kept by the power of God and least that keeping should be for a little while he tells you it is an inheritance that fadeth not away Rom. 8.30 Ans. The strength of this Argument lyeth in two particulars First Gods unchangeablenesse Secondly in believers being kept by his power First Therefore to the unchangeablenesse of God I grant that he changeth not and yet it doth not follow but justified persons may fall totally and finally For Union and salvation are conditional First their entrance into it is conditional he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 being justifyed by faith c. Rom. 5.1 without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 if by faith they are justifyed then not without it he that believeth not is condemned John 3.18 19. But some may say we are justified before in Gods account I answer then we were his people in his account also without or before believing which to say were to contradict the Scripture 1 Pet. 2. which in time past were not a people yet are now the people of God which were not under mercy but now have obtained mercy Rom. 9.25 26. Hosea 2.23 the Apostle Paul saith that Andronicus and Junia were in Christ before him Rom. 16.7 the Apostle John saith if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darknesse we ly and do not the truth 1 John 1.6 and again He that saith he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments is a lyar and the truth is not in him ch. 7.4 by all which appears that we are not the justifyed ones neither have we union with Christ without believing and doing his commandements 1 John 1.7 Secondly we are continued in union with Christ on condition of believing and persevering in the doing the will of God and not without this the word of God doth teach us in many places For we are made partakers of Christ mark if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end Heb. 3.14 Paul saith to the Colossians that Christ hath reconciled them in the body of his flesh through death to present them holy and unblameably and unreprovable in his sight if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not mov'd away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard Col. 1.21.22.23 mark they then shall be presented holy unreprovable unblameable upon what terms why if they continue c. and so saith the Spirit unto the Angells of the Church in Smyrna be thou faithfull unto death and I will give the Crown of life Rev. 2.10 and so unto the Church in Thyatira he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations verse 25 26.27 he that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot his name out of the book of life but I will confesse his name before my father and before his holy Angels cha. 2 5. our Lord Christ saith in the fifteenth of John the second every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away some branches in Christ may become fruitlesse and so taken away by the Father so the Author to the Heb. saith that which beareth thornes and bryers is rejected and is nigh unto cursing Heb. 6.8 By this which hath been said it appears that we have no union with Christ but by believing and doing the will of God and that union with Christ is continued by persevering in doing the will of God and not otherwise God having promised eternal life upon no other terms Now this considered we may plainly see that although persons which have union with Christ may fall from it by not holding fast unto the end yet God never the more changeable because justification union and salvation are conditionall as hath been shewed God hath bound himself as I may say to give life to overcomming Saints but if any man draw back his soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10.39 he hath promised his blessing unto fruitfull branches in Christ but fruitlesse ones he will take away John 15.2.3 So much to the Argument Now to the Scriptures alleged The first is Isa. 54.17 the supposed strength which is in this text lyeth in these words No weapon formed against them shall prosper Let us examine now who it shall not prosper against why saith the Lord this is the heritage of the Lords servants now the Lords servants are they that still overcome against whom no weapon shall prosper not they that fight for a time and are overcome at last let not him that girdeth on his armor boast himself as he that putteth it off 1 Kin. 20.11 in serving the Lord we have a promise as the Apostle saith who is it that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good 1 Pet. 3.13 so that this doth not prove but that believers may fall and so cease to be what they were and God not engaged in promise unto them for he saith Ezek. 18.24 but when the righteous man turneth away from his righteousnesse and committeth iniquity and doth according to all the abomination that the wicked man doth shall he live all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespasse that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath sinned in them he shall dy c. Again this is a promise made unto Israel of and concerning their being established in righteousnesse after their scattering and rejection for their not receiving Christ for it relates to Gods performing Covenant with them in which Covenant they shall all be taught of God see verse 13. and all thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy children but not a promise made to any in the time of their warfare without the condition of standing fast taking heed overcoming and the like for otherwise there be weapons viz the firy darts of Satan and the like may and do prosper