Of the Perseverance of the Saints.- THEY
whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and
sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away
from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the
end, and be eternally saved. [1].
- 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; [2] upon the efficacy of the
merit and intercession of Jesus Christ; [3] the abiding of the Spirit,
and of the seed of God within them; [4] and the nature of the covenant
of grace, [5] from all which ariseth also the certainty and
infallibility thereof. [6].
- Nevertheless
they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the
prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the
means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; [7] and for a
time continue therein; [8] whereby they incur God's displeasure, [9]
and grieve his Holy Spirit; [10] come to be deprived of some measure of
their graces and comforts; [11] have their hearts hardened, [12] and
their consciences wounded; [13] hurt and scandalize others, [14] and
bring temporal judgments upon themselves. [15].
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