The opposition they have in them thereunto. Gospel obedience how easy.

The conclusion. Answer to chap. xiii. of his book proposed...

on.

CHAP. XII.

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1

Mr. G.'s entrance and preface to his arguments from the apostacy of the saints

considered. The weakness of his first argument: the import of it. Answer

to that first argument. Doctrine may pretend to give God the glory of being

no accepter of persons, and yet be false: justification by works of that rank

and order. Acceptation of persons what, and wherein it consisteth. No

place for it with God: contrary to distributive justice. The doctrine of the

saints' perseverance charged with rendering God an accepter of persons, un-

justly what it says looking this way. The sum of the charge against it,

considered and removed. Mr. G.'s second argument, and the weight by him

hung thereon: the original of this argument: by whom somewhat insisted

The argument itself in his words, proposed: of the use and end of the

ministry whether weakened by the doctrine of perseverance. Entrance

into an answer to that argument. The foundation laid of it false, and when :

it falsely imposeth on the doctrine of perseverance, sundry things by it dis-

claimed the first considered. The iniquity of those impositions farther dis-

covered. The true state of the difference as to this argument, declared.

The argument satisfied. The reinforcement of the minor attempted, and

considered. The manner of God's operations with, and in, natural and vo-

luntary agents, compared. Efficacy of grace and liberty in man, consistent.

An objection to himself framed by Mr. G.; that objection rectified. Perseve-

rance, how absolutely and simply necessary, how not. The removal of the pre-

tended objection farther insisted on by Mr. G. That discourse discussed, 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 ef-

ficacy of grace, disputed by Mr. G. That discourse removed, and the use

of exhortations farther cleared. Obedience to them twofold, habitual, ac-

tual: of the physical operation of grace and means of the word: their com-

pliance 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 fol-

low 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, phy-

sical, moral, and necessary, and their use in things of the nature under con-

sideration. Moral causes of physical effects. The concurrence of physical

and moral causes for producing the same effect: the efficacy of grace and ex-

hortations. Physical and necessary, how distinguished. Moral and not ne-

cessary. Confounded by Mr. G. Mr. G.'s farther progress considered.

What operation of God on the will of man he allows. All physical opera-

tion by him excluded. Mr. G.'s sense of the difference between the work-

ing of God and a minister on the will: that it is but gradual: considered and

removed. All working of God on the will by him confined to persuasion: per-

suasion gives no strength or ability to the person persuaded. All immediate

acting 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 diverse agents to the production of the same effect. The

rance.

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sum of the 7th section of chap. 13. 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, where

the end was certain, Acts xxiv. considered. God deals with men as men,

exhorting them, and as corrupted men, assisting them. Of promises of tem-

poral things, whether all conditional. What condition in the promise made

to Paul; Acts xxvii. Farther of that promise, its infallibility and means of

accomplishment. The same considerations farther prosecuted. Of promises

of perseverance, and what relations to perform in conjunction. Mr. G.'s

opposition hereunto. Promises and protestations in conjunction. 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, 5. 9. to the same purpose, in-

sisted on.
Of the consistency of threatenings with the promises of perseve-

Mr. G.'s opposition hereunto, considered and removed. What pro-

mises of perseverance are asserted, how absolute and infrustrable. 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, &c. Hypocrites how

threatened for apostacy: 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, re-

moved. 1 John iv. 18. considered. Of the obedience of saints to their hea-

venly Father, compared to the obedience of children to their natural

parents: Mr. G.'s monstrous conception about this thing. How fear, or

love, and in what sense, are principles of obedience. 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

argument.....

.....

25

CHAP. XIII.

The maintainers and propagaters of the several doctrines under contest, taken

into consideration. The necessity of so doing from Mr. G. undertaking to

make the comparison. This inquiry confined to those of our own nation.

The chief assertors of this doctrine of the saints' perseverance in this nation

since it received any opposition, what was their ministry, and what their

lives. Mr. G.'s plea in this case. The first objection against his doctrine

by him proposed, second, and third. His answers to these objections consi-

dered removed. His own word and testimony offered against the expe-

rience of thousands. The persons pointed to by him, and commended, con-

sidered. The principles of those persons he opposeth, vindicated. Of the

doctrine of the primitive Christians, as to this head of religion. Grounds of

mistake in reference to their judgments. The first reformers constant to

themselves in their doctrine of the saints' perseverance. Of the influence

of Mr. Perkins's judgment on the propagation of the doctrine of the saints'

perseverance. Who the persons were of whom his judgment is supposed

to have such an influence. The consent of foreign churches making void

this surmise. What influence the doctrine of the saints' perseverance had

into the holiness of its professors. Of the unworthiness of the persons who

in this nation have asserted the doctrine of apostacy: the suitableness of

this doctrine to their practices. Mr. G.'s attempt to take off this charge.

