:

transgressions: so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Ezek xviii, 30.-Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again unto me, saith the Lord. Turn, O backsliding children: I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful: I will not keep anger for ever: For I am married unto you. Jer. iii, 1, 12, 14. See Rev. ii, 4; iii, 3; Psalm li, 17.— I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely. Hos. xiv, 4.-Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a pleasant child? For, since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord. Jer. xxxi, 19, 20.— Therefore I will look unto the Lord: I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise: Mic. vii, 7, 8, 9.— How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Jesus saith, Until seventy times seven. Matt. xviii, 21, 22.-As your Father which is in heaven, is merciful. Luke vi, 36.— Aaron makes a calf and provokes the Lord, Exod. xxxii, 2—10, -yet, he is consecrated to the Priest's office. xl, 13.—Hezekiah humbled himself, the wrath of God was removed from him. 2 Chron. xxxvi, 26.-Peter weeps bitterly. Matt. xxvi 75.David's sin is put away. 2 Sam. xii, 13.-The incestuous Corinthian finds indulgence. 2 Cor. ii, 7, 10.-A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm li, 17.

Although they cannot certainly be assured, that they shall be brought again by God's grace to repentance." In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God PpErAdventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil. 2 Tim. ii, 25.-WHO KNOWETH if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him? Joel ii, 14. See Jonah iii, 9.-For it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them, will not have mercy on them; and he that formed them, will shew them no favour. Isai. xxvii, 11.-Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer: they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me. Prov. i, 28.-They rose up early in the morning, saying, We will go up unto the place which the Lord hath promised: for we have sinned [viz. in refusing to go up at his command]: And Moses said, It shall not prosper. But they presumed to go up, and were discomfitted. Numb. xiv, 40, &c. See 1 Cor. x, 6, 11; Heb. iii, 18; iv, 11. Afterward when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, [in his

first in the Divine Mind, without any regard to faith or holiness in the particular subjects of it,) and consequently to a COMPLETE CERTAINTY of their FINAL PERSEVERANCE. For a curious history of the variations of this doctrine, especially among the rigid Predestinarians, see the Works of ARMINIUS, Vol. I, page 603,-EDITOR.

Father, who had passed away the blessing from him, though he sought it carefully with tears. Heb. xii, 17.

If these places do not make a saving repentance, especially after grievous sins (see Acts viii, 22.) and after an obstinate continuance in them, somewhat doubtful, yet doubtless they imply a difficulty, and the more difficult the more doubtful. So do the places following:--He taketh seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. Matt. xii, 43-45.-For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter ii, 20; compare this with verse 1, &c.-For it is impossible, (that is, very difficult, as Luke xvii, 1, or xviii, 27.) if they fall away, to renew them again unto repentance. Heb. vi, 4-6. See the last Negative precedent. Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin. Ecclesiasticus v, 5.-Despisest thou the riches, &c. Rom. ii, 4, 5. Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will strive to enter in and shall not be able. Luke xiii, 24.

TENET V.

They hold, that the true believer may FOR THE PRESENT be assured of the integrity of his fuith and conscience, and FOR THAT TIME may and ought to be assured of his salvation and the saving love of God towards him.*

PROOFS OUT OF SCRIPTURE.

If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth

My

In his DECLARATION before the States of Holland, Arminius says, 66 opinion is, that it is possible for him who believes in Jesus Christ to be certain and persuaded, and, if his heart condemn him not, he is now in reality assured, that he is a Son of God, and stands in the grace of Jesus Christ. Such an assurance is wrought in the mind, as well by the action of the Holy Spirit inwardly actuating the believers and by the fruits of faith,-as from his own conscience and the testimony of God's Spirit witnessing together with his conscience. I also believe, that it is possible for such a person, with an assured confidence in the grace of God and his mercy in Christ, to depart out of this life, and to appear before the throne of grace, without any anxious fear or terrific dread: And yet this person should constantly pray, O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant l'—But I dare not place this certainty on an equality with that by which we know there is a God, and that Christ is the Saviour of the world."-See, in page 155, another extract from Arminius, which is further illustrative of his sentiments.

Such were the holy and practical views of that great man on this important subject; and corresponding with them are those of Bishop Womack and the Remonstrants, in this and the next Article.-EDITOR.

us from all our sin. 1 John i, 7.—And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ii, 3.-We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. iii, 14. By this we know, that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments,and his commandments are not grievous. v, 2, 3.-But let every man prove his own works and then shall he have rejoicing in himself. Gal. vi, 4.-If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. 1 John iii, 21.-Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world. 2 Cor. i, 12.-Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans v, 1, 2, 5.-Hereby know we, that we dwell in him and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John iv, 13.-The Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirit, that we ARE the children of God: Rom. viii, 16—For ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. verses 13, 14.-And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever Isa. xxxii, 17.

if

TENET VI.

