For the making our way clear to the demonstration of that influ- ence which the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints hath into their obedience and close walking with God, and so to manifest what weight is to be laid upon it on that consideration, I shall give some pre- vious observations, which may direct and give us light in our passage, both concerning gospel truths, gospel obedience, and gospel motives thereunto. I hope it will not be thought amiss if I look a little backward, to fortify and clear this part of our progress, there being no concernment of our doctrine that is more clamoured [against] by the adversaries of it ; nor can any respect of it or any truth of God more causelessly meet with such entertainment, as I hope will abundantly, in the progress of our business, be evinced to the consciences of all who know indeed what it is to walk before God in a course of gos- pel obedience, and who have their communion with the Father and liis Son Jesus Christ. For the first: —
1. Every truth revealed from God is to be received not only with faith and love, but with equal reverence to any that is revealed, though we are not able to discern such an immediate tendency unto usefulness in our commimion with him as in some others we may. The formal reason whereinto our Aiith, love, and reverence
X.] THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE DOCTRINE. 881
unto the word of God is resolved is that it is His. Now, this is common to the whole, for he is the author of every part and por- tion alike; and though perhaps we may want some part of it at a less fatal price than some other, yet to reject any one tittle or jot of it, as that which is revealed of God, is a sufficient demonstration that no one jot or tittle of it is received as it ought. Upon what- ever this title and inscription is, Vei^bum Jehovos, there must we stoop and bow down our souls before it, and captivate our under- standings to the obedience of faith. Whatsoever, then, may hereafter be spoken concerning the usefulness of the truth under considera- tion, and the comparative regard which, in respect of others, ought on that account to be had thereunto, doth not in the least exalt it, as it is in itself, in respect of the faith and reverence due thereunto, above any other truth whatsoever that is in Scripture revealed.
2. That next to the revelation of God, his will and his grace, the grand immediate tendency of the whole Scripture is to work them to whom the revelation is made into a conformity to himself, and to mould them into his own image. "All Scripture," the apostle tells us, 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17, "is given by inspiration of God, and is profit- able for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in right- eousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished luito all good works." Hereunto all Scripture tends, and is useful and profitable for this end. And the gospel is called "the truth that is according to godliness," Tit. i. 1 ; as "the end of the law is charity out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith un- feigned," 1 Tim. i. 5. That which in respect of the prime Author of it is Xoyoc, Qiov, " the word of God," 1 Thess. ii. 13; and in respect of the principal matter of it is 6 Xoyog 6 rou araupov, " the word of the cross," 1 Cor. i. IS; in respect of its end and tendency towards us is Xoyoc, ivffsCiiac, " the word," or truth, " that is according to godliness." The word is that revealed Avill of God, which is our sanctification, 1 Thess. iv. 3, and the instrument whereby he works our holiness, according to that prayer of our Saviour, " Sanctify them by thy truth: thy word is truth," John xvii. 17. And that which, when we are cast into the mould of our obedience, is in some measure wrought, Rom. vi. 1 7, the substance also or matter being written in our hearts, is the grace and holiness promised unto us in the covenant, Jer. xxxi. 33. And that this is the improvement which ought to be made by believers of every gospel truth, or rather, that it hath an efficacy to this purpose, the apostle tells us, 2 Cor. iii. 18, "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." By appre- hensions of the glorious truths discovered in the glass or mirror of the gospel, we are changed and moulded into the frame and image therein discovered by the power of the Spirit, effectually accom-
8S2 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTs' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP.
panying the word in the dispensation thereof. And unless this he done, whatsoever we may pretend, we have not received any truth of the gospel as it is in Jesus, in the power of it: Eph. iv. 20-24, "Ye have not," saith the apostle, "so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus : that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old mau, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Whatsoever men may profess, if we have learned the truth as it is in Jesus, it will have these effects in us, even universal relinquishment (as to sincerity) of all ungodliness, and a thorough change, both as to prin- ciples and practices, unto holiness and to righteousness, which the gospel teaches us; which if we have not learned, we have not yet learned it "as it is in Jesus." Tit. ii. 11, 12, "The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, right- eously, and godly, in this present world."