kept by the power of God and least that keeping should be for a little while he tells you it is an inheritance that fadeth not away Rom. 8.30 Ans. The strength of this Argument lyeth in two particulars First Gods unchangeablenesse Secondly in believers being kept by his power First Therefore to the unchangeablenesse of God I grant that he changeth not and yet it doth not follow but justified persons may fall totally and finally For Union and salvation are conditional First their entrance into it is conditional he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 being justifyed by faith c. Rom. 5.1 without faith it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 if by faith they are justifyed then not without it he that believeth not is condemned John 3.18 19. But some may say we are justified before in Gods account I answer then we were his people in his account also without or before believing which to say were to contradict the Scripture 1 Pet. 2. which in time past were not a people yet are now the people of God which were not under mercy but now have obtained mercy Rom. 9.25 26. Hosea 2.23 the Apostle Paul saith that Andronicus and Junia were in Christ before him Rom. 16.7 the Apostle John saith if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darknesse we ly and do not the truth 1 John 1.6 and again He that saith he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments is a lyar and the truth is not in him ch. 7.4 by all which appears that we are not the justifyed ones neither have we union with Christ without believing and doing his commandements 1 John 1.7 Secondly we are continued in union with Christ on condition of believing and persevering in the doing the will of God and not without this the word of God doth teach us in many places For we are made partakers of Christ mark if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end Heb. 3.14 Paul saith to the Colossians that Christ hath reconciled them in the body of his flesh through death to present them holy and unblameably and unreprovable in his sight if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not mov'd away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard Col. 1.21.22.23 mark they then shall be presented holy unreprovable unblameable upon what terms why if they continue c. and so saith the Spirit unto the Angells of the Church in Smyrna be thou faithfull unto death and I will give the Crown of life Rev. 2.10 and so unto the Church in Thyatira he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations verse 25 26.27 he that overcometh the same shall be clothed in white raiment and I will not blot his name out of the book of life but I will confesse his name before my father and before his holy Angels cha. 2 5. our Lord Christ saith in the fifteenth of John the second every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away some branches in Christ may become fruitlesse and so taken away by the Father so the Author to the Heb. saith that which beareth thornes and bryers is rejected and is nigh unto cursing Heb. 6.8 By this which hath been said it appears that we have no union with Christ but by believing and doing the will of God and that union with Christ is continued by persevering in doing the will of God and not otherwise God having promised eternal life upon no other terms Now this considered we may plainly see that although persons which have union with Christ may fall from it by not holding fast unto the end yet God never the more changeable because justification union and salvation are conditionall as hath been shewed God hath bound himself as I may say to give life to overcomming Saints but if any man draw back his soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10.39 he hath promised his blessing unto fruitfull branches in Christ but fruitlesse ones he will take away John 15.2.3 So much to the Argument Now to the Scriptures alleged The first is Isa. 54.17 the supposed strength which is in this text lyeth in these words No weapon formed against them shall prosper Let us examine now who it shall not prosper against why saith the Lord this is the heritage of the Lords servants now the Lords servants are they that still overcome against whom no weapon shall prosper not they that fight for a time and are overcome at last let not him that girdeth on his armor boast himself as he that putteth it off 1 Kin. 20.11 in serving the Lord we have a promise as the Apostle saith who is it that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good 1 Pet. 3.13 so that this doth not prove but that believers may fall and so cease to be what they were and God not engaged in promise unto them for he saith Ezek. 18.24 but when the righteous man turneth away from his righteousnesse and committeth iniquity and doth according to all the abomination that the wicked man doth shall he live all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespasse that he hath trespassed and in his sin that he hath sinned in them he shall dy c. Again this is a promise made unto Israel of and concerning their being established in righteousnesse after their scattering and rejection for their not receiving Christ for it relates to Gods performing Covenant with them in which Covenant they shall all be taught of God see verse 13. and all thy children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of thy children but not a promise made to any in the time of their warfare without the condition of standing fast taking heed overcoming and the like for otherwise there be weapons viz the firy darts of Satan and the like may and do prosper against many and we no promise to the contrary which proves that God one day will look upon Israel though now tossed and afflicted and turn ungodlynesse from Jacob in which day or at which time no weapon formed against him shall prosper for the Lord will assuredly establish Israel a people before him therfore this text doth not so much as seem to prove the thing it is brought for The second place alleged is Psal. 125.1 they that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion that cannot be moved but abideth for ever c. I grant as before that persons that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion unmovable so long as they continue trusting in him but some that trust in the Lord may let go their confidence as hath been shewed yea some have so done Jer. 2.5 compared with verse 12.13 thus saith the Lord what iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and have walked after vanity and are
