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would be absurd, if he had power of himself lose any member of his body mystical, and

to persevere." And, saith St Austin, "if all the power be inherent in a man's self, then why should not one persevere as well as another? Why not Judas as well as Peter?" So that it is not by any other than the power of God that we are kept. As the Lord preserved Israel from perishing in the wilderness, till he brought them to Canaan: the same care will he take, if not in a miraculous manner, yet in a spiritual invisible manner, in preserving his people in a state of grace, till he bring them to the celestial Canaan. As the heathens feigned of Atlas, that he did bear up the heavens from falling, the power of God is that Atlas which bears up the saints from falling. It is disputed, whether grace of itself may not perish, as Adam's; yet sure I am, grace kept by the power of God cannot perish.

3. The third argument is taken ab electione,-from God's electing love. Such as God hath from all eternity elected to glory cannot fall away finally; but every true believer is elected to glory, therefore he cannot fall away. What can frustrate election, or make God's decree void? This argument stands like Mount Sion, which cannot be moved; insomuch that some of the Papists hold, that those who have absolute election cannot fall away, 2 Tim. ii. 19, "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." The foundation of God is nothing else but God's decree in election; and this stands sure, God will not alter it, others cannot.

be perfect? In short, Si unus excidat quare non et alter? If one believer may be broken off from Christ, then, by the same rule, why not another? Why not all? And so Christ should be a head without a body.

5. The fifth argument is taken ab emptione,-from the nature of a purchase. A man will not lay down his money for a purchase which may be lost, and the fee-simple alienated. Christ died, that he might purchase us as a people to himself for ever, Heb. ix. 12, "Having obtained eternal redemption for us." Would Christ, think ye, have shed his blood that we might believe in him for a while, and then fall away? Do we think Christ will lose his purchase?

6. The sixth argument is, a victoria supra mundum,—from a believer's 'victory over the world.' The argument stands thus: He who overcomes the world, doth persevere in grace; but a believer doth overcome the world, therefore he perseveres in grace, 1 John v. 4, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." A man may lose a single battle in the field, yet at last win the victory. A child of God may be foiled in a single battle against temptation (as Peter was) but at last he is victorious. Now, if a saint be crowned victor,-if the world be conquered by him, he must needs persevere. I come next to answer some objections of the Arminians.

1st, The first objection of Arminians, is, If a believer shall persevere in grace, then, to what purpose are all those admonitions in scripture? "Let him take heed lest he fall," 1 Cor. x. 12. And Heb. iv. 1, “Let us

These admonitions seem to be superfluous and vain, if a saint shall certainly persevere.

4. The fourth argument is taken, ab unione cum Christo,-from believers' union with Christ. They are knit to Christ, as the members to the head, by the nerves and liga-fear, lest any of you seem to come short." ments of faith, so that they cannot be broken off, Eph. iii. What was once said of Christ's natural body, is true of his mystical. "A bone of it shall not be broken." As it is not possible to sever the leaven and the dough when they are once mingled and kneaded together, so it is impossible, when Christ and believers are once united, ever to be separated: Christ and his members make one body. Now, is it possible that any part of Christ should perish? How can Christ

ANS. No, these counsels and admonitions are necessary to caution believers against carelessness; they are as goads and spurs to quicken them to a greater diligence in working out their salvation. These admonitions do not imply the saints can fall away, but they are preservatives to keep them from falling away. Christ told some

of his disciples, they should abide in him, yet may have a kind of taste of the sweetness he exhorts them to abide in him, John xv. of religion, but his taste doth not nourish.

His exhorting them was not in the least to question their abiding in him, but to awaken their diligence, and make them pray the harder that they might abide in him.

There is a great deal of difference between one that takes a gargle and a cordial: the gargle only washeth his mouth,―he tastes it, and puts it out again,-but a cordial is drunk 2dly, The second objection is, Heb. vi. 4, down which nourisheth and cherisheth the "It is impossible for those who were once spirits. The hypocrite, who hath only some enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly smack or taste of religion (as one tastes a gift, and were made partakers of the Holy gargle), may fall away. 4. And have felt Ghost, and have tasted the good work of "the powers of the world to come:" that is, God and the powers of the world to come, if they may have such apprehensions of the they shall fall away, to renew them again glory of heaven, as to be affected with it, unto repentance." and seem to have some joy in the thoughts ANS. This place of scripture hath no force of it, yet fall away as in the parable of the in it, for the apostle here speaks of hypocrites. stony ground, Matt. xiii. 20. All this is He shows how far they may go, yet fall spoken of the hypocrite; but it doth not away. 1. "They who were once enlighten- therefore prove, that the true believer, who ed:" Men may have great illuminations, yet is effectually wrought upon, can fall away. fall away. Was not Judas enlightened? 2. Though meteors fall, it doth not therefore They have been made " partakers of the follow, that true stars fall. That this scripHoly Ghost," the common gifts of the Spi- ture speaks not of sound believers, is clear rit, not the special grace. 3. They have from ver. 9, "But we are persuaded better "tasted the good word of God." Tasting things of you, and things that accompany here is opposed to eating; the hypocrite salvation."

