The eífertgrs ofthe Sts Pert. compared with their edverfaries. C.XIII. quotesout of any Author , he hath fpent onewhole Chaptertoperfwade the 3 r i world,that menof as great, 4biiityes & Judgments,as any in the world, /nee theApoftles fell a fleepe,have ufually expreft themfelves,ina direlt contradi. cion, to what they are eminently and notorioufly knowne, astheirprofeffed deliberate Judgments, to havemaintained. Secondly,He farther informes us, how this Doctrineofthe Perfeveranceof y; t t, theSaints, came tobefo generally entertained by the Godly,Zealous & Able Minifters of thisNation,that when we fee how they fell into it,theirTeftimo- ny given thereto, may beofthe leffe validity withus. This (he tellethyou) was thePermiffion ofM. Perkinshis yttágment,to be o- verruled by the Texts ofScripture commonly infified onfor the proofe ofthisDo- úrine, the great worth ofthePerfon commended therefore the worthof the Opini- on, & heverily believeth, as men were then induced to receive this Opinion,fo to a relsnquifhment ofit, theywantnothing but the countenance andAuthortyoffom perfon ofpopular acceptance to go before them; And the Reafonhe giveth "/this his Faith is, the Obfervationof the Principles they ufually holdforth,efpecially in the Applicator, part of theirsermons. Anf. What, and who they were, who are thus reprefented by Mr Good- a tad win,in their receiving and imbracing ofthat Doftrine,which with the great travel! oftheir Soules all theirdayes they Preached and preffed to,andupon others,is knownetoa1l.ThePerfons I named before,(oneof them only excep- ted)with all thofe eminent, burning, and IhiningLights, which for fo many yeareshave laboured with Renowne and fuccefl'e, to the aftonifhment ofthe world in the Preachingofthe Gofpellin this Nation, are the men intended. Doubtleffefuch thoughts have not in formerd'ayes been entertained ofthem, however the contemplationofany mans owne ability may now raifehim to contempt of them; M. Perkins received thisDoarine, and therefore all the Godly Miniftersof thisNation did fo to. If any oneofthe like efteemewith himdid fall offfrom it; (Now whom they fhould obtaine to lead them,ofe- quail reputation and acceptancewith him who bath in vaine attempted it, . I knownot,) they wouldquickly follow,(not like Shepheards butSheep) in- to an oppofition thereunto; Thofe who have not very flight thoughts ofth doubtleffe they that are fallen a fleep did not deferve, will fcarcely fuppofe that they entertained a Truthof fo greatimportance as this upon fo eafietearmes as thefe infinuated; or that they would have parted with it, at fo cheape a rate. Farther, why the Minifters ofEngland fhould be thought to entertaine this $1t Doftrinemeerely upon the Authority and countenanceofMr Perkins given thereunto, when the univerfality ofthe Teachersofali other ReformedChur- ches, ofthe fame confeffion in other things with them, did allo embrace the fame Doctrine, and do continue in profeflion of it to thisday, what reafon can beaflìgned? Had there been a particular inducement tothe Minifters ofEnglandfor the receivingofit, whichwas altogether forraigne unto them, who as to our Nationare forraigners,whence is it that there should be fisch a a coincidence oftheir Judgments with them therein? Orwhy may not ours be thought totake it upon thefame account with them, upon whole Judge- ments & underflandings the Authority ofMr Perkinscannot be fuppofed to have any influence;IsM.G.the onlyPerfon,who,in thisNation bath impartially weighed all thingsofconcernement,to the refutingor imbracingany matters orpoftrines inlieligion?Have noother in thefincerttyoftheir heartsfcearched the scriptures,& earneftly begged the guidance ofthe Spirit;according to that incouraging Promife left by their Mafter,thatthey fbouldreceive him fo doing? Thegood Lord take away from us all high thoughts ofour felves, and all contempt
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