guardian, the soul is undone. That scripture, Matthew 10:28. gives the objection no coun­tenance; the fear there intended, is that which has faith and love in it: “Fear not them which kill the body, but fear him that is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The two objects of fear he puts in the balance; to shew how little reason we have to shun our duty for fear of men, whose power can but reach to a bodily death; and how much more to fear him, that has the keys of death and of hell; that is, who has power to cast into hell, might justly have done it, and yet has saved us from it: and this fear is love; as is evident by Matthew 10:37. where speaking of the same thing, namely, cleaving to Christ, parting with all for him, it is expressly called love: “He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me: “and, for aught that appears to the contrary, it might be the fear of hell that made the slothful servant to hide his talent; “I knew thee, that thou art an hard man; and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth,” Matthew 25:24, 25. It is also to be observed, that before the great tribunal, the fear­ful and unbelieving stand linked together, Revelation 21:8. But whatever influence the fear of hell may have on per­sons unregenerate, as a curb to their lusts, the doctrine of perseverance deprives not of it, for this concerns only believers.

The objection is further excepted against, 1. Because it puts an indignity on the wisdom of God, as if he had taken from believers some expedient help to perseverance, by giving them absolute promises; whereas, we should rather suspect our own understandings, and re­nounce those opinions, which necessitate such unnatural de­ductions to support them: for, do but separate the promises from their absoluteness, and their strength is gone; they would prove, as the law, “weak, through the weakness of the flesh,” Romans 8:3. The Lord knows that believers have the most difficult work, and deepest sense of their own insufficiency, and that nothing more weakens their hands, than doubting and fears, and for that very cause has made his promises absolute. Thus he armed Joshua to the battle; “There shall not a man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee;” and thence draws him an argument, to be “strong, and of a good courage,” Josh. 1:5, 6. Thus also Samuel, in the place before mentioned, when the people were greatly perplexed because of God's displeasure towards them: to confirm them in their duty, he comforts them against their fears; “Fear not, ye have done all this wick­edness, yet turn not aside from following the Lord,” 1 Samuel 12:20. And what is the strong reason by which he fixes them? “For the Lord will not forsake his people,” verse 8 22. Paul, likewise, exhorting believers to that great duty of keeping down sin, that it might not reign, because the sharpness and heat of the conflict might otherwise make them recoil, he gives them, as an high cordial, assurance of victory; tells them expressly, that “sin shall not have dominion over them,” Romans 6:14. Of the same mind were Peter and John; the one directs “to give all diligence to make our calling and election sure;” and this, as a prin­cipal means to “keep us from falling,” 2 Peter 1:10, and the other makes it the very scope of his whole epistle, that believers might know they have eternal life, and that they might “go on in believing,” 1 John 5:13. “Which kind of arguments had been very improper, and unduly applied, if giving them assurance, touching the event, bad not been a strengthening of them in their duty, and much more, if it would have proved an indulgence to the flesh.

2. Let fear be considered in its ordinary and natural ef­fects; and it will easily appear, that nothing is less pleasing to God, or more unapt for the service of perseverance. As a man's principle is, such will be his obedience; slavish observance is the best that slavish fear can produce, which is no way acceptable to an ingenuous spirit: God loves a cheerful giver, not Samaritan worship, ^u for fear of lions,” 2 Kings 17:25. Such service will also be weak and wav­ering; for nothing so unsettles the mind as fear; it enerv­ates the soul, and takes away its strength: “Nabal's heart died within him for fear,” 1 Samuel 25:37, and the soldiers that kept the sepulcher were as “dead men for fear,” Matthew 28:4. the obedience, therefore, which comes from thence can be but a dead obedience; the effect cannot rise higher than the cause. Pharaoh let Israel go because of the plagues, which being a little removed, he repents his obe­dience, and chides himself for it, Exodus 14:5, and those hypocrites, though fearfullness had surprised them, remain­ed hypocrites still, Isaiah 33:14. This fear will also consist with the greatest impieties: those very Samaritans, who thus feared the Lord, did also worship their graven images, 2 Kings 17:41.

3. Fear puts on using unlawful means: Isaac to deny his wife, Genesis 26:7. David to lie, and feign himself mad, 1 Samuel 21:13. Peter, and other holy men, to dissemble, Galatians 2:12, 13. It