How far men's doctrines may be judged by their lives. Mr. G.'s reasons

why episcopalists arminianised, the first. Considered and disproved. His

discord, &c. General apostacy of men entertaining the Arminian tenets.

The close..

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95

CHAP. XIV.

Mr. G.'s third argument proposed and considered. The drama borrowed by

Mr. G. to make good this argument. The frame of speech ascribed to God

according to our doctrine by the remonstrants weighed and considered.

The dealing of God with man, and the importance of his exhortations, ac-

cording to the doctrine of the saints' perseverance manifested. In what

sense, and to what end, exhortations and threatenings are made to believers.

The fallacious ground of this argument of Mr. G. Mr. G.'s fourth argu-

ment proposed to consideration, considered. Eternal life, how and in what

sense a reward of perseverance. The enforcement of the major proposition

considered. The proposition new moulded, to make it of concernment to

our doctrine, and denied: from the example of the obedience of Jesus

Christ. Efficacy of grace not inconsistent with reward. The argument

enforced with a new consideration: that consideration examined, and

removed. Farther of the consistency of effectual grace, and gospel ex-

hortations

....

117

CHAP. XV.

Mr. G.'s fifth argument for the apostacy of true believers. The weight of this

argument taken from the sins of believers. The difference between the sins

of believers and unregenerate persons proposed to consideration, James i.

14, 15. The rise and progress of lust and sin. The fountain of all sin, in

all persons, is lust. Rom. vii. 7. Observations clearing the difference be-

tween regenerate and unregenerate persons in their sinning, as to the com-

mon fountain of all sin: the first. The second, of the universality of lust in

the soul by nature. The third, in two inferences: the first, unregenerate

men sin with their whole consent. The second inference concerning the

reign of sin, and reigning sin. The fourth, concerning the universal pos-

session of the soul by renewing grace. The fifth, that true grace bears rule

wherever it be. Inferences from the former considerations. The first, that

in every regenerate person there are diverse principles of all moral opera-

tions. Rom. vii. 19, 20. opened. The second, that sin cannot reign in a

regenerate person. The third, that regenerate persons sin not with their

whole consent. Answer to the argument at the entrance proposed. Be-

lievers never sin with their whole consent and wills. Mr. G.'s attempt to re-

move the answer. His exceptions considered and removed. Plurality of

wills in the same person, in the Scripture sense of the opposition between

flesh and spirit that no regenerate person sins with his full consent, proved.

Of the Spirit, and his lustings in us. The actings of the Spirit in us free,

not suspended on any conditions in us. The same farther manifested.

Mr. G.'s discourse of the first and second motions of the Spirit considered.

The same considerations farther carried on. Peter Martyr's testimony con-

sidered. Rom. vii. 19, 20. considered. Difference between the opposition

made to sin in persons regenerate, and that in persons unregenerate, farther

argued. Of the sense of Rom. vii. and in what sense believers do the works

of the flesh. The close of these considerations. The answer to the argu-

Page

ment at the entrance of the chapter opened. The argument new formed:

the major proposition limited, and granted, and the minor denied. The

proof of the major considered: Gal. v. 21. Eph. v. 5, 6. 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10.

Believers how concerned in comminations. Threatening proper to unbe-

lievers for their sins. Farther objections proposed and removed. Of the

progress of saints in tempting to sin. The effect of lust in temptations.

Difference between regenerate and unregenerate persons as to the tempting

of lust, 1. in respect of universality; 2. of power. Objections answered.

Whether believers sin only out of infirmity. Whether believers may sin

out of malice, and with deliberation. Of the state of believers, who upon

their sin may be excommunicated. Whether the body of Christ may be

dismembered. What body of Christ it is that is intended. Mr. G.'s

thoughts to this purpose examined. Mr. G.'s discourse of the way where-

by Christ keeps or may keep his members examined. Members of Christ

cannot become members of Satan: Cor. vi. 15. considered, of the sense

and use of the word äpas. Christ takes members out of the power of Satan,

gives up none to him. Repetition of regeneration asserted by the doctrine

of apostacy. The repetition disproved. Mr. G.'s notion of regeneration

examined at large and rebuked. Relation between God and his children

indissoluble. The farther progress of lust for the production of sin; it draws

off, and entangles: drawing away, what it is. The distance between rege-

nerate and unregenerate persons in their being drawn away by lust. Farther

description of him who is drawn away by lust; and of the difference for-

merly mentioned. Of lust's enticing. How far this may befall regenerate men.

To do sin, Rom. vii. what it intendeth. Lust's conceiving, wherein it con-

sists. Of the bringing forth of sin, and how far the saints of God may pro-

ceed therein. 1 John iii. 9. opened: the scope of the place discovered: vin-

dicated. The words farther opened. The proposition in the words uni-

versal inferences from thence. The subject of that proposition considered,

every one that is born of God, what is affirmed of them. What meant by

committing of sin. Mr. G.'s opposition to the sense of that expression given.

