AND MOTIVE der, ofthose weaknesses, discouragements, and despon - dencics, which uncertainties, doubts, fears, and perplexi- tiesof what will be the issue of things at last with them, do cast upon the souls of men, how duties arediscourag- ed, spiritual endeavours and diligenceare impaired, de- light in God weakened, and lovecooled by them, will be able to make a right, judgment of the truth of this assertion. Some think that this apprehension of the im- mutability of God's purpose of election, and the infalli- bility of-the salvation of believers on that account, tends only to carelessness and security in sin; and that to be always in fear, dread, and uncertainty of the end, is the only means to makeus watchful unto the duties of holi- ness. It is very sad, that any man should so far pro- claim his inexperience and unacquaintedness with the nature of gospel-grace, the genius and inclination of the new creature, and the proper workings of faith, as to heable thus to argue, without a check put upon him by himself and from his own experience. -lt is true, were there no difference between faith and presumption, no differencebetween thespirit of liberty under the co- venant of grace, and that of bondage under the old covenant; no spirit of adoption given unto believers, no filial genuine delight in and adherence unto God, inge- nerated in them thereby, there might be something in this objection: but if the nature of faith, and of the new creature, the operations of the one and disposition of theother, are such as they are declared to be in the gospel, and as believers have experience of them in-their own hearts; men do but bewray their ignorance, whilst they contend, that the assurance of God's unchangeable love inChrist, flowing from the immutability of his coun- sel in election, doth any way impeach, or doth not effec- tually promote, the industry of believers, in all duties of obedience. Sect. 23.Suppose, a man that is on his journey, knoweth himself tobe on his right way, .and that passing on therein, he shall certainly and infallibly come to his journey's end, especially if he will a little quicken his speed, as occasion shall require; will you say, that this is enough to make such a man carelessand negligent, and that-itwould be much more to hisadvantage tobe lost and bewildered in uncertain paths and ways, not knowing whither he goes, nor whether he shall ever arrive at his journey's end? Common experience declares the contrary, as also how momentary and useless are those UNTO HOLINESS, 357 violent fits andgusts of endeavours, which proceed from fear and uncertainty, both in things spiritual, and tem- poral, or civil. Whilst men are under the power of actual impressions from such fears, they will convert to God, yea, that they will momenta tur_b?nis, and perfect holiness in an instant: but so soon as that impression wears off, (as it will do upon every occasion, and upon none at all,) such persons are as dead and cold towards God, as the lead or iron, which ran but now in a fiery stream, is, when the heat is departed from it. It is that soul alone, ordinarily, which hath a comfortable assu- rance of God's eternal immutable electing love, and thence of the blessed end of its own course of obedi- ence, who goeth on constantly and evenly in a course of holiness, quickening his course, and doubling his speed, as he bath occasions, from trials or opportunities. And this is the very designof our apostle, to explain and confirm, Heb. vi. from the tenth verse unto the end of the chapter, as is declared elsewhere, Sect. 24..It appears from what bath been discours. ed, that the electing love of God is a powerful con- straining motive unto holiness, and that which proves in- vincibly, the necessity of it in all who intend the eternal enjoyment of God. But it will be said, that if it be sup- posed or granted, that those who are actually believers, and have a sense of their interest herein, may make the use of it that is pleaded; yet, as for those who are un- converted, or are otherwise uncertain of their spiritual state and condition, nothing can be so discouraging unto them as this doctrine of eternal election. Can they make any other conclusion from it, but that, if they be not elected, all care and pains in and a- bout duties of obedience are vain; if they are, they are needless? The removal of this objection shall put .a close unto our discourse on this subject. And I answer: Sect. 25. (1.) That we have shewed already, that this doctrine is revealed and proposed in the scripture, principally, to acquaint believers with their privilege, safety, and fountain of theircomforts. Having therefore proved its usefulness unto them, I have discharged all that is absolutely needful to my present purpose. But I shall shew, moreover, that it hath its proper benefit and advantage towards others also. For, (2.) Suppose the doctrine of personal electionbe preached unto men, together with the other sacred
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=