XVII. Of 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; abut 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 bthem, yet he is still the same cand 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.
aJohn 10:28–29; Phil. 1:6; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 John 2:19 bPs. 89:31–32; 1 Cor. 11:32 cMal. 3:6
2. This perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own free will; but upon the immutability of the decree of aElection flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ band Union with him, the coath of God, the abiding of his Spirit and the dseed of God within them, and the nature of the eCovenant of Grace from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
aRom. 8:30; Rom. 9:11, 16 bRom. 5:9–10; John 14:19 cHeb. 6:17–18 d1 John 3:9 eJer. 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 asins, and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur bGod’s displeasure, and grieve his holy Spirit, come to have their graces and ccomforts impaired, have their hearts hardened, and their Consciences wounded, dhurt, and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments eupon themselves: yet they shall renew their frepentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.
aMatt. 26:70, 72, 74 bIsa. 64:5, 9; Eph. 4:30 cPs. 51:10–12 dPs. 32:3–4 e2 Sam. 12:14 fLuke 22:32, 61–62