Reasons for the confirmation of it. Mr. G.'s reasons against it, proposed

and considered. The farther exposition of the word carried on: how he

that is born of God cannot sin: several kinds of impossibility. Mr. G.'s

attempt to answer the argument from this place, particularly examined. The

reasons of the proposition in the text considered: of the seed of God abid-

eth: the nature of that seed, what it is, wherein it consists. Of the abiding

of this seed. Of the latter part of the apostle's reason, he is born of God:

our argument from the words. Mr. G.'s endeavour to evade that argument;

his exposition of the words removed. Farther of the meaning of the word

abideth. The close....

128

CHAP. XVI.

Mr. G.'s seventh argument abbut the tendency of the doctrine of the saints'

apostacy as to their consolation, proposed. Considered: what that doctrine

offereth for the consolation of the saints, offered; the impossibility of its

affording the least true consolation manifested. The influence of the doc-

trine of the saints' perseverance into their consolation. The medium where-

by Mr. G. confirms his argument examined; what kind of nurse for the

peace and consolation of the saints, the doctrine of apostacy is; whether

their obedience be furthered by it; what are the causes and springs of true

consolation. Mr. G.'s eighth argument proposed to consideration. Answer

thereunto, the minor proposition considered; the Holy Ghost not afraid of

the saints' miscarriages. The confirmation of his minor proposition, proposed

and considered. The discourse assigned to the Holy Ghost by Mr. G. ac-

cording to our principles. Considered. Exceptions against it: the first.

The second. The third. The fourth. The fifth. The sixth. The seventh.

The foundation of Mr. G.'s pageant everted. The proceedings of the Holy

Ghost in exhortations according to our principles. Sophisms in the former

discourse farther discovered. His farther plea in this case proposed. Con-

sidered. The instance of Christ and his obedience, considered and vindi

cated as to the application of it, to the business in hand. Mr. G.'s last

argument proposed. Examined. 1 John ii. 19. explained. Vindicated.

Argument from thence for the perseverance of the saints. Mr. G.'s excep

tions thereunto. Considered and removed. The same words farther pe-

rused. Mr. G.'s consent with the remonstrants manifested by his transcrip-

tions from their synodalia. Our argument from 1 John ii. 19. fully cleared.

The conclusion of the examination of Mr. G.'s arguments for the apostacy of

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215

CHAP. XVII.

The cause of proceeding in this chapter. Mr. G.'s attempt, chap. 12. of his

book. Of the preface to Mr. G.'s discourse. Whether doctrine renders

men proud and presumptuous. Mr. G.'s rule of judging of doctrines called

to the rule. Doctrine pretending to promote godliness, how far an argument

of the truth. Mr. G.'s pretended advantages in judging of truths examined.

The first, of his knowledge of the general course of the Scriptures, Of the

experiences of his own heart. And his observations of the ways of others.

Of his rational abilities. Ezek. xviii. 24, 25. proposed to consideration. Mr.

G.'s sense of this place. The words opened; observations for the open-

ing of the text. The words farther weighed ; an entrance into the answer

to the argument from hence: the word hypothetical not absolute. Mr. G.'s

answer proposed and considered. Whether the words are hypothetical.

The severals of the text considered; the righteous man spoken of, who.

Mr. G.'s proof of his interpretation of a righteous man considered. Dr.

Prideaux's sense of the righteous person here intended, considered. Of

the commination in the words: shall die. The sense of the words: what

death intended. Close of the consideration of the text insisted on. Matt.

xviii. 32, 33. taken into a review. Whether the love of God be mutable,

what the love of God is. 1 Cor. ix. 27. In what sense it was possible for

Paul to become a reprobate. The proper sense of the place insisted on,

manifested. Of the meaning of the word adónimos. The scope of the place

farther cleared. Heb. vi. 4-6. x. 26, 27. proposed to consideration: whe-

ther the words be conditional. The genuine and true meaning of the place

opened, in six observations. Mr. G.'s exceptions to the exposition of the

words insisted on, removed. The persons intended not true believers : this

evinced on sundry considerations. The particulars of the text vindicated.

Of the illuminations mentioned in the text. Of the acknowledgment of the

truth ascribed to the person mentioned. Of the sanctifications mentioned

in the texts. Of tasting the heavenly gift. To be made partakers of the

Holy Ghost, what. Of tasting the good word of God, and power of the

world to come. Of the progress made by man not really regenerate in the

things of God. The close of our considerations on these texts, Heb. x.

38, 39. Mr. G.'s arguing from thence: considered and answered: of the