against many and we no promise to the contrary which proves that God one day will look upon Israel though now tossed and afflicted and turn ungodlynesse from Jacob in which day or at which time no weapon formed against him shall prosper for the Lord will assuredly establish Israel a people before him therfore this text doth not so much as seem to prove the thing it is brought for The second place alleged is Psal. 125.1 they that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion that cannot be moved but abideth for ever c. I grant as before that persons that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion unmovable so long as they continue trusting in him but some that trust in the Lord may let go their confidence as hath been shewed yea some have so done Jer. 2.5 compared with verse 12.13 thus saith the Lord what iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and have walked after vanity and are
if thou find it give God the glory in obeying his voice doing his will and loving his righteous law and testimonies which he hath ratified with the bloud of his deer Son who died for thee Thine JOHN GRIFFITH REader these few faults have escaped the Presse and the Author desireth thee to mend them with thy pen ERRATA PAge 7. line 11. read I will give thee a Crown of life p. 21. l. 11. r. comforts of the spirit in Epist. Dedic. p. 4. l. 10. r. through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant A TREATISE TOUCHING Falling from Grace OR Thirteen Arguments tending to prove that Believers cannot fall from Grace Examined and Answered THe Position That Justified persons cannot totally nor finally fall from the grace of Vnion with the Lord Jesus The first Argument is drawn from Matthew 24.24 thus If any could prevail upon the Elect it is like they might be false Prophets that might do it But they cannot seduce them Therefore muchlesse can any totally draw them Answer First consider that the Lord Jesus doth speak in the former part of this chapter Matthew 24.24 touching the signs of his coming it being desired of him by his Disciples verse 3. our Lord in his answer the beginning thereof gives them as an introduction unto his answer this charge viz. that they take heed that none deceive them verse 4. it seems then his Disciples might be deceived and that by men to or else needless was this caveat take heed the reasons why they must is because many false Prophets shall arise and deceive many v. 11. therfore take you heed what Disciples of Christ must they take heed they that are justified persons or else lyable to be deceived yea they must for they onely that endure to the end the same shall be saved v. 13. it seems it is not impossible for false prophets to deceive justified persons as appears in this chapter and also in 2 Pet. 2.1 2. But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious waies by whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and through covetousnesse shall they with fained words make merchandize of you of who why of justified persons such as had obtained like precious faith through the righteousnesse of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 Again Paul in the 20. of Acts calleth the Elders of the Church at Ephesus together v. 17. and in the 28. v. he exhorteth them to take heed unto themselves and to all the Flock c. here the chosen or Elect Elders chosen of God and purchased by his blood Eph. 1.4 are commanded to take heed to themselves and to the Flock why what is the matter why after Pauls departure shall grievious wolves enter in not sparing the Flock and of their own selves men shall arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them therefore they must watch v. 29 30 31. or else they may be deceived or drawn away therefore Christ saith beware of false Prophets c. Mat. 7 15. yea and Peter in his second Epistle 3.17 exhorteth them that have like precious faith chap. 1.1 to beware saying least ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse Justified persons may fall and be deceived by false Prophets else how uselesse were these sayings of Christ and his servants unto us in these and many more places of Scripture this premised Now to the Argument and first let me inquire whether by the Elect is intended such as Paul who had fought a good fight who had finished his course who kept the faith it such I grant an impossibility of being seduced by false Prophets But if by Elect be meant such as Paul in his warfare The Minor proposition is denied viz. that they cannot fall away nor be seduced for Paul having kept the faith could say henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteousnesse c. 2 Tim. 4.8 But in his warfare he saith otherwise I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the air but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection least that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a castaway 1 Cor. 26 27. thus much to the Argument now to the text from whence the argument is drawn I answer First such as keep the faith are the Elect that shall not be deceived by false Prophets and false Christs although they should come with all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish 2 Thes. 2.10 those that doe wickedly against the Covenant shall be corrupt by flatteries but the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits Dan. 1â— 32 They that give diligence to make their calling and election sure in so doing shall never fall 2 Pet. 1.10 Secondly by the word Elect is sometimes meant Israel after the flesh for they are called the chosen of God Deut. 7.6 