The former argument confirmed by an induction of particular instances-Joshua i. 5
opened-The concernment of all believers in that promise proved by the apostle,
Heb. xiii. 5-The general interest of all believers in all the promises of God cleared
-Objections answered-How Old Testament promises may be improved-The pro-
mise insisted on relates principally to spirituals-The strength of it to the end in-
tended-1 Sam. xii. 22, to whom the promise there is given-The twofold use of this
promise-Threats to wicked men of use to the saints; promises to the saints of use
to wicked men-Isa. iv. 2-4, Ps. lxxxix. 30-37 opened-A condition of backsliding
supposed in believers, yet they not rejected-God's abiding with his saints upon
the account of his, 1. Faithfulness; 2. Loving-kindness; 3. Covenant; 4. Promise;
5. Oath-The intendment of the words insisted on from 1 Sam. xii. 22-Isa. xxvii.
2, 3, Zeph. iii. 17, illustrated-The intendment of these words, "I will not forsake
thee"-The reason of the promise, and means promised therein-No cause in them
to whom the promise is made-Ezek. xxxvi. 32, Isa. xliii. 22-25, opened; also Isa.
lvii. 17-The cause in God himself only-The "name" of God, what it imports; his
all-sufficiency engaged therein, and his goodness-The rise and fountain of all God's
goodness to his people in his own good pleasure-The sum of our argument from this
place of Scripture -Ps. xxiii. 4, 6, opened; the psalmist's use of assurance of perse-
verance-Inferences from the last use-2 Tim. iv. 18 opened-All believers in the
same condition as to perseverance with David and Paul-The second inference from
the place insisted on-Assurance a motive to obedience, and is the end that God in-
tends to promote thereby-Ps. cxxv. 1, 2, explained; Ps. xxxvii. 28; Deut. xxxiii. 3
-Inferences from that place of the psalmist-Perpetual preservation in the condi-
tion of saints promised to believers-Mr G.'s objections and exceptions to our expo-
sition and argument from this place removed-Promises made originally to persons,
not qualifications-Not the same reason of promises to the church and of threaten-
ings to sinners-Other objections removed-Isa. liv. 7-10, the mind of the Lord in
the promise mentioned in that place opened-The exposition given on that place
and arguments from thence vindicated-Direction for the right improvement of pro-
mises-Hos. ii. 19, 20, opened-Of the general design of that chapter-The first part,
of the total rejection of the church and political state of the Jews-The second, of
promises to the remnant according to the election of grace-Of this four particulars:
1. Of conversion, verses 14, 15; 2. Of obedience and forsaking all false worship,
verses 16, 17; 3. Of peace and quietness, verse 18; 4. Discovering the fountain of all
the mercies, verses 19, 20-Some objections removed-To whom this promise is made
-The promise farther opened; the persons to whom it is made-Verse 14 of that
chapter opened-The wilderness condition whereunto men are allured by the gospel,
what it imports: 1. Separation; 2. Entanglement-God's dealing with a soul in its
wilderness condition-Promises given to persons in that condition-The sum of the
foregoing promises-The persons to whom they are made farther described-The
nature of the main promise itself considered-Of the main covenant between God
and his saints-The properties of God engaged for the accomplishment of this pro-
mise-Mr G's exposition of this place considered and confuted-John x. 27-29
opened, vindicated,
Dan. ix. 24 opened-Rom. viii. 34, deliverance from all sin, how by the death of
Christ-The law innovated in respect of the elect-The vindictive justice of God
satisfied by the death of Christ-How that is done-Wherein satisfaction doth
consist; absolute, not conditional-The law, how fulfilled in the death of Christ—
The truth of God thereby accomplished; his distributive justice engaged-Observa-
tions for the clearing of the former assertions-Whether any one for whom Christ
died may die in sin-The necessity of faith and obedience-The reasons thereof—
The end of faith and holiness-The first argument for the proof of the former asser-
tions concerning the fruit and efficacy of the death of Christ, Heb. ix. 14-The second
-The third-The compact between the Father and Son about the work of media-
tion-The fourth-Good things bestowed on them for whom Christ died antecedently
