4 PREFATORY NOTE.
head-lines we liavc given to each cliapter will enable the reader, it is hoped, to follow with greater case the course of discussion. An exact copy of the original title-page has been prefixed , — the only one in our author's Avorks worth preserving, as curious in itself, and containing his own analysis of tlie work to which it belongs.
Besides this work of Owen, in I'eply to Goodwin the following authors appeared: — Dr George. Kendall, rector of Blisland, near Piodinin in Cornwall, in two folio volumes, *' Theocratia, or a Vindication of tlie Doctrine commonly received," etc., 1653, and " Sancti Saiiciti," etc.; Thomas Lamb, a Baptist minister, in his " Absolute Freedom from Sin by ("In-ist's Death," etc., IGoD; Robert Baillie, Principal of Glasgow Uni- versity, in his "Scotch Antidote against the English Infection of Arminianism," etc., 1G56; Richard Resbury, vicar of Oundle, in his " Some Stop to the Gangrene of Armi- nianism," etc., 1G51, whom Goodwin answei-ed in his "Confidence Dismounted," and who again published in reply, " The Lightless Star;" Henry Jeanes, rector of Chedsey, who published "A Vindication of Dr Twisso from the Exceptions of Mr John Good- win;" and Mr John Pawsou, in a sermon under the title of "A Vindication of Free Grace."
In 1058 Goodwin replied to most of these publications in a quarto of five hundred pages, entitled " Triumviri," etc. In regard to the following treatise, " he returns," says Owen, in an epistle dedicatory to his work on the Divine Original of the Scrip- tures, " a scoffing reply to so much of it as was written in a quarter of an hour."
ANALYSIS.
After a careful definition of the terms employed in the controversy, the statement by Mr Goodwin of the question at issue is objected to, and another proposed as more correct, founded upon a passage in Scripture, Isa. iv. 5. Chap. i.
Five leading arguments are adduced in proof of the perseverance of the saints : — It is argued, 1. From the divine riature as immutable; under which head the fol- lowing passages are considered, Mai. iii. G ; James i. lG-18; Rom. xi. 29 ; Isa. xl. 27-31, xliv. 1-8. 2. From the rftY'zne jowrjooses as immutable ; and here Scripture is first cited to prove the general immutability of the divine pui-poses, Isa. xlvi. 9-11 ; Ps. xxxiii. 9-1 1, etc. ; — and then the special purpose of God to continue his grace to true believers is proved by such passages as Rom. viii. 28 ; Jer. xxxi. 3 ; John vi. 37-40 ; Matt. xxiv. 24; Eph. i. 3-5; 2Thess. ii. 13, 14. 3. From the covenant of grace, the enduring character and the infallible accomplishment of which are pi-ovcd by the removal of all causes of change by it, the stipulations of Christ as mediator in it, and the faitlifulness of God. 4. From the promises of God, which are generally described, and, as intimating the pei'severancc of the saint.s, proved to be unconditional, the following promises to this effect receiving full elucidation: Josh. i. 5; Heb. xiii. 5; 1 Sam. xii. 22; Ps. Ixxxix. 30-37; Hos. ii. 19, 20; John x. 27-29. At this point the consideration of the oath of God is deferred, under promise of entering upon it at the close of the discussion; — a promise which the author omits to fulfil. Tvro interesting digressions follow, affording separate arguments in support of the doctrine; — on the mediation of Christ, as com- prehending his oblation and intercession, and on tlie indwelling of the Spirit. And licre the first part of the work concludes. Chap, ii.-ix.
The second ))art consists in the improvement of the doctrine, by showing how it con- duces to the obedience and consolation of the saints, chap, x., and in a refutation of the following arguments of Mr Goodwin in support of the opposite doctrine, — namely, 1. Tliat it is more effectual in promoting godliness; 2. That it does not make God an acccjiter of persons; 3, That it has been the doctrine of the most pious men in all ages; 4. That it imparts greater power to the exhortations of the gospel ; 5. That upon such a principle ahme eternal life can be legitimately promised as the reward of persever- ance; (5. That it is proved by tlie sins into which believers undoubtedly fall ; 7. That it tends to the CDnsolation of the saints; and, lastly. That it is athrmed in eight pas- sages of Scripture, Ezek. xviii. 24, 25; Matt, xviii. 32-35; 1 Cor. ix. 2 7; Hcb. vi. 4-8, X. 2G-29, 38, 39 ; Matt. xiii. 20, 21 ; 2 Pet. ii. 18-22, Chap, xi.-xvii.— Ed.
(
TO
HIS HIGHNESS OLIVEK,
LORD-rnOTECTOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND, WITH THE DOMINIONS THEREOF.
Sir, The wise man tells us that " no man knoweth love or hatred by all that is before him." The great variety wherein God dispenseth outward things in the world, with the many changes and alterations which, according to the counsel of his will, he continually works in the dispensations of them, Avill not allow them nakedly in themselves to be evidences of the Fountain from whence they flow. Seeing, also, that the luant or abundance of them may equally, by the goodness and wis- dom of God, be ordered and cast into a useful subserviency to a good infinitely transcending what is or may be contained in them, there is no necessity that in the distribution of them God should walk according to any constant uniform law of procedure, all the various alterations about them answering one eternal purpose for a determinate end. Of spiritual good things there is another reason and con- dition ; for as they are in themselves fruits, evidences, and pledges, of an eternal, unchangeable love, so the want of them in their whole kind being not capable of a tendency lo a greater good than they are, the dispensation of them doth so far answer the eternal Spring and Fountain from whence it floweth as, in respect of its substance and being, not to be obnoxious to any alteration. This is that which in the ensuing treatise is contended for. In the midst of all the changes and mutations which the infinitely wise providence of God doth daily effect in the greater and lesser things of this world, as to the communication of his love in Jesus Christ, and the merciful, gracious distributions of the unsearchable riches of grace, and the hid treasures thereof purchased by his blood, he knows no re- pentance. Of both these you have had full experience; and though your concern- ment in the former hath been as eminent as that of any person whatever in these later ages of the world, yet your interest in and acquaintance with the latter is, as of incomparable more importance in itself, so answerably of more value and esteem unto you. A sense of the excellency and sweetness of unchangeable love, emptying itself in the golden oil of distinguishing spiritual mercies, is one letter of that new name whicli none can read but he that hath it. The series and chain of eminent providences whereby you have been carried on and protected in all the hazardous work of your generation, which your God hath called you unto, is evi- dent to all. Of your preservation by the power of God, through faith, in a course of gospel obedience, upon the account of the immutability of the love and infalli- bility of the promises of God, which are yea and amen in Jesus Christ, your own soul only is possessed with the experience. Therein is that abiding joy, that secret refreshment, which the world cannot give. That you and all the saints of God may yet enjoy that peace and consolation which is in believing that the eternal love of God is immutable, that he is faithful in his promises, that his covenant,