chap. 14.2 Exod. 19.5 6. yet notwithstanding because of unbelief they were cut off Rom. 11.20 yet not for ever for he is able to graffe them in again v. 23. compared with v. 24. God will not forget the Covenant made with them Jer. 31. v. 31. to 34. There shall come a deliverer out of Syon that shal turn ungodlinesse from Jacob c. Rom. 11.26 though as concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes yet as touching the election they are beloved for the Fathers sake v. 28. although they are now deceived yet then it shall be impossible to deceive them for they shal see him whom they have pierced and mourn c. Zach. 12.10 Rev. 1.7 Mat. 24.30 Thirdly by Elect sometimes is meant Jesus Christ for he is the very Elect behold saith God my servant mine elect in whom my soul delighteth Is 42.1 he is the chief corner stone Elect precious c. 1 Pet 2.6 Mat. 21.42 he saith the Lord shall not fail nor be discouraged Isaiah 42.4 he is the beloved Ephes. 1.6 neither false Prophets nor false Christs shall deceive him it is impossible for the Lord hath said he shall not fail nor be discouraged Now if by the Elect be meant either such as keep the faith or Israel as to their future condion or Christ I grant an impossibility of their being deceived but if by elect it be the sence of the Opponent that believers in their warfaring estate cannot fall and that to be the sence of this text it is a thing I want proof of which till I have I must deny as beforesaid The second Argument is taken from the unchangeable love of God towards his people Isa. 54.17 Psa. 1. Jer. 31.1 2. Arg. Though there is unconstancy in the creature yet in the first of Pet. 1.5 We are
was accomplished Again Christ prayed for the world that they might know him Now if Christs prayer had been absolute without respect to this or that then they must know him and believe in him which to doe is life eternall vers. 3. Christ therefore in his prayer had respect to the meanes by which they should come to know him which if the means were used by them the end might be effected in them for the meanes was of this tendance and every way correspondent as to the bringing them even all the world to the knowledg of Christ in which Christ was heard for such meanes God hath afforded the world that would accomplish the end did they not put it from them Thirdly Christ prayed that the Jewes who crucified him should be forgiven Now It Christ here had been absolute and positive viz. it must be so without respect to this or that then it should have been so viz. they should be forgiven and then they could not have been cut off for not receiving Christ because their sinne was forgiven Christ therefore in this prayer must be understood to have respect to the way in which forgiveness was promised unto them viz. repentance faith and baptisme in doing of which they to wit so many as did repent of their sheding the innocent blood and were accordingly baptized did receive forgiveness as Christ had prayed they should but as for the rest all the blood that was shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias shall be upon them yea and the innocent blood of Christ also which they desired might be on them and their Children Now to come close to the argument Christ prayeth for his Disciples that they should be kept from the evill of the world in which he is heard I grant considering his prayer as before to have respect to their abiding in him by keeping his commandements for he saith If ye love me keep my Commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that shall abide with you forever Christ in this prayer therefore is not absolute that is to say they are my Disciples thou hast given them me and now I pray thee to keep them although they doe not keep my Commandements but this prayer is with respect to their abiding in him which if they doe as some have not done that were in him they have the benefit of his prayer but if otherwise they have no benefit thereof no more then they that doe never believe in him have the benefit of his intercession but are cut off as unfruitfull branches from the Vine therefore notwitstanding Christ doth pray for them it doth not follow but that believers may fall totally and finally If neither sinne nor suffering can seperate us from the Lord then nothing can seperate us for sin Rom. 8.39 for suffering 35 36. ve and concluds the 38 39. that nothing can seperate us Therefore nothing can Only First we grant that the Saints of God may fall away from the degrees of Grace from the strength of faith to a weake faith to some measure of hardnesse of heart Secondly we grant they may fall from the comâ— of the Spirit as in Psal. 51.2.8.12 Thirdly From common gifts of the Spirit as a Spirit of government as Saul did c. This Argument hath a large latitude and must in part be denyd viz. sin unrepented of may seperate unfruitfulnesse and such like hath a cutting off following it Therefore upon examination we shall find that this will not prove the Assertion First I suppose that it will not be owned that Paul doth intend here denying Christ or any sinne unrepented of for that may seperate a If we suffer we shall also reign with him if we deny him he will also deny us yea we I Paul and thou Timothy if we deny him he will also deny us for so he himself said b But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven Again the Apostle doth not say that sin shall not seperate and therefore the argument is stretched beyond what the Text will prove I rather think the 33. ver. had been more pertinent to the business where the Apostle makes this