to any thing spiritually good in them-The Spirit so bestowed, and faith itself-The
close of those arguments-Inferences from the foregoing discourse-The efficacy of
the death of Christ, and the necessity of faith and obedience, reconciled-Sundry
considerations unto that end proposed: 1. All spiritual mercies fruits of the death
of Christ; 2. All the fruits of Christ's death laid up in the hand of God's righteous-
ness; 3. The state of them for whom Christ died not actually changed by his death;
4. On what account believing is necessary-Christ secures the stability of the saints'
abiding with God-What is contrary thereunto; how by him removed-The world
overcome by Christ, as managed by Satan in an enmity to the saints-The complete
victory of Christ over the devil-The ways whereby he completes his conquest-The
rule of Satan in respect of sinners twofold: 1. Over them; 2. In them-The title of
Satan to a rule over men judged and destroyed by Christ-The exercise of all power
taken from him-The works of Satan destroyed by Christ in and for his elect-The
Holy Spirit procured by the death of Christ-The giving of the Spirit the great pro-
mise of the new covenant-This farther proved and confirmed-The perpetual resi-
dence of the Holy Spirit with believers proved by the threefold testimony of Father,
Son, and Spirit-Isa. lix. 21, the testimony of the Father proposed and vindicated-
Our argument from hence farther cleared-This promise absolute, not conditional—
No condition rationally to be affixed to it-The import of these words, "As for me"
-To whom this promise is made-That farther cleared-Not to all Israel according
to the flesh-Mr G.'s objections answered-The testimony of the Son given to the
perpetual abiding of the Spirit with believers-John xiv. 16 opened-The promise
in those words equally belonging to all believers-Mr G.'s objections answered-No
promise of the Spirit abiding with believers on his principle allowed-The promise
given to the apostles personally, yet given also to the whole church-Promises made
to the church made to the individuals whereof it is constituted-The giving of this
promise to all believers farther argued from the scope of the place, and vindicated
from Mr G.'s exceptions-The third testimony, of the Holy Spirit himself, proposed
to consideration-His testimony in sealing particularly considered, 2 Cor. i. 22;
Eph. i. 13, iv. 30-Of the nature and use of sealing amongst men-The end, aim, and
use, of the sealing of the Holy Ghost-Mr G.'s objections and exceptions to our argu-
ment from that sealing of the Spirit considered and removed-The same farther
carried on, etc.,
Entrance into the digression concerning the indwelling of the Spirit-The manner of the
abode of the Spirit with them on whom he is bestowed-Grounds of the demonstra-
tions of the truth-The indwelling of the Spirit proved from the promises of it-
Express affirmations of the same truth-Ps. li. 11, Rom. viii. 9, opened-Verses 11,
15; 1 Cor. ii. 12; Gal. iv. 6, opened-2 Tim. i. 14-The Spirit in his indwelling, dis-
tinguished from all his graces-Evasions removed-Rom. v. 5 explained-The Holy
Ghost himself, not the grace of the Holy Ghost, there intended-Rom. viii. 11 opened
-Gal. v. 22-A personality ascribed to the Spirit in his indwelling: 1. In personal
appellations, 1 John iv. 4; John xiv. 16, 17-2. Personal operations-Rom. viii. 11,
16, explained-3. Personal circumstances-The Spirit dwells in the saints as in a
temple, 1 Cor. iii. 16, vi. 19—The indwelling of the Spirit farther demonstrated from
the signal effects ascribed in the Scripture to his so doing; as, 1. Union with Christ
-Union with Christ, wherein it consisteth-Union with Christ by the indwelling
of the same Spirit in him and us-This proved from, (1.) Scriptural declarations of
it-2 Pet. i. 4, how we are made partakers of the divine nature-Union expressed
by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ-John vi. 56 opened―The prayer
of our Saviour for the union of his disciples, John xvii. 21-The union of the persons
in the Trinity with themselves-(2.) Scriptural illustrations for the manifestation
of union-The union of head and members, what it is, and wherein it doth consist
-Of the union between husband and wife, and our union with Christ represented
thereby-Of a tree and its branches-Life and quickening given by the indwelling