They hold, that the true believer may and ought to be assured, FOR THE TIME TO COME, that, in the use of watching and prayer and other holy exercises, he may persevere in faith, and that GOD'S GRACE shall never be wanting thereto. But how he may be assured, FOR THE TIME TO COME, that HE HIMSELF shall not be wanting to do his duty, but that "he shall, in the actions of faith, piety and charity, as be"seems the faithful, persevere in this school of Christian warfare," they see not, nor think it necessary that a believer should be ASSURED THEREOF.

86

66

PROOFS OUT OF HOLY SCRIPTURE.

"In the use of watching and prayer a believer may persevere in faith, &c. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil, and, having done all, to stand. Ephes. vi, 11, 13—19.—Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess. v, 17.-Watch and pray. Matt. xxvi, 41 ; xxiv, 13, 42.-Let your

loins be girded about and your lights burning: and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord. Luke xii, 35--37.-Take heed lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life. Watch ye therefore and pray always. Luke xxi, 34, 36.-Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, stedfast in the faith. 1 Peter v, 8, 9.--Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. James iv, 7-He that is begotten of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John v, 18.-And we desire, that every one of you do shew THE SAME DILIGENCE, to the FULL ASSURANCE OF HOPE unto the end. Hebrews vi, 11.

"That God's grace shall never be wanting." Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Psalm xxiii, 6. For I am persuaded, that ueither death nor life &c. shall separate us from the love of God. Rom. viii, 38.-He which hath begun a good work in you. Phil. i, 6.—Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. (See Luke xi, 13; Acts v, 32.) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John xv, 2, 7, 10.—For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom. vi, 14.My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor. xii, 9.-Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them, [the false teachers,] because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John iv, 4.

"But how a believer may be assured for the time to come, that he himself shall not be wanting to do his duty." &c.] For

1. Man is many times deceived in his present condition.-Thou sayest, I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art WRETCHED and MISERABLE and POOR and BLIND and NAKED. Rev. iii, 17; Gal. vi, 3.

2. Man's heart is deceitful above all things. Jer. xvii, 9; see John xvi, 2.

3. It is God's prerogative to know future contingencies.-Isa. xli, 22, 23.-The righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before him. Eccles. ix, 1.

4. A man may resolve well for the present, and be confident [that] he shall stick to such principles and resolutions as he hath once made and espoused; and yet [may fall quite off from them.-Hazael practised afterward what he then abhorred. 2 Kings viii, 13.-Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. Matt. xxvi, 33, 35; see Mark xiv, 31.—But he denied before them all, saying, I do not know the man. And again he denied

with an oath. (verses 70, 72.) Then began he to curse and to swear. (verse 74.) And they all forsook him and fled. Mark xiv, 50.-So Hezekiah wrought that which was good, and right, and truth, before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. (2 Chron. xxxi, 20, 21.) But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him. For his heart was lifted up; therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. xxxii, 25.-See David's fall, 2 Samuel xi. 5. Hence "Woe to him that is wise in his own eyes!" Isa. v, 21; Rom. xii, 16.

6. Our life is a warfare: (Job vii, 1.) and only death dischargeth us from that service. Rev. xiv, 13.-Happy is the man that feareth always. Prov. xxviii, 14.-For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Prov. xxvii, 1.

7. Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. x, 12; see Rom. xi, 20.-Watch and pray. Matt. xxvi, 41.-Take heed lest at any time, &c. (Luke xxi, 34, 36.) and work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Phil, ii, 13.

WHAT THE REMONSTRANTS HOLD NOT,

TOUCHING

PERSEVERANCE.

REJECTION I.

They HOLD NOT, that "a Believer's Perseverance in faith is an effect of that absolute decree, wherein God is said to have chosen some particular persons, without all respect to any condition of obedience."

THE REASON.

They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. Psalm cxxv, 1.-Thou standest by faith. Rom. xi, 20.-Kept through faith unto salvation. 1 Pet. i, 5.-As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me. If ye abide in me, &c. John xv, 4, 7-If ye love me, keep my commandments; and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that may abide with you for ever. John xiv, 15, 16.-This is the will of God, even your sanctification.