holy challenge Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect c. Now to know who are the Elect of God will be the solution of this matter for which I refer you to my answer to the first argument those that are called according to Gods purpose ver. 28. who they are see my answer to the third Argument they that make their Calling and Election sure by adding to their faith virtue c. who shall lay any thing to their charge it is God that justifies c. Again Who shall seperate them that so do no thing nor no man can b) no nor none of these things viz. tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or perill or sword nay in all these things they are more then Conquerours through him that loved them but this doth not prove but that persons in Christ may fal and be seperated from Christ by denying Christ although none of these can if they be not overcome by them to forsake and deny him c. Now the question is whether persons in Christ may hot be overcome by these I Answer the Scripture saith they may for if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again intangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse then the beginning d) Therefore Paul exhorteth the Galathians to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and not to be intangled again in the Yoak of bondage e) Christ saith he that overcometh and keeps my words to the end to him will I give power over the Nations he that overcometh the same shall be cloathed in white rayment to him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne g he that overcometh shall inherit all things I will be his God and he shall be my Sonne God will not disown us because of persecution c. but will reward us for our sufferings if we are not overcome by them be thou faithfull unto the death and I will give thee a Crown of Life so much for this Argument now to the next The seventh Argument from Joh. 10.28 my sheep heare my voyce c. none are able to pluck the sheep of Christ out of the hands of Christ therefore they cannot fall totally nor finally This Argument being the same or of the like import with the sixth I shall say little to it for if nothing can seperate them then none can pluck them cut of his hands Only this My sheep saith Christ heare my voyce and I know them and they follow
reward whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abides in the doctrine of Christ hath both the father and the Son thus may we plainly see that the truths abiding with us is upon condition of our abiding in it Thus have you these Arguments all weighed in the ballance of the sanctuary and found too light to prove the affirmation The absurdities that do naturally flow from the doctrine of impossibility for believers to fall totally and finally from grace If believers cannot fall away then there is no use Absurd 1 of feeding ministers as Pastors and Elders and Teachers whose work is to take the oversight of the flock to feed them to take heed of them now this is altogether uselesse if they cannot fall away if they must be fed it imports they cannot live without feeding but will starve and dy if they must be overseen and heed taken of them it imports they may stray and be drawn away they must feed the flock and take heed of it because of wolves which are mortal enemies to sheep now if sheep cannot be destroyed by wolves that is cannot be seduced nor drawn away nor fal then there is no use of the Shepheard he may be spared If believers cannot fall away then as the feeder Absurd 2 is useless so is his food also I mean the growing word and Gospel ordinances and duties as breaking of bread Church assembling and communion which we are commanded not to forsake but to desire after as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby now if believers cannot fall what need is there or what use can we make of it what serves it for establish us it cannot for we cannot fall we are established from the beginning dy we cannot what use of food overcome we cannot be what use of strengthning thus then may we say in vain have we served God and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinances and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of Hosts if believers cannot fall away Absurd 3 If believers cannot fall away then is a great part of the Scripture uselesse unto them as take heed stand fast beware and such like saying which are very plentiful in the Scriptures and so likewise the many exhortations used by Christ and his Apostles to watchfulnesse to sobriety to prayer to stability which are very plentiful in the Scripture what use are these and such like places to us what should we take heed watch beware take care to stand fast in the faith for 1 Cor. 16.13.14 if we cannot fall what do they serve for why do we read them what do they teach us must we take heed and beware and no danger neer us nor can come to us must we watch and no Enemy to approach us must we arme our selves when none can overcome us if it be impossible to fal there is no need of all this these duties are out of date it is enough for them to do these things that may fall but as for them that cannot they are uselesse unto them Absurd 4 If believers cannot fall away then is the express sayings of the spirit contradicted which saith in the latter daies some shall depart from the faith 1 Tim. 4.1 If believers cannot fall away it opens a gap Absurd 5 to lukewarmnesse to prophanenesse to neglect of duty as of hearing reading praying close-walking watchfulnesse fruitfulnesse and the like for if believers cannot fall why should any of these things be done for