XV. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
We believe (a) that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; (b) that
their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them
from superficial professors; (c) that a special Providence watches over their welfare;
and (d) that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto eternal salvation.
*** (a) John 8:31. "Then said Jesus . . . If
ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed."
Col. 1:21,23. "And you, that were sometime alienated
and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled....If ye continue
in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel."
*** (b) I John 2:19. "They went out from us,
but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued
with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not
ad of us."
Matt. 13:19-21. "When any one heareth the word
of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth
away that which was sown in his heart.... But he that received the seed into stony
places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet
hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution
ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."
*** (c) Rom. 8:28. "And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose."
Matt. 6:30. "Wherefore, if God so clothe the
grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he
not much more clothe you, O. ye of little faith?"
Psa. 121:3. "He will not suffer thy foot to
be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber."
Heb. 1:14. "Are they not all ministering spirits,
sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
*** (d) I Pet. 1:5. "Who are kept by the power
of God through faith unto salvation."
Phil. 1:6. "He which hath begun a good work
in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
John 10:28. "And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
John 10:29. "No man is able to pluck them out
of my Father's hand."
John 16:8. (The Spirit) "will reprove the world
of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
Rom. 8:35-39. "Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long,
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more
than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death,
nor life, nor angels. nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things
to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate
us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Next: XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED