Chapter 17: Of The Perseverance of the Saints
1. Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called
and sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his elect
unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but
shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved,
seeing the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, whence he
still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope,
and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; and though many storms
and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to
take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastened
upon; notwithstanding, through unbelief and the temptations of Satan, the
sensible sight of the light and love of God may for a time be clouded and
obscured from them, yet he is still the same, and they shall be sure to
be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their
purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands,
and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.
(
John 10:28, 29;
Philippians 1:6;
2 Timothy 2:19;
1 John 2:19;
Psalms 89:31, 32;
1 Corinthians 11:32;
Malachi 3:6
)
2. This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own
free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing
from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy
of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the
oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them,
and the nature of the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also
the certainty and infallibility thereof.
(
Romans 8:30
Romans 9:11, 16;
Romans 5:9, 10;
John 14:19;
Hebrews 6:17, 18;
1 John 3:9;
Jeremiah 32:40
)
3. And though they may, through the temptation of Satan and of
the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the
neglect of means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins, and
for a time continue therein, whereby they incur God's displeasure and
grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts impaired,
have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded, hurt and
scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves, yet
shall they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in
Christ Jesus to the end.
(
Matthew 26:70, 72, 74;
Isaiah 64:5, 9;
Ephesians 4:30;
Psalms 51:10, 12;
Psalms 32:3, 4;
2 Samuel 12:14;
Luke 22:32, 61, 62
)
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