such as cannot possibly fall need not pray hear need not read nor watch c. nor do any of these things they are sure to stand finne cannot seperate them nor nothing let them do what they will delight in the law of God or not delight in it all is alike case if it be true that believers cannot fall away It hardens and incourages loose professors in Absurd 6 their loose walking in the profession of the Gospel for if they that once believed cannot fal away they will be hardned and incouraged to go on why say they once in Christ and ever in Christ it is impossible that I which once believed should fall away let me do what I will nothing can seperate me from Christ God is not bound to ordinances nor to this way or that way he will keep me although I do not walk so strictly as I have done or as others do and therefore what need I care for Church fellowship or hearing or any of these things thus may loose professors be incouraged and imboldn'd in their loose way by this doctrine of imposibility of falling away from grace It hardneth loose professors and disorderly Absurd 7 walkers against reprehension and admonitions of their Rulers and their brethren and hardens them against the danger laid before them for their so doing and the judgements and severity of God against them that so do for if believers cannot fall from grace then may they slight reprehensions and say take no care for me I know I shal never fal totally and finally therefore tell not me of the danger that is I know none there is no severity in God against me for my sins are pardon'd and shall never be laid to my charge God will not enter into judgement with me say you what you will thus may disorderly persons be hardned against reprehensions if believers cannot fall from grace Absurd 8 It hardeneth them also against Church censures that are sentenced for their impenitency for what will they say what need I matter your censures though you excommunicate me and cast me out from you yet I know God will not for he will not forsake me I shall not be seperated from him for nothing can do that Thus doth this doctrine of impossibility of falling from grace harden impenitent siners against Church censures which are ratifyed in heaven Mat. 18.18 by Christ himself Absurd 9 It gives Satan an advantage against believers when he tempts them to sin he can back it with this encouragement viz. it is impossible to fall with this bait he deceived Eve and the Serpent said unto the woman ye shall not surely dy and thus he deceived her so it is impossible to fal may he say therefore eate take delight seek after pleasure and profit take thy fill walk not so precisely satisfie thy self with this lust or that lust for thou canst not fall from grace It rendereth believers uncapable of withstanding Absur. 10 Satan in his temptations for who more uncapable of withstanding a potent enemy then he that supposes himself to be secure and that he cannot be prevailed against his enemy then will take him at unawares and overcome him so they that suppose that they cannot fall may grow secure and so uncapable of withstanding Satan when he assaults them at unawares and so may be overcome immediatly by him It renders them uncapable of suffering
persecution Absur. 11 likewise for the name of Christ for what should they suffer reproaches imprisonments or any such thing for seeing nothing can seperate them from Christ no not sin as is affirmed what if I should may some say conform a little to men and so keep my self out of trouble I know I shall not be seperated from Christ that is impossible that I that have once believed should fall away Thus may Satan get in a litle at first and so by degrees take full possession It is a let to fruitfulnesse for if believers cannot Absur. 12 fall from grace what need they endeavour after fruitfulnesse or good works what may the rich man say I will keep my money what need I be so rich in good works I know I cannot fall away nothing can seperate me from Christ thus may it obstruct fruitfulnesse It opens a gap to all Licentiousnesse for if Absur. 13 believers cannot fall away what loosenesse is it they may not run into what need they watch pray hear or doe any thing let us eat and Absurd 13 drink for to morrow we shall die what matter for following peace and holinesse what matter for abstaining from fleshly lusts or for cleansing our selves from filthinesse of flesh and spirit they cannot fall nothing can seperate them from Christ no not sin being once in Christ if this doctrine of impossibility of falling from grace be true Thus may it be easily seen that this doctrine which is so contended for with so much pretended strength is not Gods holy mind but an opinion taken up and endeavoured to be maintained but cannot by written verity let it therefore be weighed in the ballance and it will be found too light how it can be cleared from these absurdities laid down I know not which are very dangerous and is indeed that which will destroy and dissolve the very life of a Christians warfare and pilgrimage which all that wil go to bliss must passe thorow with fear and trembling with stedfast faith with patience with watchfulnesse with sobriety with taking heed with being beware of men of false prophets seducers little Foxes Wolves in sheeps cloathing grievious wolves perverse speakers false teachers and such like for sure we are fallen into the perilous times when men shall be lovers of themselves more then lovers of God therefore we have need to take to us the whole armour of God that we may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand Now these