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THe perseverance therefore of holy men is the free gift of God, and is derived unto us out of the decree of election.
THis conclusion ariseth out of those things, which are said before: but that it may more manifestly appeare, we will adde some∣what more.
First, that it is the free gift of God, is proved out of the words of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 4.7. What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive, why dost thou glorie as if thou hadst not received? If any thing can give a just cause to men of glorying, surely this, that they have persevered in good unto the end, then when they could at their owne pleasure not have made use of those meanes, which in themselves were sufficient for perseverance. Either therefore this doth betide the faithfull by way of speciall gift, or they have something which they have not received, in which they may greatly glorie. But wee affirme on the contrarie, whether by perseverance be under∣stood either that power, which doth propp and hold up the faithfull, or the stabilitie it selfe, and the unconquered firmenesse of their faith; or lastly, the very act of persevering, that there is none of these, which is not the gift of God.
Touching that power, by which the will is stayed up,* 1.1 that it may persevere, the Remon∣strants easily grant, that it is the onely grace of GOD which doth arme a man with this
strength to persevere.
Touching the stability and firmenesse, which is considered as the manner or adjunct of true faith, this also is to bee numbred a∣mong the gifts of God. For he which doth give the thing it selfe, to wit, faith, doth also give the manner of the thing, to wit, the sta∣bility and firmenesse of the same faith, 2 Thes. 3.3. The Lord is faithfull, who shall establish you. 1 Cor. 1.7.8. Yee come behinde in no gift, waiting for the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, who shall confirme you unto the end, that ye may be blamelesse. Out of which words it is manifest, that faith is the gift of God, as well in the increase, and stability, as in the entrance, and beginning thereof.
Lastly, if we desire to take out of the Scrip∣tures the true formes of speaking, wee ought to call the very act of perseverance the gift of God. For if the Scripture doth not only call the quality it selfe of faith the gift of God, but doth declare,* 1.2 that to beleeve is given freely to men, then also ought we to acknowledge, as Gods gift, not onely perseverance, but also the act it selfe of persevering. This is most mani∣festly
taught in the place alleaged, where the Apostle saith, that it was given to the Philippi∣ans, not onely to beleeve in Christ, but to suffer for his sake. Which, what other thing is it, then to persevere in the faith of Christ under the Crosse of persecution.
* 1.3To this purpose Saint Anstine. Wee affirme that perseverance is the gift of God, by which wee abide in Christ constantly unto the end. And it is reckoned among the Errors of the Massilians,* 1.4 that they denyed that such perseverance is given to any, from which he is not suffered to stray. Which Error Saint Austine refutes in his booke of Perseverance, chap. 6.
It remaines now, that we prove this gift of perseverance to spring from the fountaine of Election; to the confirming of which we will produce one argument onely.
That, which is given out of an effectuall intention to save without faile that person, to whom it is given, that, without question, doth flow from the decree of election. For what is it else to elect one, then to ordaine him to ob∣taine salvation without faile? But now such is the force and nature of this gift, that we can∣not
conceive, that perseverance is ordeined, or given unto any, except upon a former in∣tention both to order and bring the same man infallibly unto salvation. For whatsoe∣ver benefit doth accrue unto any by any di∣vine grace, that wholly without doubt the Author of that grace decreed to conferre upon him, to whom hee vouchsafed to impart the same grace. But by the immoveable purpose of God whosoever shall persevere, shall bee saved. Therefore to whomsoever God pur∣posed to give perseverance it is a manifest evi∣dence that the same man was destinated to salvation by the foregoing decree of God. To this purpose is that of Mat. 24.24. Where the impossibility of being seduced in respect of cer∣taine persons knowne to God, is grounded upon this foregoing Election of them: and that of Saint Paul, Rom. 11.5. where the remnant of those few, which fell not from God, is said to be caused according to the election of grace: But of this see more in Saint Austine de bon. persev. cap. 16.
In respon. ad Walach. pag. 75.
Phil. 1.19.
De persev. c. 10.
Epist. Hilar. ad Aug.