1 John 3, 9. Arguedand Vindicated. C.XV. thing as is aimed atfrom the Text ; nor the word ( abide:) but to the whole propofition,th_e feedafGod abideth in him,as produced to confirme theformer ailertionof the not finningof the Perfons fpoken of, there is nothing. fpoken at all ; I (hall therefore briefely confirme the Argument in hand, by the ftrength herecommunicated 'unto it,"bythe.HolyGhoft, and then confider what is anfivered to anypart of it, oroeJeeu to theinterpretation infilted on' That he, thatfinneth not,n eithercanfinne ip the fence+explained (hall never fall away totally orfinally from God, isgranted- Thàt 13elieversfnnt not - nor canJinne, fo, of in,the manner mentioned; betides the Tedimony ofthe Holy Ghoft, worthy of all acceptation , in theeleare .affertiott bf. it,' we have the Reafon thereof manifeded,in the.difcovery; ofthe can iosofats; troth. The firft Reafon is,'Becaufe thefeedofGod abideth-in thefn. ; Atacite grantfeemeth tobe made; that fruit fomerimes:maynot . vifibly appeare, uponthern,.as the cafe is with a Treein winter, when it calls its leaves brit its feed. remaineth- Gracemay abide in the habit, in, and under,a .winter,of Temptation , though it dothnot exert its felfe in beating any luch a&úall fr,,uiF,.. s may be ordinari- ly vifible. The Word ofGod is fometimes calledfeed incorruptible fed eau- fatively, as being an inftrument in the handofGòd, whereby he planteth the feedofLife and hoiinefiè in the heart; That it is not the outward word,biat'that which is produced, and effe&ed by it,through the efficacy oftheSpirit.ofGod, that is by feed intended, is evident from the,ufeand nature ofit. And it is a- biding in the Perlon in whom it is. Whateverit is;it calledfeed, not in re-. fpe&of that from whence it cometh, as is the caufe and Reafon of that ap- pellationofother feed, but in refpeet of that which it produceth, which a- rifeth and infueth upon it: and it is called thefeedofGod, becaufeGod ufeth it for the Regeneration of his. Being from God, bei ng the principle ofthe Re- generationof them in whom it is, abiding inthem even when it bathbrought forth fruir, and continuing fo todoe, it can be noother but theNew Creature, NewNature, inward Man, new principle of Life, or habit ofGrace, that is be- llowedupon all Believers, whence they are Regenerate, quickned, or borne againe,Ofwhich wehave fpoken before. This feed(faith the HolyGhoft) abideth, or reinaineth in him. Whatever fallingor witheringH may feerne tohave,or harh,thisfeed,the feedofGodre- maineth in him. The principle of his new life. abided), tome exceptions are made as we (hall feeafterwards, tothe fignificationof the word (µ<tvh) remai- neth, and inftances givenwhereit fignifyeth for tobe, and denoteth the effence ofa thing not its duration. That to abide, or remaine is the proper fignification of the word, I luppofe willnot be gue(lioned.: That it'may. in Come place be ufed in anotherfence,is not dilpuited. All that lyeth under confederation here, is,whetherthe word in this place be tiled properly accordingto itsgenuine and fir(frgnifcation, or no ? Itfitppofeth indeed:(to be) alto; but properly fi'gnifi- ethonly toabideor remain.. ì Now ifnothing ' can be advanced: from . the Text, of context, from thematter treated on, or the paralell fignificancy of Tome expreffion that is in conjunllionwith it, thatibould inforceus to carry it from its properufe and fignification, the iudancing, ,ofother pl aces, ifany fisch be, wherein it is'redrained : to denote being and 'notduratioit,, .is alto- gether impertinent to thebufetseffe in hand.Whenan:Argument isurged from any place ofScripture, to pickout anyword inthe Text and to manifeftahat it hathbeenufed improperly; :inifome other pláee, and therefore mutt beCo in that, is a procedure fo farte from an ingenious Anfwer,, that'ìtwillfcaree paffe'for` a tole.rablé :fliifr or:evafion. To .rentáine therVeorto isthe pro- perfignification ofthis word,¬hing is in the leaft offered tonianifeft.that it muftneeeflàrily: in thisplace be divertfed,frosriits proper de._.. B b b a According 371 4 67.
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