Gods dealingwithBelievers accordingto theDot.ofPerfev. ftency with, the latter is after Argued, let this acording to the Analogyofour Do&rine beinftituted. rau that truly Believe in mytonne 7efus chrifi, andare made partakers o fmy Holy Spirit, who being heirs of the Promifes, andfohave a Right to that abundant Confolation, that Toy in believing, which I am willingall ofyou fhould receive, i knowyour Feares, doubts, perplexityes.and Temptations,yourfailings, finnes and backHidings, andwhat fad thoughts on theaccount ofthe evil! ofyour owne hearts andwayesyou are expofedto, as thatyou(hallnever abide, nor be able to continuewithme, and in myLove to the end: let the feeble knees beflrengthned andthe hands that hang down be liftedup: behold ihave ordained goodworkes foryou to walke in, as the way whereinyou are to walkefor the attainment ofthe end ofyour Faith the Salvationofyour foules; And to quicken you andflirreyou up hereunto, Ihave provided andeflablifhedEfetluallOrdinances, revealed in the Word ofmy Grace, whereuntoyou are to attend, and in theufe ofthem according tomymind,togrow up intoHolineffe, in all mannerofholy converfation, Watch- ing, Fighting, Refifting,Contending :with, and againfl' all theSpirituali Enemy's ofyourfoules; And asforme, this ismy Covenant withyou, hat mySpirit which gives Efficacy to all the meanes, Ordinances andAdvanta7es ofGofpell Obedi- ence, which i have afforded untoyou, by whom Iwill fulfillin you allthe good- pleafureofmy Goadneffe, and theworkeofFaith withPower, fo makingyou meet for the Inheritance ofthe Saints in Light, andPreferving you tomy Heavenly Kingdom, (hallnever departfromyou o thatyou alfa having my Lawwritten inyour hearts,fhall never utterly andwickedly depart me;Andforfnchlinnet andfollies asyoufhall be- overtaken withall,Iwillgracioufly healeyour backslitlings and receiveyoufreely. This isthe LanguageoftheDo&rine we maintaine, which isnot (we full well know) obnoxious toany Exceptionsor Confequences what ever, but fuch asbold and prejudiced men, for the 'countenanceof their vaine conceits and opinions, will venture at any time to impofe and fatten on themolt pretious Truthsofthe Gofpell; That God fhould fay to Believers, as is impofed on him, , fall into whatfinnes they will, or abominations they can , yet he will have them believe, that by an irrefiflible hand, he will necetate them to Perfevere; that is, in and under their Apoflacy, (which is evidently implyed in their fall- ing into finnes and abominations in the manner infiftedon) is a ridiculous fi- ¿lion, to the imagination whereofthe leali colour is not fupplied, by the Do- ¿trine intended tobe traduced thereby. Secondly, for the enfuing Exhortations, Promifes, and Threatnings, as farre as they are really Evangelical!, whofeufe and tendency is argued tobe incon- fìftent with theDo&rine before propofed,I have formerly manifefted. What is their proper ufeand efficacy in refpeft ofBelievers, and their confiftency with the truth wemaintaine, apprehended as it is indeed , and not vifarded with ugly anddreadfullappeaices,will I prefume fcarcely be called in que- Ilion by any, who having received a Kingdome that cannot be fhaken , doe know what it is to ferve God acceptably with reverence and Godlyfeare; It is true, they are madeunto, and havetheir ufe in reference unto them that Be- lieve, and (hall Perfevere therein : but they are not"given unto them, as meti affured oftheir Perfeverance;but as men called to the ufeof meanes for the eftablifhingoftheir foules in thewayes ofobedience; Theyarenot in the me- thodoftheGofpell, irrationallyhapped on fuch intimations of unchangeable Love, or propofed under fuch wild Conditionalls, and SsappofLions, as here by our Author; but annexedto the Appointment of thofe wayes ofGrace and Peace,whichGod callshisSaintsunto,being Puked toworke upon thenew na- ture werewith theyareindued, as fpreading it felfe over all the facultyesof their 319 ßt 3`
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