OF PERSEVERANCE.

"My

1 PET. i. 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Use 1st. SEE the excellency of grace, it voice, and I know them, and they follow me: perseveres: other things are but for a season, and I give unto them eternal life." -health and riches are sweet, but they are sheep," there is election; "hear my voice," but for a season, but grace is a blossom of there is vocation; " and I know them," eternity. The seed of God remains, 1 John there is justification; " and I give unto them iii. 9. Grace may suffer an eclipse, not a eternal life," there is glorification. How dissolution. It is called substance, for its may this make us love God, and set up the solidity, Prov. viii. 21; and durable riches, monuments and trophies of his praise! How for its permanency, Prov. viii. 18. It lasts much have we done to cause God to withas long as the soul,-as heaven lasts. Grace draw his Spirit, and suffer us to fall finally! is not like a lease which soon expires, but it yet that he should keep us, let his name runs parallel with eternity. be blessed, and his memorial eternized, who Branch 2. See here that which may excite keepeth the feet of his saints, 1 Sam. ii. 9. in the saints everlasting love and gratitude to Branch 3. See whence it is that saints do God. What can make us love God more persevere in holiness it is solely to be than the fixedness of his love to us? He is ascribed to the power of God. We are kept not only the author of grace, but finisher; by his power,-kept as in a garrison. It his love is perpetuated and carried on to our is a wonder any Christian perseveres, if you salvation, John x. 27, " My sheep hear my consider,-1. Corruption within. The tares

are mingled with the wheat,-there is more the wine of his joy run out. Were the Arsin than grace,—yet grace is habitually pre-minian doctrine true, how could the apostle dominant. Grace is like a spark in the sea, say, the seed of God remains in him, 1 John a wonder it is not quenched,-a wonder sin iii. 9, and the anointing of God abides? doth not destroy grace; that it doth not do, 1 John ii. 27. What comfort were it to as sometimes the nurse to the infant, over- have one's name written in the book of life, lay it, and it dies; so that this infant of if it might be blotted out again? But, be grace is not smothered by corruption. 2. assured, for your comfort, grace, if true, Temptations without. Satan envies us hap- though never so weak, shall persevere; piness, and he raiseth his militia, stirs up though a Christian hath but little grace to persecution; he shoots his fiery darts of trade with, yet he need not fear breaking, temptations; they are called darts for their because God doth not only give him a stock swiftness, fiery for their terribleness. We of grace, but will keep his stock for him. are every day beset with devils; as it was a Gratia concutitur, non excutitur, Avo. wonder Daniel was kept alive in the midst of Grace may be shaken with fears and doubts, the roaring lions: so, that there are many but it cannot be plucked up by the roots. roaring devils about us, and yet we are not Fear not falling away. If any thing should torn in pieces. Now, whence is it we stand hinder the saints' perseverance, then it must against these powerful temptations? We be either sin or temptation; but neither of are kept by the power of God. 3. The these. 1. Not the sin of believers. That world's golden snares, riches and pleasure. which humbles them shall not damn them; Luke xviii. 24, "How hardly shall they that but their sins are a mean to humble them, have riches enter into the kingdom of God?" they gather grapes off thorns; from the thorn How many have been cast away upon these of sin they gather the grape of humility. 2. golden sands, 2 Tim. iv. 10, as Demas? Not temptation. The devil lays the train of What a wonder any soul perseveres in re-his temptation to blow up the fort of a saint's ligion, that the earth doth not choke the grace; but this cannot do it. Temptation is fire of all good affections? Whence is this a medicine for security; the more Satan but from the power of God? We are kept tempts, the more the saints pray. When by his power. Paul had the messenger of Satan to buffet Use 2d. Consolation. This doctrine of him, 2 Cor. xii. 8, "For this I besought the perseverance is as a Bezoar stone; it is a Lord thrice that it might depart from me." sovereign cordial to keep up the spirits of Thus nothing can break off a believer from the godly from fainting. There is nothing Christ, or hinder his perseverance. Let this doth more trouble a child of God than this, wine be given to such as are of a heavy he fears he shall never hold out; these weak heart: this perseverance is comfort. 1. In legs of mine will never carry me to heaven. the loss of worldly comforts. When our But perseverance is an inseparablé fruit of goods may be taken away, our grace cannot, sanctification. Once in Christ, and for ever Luke x. 42, "Mary hath chosen the better in Christ. A believer may fall from some part which cannot be taken from her." 2. degrees of grace, but not from the state of In the hour of death. When all things fail, grace; an Israelite could never wholly sell or friends take their farewell of us, yet still alienate his land of inheritance, Luke xv. grace remains. Death may separate all 23. A type of our heavenly inheritance, things else from us but grace; a Christian which cannot be wholly alienated from us. may say on his deathbed, as Olevan, once, How despairing is the Arminian doctrine of "Sight is gone,-speech and hearing are defalling from grace? To-day a saint,-to-parting,-but the loving-kindness of God will morrow a reprobate; to-day a Peter,-to-never depart." morrow a Judas. This must needs cut the sinews of a Christian's endeavour, and be as the boring a hole in the vessel, to make all