arguments being answered and the absurdities of that doctrine shewn it remains for me to betake myself to my proposition as it was then stated by me but denied by the other at our conference Thirteen Reasons by which it s plainly proved that Believers in Christ may fall from Grace MY first reason is because they are commanded to take heed The Apostles of Christ were truly believing Reason 1 men and yet our Lord saith unto them take heed that no man deceive you and the reason is because many false Christs shall come in his name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many therefore take you heed that no man deceive you take yee heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is Take heed to your selves least at any time your hearts he overcharged with surfeting and drunkenness and cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares These sayings doe plainly teach us that they might be deceived by false Christs and be overcome by suffering if they did not take heed unto themselves or else needlesse were these sayings for if they could not be deceived and so fall they had no need to take heed where there is no danger there needs no caution these Scriptures with many others of like import may be crossed out of our Bibles if there be no danger of falling from the faith Christ tels his Disciples that they are the Salt of the earth but if the salt have lost its savour wherewith shall it be salted it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men Now were it not an absolute contradicting of Christ to say we cannot lose our favour its impossible we should and a making of his words impertinent his cautions uselesse Again the Apostle gives the like cautions to the Churches Take heed brethren least there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God but exhorting one another daily while it s called to day least any of you be hardned through the deceitfulnesse of sin They must take heed or else there may be in them an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God and therefore they must exhort one another least they be hardned c. looking diligently least any man fail of the grace of God least any root of bitternesse spring up and trouble you and thereby many be defiled least there should be any fornicators or prophane persons as Esau who for one morsel of meat sold his birth-right It seems Saints may fall from grace and become prophane persons fell their birth-rights c. therefore believers in Christ may fall away The second Reason is because the Scripture Reason 2 fore-telleth that many shall be deceived and drawn away by men speaking perverse things and made merchandize of by false teachers even those that have obtained like precious faith and therefore saith he unto them beware least also ye being led away by the error of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse again beware least any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the Traditions of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ let no man beguile you c. and again behold I come quickly hold fast that which thou hast let no man take thy crown all which teacheth us that believers may fall away if they do not take heed beware and stand fast c. and that the Scripture did fore-see that some should fall be spoiled and deceived through their not taking heed therefore believers in Christ may fall away The third reason is because some have fallen Reason 3 away from the faith Paul exhorts Timothy to war a good warfare holding faith and a good conscience which some have put away concerning faith have made shipwrack of whom is Hemeneus and Alexander But some may say that faith they fell from was not a true faith but a seeming faith I answer if that were so Paul did Hemeneus and Alexander great wrong for he delivered them to Satan now if they did but seem to have faith but had no true faith then when they fell they were better then when they stood because when they stood they seemed to be what they were not but when they fell they appeared to be what indeed they were now if Paul delivered them to Satan for falling from a seeming faith he surely did them wrong
branches in the Vine may be taken away viz. men united to Christ as the branches are to the Vine may be taken away or disunited because they die or bear no fruit I am the vine saith Christ and my father is the husbandman every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away therefore saith he continue in my love and least they should not know how he saith if ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love even as I have kept my fathers commandments and abide in his love therefore believers in Christ may fall away be cut off die bear no fruit c. Reason 11 The eleventh Reason is because they that have obtained like precious faith must give diligence to make their calling and election sure it followes then that believers may fall even such as have precious faith and that their calling and election is not sure without their giving dilligence to make it so therefore believers in Christ may fall away The twelfth Reason is because Believers chosen Reason 12 persons are exhorted to put on the whole armour of God that they may be able to stand against the wiles of the Divel Now we know that when men arme themselves it is because of some enemy yea and such an enemy as may overcome them slay them spoile them vanquish them c. therefore they must stand fast quit themselves like men be strong now if believers cannot fall from the faith nor be overcome they have no need of armour if the Divels wiles cannot