the One doth equally free all Believers from the revenging Wrath of God, and that perfectly in this Life that they never fall into Condemnation, the other is neither equal in All, nor in this Life perfect in any, but growing up to Perfection b.

78. Queft. Whence arifeth the Imperfection of Sanification in Believers ?

Anfw. The Imperfection of Sanctification in Believers, arifeth from the Remnants of Sin abiding in every Part of them, and the perpetual Luftings of the Flesh against the Spirit; whereby they are often foil

1 John 2. 12. I write unto you, little children, because your fins are forgiven you for his names fake. 13. I write unto you, fathers, beCaufe ye have known him that is

of milk, and not of ftrong meat. v. 13. For every one that useth milk, is unskilful in the word of righteoufnefs: for he is a babe. v. 14. But ftrong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reafon of use have their fenfes exercifed to difcern both good and evil.

a 1 John 1.8. And if we say that we have no fin,we deceive our felves, and the truth is not in us. v. 1o. If we fay that we have not finned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1

2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore from the beginning. I write unto thefe promifes, (dearly beloved) you, young men, becaufe ye have let us cleanfe our felves from all filovercome the wicked one. I write thinefs of the flesh and fpirit, perinto you, little children, becaufe ye fecting holiness in the fear of God. lave known the Father. v. 14. I Phil. 3. 12. Not as though I had alhave written unto you, fathers, be- ready attained, either were already aufe ye have known him that is perfect: but I follow after, if that I rom the beginning. I have written may apprehend that for which alfo into you, young men, because ye I am apprehended of Chrift Jesus. re ftrong, and the word of God v. 13. Brethren, I count not my felf bideth in you, and ye have over- to have apprehended: but this one Come the wicked one. Heb. 5.12. thing I do, forgetting those things For when for the time ye ought to which are behind, and reaching forth eteachers, ye have need that one unto thofe things which are before, each you again which be the firft v. 14. I prefs toward the mark, for rinciples of the oracles of God; the prize of the high calling of God nd are become fuch as have need in Chrift Jefus. 78. Rom.

foiled with Temptations, and fall into many Sins, are hindred in all their Spiritual Services, and their best Works are imperfect and defiled in the Sight of Gode.

79. Queft. May not true Believers by reafon of their Imperfections, and the many Temptations and Sins they are overtaken with, fall away from the State of Grace? Anfw. True Believers by reafon of the unchange able Love of God f, and his Decree and Covenant to give them Perseverance ; their infeparable Union

78. Rom.7.18. Fór I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is prefent with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. v. 23. But I fee another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of fin, which is in my members. Mark 14. 66. to the end. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high-prieft, &c. Gal. 2. II. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withftood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. v. 12. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew, and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcifion.

d Heb. 12. 1. Wherefore, feeing we alfo are compaffed about with fo great a cloud of witneffes, let us lay afide every weight, and the fin which doth fo eafily befet us, and let us run with patience the race that is fet before us.

e Ifai. 64. 6. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteoufneffes are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our inquities, like the wind, have taken

with

us away. Exod. 28. 38. And it shall' be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Ifrael fhall hallow in all their holy gifts and it fhall be always upon his forehead, that they may be ac-) cepted before the Lord.

f

79. Jer. 31. 3. The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlafting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.

2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God ftandeth fure, having this feal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Chrift depart from iniquity. H 13. 20. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jefus, that great fhepherd of the fheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, v. 21. Make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleafing in his fight, through Jefus Chrift; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Sam. 23. 5. Although my houfe be not fo with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting venant, ordered in all things, and

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ith Chrifth, his continual Interceffion for them i, d the Spirit and Seed of God abiding in them *, n neither totally nor finally fall away from the ate of Grace', but are kept by the Power of od through Faith unto Salvation".

80. Queft. Can true Believers be infallibly affured it they are in the Eftate of Grace, and that they shall fevere therein unto Salvation?

Anfw. Such as truly believe in Chrift, and endeaar to walk in all good Confcience before him", ly without extraordinary Revelation, by Faith Dunded upon the Truth of God's Promises; and the Spirit enabling them to difcern in themselves fe Graces to which the Promises of Life are made°, and for this is all my falvation,and and even as it hath taught you, ye my desire, although he make it shall abide in him.

to grow.

1 Cor. 1. 8. Who fhall alfo conyou unto the end, that ye may be I meless in the day of our Lord JeChrift. v. 9. God is faithful, by m ye were called unto the felhip of his Son Jefus Chrift our

d.

เ

Jer. 32.40. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them,that will not turn away from them, ta do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. John 10. 28. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither fhall any pluck them out of my hand.

Heb. 7. 25. Wherefore he is able to fave them to the uttermoft, come unto God by him, seeing m 1 Pet. 1. 5. Who are kept by ever liveth to make interceffion the power of God through faith unthem. Luke 22. 32. But I have to falvation, ready to be revealed yed for thee, that thy faith fail in the last time.

; and when thou art converted,

ngthen thy brethren.

80, n 1 John 2. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we 1 John 3.9. Whofoever is born keep his commandments. God, doth not commit fin; for • I Cor. 2. 12. Now we have refeed remaineth in him: and he ceived, not the spirit of the world, inot fin, because he is born of but the Spirit which is of God; that d. I fohn 2. 27. But the anoint- we might know the things that are have received of him, freely given to us of God. 1 John ideth in you: and ye need not 3.14. We know that we have paffed at any man teach you: But as the from death unto life, because we me anointing teacheth you of all love the brethren: he that loveth ings, and is truth, and is no lie: Q

which

ye

and bearing Witness with their Spirits that they an the Children of God, be infallibly aflured that the are in the Eftate of Grace, and fhall perfevere there unto Salvation 9.

81. Queft. Are all true Believers at all times a red of their prefent being in the Eftate of Grace, and th they fall be faved?

Arfw. Ailurance of Grace and Salvation not be ing of the Essence of Faith, true Believers ma wait long before they obtain it f; and after the E

yment thereof, may have it weakned and intertted through manifold Diftempers, Sins, Tempions, and Desertions: Yet are they never left thout fuch a Prefence and Support of the Spirit God, as keeps them from finking into utter Def

dead. 13. But unto thee rejoice. v. 12. Reftore unto me the I cried, O Lord, and in the ning fhall my prayer prevent . 14. Lord, why cafteft thou my foul why hideft thou thy from me. v. 15. I am afflicted ready to die, from my youth while I fuffer thy terrors, I am acted. &c.