Spirit, in quickening, life, and suitable operations-2. Direction and guidance given
by the indwelling Spirit-Guidance or direction twofold-The several ways whereby
the Spirit gives guidance and direction unto them in whom he dwells-The first way,
by giving a new understanding, or a new spiritual light upon the understanding-
What light men may attain without the particular guidance of the Spirit-Saving
embracements of particular truths from the Spirit, 1 John ii. 20, 27-The way
whereby the Spirit leads believers into truth-Consequences of the want of this
guidance of the Spirit-3. The third thing received from the indwelling Spirit, sup-
portment-The way whereby the Spirit gives supportment: (1.) By bringing to
mind the things spoken by Christ for their consolation, John xiv. 16, 17, 26-(2.) By
renewing his graces in them as to strength-The benefits issuing and flowing from
thence-Restraint given by the indwelling Spirit, and how-The continuance of the
Spirit with believers for the renewal of grace proved-John iv. 14, that promise of
our Saviour at large opened-The water there promised is the Spirit-The state of
them on whom he is bestowed-Spiritual thirst twofold-Isa. lxv. 13; 1 Pet. ii. 2-
The reasons why men cannot thirst again who have once drunk of the Spirit ex-
plained-Mr G.'s exceptions considered and removed-The same work farther car-
ried on; as also the indwelling of the Spirit in believers farther demonstrated by
the inferences made from thence-The first: Our persons temples of the Holy Ghost,
to be disposed of in all ways of holiness-The second: Wisdom to try spirits-The
ways, means, and helps, whereby the saints discern between the voice of Christ and
the voice of Satan,
The nature of it-Its aim, not only that believers continuing so may be saved, but that
they may be preserved in believing-This farther proved from the typical interces-
sion of the Judaical high priest-The tenor of Christ's intercession, as manifested
John xvii. 11, opened, and verses 12-15-The result of the argument from thence-
The saints' perseverance fully confirmed-Rom viii. 33, 34, at large explained-Mr
G.'s interpretation of the place in all the parts of it confuted-Vain supposals ground-
lessly interserted into the apostle's discourse-What Christ intercedes for for believers
farther manifested-The sum of what is assigned to the intercession of Christ by
Mr G.-How far it is all from yielding the least consolation to the saints manifested
-The reasons of the foregoing interpretation proposed and answered-The end as-
signed of the intercession of Christ answered-God works perseverance actually-A
supply of means that may not be effectual not to be ascribed thereunto-Farther
objections answered: Christ not the minister of sin by this doctrine-Supposals and
instances upon the former interpretation disproved and rejected-A brief account
of our doctrine concerning the intercession of Christ for believers, and of the true
end of the act of his mediation-The close of the argument, and of the first part of
this treatise,
365
The improvement of the doctrine of perseverance in reference to the obedience and con-
solation of the saints-Why its tendency to the promoting of their obedience is first
handled, before their consolation-Five previous observations concerning gospel
truths in general-1. That all are to be received with equal reverence-2. That the
end of them all is to work the soul into a conformity to God; proved by several
scriptures, 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17; Tit. i. 1, etc.-3. Some truths have a more immediate
tendency hereunto than others have, 2 Cor. v. 14-4. Most weight is to be laid by
believers upon such-5. Men are not themselves to determine what truths have most
in them of this tendency, etc.-Gospel obedience, what it is, and why so called-Its
nature-1. In the matter of it, which is all and only the will of God-2. In the form
of it, which is considered-(1.) In the principle setting it on work, faith-(2.) In the
manner of doing it, eyeing both precepts and promises-(3.) The end aimed at in it,
the glory of God as a rewarder, Heb. xi. 6; Rom. iv. 4-The principle in us whence
it proceeds, which is the new man, the Spirit, proved, Eph. iii. 16-19, etc.-What
kind of motives conduce most to the carrying on of this obedience, namely, such as