prevail they need not arm themselves but they must take to them the whole armour of God therefore believers in Christ may fall away The thirteenth reason is because men that have their names written in the book of life and their Reason 13 part in the holy City which none but believers have may by transgression have their names blotted out and their part taken away out of the City For I testifie unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book if any man shall adde unto these things God shall adde the plagues that are written in this book and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this Prophesie God shall take away his part out of the book of life and out of the holy City and from the things that are written in this book thus men whose names are written in the book of life may have their name blotted out and their part taken out of the holy City that do sin wilfully but those that overcome Christ will not blot their names out of the book of life but will confesse them before his father and before his Angels therefore believers may fall away I leave these Reasons to the serious and unbiased Reader to weigh in the ballance of the sanctuary I shal now come to shew the use and profitablenesse of this doctrine of perseverance or the possibility that Saints stand in to be deceived and so fall if they do not take heed use the means strive and labour after the obtaining the Crown which they cannot have if they do not fight the good fight and finish their course keep the faith to the end as saith the spirit be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the Crown of life which God will give unto all them that so do and love his appearing The profitable uses that flow from this doctrine that t is possible for the Saints to fall finally if they take not heed IT teacheth the Saints to be watchfull over Vse 1 themselves their words thoughts and actions least they should be over taken this duty is much urged in Scripture watch therefore for you know not the day nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh watch and pray that you fall not into temptation watch ye stand fast in the faith be strong Therefore let us not sleep as do others but watch and be sober So Paul exhorteth Timothy but watch thou in all things indure affliction in this duty were the Saints much exercised the Prophet Habakkuk saith I will stand upon my watch and set me upon the tower and will watch to see what he will say unto me and what I shall answer when I am reproved So was that gracious soul the Prophet David exercised when he said My soul waiteth for the Lord more then they that watch for the morning I say more then they that watch for the morning there is a blessedness annexed to this duty of watchfulness they are reckoned amongst the blessed ones that shall inherit the earth Behold I come as a theef blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame but in the neglect of this duty there may be great losse Be watchfull and strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die c. If therefore thou wilt not watch I will come on thee as a theef and thou shalt not know what houre I will come upon thee by this we may see how necessary this duty is and likewise how it flowes from the aforesaid doctrine as a streame from the fountain for we must watch because we have an adversarie that seeks to devour us be sober be vigilent because your adversary the devil as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour Le ts consider what need the servants of Christ have to watch to take heed and to beware their enemies are many and great as the devil a potent adversarie and his baits very deceiving as the world and the pleasures thereof when he tempted Christ our beloved Lord what was his baits why the world all this will I give thee saith he if thou wilt fall down and worship me If I should inquire into the experience of the Servants of Christ they would tell me that the adversary of their peace layeth this bait before them also suggesting unto them and setting before them the glory riches greatnesse and honor of the world saying if thou forsake this way of Religion thou art in which thou mayest do and yet go to heaven * saith he then friends will cleave to thee the world will love thee whereas now they despise thee then wilt thou be in the way of profiting thy self by thy trade and make the best of it though by lying and dissembling a little saying to the Selller it is nought but when he is gone thou praiseth it and by this means mayest thou become rich and so have many friends and be in repute and in the way of preferment and come to places of honour in the world and be called of men Rabby thou art a fool to dote upon this dispised way of Religion thus as thou doest and be made a scorn and a derision of all do not so thou maiest delight thy self in pleasures and fleshly lusts too and spend thy time merily while thou art here c. With these and
