' Owen seems to allude to the case of William Barrett, fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He denied the perseverance of the saints, and assailed Calvin, Bcza, and otlicr reformers, with bitter invectives. He was expelled from the univer- sity in 15'J5.— Ed. a Arniin. Antiperk. Rem. Coll. Hag. art. 5.
* " Nos cum mentem nostram super hoc argumcnto categoric^ ct dogmatice in alte- ram partem dcfinivimus, uullo jure levitatis iusiraulari posse, proptcrea quod novem ab hiuc annis, cam non ita discrto ct rotundo enunciavcriuuis, scd solummodo disqui- rcutium adhuc in morcm professi simus." — Dec. Sent. Rem. circa 5 art.
I.] BY WHOM THE APOSTASY OF THE SAINTS IS MAINTAINED. 87
for their hesitation nine years before, in their conference at the Hague. But now of late, since the glorious light of Socinianism hath broken forth from the pit, men by their new succours are grown bold to defy this great truth of the gospel and grace of the covenant, as an abomination for ever to be abhorred.^
" Audax omnia perpeti Gens humana, ruit per vetitum nefas."
Hor., Od. i. 3, 25.
In particular, the late studious endeavours of a learned man, in his treatise entitled " Redemption Redeemed," for to despoil the spouse of Christ of this most glorious pearl, wherewith her beloved hath adorned her, calls for a particular consideration: and this (dis- charging a regard unto any other motives) upon chiefly this ac- count, that he hath with great pains and travail gathered together whatever hath been formerly given out and dispersed by the most considerable adversaries of this truth (especially not omitting any thing of moment in the synod ical defence of the fifth article, with an exact translation of the dramatical prosopopoeias, with whatsoever looks towards his design in hand from their fourth attempt about the manner of conversion), giving it anew not only an elegant dress and varnish of rhetorical expressions, but moreover re-enforcing the declining cause of his Pelagian friends with not-to-be-despised sup- plies of appearing reasons and hidden sophistry. Col. ii. 4. So that though I shall handle this doctrine in my own method (with the reason whereof I shall instantly acquaint the reader), and not fol- low that author xara vohag, yet handling not only the main of the doctrine itself, but all the concernments and consequences of it in the several branches of the method intended, I hope not to leave any thing considerable in that whole treatise, as to the truth in hand, undiscussed, no argument unvindicated, no objection unan- swered, no consequence unweighed, with a special eye to the com- parison instituted between the doctrines in contest, as to their direct and causal influence into the obedience and consolation of the saints.
That we may know, then, what we speak and whereof we do aflirm, I shall briefly state the doctrine under consideration, that the differ- ence about it may appear. Indeed, it seems strange to me, among other things, that he of whom mention was lastly made, who hath liberally dispended so great a treasure of pains, reading, and eloquence, for the subverting of the truth whose explanation and defence we have undertaken, did not yet once attempt fairly to fix the state of the difference about it, but, in a very tumultuary manner,^ fell in with prejudices, swelling over all bounds and limits of ordinary reasoning, rhetorical amplifications, upon a doctrine not attempted to be brought forth and explained, that it might be weighed in the ' Socin. Prtelect. Theol. cap. vi. art. 7, etc. ^ Chap, ix.
88 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERiVNCE. [ClIAP.
balance, as in itself it is. Whereas there may be many reasons of such a proceeding, it may well be questioned whether any of them be candid and commendable. Certainly the advantages thence taken for the improving of many sophistical reasons and pretended argu- ments are obvious to every one that shall but peruse his ensuing discourse.
Although the substance of this doctrine hath been by sundry de- livered, yet, lest the terms wherein it is usually done may seem to be somewhat too general, and some advantages of the truth, which in itself it hath, to have been omitted, I shall briefly state the whole matter under those terms wherein it is usually received.
The title of it is, " The Perseverance of Saints." A short discovery of whom we mean by "saints," the subject whereof we speak, and Avhat by "perseverance," which is affirmed of them, will state the whole for the judgment of the reader. God only is essentially holy, and on that account the only Holy One. In his holiness, as in his being and all his glorious attributes, there is an actual permanency or same- ness, Heb. i. 10-12. Nothing in him is subject to the least shadow of change, — not his truth, not his faithfulness, not his holiness. All principles, causes, and reasons of alteration stand at no less infinite distance from him than not-being. His properties are the same with himself, and are spoken of one another, as well as of his nature. His eternal power is mentioned by the apostle, Rom. i. 20. So is his holi- ness eternal, immutable. Of this we may have use afterward; for the present I treat not of it. The holiness of all creatures is acci- dental and created. To some it is innate or original ; as to the angels, the first man, our Saviour Christ as to his human nature, of whom we treat not. Adam had original holiness, and lost it; so had many angels, who kept not their first habitation. It is hence argued by Mr Goodwin, that spiritual gifts of God being bestowed may be taken away, notwithstanding the seeming contrary engagement of Rom. xi. 29. From what proportion or analogy this argument doth flow is not intimated. The grace Adam was endowed with was intrusted with himself and in his own keeping, in a covenant of works; that of the saints since the fall is purchased for them, laid up in their Head, and dispensed in a covenant of grace, whose eminent distinction from the former consists in the permanency and abidingness of the fruits of it. But of this afterward. To others it is adventitious and added, as to all that have contracted any qualities contrary to that original holiness wherewith at first they were endued; as have done all the sons of men, " who have sinned and come short of the glory of God."^ Now,