Fifth Head of Doctrine — Article 12

Fifth Head of Doctrine — Article 12

_Of the Perseverance of the Saints_

This certainty of perseverance, however, is so from exciting in believers a spirit of pride, or of rendering them carnally secure, that on the contrary, it is the real source of humility, filial reverence, true piety, patience in every tribulation, fervent prayers, constancy in suffering, and in confessing the truth, and of solid rejoicing in God; so that the consideration of this benefit should serve as an incentive to the serious and constant practice of gratitude and good works, as appears from the testimonies of scripture, and the examples of the saints.