lessened thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to passe unto thee or not now consider the Lords hand being his power whether he doth not set to his hand to those that do fall to this end that they might not fall to destruction see Jer. 2.5.3.12 13 14. compared with Rom. 10.20 21. Again we have shewed what Gods power is by which he keeps men to salvation through faith in the answer to the second Argument to which I refer you for a more full answer to this the power of God as hath been shewed by which he keepeth men or his hand he sets to believers to the end they might not fall to destruction is his word which is the powerfull means that he useth to that end in which means he is not wanting to any that do fall for the Reason of their fall is not because the Lord is wanting in the meanes but â—â—cause they reject his word Thus is this Argument found too light now to the next The 12th Argument is taken from these words The path of Just men is still increasing and growing therefore they cannot totally nor finally fall away Psal. 1. c. Men that are just and so continue are like unto a tree that is planted by the Rivers of waters that bringeth forth his fruit in his season and they that do so I grant cannot fall totally and finally but what is this to prove the assertion doth it therfore follow that just men cannot become unjust by their forgetting they were once purged from their old sins and so become unfruitful men that are blind and cannot see but men that have their delight in the law of the Lord and in it do meditate day and night will be fruitfull This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shall meditate therein day and night that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein for then if thou so doest thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good successe but if otherwise see Isa. 1.19 20. Thus is this Argument weighed in the ballance also and found too light The thirteenth Argument is stated upon these words The gifts and calling of God being without repentance Rom. 11.29 therfore they cannot totally nor finally fall John 5.24 1 John 2.19 2 John 2. v. The proposition I grant viz the gifts and callings of God are without repentance but what doth this prove that believers cannot fall totally nor finally no the Apostle brings it for another end viz. to prove that God wil perform covenant with Israel But lest this should not do it you allege three places of Scripture to prove your conclusion I shall therfore examine them in order and see whether they are of that weight to this thing as to prove it The first place is Joh. 5. â—4 the words are these Verily Verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemation but is passed from death to life what doth this prove that believers cannot fall it is true they that believe shall not come into condemnation if they continue believing for so Christ is to be understood which as I suppose will not be denyed But it may be objected they shall continue because Christ saith they shall not come into condemnation They that do continue believing shall not come into condemnation I grant but that this proves a necessity of continuing I deny for we find that some that believed did not continue as saith the Evangelist from that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him see here that some that were Christs disciples and thereby under the promise of everlasting life yet they shall come unto condemnation because they do not continue Hymeneus and Alexander believed and thereby were under the promise yet they made shipwrack of faith and a good conscience and so come under condemnation for they were delivered to Satan that they might learn not to blaspheme some are already turned aside after Satan this thou knowest that all they that are in Asia be turned away from me of whom is Phyletus and Hermogenes who concerning the truth have erred saying that the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some viz. Hymenues and Phyletus but they that do believe and do continue according to the text shall not come into condemnation Your second place is 1 John 2.19 the words are these They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out from us that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us What doth this text prove that believers cannot fall away or doth it prove that some have fallen away sure it rather proves the latter then the former for they were with them and they did go out from them But it may be objected that they never were of them and therefore they went out from them so that they fell not from the faith but from a seeming faith I answer that they never were of them the text doth not say for then they would never have been with them Again when they went out from them they were not of them I grant but that they never were of them I deny those that depart from the faith are not of those that keep the faith they that go from the Churches are not of them that continue with the Churches but they have received another spirit viz the spirit of Antichrist and therfore they go out from them that are of the spirit of Christ but that they never were of them is more then the text will prove the Apostle telleth them in verse 18. that there are many Antichrists they saith he went out from us viz. those Antichrists according to the Apostle Acts 20. also of your own selves shall men arise mark well of your own selves those were of them and they shall speak perverse things to draw disciples alter them thus is this Scripture found not sufficient to prove that which it is brought for Your last place alleged is 2 John 2. the words are these for the truths sake which abideth in us and shall be in us for ever I answer the truth will abide with those that do abide in it I grant but some do erre from the truth therefore Saints must beware least being lead away with the error of the wicked they fall from their own stedfastnesse but if they abide in the truth the truth shall make them free so that you may see that if they abide in that truth that truth will abide with them for ever and not otherwise and therefore the Apostle exhorts the elect Lady looke to your selfe saith he that we loose not the things that we have wrought but that we receive a full
