C.X11.ConfftencyofProm. of Peri & Exhortations to the ufe of meanes 294 the effeetuall Accomplithment thereof. And therefore nothing is ,in vaine. or ufeletlly applied to them, which according tohis appointment is fuited to the ftirringof them up to theufeofthe meanes Ordained for that end, as before mentioned. Therefore to Mr Goodwin's fecond Affertion which he calls evi- dent: I fay Firft that it is not the making,or the bare snaking knowne to theSaints of the Promifes ofGod, that will worke the end for which they are given to them, or enable them to mixe them with Faith; and according to the ftrengthof that, and not according to the Truth that is in the Promifes themfelves, is their Affurance ofthe things promifed; And therefore notwithftanding all thecleare Promifes ofPerfeveránce which are made, andmade knowne to them we feevery manyofthem not to come up to anyfuch Aflùrance thereof, as tobe freed from theFirfi fort ofFeare mentioned,which yet is the proper iffue ofunbeliefe,to thebegettingwhereof in them,God bath not intlituted anyOr- dinance. Secondly that none of theSaints ofGod are by the Promifes of Grace which we aflert, freed fromthat Fearewhich is the proper produ&and effe t "ofGods Comminationsin refpe&ofthem, and therefore by them there is no obltru&ion.laid in the wayofthe proper efficiency ofthofe threatnings What is added in the third and laft place, is only a Repetition ofwhat was before fpoken, without anyattempt'ofProofe; unleffe he would have it look't upon as a Conclaafonfrom the premifes, whole weakeneffe being difcovered as to the intent and purpofe inhand, we need not farther trouble our felvés with it. InfteadofMr Goodwin'snow confidered, take thefe fewobfervations which will give fo muchlight into the whole matter under debate, as may fuperfede his whole infuing Difcourfe.. 4: 56. Firft then, it may beobferved (as it was by the way in the foregoingDif- courfe) that notwithftanding the PromifesofPerfeverance which are given to the Saints, yet many there are, who are not enabled all their dayes tomix themwith Faith (although their intereft & portion lyes in them,no lefle than theirs who through Grace attaine the greateft Affurance) and on that accountdo never all their dayes get free from tome bondage by reafonof theFeareofDeath and deftru&ion: And in refpe&of fuch as thefe,theCorn - minations and threatnings infifted on, may have muchof that End accom- plifhed which by Mr Goodwih is affigned to them; not that fuch a frame is di- reedyaimed at in them,Chrift dying to deliver them, who,by reafon ofDeath were in bondage all their dayes, from that bondage which the Feare ofDeath for finne doth keepe the foules ofmen in, and under, but that it followes and willfollow upon theirdarkeneffe and weákeneffe ofFaith. Secondly, thatthe Promifes of Perfeverance beingof the effe&ing and ac- complifhment ofit, by and in the efe ofmeaner, do not, nor will give delive- rance to them towhom they are made from feareofdeath and Hell, but On- ly whilfttheyconfcientioufly ufe the means appointed for them towalke in: fo that upon their deflexion from the Ride which is attended with Mercy and Peace, the threatnings ofGod to finneand (inners, toApoftacy andApoftates, do lay holdon them in their full force and efficacy; efpecially to the ingene rating in them a Terreur ofthe Lord(as theApoftle fpeakes) & an abhorrency oftheir wayes, a loathing of them asnot'good, that would caufe them to fall into thehands ofthe LivingGod; So that all Mr Goodwin's Arguings, not be- ing levied againft the certainety of Perfeverrance but mens Certainty that they Mall Perfevere (which Tome never attaine unto fome loofe either in whole, or in part, oftentimes) are not tothe bufineffe inhand. Thirdly
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=