CHAP. XVII. Of the Perseverance of the Saints. HEY whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called Tand wantified by his can neither totally not finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved a. II. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; the abiding of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. Rom. ix. 16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Tit. iii. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. d Psal. xiv. 4. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord. Psal. xxxvi. 3. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. Job. xxi. 14. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. Ver. 15. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Mat. xxv. 41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Ver. 42. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Ver. 43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Ver. 45. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Mat. xxiii. 23. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cuminin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. I. a Phil. i. 6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. John x. 28. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Ver. 29. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 1 John iii. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 Pet. i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Ver. 9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. II. b 2 Tim. ii. 18. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Ver. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Jer. xxxi. 3. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. c Heb. x. 10. By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Ver. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Heb. xiii. 20. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Ver. 21. Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Ver. 13. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; Ver. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God? Ver. 15. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Rom. viii. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; er. 34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also Ver. 35. Who maketh intercession for us. of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them; and the nature of the covenant of grace from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof. III. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and for a time continue therein h: whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit ; come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts'; have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded"; hurt and scandalize others", and bring temporal judgments upon themselves P. shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Ver. 36. (As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.) Ver. 37. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. Ver. 38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Ver. 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. John xvii. 11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. Ver. 24. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. Luke xxii. 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Heb. vii. 25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. d John xiv. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Ver. 17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 1 John ii. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you; and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 1 John iii. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. e Jer. xxxii. 40. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. f Jolin x. 28. And I give unto them eter nal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. 2 Thess. iii. 3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 1 John ii. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. III. g Matth. xxvi. 70. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. Ver. 72. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. Ver. 74. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. h Psal. li. [the title.] To the chief musician, A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Ver. 14. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. i Isa. lxiv. 5. Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness; those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. Ver. 7. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. Ver. 9. Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. 2 Sam. xi. 27. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. k Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 1 Psal. li. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Ver. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Ver. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Rev. ii. 4. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Cant. v. 2. I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, A CHAP. XVIII. Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation. LTHOUGH hypocrites, and other unregenerate inen, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of salvation; which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God; which hope shall never make them ashamed. II. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. Ver. 3. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? Ver. 4. My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. Ver. 6. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. m Isa. lxiii. 17. O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. Mark vi. 52. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Mark xvi. 14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. n Psal. xxxii. 3. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old, through my roaring all the day long: Ver. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Psal. li. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. • 2 Sam. xii. 14. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. P Psal. lxxxix. 31. If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Ver. 32. Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 1 Cor. xi. 32. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. I. a Job viii. 13. So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: Ver. 14. Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. Micah iii. 11. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. Deut. xxix. 19. And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst. John viii. 41. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. b Mat. vii. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Ver. 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. c1 John ii. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John iii. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren: he that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Ver. 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed, and in truth. Ver. 19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. Ver. 21. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. Ver. 24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him: and hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit that he hath given us. 1 John v. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." d Rom. v. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Ver. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us, II. e Heb. vi. 11. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end. Ver. 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the vail. faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of Godh: which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption'. III. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties, before he be partaker of it: yet, being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of ordinary means, attain thereunto. And therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure; that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience ", the proper fruits of this assurance: so far is it from inclining men to looseness °. f Heb. vi. 17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; Ver. 18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lic, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. 8 2 Pet. i. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Ver. 5. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge. Ver. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: Ver. 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 1 John ii. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1 John iii. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren: he that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 2 Cor. i. 12. For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. h Rom. viii. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Ver. 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. i Eph. i. 13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ver. 14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 2 Cor. i. 21. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Ver. 22. Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. III. k1 John v. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Isa. 1. 10. Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Mark ix. 24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. [See Psal. lxxxviii. throughout. Psal. lxxvii. to the 12th Verse.] 11 Cor. ii. 12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 John iv. 13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. Heb. vi. 11. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end: Ver. 12. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Eph. iii. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, Ver. 18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; Ver. 19. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. m 2 Pet. i. 10. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. n Rom. v. 1. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through IV. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as, by negligence in preserving of it; by falling into some special sin, which woundeth the conscience, and grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation; by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness, and to have no light P: yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ: Ver. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Ver. 5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us. Rom. xiv. 17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom. xv. 13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Eph. i. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; Ver. 4. Accord ing as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Psal. iv. 6. There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Ver. 7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. Psal. cxix. 32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. o 1 John ii. 1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: Ver. 2. And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. Rom. vi. 1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Ver. 2. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Tit. ii. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Ver. 12. Teaching us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Ver. 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Ver. 12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 1 John iii. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Ver. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Psal. exxx. 4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 1 John i. 6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: Ver. 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. IV. P Cant. v. 2. I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. Ver. 3. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? Ver. 6. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. Psal. li. 8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Ver. 12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Ver. 14. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. Eph. iv. 30. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ver. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. Psal. Ixxvii. Î. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. Ver. 2. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. Ver. 3. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. Ver. 4. Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. Ver. 5. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. Ver. 6. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart; and my spirit made diligent search. Ver. 7. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Ver. 8. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Ver. 9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. Ver. 10. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will re |