In that fifth chapter, expounding the Westminster shorter catechism, Watson works through key catechetical elements in our redemption, instructing the flock on matters faith, effectual calling, justification, adoption, sanctification, assurance, peace, joy, growth in grace, and perseverance.
For this post I want to focus faith on what God's word says about perseverance in grace. (And I do indeed believe this is what God's word teaches, as I believe both Watson and Westminster offer us a faithful exposition of the doctrine.) To do so I'll quote a sizable section of the chapter from the Banner of Truth edition (A Body of Divinity, 280-281):
By what means do Christians come to persevere?
[1] By the help of ordinances, as of prayer, the word, and the sacraments. Christians do not arrive at perseverance when they sit still and do nothing. It is not with us as with passengers in a ship, who are carried to the end of their voyage while they sit still in the ship . . . but we arrive at salvation in the use of means; as a man comes to the end of a race by running, to a victory by fighting. "Watch and pray" (Matt. 26:41). As Paul said, "Except ye abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved" (Acts 27:31). Believers shall come to shore at last, arrive at heaven; but "except they abide in the ship," namely, in the use of ordinances, "they cannot be saved." The ordinances cherish grace; as they beget grace, so they are the breast milk by which it is nourished and preserved to eternity.
[2] By the sacred influence and concurrence of the Spirit. The Spirit of God is continually at work in the heart of a believer, to carry on grace to perfection. It drops in fresh oil, to keep the lamp of grace burning. The Spirit excites, strengthens, increases grace, and makes a Christian go from one step of faith to another, till he comes to the end of his faith, which is salvation (1 Pet. 1:9). It is a fine expression of the apostle, "The Holy Spirit which dwells in us" (2 Tim. 1:14). He who dwells in a house, keeps the house in repair; so the Spirit dwelling in a believer, keeps grace in repair. Grace is compared to a river of the water of life (John 7:38). This river can never be dried up, because God's Spirit is the spring that continually feeds it.
[3] Grace is carried on to perfection by Christ's daily intercession. As the Spirit is at work in the heart, so is Christ at work in heaven. Christ is ever praying that the saint's grace may hold out. "Father, keep those whom thou has given me." Keep them as the stars in their orbs: keep them as jewels, that they may not be lost. "Father keep them" (John 17:11). That prayer which Christ made for Peter, was the copy of the prayer he now makes for believers. "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not," (Luke 22:32) that it be not totally eclipsed. How can the children of such prayers perish?
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