people giving all dilligence to add to their faith vertue and to vertue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and to patience godlinesse and to godlinesse brotherly kindnesse and to brotherly kindnesse charity thus doing ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ but he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see a far off and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins But let the servants of the Lord do so and they shall never fall viz. give diligence to make their calling and election sure by giving dilligence to add these to their faith c. It teacheth them to esteem highly of the ministry Vse 5 of Christ and so consequently of his ministers who are set over them as their feeders knowing that without they are fed they may pine and and so die this is a duty that the Lord doth enjoin his people to do and we beseech you brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake c. this it teaches Saints to do and joyfully to receive from them that food that is appointed for their spiritual nourishment and growth and not to slight their profitable admonitions which tend to the taking away any infection that may arise in them which if not prevented in time may grow to a consumption and so instead of thriving under the ministry they pine and wast and so at last die not for want of food but because of an infection that may hinder the concoction and so the food become unprofitable unto them which may be occasioned by their slighting them that are over them in the Lord viz. by slighting their labour and admonitions and therefore the Hebrew Saints were put upon this duty remember them which have the rule over you who have spoke unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation and again obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you c. Vse 6 It teacheth the servants of the Lord to set a high estimation on the word of God they knowing that to be sincere milk by which they must be fed and grow the good servant of the Lord the Prophet David did highly esteem of the word of the Lord saith he princes have persecuted me without cause but my heart standeth in awe of thy word I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil again mine eyes prevent the night watches that I might meditate in thy word so likewise the Prophet Jeremiah thy words were found and I did eat them and thy words were unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart c. to this duty the Apostle of our Lord doth presse believers wherefore laie apart all filthinesse and superfluity of naughtinesse and receive with meeknesse the ingraffed word which is able to save your souls how sweet are thy words unto my tast saith David thus to do doth this truth teach us because whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed but he that feareth the commandements shall be rawarded and again wherefore thus saith the holy one of Israel because ye have dispised this word and trust in oppression and perversenesse and stay thereon therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall swelling out in a high wall whose breaking commeth suddenly at an instant for all those things hath mine hand made and all those things have been saith the Lord but to this man will I look even to him that is pure and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word the Lord is pleased to make gracious promises to such as highly esteem of his word but if we despise it we shall be destroyed oh how precious is the word of the Lord how should it then be disgested and received into our very hearts as our food our councel our light our lanthorn lest it be despised so we pine starve dy and be destroyed It teacheth the servants of Christ to esteem Vse 7 highly of Gospel ordinances of the precious institutions of their precious lord because they know that they are the conveyances in which God is pleased to convey himself unto them and because without their obedience unto and faithfull walking in them they are in unspeakable danger of falling to destruction therefore saith the Apostle John whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ hath both the father and the son again Christ saith if ye keep my commandements ye shall abide in my love c. he that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me he that keepeth my sayings c. the servants of Christ then must highly esteem of Christs sayings doctrines commandements c. for so did they of old the proud have forged a ly against me but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart their heart is as fat as grease but I delight in thy law the law of thy mouth is better to me then thousonds of gold and silver and again O how thy commandements have made me wiser then al my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditations I understand more then the antients because I keep thy precepts here may we see how this servant of the lord did esteem of the precepts of the lord and likewise what profit he received by his so doing what a sad estate and condition are they in that set light by ordinances that cast them behind them and break the commandements of the Lord and teach men so to do the lord Christ will make as little account of them one day for he saith why call you me lord lord and do not the things that I say as if Christ should say you call me lord but why do you so how am I your lord and you keep not my sayings If I were your lord you would keep my words my commandements you would set an high esteem of my ordinances and the like how many is there at this day that call Christ lord and yet have no love to his testimonies how many that have owned Christ in his institutions and yet have transgressed and abide not in his doctrine but slight his ordinances saying they are low things as if they were too high to submit to them or having submitted to them were grown too high to continue in them and yet they call him Lord the Apostle Paul prais'd the Corinthians for keeping the ordinances as he had delivered them unto them let this use be made therefore of this truth seeing if we transgresse and abide not
