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Inference 3.
Did the Disciples thus forsake Christ,* 1.1 and yet were all recove∣red at last, Then though believers are not priviledged from back-slidings, yet they are secured from final apostacy, and ruine. The new creature may be sick, it cannot die. Saints may fall, but they shall rise again. Mica. 7.8. The highest flood of natural zeal, and resolution may ebb, and be wholly dried up; but saving grace is a well of water, still springing up into everlasting life, Ioh. 4.14. Gods unchangeable Election, the frame and constitu∣tion of the New Covenant, the meritorious and prevalent inter∣cession of Jesus Christ does give the believer abundant security against the danger of a total, final apostacy. My Father which gave them me (saith Christ) is greater than all; and none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand, Joh. 10.29.
And again, the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal; the Lord knoweth who are his, 2 Tim. 2.19. Every person committed to Christ by the Father, shall be brought by him to the Father, and not one wanting.
God hath also so framed and ordered the New Covenant, that none of those souls who are within the blessed clasp, and bond of it can possibly be lost. It's setled upon immutable things: and we know all things are as their foundations be, Heb. 6.18, 19. Among the many glorious promises contained in that bundle of promises, this is one, I will make an everlasting Covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good: but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
And as the fear of God in our hearts pleads in us against sin, so our potent Intercessor in the heavens pleads for us with the Fa∣ther; and by reason thereof we cannot finally miscarry, Rom. 8.34, 35. Upon these grounds we may (as the Apostle in the place last cited doth) triumph in that full security which God hath given us: and say, what shall separate us from the love of God? Under∣stand it either of Gods to us, as Calvin, Beza and Martyr do; or of our Love to God, Ambrose and Augustine do, it's true in both senses, and a most comfortable truth.