A review of Mr. Horn's catechisme, and some few of his questions and answers noted by J.H. of Massingham p. Norf.

Qu. 256. Is it possible then for a man that hath beleeved, to fall from his Faith, and so from Grace?

A. Yes surely, if it be not well rooted in his heart, & the heart there∣by kept single for God, and fruitfull in good: but where these things are, no danger of falling.

He that would rightly answer this Question, of falling from Faith, as I think, should first distin∣guish true justifying faith, from false, unsound, and temporary faith: and not speak of these two, as if they were all one, as in this Answer is spoken.

Such a faith as is feigned and unsound, may be lost: but true faith, that is of a right kinde, is not lost. Our blessed Saviour hath learned us this dif∣ference, and taught us this Doctrine, Matth. 13, vers. 21, 23. True faith hath rooting, and is fruitfull, and abideth. False faith hath no rooting, is unfruit∣full, and endureth not.

This therefore, may well be added, and inserted into his Answer. Such faith from which any man doth fall, was never true faith, even while he did stand therein. The temporary beleever had no root, before he withered: and the foolish virgins took no oyl with them from the first, and the house that fell, had no good foundation, before it fell, and there∣fore did it fall.

The Apostles speaking of Apostates, do usually put a difference presently after, betwixt them, even whiles they stood, and true beleevers; lest true be∣leevers should take offence, and be discouraged, and

suspect themselves to be in no better condition, than those revolters were whiles they continued. This may appear by these places following.

2. Thessal. 2. Having spoken of the fearfull judgements of God, upon such as should be seduced and perish, for want of love to the truth, he addeth vers. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, because he hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.

2 Tim. 2. Hymeneus and Philetus fell into a here∣sie: drew others along with them. Neverthaless the foundation of God standeth sure; and, the Lord know∣eth who are his, vers.19.

Hebr. 6. having largely described the cursed estate of those that totally and finally fall away in five ver∣ses, from the 4th to the 8th, he addeth v, 9. But beloved we are perswaded better things of you and things that ac∣company salvation. As if he had said thus: We do not onely think that you are now in better state than they are, but that you will always abide so. Though it might be but perswasion of charity, that these were so qualified: yet is it matter of certainty, that true grace, wheresoever it be, doth accompany Sal∣vation: not onely cometh near, as neighbouring, or bordering upon it; nor yet as contiguous onely, for so it may fall short: but it is so contiguous with salvation, that it is withall, coherent with it, de∣pendent on it, not to be severed: yea continuous with it, in one un-interrupted piece, or progress. It is such kinde of Grace, in which Salvation is wrap∣ped,

and folded up, and contained, as the bird in the egg: As the several ages of man, infancie, youth, manhood, do differ one from the other, and do follow one the other, yet withall they are the same life still continued, although in differing de∣grees. Joh. 5. 24. He that beleeveth hath everlast∣ing life, if he that beleeveth hath life, and that life be everlasting, then a beleever cannot fall away.

Hebr. 10. two last verses. If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that beleeeve to the saving of the soul: to beleeve, and, to draw back; these two, are contrary, and incon∣sistent, as salvation and perdition are.

2 Pet.2. 22. When he had shewed the dangerous estate of some, who had turned from the way of righteousness, and were again entangled in the pol∣lutions of the world, after they had escaped them, he concludeth: But it is happened to them according to the true Proverb; The dog is turned to his own vo∣mit again, and the sow that was washed, to her wallow∣ing in the mire. His meaning is, though they were washed and reformed outwardly, yet they still re∣mained what they were: they still retained their old unclean disposition: and their nature continu∣ing, caused this return. A sheep differs from a swine newly washed: so differs a true convert from a false.

Joh. 2. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us, and chap. 5. 9. after that he had men∣tioned

the sin unto Death, the worst kinde of Apostacy of all, he addeth: We know that whosoe∣ver is born of God sinneth not: still making a dif∣ference, betwixt true beleevers and Apostates be∣fore their falling away.