most cherish this new man, which they do most that discover most of the love of God
and his good-will in Christ-Such as these are alone useful to mortification and the
subduing of the contrary principle of flesh, which hinders our obedience, proved,
Tit ii. 11, 12; Rom. vi.-What persons the improvement of this doctrine concerns;
only true believers, who will not abuse it-How this doctrine of perseverance con-
duces so eminently to the carrying on of gospel obedience in the hearts of these true
believers-1. By removing discouragements (1.) Perplexing fears, which impair
their faith; (2.) Hard thoughts of God, which weaken their love: without which
two, faith and love, no gospel obedience performed-2. Unspeakable obligations to
live to God hence put upon the souls of the saints-Objections concerning the abuse
of this truth to presumption and carelessness discussed, examined at large, and
removed-The mortification of the flesh, wherein it consists, how it is performed-
The influence of the doctrine of the saints' perseverance thereinto-Dread and terror
of hell not the means of mortification, at large proved by showing quite another means
of mortifying the flesh, namely, the Spirit of Christ, Rom. viii. 13; applying the cross
and death of Christ, chap. vi. 5, 6-3. This doctrine is useful to promote gospel obe-
dience, in that it tends directly to increase and strengthen faith and love both to-
wards God and towards our Lord Jesus Christ-How it strengthens their love to
God, namely, by discovering his love to them in three eminent properties of it,
freedom, constancy, fruitfulness-How it strengthens their love to Jesus Christ,
namely, by discovering his love to them in two eminent acts of it, his oblation and
his intercession-4. This doctrine conduces, etc., by giving gospel obedience its proper
place and due order-5. By closing in with the ends of gospel ordinances, particu
larly the ministry, one eminent end whereof is to perfect the saints, Eph. iv. 12, 13,
which is done by discovering to them the whole will of God, both precepts on the
one hand, and promises, exhortations, threatenings, on the other-That of the pro-
mises more particularly and more largely insisted on,
The entrance into an answer to Mr G.'s arguments against the doctrine of the saints'
perseverance-His sixth argument, about the usefulness of the doctrine under consi-
deration to the work of the ministry, proposed-His proof of the minor proposition
considered and answered-Many pretenders to promote godliness by false doctrines
-Mr G.'s common interest in this argument-His proofs of the usefulness of his
doctrine unto the promotion of godliness considered and answered-The consequence
of his arguing discovered-The doctrine by him opposed mistaken, ignorantly or
wilfully-Objections proposed by Mr G. to himself to be answered-The objection
as proposed disowned-Certainty of the love of God, in what sense a motive to obe-
dience-The doctrine of apostasy denies the unchangeableness of God's love to
believers; placeth qualifications in the room of persons-How the doctrine of per-
severance promiseth the continuance of the love of God to believers-Certainty of
reward encouraging to regular action-Promises made to persons qualified, not sus-
pended upon those qualifications-Means appointed of God for the accomplishment
of a determined end certain-Means not always conditions-Mr G.'s strange infer-
ence concerning the Scripture considered--The word of God by him undervalued
and subjected to the judgment of vain men as to its truth and authority-The pre-
tended reason of the former proceeding discussed-The Scripture the sole judge of
what is to be ascribed to God, and believed concerning him-The doctrine of the
saints' perseverance falsely imposed on, and vindicated-Mr G.'s next objection
made to himself against his doctrine-Its unseasonableness as to the argument in
hand demonstrated-No assurance of the love of God, nor peace left the saints, by
the doctrine of apostasy-The ground of peace and assurance by it taken away-
Ground of Paul's consolation, 1 Cor. ix. 27-The meaning of the word dixiss-An-
other plea against the doctrine attempted to be proved by Mr G.-That attempt
considered-Not the weakness of the flesh naturally, but the strength of lust spirit-
ually pretended-The cause of sin in the saints farther discussed-The power ascribed
by Mr G. to men for the strengthening and making willing the Spirit in them con-
