Chapter 17. Of the Perseverance of the Saints

Chapter 17. Of the Perseverance of the Saints

I. They whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.³⁴⁴

II. This perseverance of the saints depends, not upon their own freewill, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father;³⁴⁵ upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ;³⁴⁶ the abiding

of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them;³⁴⁷ and the nature of the covenant of grace:³⁴⁸ from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.³⁴⁹

III. Nevertheless they may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins;³⁵⁰ and for a time continue therein:³⁵¹ whereby they incur God's displeasure,³⁵² and grieve his Holy Spirit;³⁵³ come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts;³⁵⁴ have their hearts hardened,³⁵⁵ and their consciences wounded;³⁵⁶ hurt and scandalize others,³⁵⁷ and bring temporal judgments upon themselves.³⁵⁸