Chapter 17: Of Perseverance of the Saints

17.1 They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally, nor finally, fall away from the state of Grace: but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

17.1 They whom God hath accepted in his beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.

17.1 Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious Faith of his Elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of Grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved, seeing the Gifts and Callings of God are without Repentance, (whence he still begets and nourisheth in them Faith, Repentance, Love, Joy, Hope, and all the Graces of the Spirit unto Immortality) and though many Storms and Floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that Foundation and Rock which by Faith they are fastned upon: Notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of the Light, and Love of God, may for a time be clouded, and obscured from them, yet it is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the Power of God unto Salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased Possession, they being engraven upon the Palm of his Hands, and their Names having been written in the Book of Life from all Eternity.

17.2 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 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.

17.2 This Perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own free-will, but upon the immutability of the Decree of Election, from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, and union with him, the Oath of God, the abiding of his 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.

17.2 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 and Union with him, the Oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the Seed of God within them, and the Nature of the Covenant of Grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallability thereof.

17.3 Neverthelesse, 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: whereby they incurre Gods displeasure, and grieve his holy Spirit, come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, have their hearts hardned, and their consciences wounded, hurt, and scandalize others, and bring temporall judgements upon themselves.

17.3 And though they may through the temptation 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, whereby they incur Gods displeasure, and grieve his holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts impaired, have their hearts hardned, and their consciences wounded, hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgements upon themselves; yet they are and shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

17.3 And though they may, through the temptation of Satan, and of the World, the prevalency of Corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of Means of their preservation, fall into grievous Sins, and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur God’s displeasure, and grieve his holy Spirit, come to have their Graces and Comforts impaired, have their Hearts hardened, and their Consciences wounded, hurt, and scandalize others, and bring temporal Judgments upon themselves, yet they shall renew their Repentance, and be preserved, through Faith in Christ Jesus, to the end.