sidered-The aptness of the saints to perform, what and whence-The opposition
they have in them thereunto-Gospel obedience, how easy-The 'conclusion-Answer
to chap. xiii. of his book proposed,
and manifested to be weak and sophistical-The consistency of exhortations and
promises farther cleared-The manner of the operation of grace in and upon the
wills of men considered-The inconsistency of exhortations with the efficacy of grace
disputed by Mr G.-That discourse removed, and the use of exhortations farther
cleared-Obedience to them twofold, habitual, actual-Of the physical operation of
grace and means of the word-Their compliance and use-How the one and the
other affect the will-Inclination to persevere, when wrought in believers-Of the
manner of God's operation on the wills of men-Mr G.'s discourse and judgment
considered-Effects follow, as to their kind, their next causes-The same act of the
will physical and moral upon several accounts-Those accounts considered-God,
by the real efficacy of the Spirit, produceth in us acts of the will morally good-
That confirmed from Scripture-Conclusion from thence Of the terms "physical,"
"moral," and "necessary," and their use in things of the nature under considera-
tion-Moral causes of physical effects-The concurrence of physical and moral causes
for producing the same effect-The efficacy of grace and exhortations-"Physical"
and "necessary," how distinguished-" Moral" and "not necessary" confounded by
Mr G.-Mr G.'s farther progress considered-What operation of God on the will of
man he allows-All physical operation by him excluded-Mr G.'s sense of the dif-
ference between the working of God and a minister on the will, that it is but gra-
dual; considered and removed-All working of God on the will by him confined to
persuasion-Persuasion gives no strength or ability to the person persuaded-All
immediate actings of God to good in men by Mr G. utterly excluded-Wherein
God's persuading men doth consist, according to Mr G.—1 Cor. iii. 9 considered-Of
the concurrence of divers agents to the production of the same effect-The sum of
the seventh section of chap. xiii.—The will, how necessitated, how free-In what
sense Mr G. allows God's persuasions to be irresistible-The dealings of God and
men ill compared-Paul's exhortation to the use of means, when the end was cer-
tain, Acts xxvii. 21-36, considered-God deals with men as men, exhorting them;
and as corrupted men, assisting them—Of promises of temporal things, whether all
conditional-What condition in the promise made to Paul, Acts xxvii. 24-Farther
of that promise; its infallibility and means of accomplishment-The same considera-
tions farther prosecuted-Of promises of perseverance and exhortations to perform
in conjunction-Mr G.'s opposition hereunto-Promises and exhortations in con-
junction-1 Cor. x. 12, 13 discussed-An absolute promise of perseverance therein
evinced-Phil. ii. 12, 13, to the same purpose, considered-Mr G.'s interpretation of
that place proposed, removed-Heb. vi. 4-6, 9, to the same purpose insisted on - Of the
consistency of threatenings with the promises of perseverance-Mr G.'s opposition
hereunto considered and removed-What promises of perseverance are asserted; how
absolute and unfrustrable-Fear of hell and punishment twofold-The fear intended
to be ingenerated by threatenings not inconsistent with the assurance given by
promises-Five considerations about the use of threatenings-The first, etc.-Hypo-
crites, how threatened for apostasy-Of the end and aim of God in threatenings-Of
the proper end and efficacy of threatenings with reference unto true believers-Fear
of hell and punishment, how far a principle of obedience in the saints-Of Noah's
fear, Heb. xi. 7—Mr G.'s farther arguings for the efficacy of the fear of hell unto
obedience in the saints proposed, considered, removed-1 John iv. 18 considered-
Of the obedience of saints to their heavenly Father, compared to the obedience of
children to their natural parents-Mr G.'s monstrous conception about this thing-
How fear and love are principles of obedience, and in what sense-That which is
done from fear not done willingly nor cheerfully-How fear, and what fear, hath
torment-Of the nature and use of promises-Close of the answer to this argu-
ment,
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