if thou find it give God the glory in obeying his voice doing his will and loving his righteous law and testimonies which he hath ratified with the bloud of his deer Son who died for thee Thine JOHN GRIFFITH REader these few faults have escaped the Presse and the Author desireth thee to mend them with thy pen ERRATA PAge 7. line 11. read I will give thee a Crown of life p. 21. l. 11. r. comforts of the spirit in Epist. Dedic. p. 4. l. 10. r. through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant A TREATISE TOUCHING Falling from Grace OR Thirteen Arguments tending to prove that Believers cannot fall from Grace Examined and Answered THe Position That Justified persons cannot totally nor finally fall from the grace of Vnion with the Lord Jesus The first Argument is drawn from Matthew 24.24 thus If any could prevail upon the Elect it is like they might be false Prophets that might do it But they cannot seduce them Therefore muchlesse can any totally draw them Answer First consider that the Lord Jesus doth speak in the former part of this chapter Matthew 24.24 touching the signs of his coming it being desired of him by his Disciples verse 3. our Lord in his answer the beginning thereof gives them as an introduction unto his answer this charge viz. that they take heed that none deceive them verse 4. it seems then his Disciples might be deceived and that by men to or else needless was this caveat take heed the reasons why they must is because many false Prophets shall arise and deceive many v. 11. therfore take you heed what Disciples of Christ must they take heed they that are justified persons or else lyable to be deceived yea they must for they onely that endure to the end the same shall be saved v. 13. it seems it is not impossible for false prophets to deceive justified persons as appears in this chapter and also in 2 Pet. 2.1 2. But there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious waies by whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and through covetousnesse shall they with fained words make merchandize of you of who why of justified persons such as had obtained like precious faith through the righteousnesse of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1.1 Again Paul in the 20. of Acts calleth the Elders of the Church at Ephesus together v. 17. and in the 28. v. he exhorteth them to take heed unto themselves and to all the Flock c. here the chosen or Elect Elders chosen of God and purchased by his blood Eph. 1.4 are commanded to take heed to themselves and to the Flock why what is the matter why after Pauls departure shall grievious wolves enter in not sparing the Flock and of their own selves men shall arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them therefore they must watch v. 29 30 31. or else they may be deceived or drawn away therefore Christ saith beware of false Prophets c. Mat. 7 15. yea and Peter in his second Epistle 3.17 exhorteth them that have like precious faith chap. 1.1 to beware saying least ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse Justified persons may fall and be deceived by false Prophets else how uselesse were these sayings of Christ and his servants unto us in these and many more places of Scripture this premised Now to the Argument and first let me inquire whether by the Elect is intended such as Paul who had fought a good fight who had finished his course who kept the faith it such I grant an impossibility of being seduced by false Prophets But if by Elect be meant such as Paul in his warfare The Minor proposition is denied viz. that they cannot fall away nor be seduced for Paul having kept the faith could say henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteousnesse c. 2 Tim. 4.8 But in his warfare he saith otherwise I therefore so run not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the air but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection least that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a castaway 1 Cor. 26 27. thus much to the Argument now to the text from whence the argument is drawn I answer First such as keep the faith are the Elect that shall not be deceived by false Prophets and false Christs although they should come with all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish 2 Thes. 2.10 those that doe wickedly against the Covenant shall be corrupt by flatteries but the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits Dan. 1â— 32 They that give diligence to make their calling and election sure in so doing shall never fall 2 Pet. 1.10 Secondly by the word Elect is sometimes meant Israel after the flesh for they are called the chosen of God Deut. 7.6 chap. 14.2 Exod. 19.5 6. yet notwithstanding because of unbelief they were cut off Rom. 11.20 yet not for ever for he is able to graffe them in again v. 23. compared with v. 24. God will not forget the Covenant made with them Jer. 31. v. 31. to 34. There shall come a deliverer out of Syon that shal turn ungodlinesse from Jacob c. Rom. 11.26 though as concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sakes yet as touching the election they are beloved for the Fathers sake v. 28. although they are now deceived yet then it shall be impossible to deceive them for they shal see him whom they have pierced and mourn c. Zach. 12.10 Rev. 1.7 Mat. 24.30 Thirdly by Elect sometimes is meant Jesus Christ for he is the very Elect behold saith God my servant mine elect in whom my soul delighteth Is 42.1 he is the chief corner stone Elect precious c. 1 Pet 2.6 Mat. 21.42 he saith the Lord shall not fail nor be discouraged Isaiah 42.4 he is the beloved Ephes. 1.6 neither false Prophets nor false Christs shall deceive him it is impossible for the Lord hath said he shall not fail nor be discouraged Now if by the Elect be meant either such as keep the faith or Israel as to their future condion or Christ I grant an impossibility of their being deceived but if by elect it be the sence of the Opponent that believers in their warfaring estate cannot fall and that to be the sence of this text it is a thing I want proof of which till I have I must deny as beforesaid The second Argument is taken from the unchangeable love of God towards his people Isa. 54.17 Psa. 1. Jer. 31.1 2. Arg. Though there is unconstancy in the creature yet in the first of Pet. 1.5 We are
