GM! .¢'rz,i3. Do&-ot Sts Perf no incouragement unto finne. 268 toBelieve for themfelves, and in reference to the Guidance of their owne r- Wayes, that they may lyeand wallow in their finne like fivine in the mire, and yet continue in a f ate ofGrace andAcceptation with God, is fo notorioufly con- trary to the whole tenour of the Dottrine, the genius andnatureof it, wit h all the Arguments whereby it is afferted and `maintained, that ifconfcience had but in the lea(l, been advifed with all in thisconteft, thischarge hadbeen without doubt omitted; All that is produced for the confirmation ofthis ftrange impofitionon the perfwafionunder confideration,ishis owneTeflimo- ny that makes the charge, that it is the known voice of the common Dotlrine ofPerfeverance, and that being Paid, is laid as a Foundation ofall that fol- lowes. The whole Difcourfe ih relating to a fupppofition that this is the Dottrinewhich itoppofeth, front the verynext words to the end. Nor is there the leaf} farther attempt for the confirmation ofthis grand Affertion; But is this the knowne voice ofour Doctrine of Perfeverance ? Whoever heardit but Mr G. and menof the likeprejudicateSpirits aganift the Truth? Theworft that can becharged with looking this way, is its afferting the promifed efficacy ofthe Grace ofGod, for the prefervingofBelievers by the ufe of meanes, from fuch wallowing in abominable finnes, as is fuppofed that it affirmes they may be expofed unto. In briefe ! it faies not. Firft, That all Believers are certai neoftheirPerfeverance; Nor Secondly, That any one can be certaine of it upon fuch fuppofals as are here mentioned. fuch a perfwafion would not be from him that calls them; Nor Thirdly, That the Endcanbe obtained, without the ufeofmeanes, though by them, it(hall certainely be fo; But Fourthly, . That all the hopeoftheir Perfeverance, is built on the Promi- fes ofGod, to preferve them by, and in theufe of meanes; So that inTruth there is no needof any farther proceffe forthe removingoftheArgument in- fitted on,but only a difclaimer. of theDotlrine by it opofed,if it be that which is here expreft: 4. iz. That indeedwhich Mr Goodwin hath todifpute againft, ifhe will deale fairely and candidly in the carrying on of his defigne, is this, That thecer- tainty o fan end to be obtainedby wearierfailed therennto,doth not enervatenor render vaine theaft of thofemeanes, appointedfor theaccomplifhment ofthat end; The Perfeverance oftheSaints is the thing here propofed to be accotn- plifhed: that this flail be certainely effeEted and brought about according to the Promifes ofGod for the effeetiugofit, God hat h appointed the meanes under debate, tobe managedby the Miniftryofthe Gofpell:-that thePromife ofGod, concerning the Saints Perfevtrance to be wrought and effeEted, as by others, fo by thefe meanes in their kind , doth not invalidate or render ufeleffe and vaine theufe of thofe meaner, but indeedeftablifhes them, and afcribes to them their proper efficacy,is that which in thisDoltrine is affected, and which Mr Goodwinought to have difprooved, ifhe would have acquit- ted himfelfe as a faire Antagonifi in this caufe; The Prornfe (we fay) that iú 33.$.21. Hevekiah had of the continuance of his Life, did not makeufeleffe but called for theplainer offigges that was appointed for the healing of his fore. 4. 3. I might then (as I Paid) fave my felfe the labour of farther ingaging, for the calling downe ofthisFabricke , built on the fandy foundations offafe- hood, and tuff-take. But becaufe fomething may fall in, ofthat which follow- eth, more indeed to the purpofe, than an orderly purfuit ofthefe Affections laid downe in the entrance would require, that may more direElly rife up againft the caufe in whole defence I am ingaged, I (hall confider thewhole enfuing
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