in the doctrine of Christ we have not God It teacheth the servants of the Lord to continue Vse 8 instant in prayer praying fervently because otherwise they may enter into temptation and so be in danger of being overcome therefore saith Christ watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation so Christ taught his disciples to pray lead us not into temptation Again take ye heed watch and pray for ye know not when the time is to this duty we are exhorted by the Apostles of Christ to be instant in prayer without ceasing is any afflicted let him pray continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving be ye therefore sober watch unto prayer and he spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought alwais to pray not to faint the good Lord will be sought unto for strength against temptations prayer is one of the weapons which we must overcome temptations withall and overcome Satan yea and prevail with God through bis dear Son for supplies of grace that we may be able to stand against our enemies in the day of tryal and adversity let us therefore learn this good lessen to be instant in prayer for God is a God hearing prayer and will answer while we are yet speaking and what soever we ask in his Sons name he will give it unto us if we abide in him and his word abide in us Vse 9 It teacheth the Servants of the Lord to be constant in hearing and in reading the Scriptures and to meditate in the law of the Lord they knowing that it is a means by which they shal be strengthned fed and refreshed and without which they may grow feeble therefore saith the wisdome of God now therefore hearken to me O ye children for blessed are they that keep my waies hear instruction and be wise and refuse it not blessed is the man that heareth me watching dayly at my gates waiting at the posts of my dores a wise man will hear and increase learning be more ready to hear then to give the sacrifice of fools for they consider not that they do evil hear and your soul shall live again be swift to hear and slow to speak slow to wrath thus doth this truth teach us to hear constantly yea so to hear as to do what the the will of God is for otherwies we deceive our selves it is not the hearer of the law which is justifyed but the doer therefore saith Christ he that heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him to a wiseman c. but if we refuse to hear God will send a famine not a famine of bread nor of thirst but of hearing the word of the Lord how doth it then behove the servants of Christ to be diligent hearers of the word in these daies of plenty and to walk thankfully towards God in all well pleasing least he should deprive them of so great rich and unspeakable a mercy It obligeth and incourageth the servants of the Vse 10 Lord to suffer persecution constantly for the testimony of Christ they knowing that if they suffer they shall be glorifyed with him but if they deny him he will also deny them this is that which the word of God doth much mind us of viz. that they must suffer persecution fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer behold the devill shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tryed and ye shall have tribulation ten daies be thou faithfull unto death and I will give thee a Crown of life The Lord here gives a gracious encouragement fear not saith he none of these things which thou shalt suffer as if the Lord should say suffer thou must but be thou faithfull unto death and I will give thee a Crown of life thou shalt be rewarded with a sufficient recompence for our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternall weight of glory what an incouragement is this now not to forsake nor deny Christ seeing there is a Crown an eternal weight of glory too for them that are faithful unto death and do not deny Christ what would not a man suffer for a Crown for glory for a kingdome who would forsake a Crown of glory a Kingdome an incorruptible one also for the suffrings the light momentary affliction that may be suffered here what is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul therefore he that will save his life shall lose it that is he that to save his life here will deny Christ and not suffer for his sake shall lose his life in that to come therefore nothing will be our gain if we do not hold fast but great will be our loss viz. our souls our lives a Crown a kingdome of glory oh how should the servants of the lord be filling their hearts with the consideration of the excellency and glory of that kingdom that they may hold fast that no man take their Crown knowing that the promise is to him that overcommeth Vse 11 It teacheth them to resist Satan stedfastly they knowing that he goeth about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and that he is an enemy that must be resisted otherwise he may prevaile against them and overcome them this may teach the servants of the lord to stand upon their guard and to resist every temptation wherewith he doth indeavour to surprize them and narrowly to watch against his suggestions for they are to give no place to the devill but to learn with the Apostle not to be ignorant of his devises that so having on the whole armor of God they may be able to quench his fiery darts by resisting of him with stedfast faith seeing else they may be overcome by him and catched in his snares like the silly bird who is catched in the net of the fowler It teacheth them to mortifie the deeds of the Vse 12 flesh they knowing that that is also an enemy to them to which duty we are exhorted mortifie your members that are upon the earth for if ye live after the flesh ye shall dy but if ye through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye shall live the servants of Christ must not live after the flesh they wil then come under condemnation vers. 1. therefore the Apostle Paul kept under his body and brought it under subjection and the reason was lest he should be a cast away the flesh and the lusts therof do make war against the soul they must not be suffered to be predominant in the servants of Christ for they are stout warriers and will slay if they be not slayed It teacheth the servants of Christ to follow after Vse 13 peace and holinesse