QUEST. 1. What motives and incentives are there to make Christians persevere ? ANS. 1. It is the crown and glory of a

Christian to persevere, In Christianis non initia sed fide laudantur. Prov. xvi. 31, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if found in the way of righteousness." When gray hairs shine with golden virtues, this is a crown of glory. The church of Thyatira was best at last, Rev. ii. 19, "I know thy patience and thy works, and the last to be more than the first." The excellency of a building is not in having the first stone laid, but when it is finished. The glory and excellency of a Christian is, when he hath finished the work of faith.

A. 4. The promises of mercy are annexed only to perseverance, Rev. iii. 5, "He that overcometh, shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life," Non pugnanti sed vincenti daubitur corona, AUG. The promise is not to him that fights, but that overcomes, Luke xxii. 28, "Ye are they which have continued with me, and I appoint unto you a kingdom.” The promise of a kingdom, saith Chrysostom, is not made to them that heard Christ or followed him, but that continued with him. Perseverance carries away the garland; no man hath the crown set upon his head, but he who holds out to the end of the race. O therefore, by all this, be persuaded to persevere! God makes no account of such as do not persevere. Who esteems of corn that sheds before harvest, or fruit that falls from the tree before it be ripe?

QUEST. 2. What expedients or means may be used for a Christian's perseverance?

A. 2. You are within a few days' march of heaven. Salvation is near to you, Rom. xiii. 11, "Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Christians, it is but a little while and you will have done weeping and praying, and be triumphing; you shall put off your mourning, and put on white robes; you shall put off your armour, and put on a victorious crown; you who have made a good progress in religion, you are almost ready to commence and take your degree of glory; now is your salvation nearer than when you began to believe. When a man is almost at the end of a race, will he now tire, or faint away? O labour to persevere, your salva-xi. 20, "Be not high-minded, but fear,” 1 tion is now nearer,-you have but a little way to go, and you will set your foot in heaven! Though the way be up-hill and full of thorns, viz. sufferings, yet you have gone the greatest part of your way, and short-cause to fear lest the lust and deceit of his ly you shall rest from your labours.

ANS. 1. Take heed of those things which will make you desist and fall away. 1st, Take heed of presumption. Do not presume upon your own strength; exercise a holy fear and jealousy over your own hearts, Rom.

Cor. x. 12, "Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." It was Peter's sin, he leaned more upon his grace than upon Christ, and then he fell. A Christian hath

heart betray him; take heed of presuming; fear begets prayer,-prayer begets strength, and strength begets steadiness. 2dly, Take heed of hypocrisy. Judas was first a sly hypocrite, and then a traitor, Ps. lxxviii. 37,

A. 3. How sad is it not to persevere in holiness? You expose yourselves to the reproaches of men, and the rebukes of God. First, to the reproaches of men. They will deride both you and your profession, Luke" Their heart was not right with God, neixiv. 30, "This man began to build, and was not able to finish." Such is he who begins in religion, and does not persevere : he is the ludibrium, and derision of all. Secondly, to the rebukes of God. God is most severe against such as fall of, because they bring an evil report upon religion. Apostacy breeds a bitter worm in conscience; what a worm did Spira feel! And it brings swift damnation; it is a drawing back to perdition, Heb. x. 39. God will make his sword drunk with the blood of apostates.

