The Canons of Dort- The Fifth Points of Doctrine- The Perseverance of the Saints----Article 6- God-s Saving Intervention----For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death -the sin against the Holy Spirit-, and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin.----Article 7- Renewal to Repentance----For, in the first place, God preserves in those saints when they fall his imperishable seed from which they have been born again, lest it perish or be dislodged. Secondly, by his Word and Spirit he certainly and effectively renews them to repentance so that they have a heartfelt and godly sorrow for the sins they have committed- seek and obtain, through faith and with a contrite heart, forgiveness in the blood of the Mediator- experience again the grace of a reconciled God- through faith adore his mercies- and from then on more eagerly work out their own salvation with fear and trembling.----Article 8- The Certainty of This Preservation----So it is not by their own merits or strength but by God-s undeserved mercy that they neither forfeit faith and grace totally nor remain in their downfalls to the end and are lost. With respect to themselves this not only easily could happen, but also undoubtedly would happen- but with respect to God it cannot possibly happen, since his plan cannot be changed, his promise cannot fail, the calling according to his purpose cannot be revoked...