such like temptations doth Satan assault Christs servants as he did him what need then have they to stand upon their watch and to set themselves upon their watch tower least they be catched by these baits and so be overcome by him therefore saith the Apostle put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and again above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked What need have they then to pray alwaies watching thereunto with all perseverance seeing they have to deal with so potent an adversary which otherwise may overcome them what need have the servants of Christ to watch over their words and consider what they speak seeing evill communication corrupts good manners and seeing likewise that he that bridleth not his tongue his Religion is vain therfore David desired the Lord to set a watch before his mouth and to keep the door of his lips Again what need have the servants of Christ to set a watch over their thoughts also seeing lust when it is conceived it brings forth sin and sin when it is finished brings forth death therfore saith David I hate vain thoughts but I love thy law suffer not thy thoughts then to runne after vanity thou seest there is danger in it but make this good use thou knowing there is danger of this truth let it teach thee to stand upon thy watch as our Lord saith what I say unto you I say unto all men watch Vse 2 It teacheth us to run with patience the race that is set before us because it is not for a time that we must run or part of the way but it must be the whole race to the end till death and the like therefore the Apostle saith let patience have her perfect work we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurence of hope unto the end that ye be not sloathfull but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promise the many reproaches temptations afflictions sufferings persecutions imprisonments yea and death it self which they that will live godly in Christ Jesus are liable to suffer and to passe through here for the testimony of Christ must be endued with patience thou therefore endure hardnesse as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ these things must be indured if we will have the Crown and that to the end too for he that endureth to the end shall be saved if we faint in our minds and cast of our confidence and so cast of Christ because of the crosse we shall not reap let us not be weary of well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not if we suffer for Christ with patience and indure the Cross and despise the shame as he did we shall be glorifyed with him but if in our sufferings we are overcome and do deny him he also will deny us therfore let us consider him that suffered such contradictions of sinners least we be wearied and faint in our minds and take as the Apostle of our Lord saith my brethren the Prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord for an example of suffering affliction and of patience if we do not add patience to our faith we may faint under our burden let this truth therfore teach the Servants of the Lord to suffer afflictions with patience knowing that we shall not reap if we faint it is not sufficient that we be faithful for a year nor years it must be unto death if we will receive the Crown of life we have therefore need of patience that after we have done the will of God we may receive the promise but if we shall say in our hearts the Lord delaies his comming and shall begin to beat the man servants and maydens and to eat and drink and to be drunken the Lord will come in a day we look not for him and at an hour when we are not aware and will cut us a sunder and appoint us our portion with unbelievers therefore let us be patient stablished in our hearts for the comming of the Lord draweth nigh It teaches the servants of the Lord to walk Vse 3 humbly with their God fearing and not high minded they knowing that God resisteth the proud but he gives grace to the humble God will as it were set himself against the proud man whosoever he be surely he scorneth the scorner but he giveth grace to the lowly we must not be high minded but fear for this cause for he spared not the natural branches therefore take heed lest he spare not thee we must learn of Christ to be of a meek and lowly spirit put on humblenesse of mind meekness long suffering be clothed with humility as with a garment therefore Paul that faithful servant of the Lord humbled himself I saith he keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I my self should be a cast away This servant of the Lord knew full well if he did not keep himself low and humble but give way to the flesh and the justs thereof he might miscarry be a cast away wherefore he stirred up the servants of the Lord to cloth themselves with this comly ornament which becomes believing men let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem others better then themselves and this he strives to fasten upon them from the graciousnesse and never to be forgotten example of our dear Lord who though he was equall with God yet he left that glory and humbled himself for our sakes and became obedient to death that we might live and therefore we must be humble else God will not exalt us God will not dwel with a proud person but he will dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit he hath shewed thee oh man what is good and what the Lord requires of thee but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God It teaches the servants of the Lord to give diligence Vse 4 to make their calling and election sure and to work out their salvation with fear and trembling because otherwise they may become unfruitful and barren and so be taken away from the vine they must therefore give diligence to make their caling and election sure for if they so do they shall never fall they must work the Lord doth require it and work out their salvation too with fear trembling for to such the Lord hath promised his presence thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousnesse those that remember thee in thy wayes God doth expect that his people should be a willing people a people fruitful a