ther were they steadfast in his covenant." If
there be any venom or malignity in the blood,
it will break forth into a plague-sore. The
venom of hypocrisy is in danger of breaking
out into the plague-sore of scandal. 3dly,
Beware of a vile heart of unbelief, Heb. iii.
12, "Take heed lest there be in
of you
an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from
the living God." Whence is apostacy but
from incredulity?
Men do not believe the
truth, and then they fall from the truth.
Unbelieving and unstable go together, Ps.

any

lxxviii. 22, "They believed not in God;" | ther of all the graces. God lets a poor, humver. 41, "They turned back." ble Christian stand, when others of higher

A. 2. If you would be pillars in the temple parts, and who have higher thoughts of themof God, and persevere in sanctity,

First, Look that you enter into religion upon a right ground; be well grounded in the distinct knowledge of God; you must know the love of the Father, the merit of the Son, and the efficacy of the Holy Ghost. Such as know not God aright, will by degrees fall off. The Samaritans sometimes sided with the Jews when they were in favour, but afterwards disclaimed all kindred with them, when Antiochus persecuted the Jews; and no wonder the Samaritans were no more fixed in religion, if you consider what Christ saith of the Samaritans, John iv. 22, "Ye worship ye know not what ;" they were ignorant of the true God. Let your knowledge of God be clear, and serve him purely out of choice, and then you will persevere, Ps. cxix. 30, 31, "I have chosen the way of truth, I have stuck unto thy testimonies."

Secondly, Get a real work of grace in your heart, Heb. xiii. 9, "It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace." Nothing will hold out but grace; it is only this anointing abides; paint will fall off. Get a heart-changing work, 1 Cor. vi. 11, "But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified." Be not content with the baptism of water, without baptism of the Spirit; the reason men persevere not in religion, is for want of a vital principle; a branch must needs wither, that hath no root to grow upon.

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selves, fail off by apostacy. They are likest to persevere, whom God will give most grace to: "But he gives grace to the humble,” 1 Pet. v. 5. They are likest to persevere, who have God dwelling in them: But God dwells in the humble soul, Isa. lvii. 15. Non requiescet Spiritus Sanctus nisi super humilem, BERN. The lower the tree roots in the earth, the firmer it is; the more the soul is rooted in humility, the more established it is, and is in less danger of falling away.

Fifthly, Would you persevere, cherish the grace of faith. Faith doth stabilere animum, 2 Cor. i. 24, "By faith ye stand." 1. Faith knits us to Christ, as the members are knit to the head by nerves and sinews. 2. Faith fills us with love to God,—it works by love, Gal. v. 6; and he who loves God, will rather die than desert him. The soldier who loves his general, will die in his service. 3. Faith gives us a prospect of heaven, it shows an invisible glory; and he who hath Christ in his heart, and a crown in his eye, will not faint away. O cherish faith! Keep your faith, and your faith will keep you; while the pilot keeps his ship, his ship keeps him.

Sixthly, Would we persevere, let us seek God's power to help us; we are kept by the power of God. The child is safest when it is held in the nurse's arms; so are we, when we are held in the arms of free grace. It is Thirdly, If you would persevere, be very not our holding God, but his holding us, presincere. Perseverance grows only upon the serves us. When a boat is tied to a rock, root of sincerity, Ps. xxv. 21, "Let integrity it is secure; so when we are fast tied to the and uprightness preserve me." The breast-Rock of Ages, then we are impregnable. plate of sincerity can never be shot through. O engage God's power to help us to perseHow many storms was Job in? the devil set vere! We engage his power by prayer; let against him, his wife tempted him to curse us pray to him to keep us, Ps. xvii. 5, God, his friends accused him of being a hypocrite,-here was enough, one would think, to have made him to desist from religion: yet for all this, he perseveres. What preserved him? It was his sincerity, Job xxvii. 6, "My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live."

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Hold up my goings in thy path, that my footsteps slip not." It was a good prayer of Beza, Domine quod cepisti perfici, ne in portu naufragium accidat,— Lord perfect what thou hast begun in me, that I may not suffer shipwreck when I am almost at the haven.'

Seventhly, If you would persevere, set beFourthly, If you would persevere, be hum-fore your eyes the noble examples of those ble, St Chrysostom calls humility the mo- who have persevered in religion. Quot mar

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