A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 16
JOHN X. 28. And I give unto them Eternal Life, and they ſhall never periſh, neither ſhall any pluck them out of my Hand.
Sermon XIV.BRETHREN, there are but two Arguments more that I intend to inſiſt upon, for the farther Proof and Demonſtration of the Saints final Perſeverance; or to prove, That none of the Saints or Sheep of Chriſt, can ſo ſin and fall away as eternally to periſh.
I ſpoke the laſt Day to the Effects of the Death and Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt: I might proceed to ſpeak to the Interceſſion of Chriſt alſo, but I ſhall take that in the Arguments I ſhall next enter upon.
9th Arg. taken from their being in the Hand of the Father, and in Chriſt's Hand.Ninthly, The Saints are in the Hand of the Father, and in the Hand of the Son conſidered as Mediator.
And from hence I ſhall prove, That it is impoſſible they ſhould ſo fall away as eternally to periſh.
Firſt, I ſhall ſhew you in what reſpect they may be ſaid to be in the Hand of the Father; and what is meant by his Hand, and how that doth ſecure them.
Secondly, Shew you what is meant by their being in the Hand of the Son; and ſhew you how that may be ſaid alſo to ſecure their firm ſtanding, and tends to their final Perſeverance.
Thirdly, Shew you in what reſpect they may be ſaid to be in Chriſt's Hand.
Firſt, By the Hand of the Father, doth intend his Power: Iſa 9. 1.Behold, the Lord's Hand is not ſhortned that he cannot ſave: As if God ſhould ſay, I am not grown weaker than formerly, I am God Almighty ſtill, and as Omnipotent as ever. Hand here, and ſo in my Text, by a Synecdoche, is put for Strength or Power. So alſo Iſa. 50. 2. Is my Hand ſhortned at all that it cannot redeem? or have I not Power to deliver? Behold, at my Rebuke I dry up the Sea, I make the Rivers a Wilderneſs, &c. Read the next Words following my Text, My Father which gave them me, is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's Hand.
Secondly, By the Hand of the Father may denote God's Eternal Purpoſe, or his Counſel; for Hand ſometimes is put for the Purpoſe or Counſel of God: Act. 4. 28.To do whatſoever thy Hand and thy Counſel determined to do. And if it may thus be taken here, then this may be the Senſe of it, viz. All the Elect, all the Sheep and Lambs of Chriſt are, by God's Eternal Purpoſe and Counſel, ordained to Eternal Life, and none can pluck them out of his Election, or change his Purpoſe: For like as the Death of Chriſt was determined by the Hand or Counſel of God, ſo were the Effects thereof, I mean, what Perſons ſhould be ſaved thereby, even all and every one of them that he had given unto his Son as he is Mediator. The Deſign and Purpoſe of God, by Jeſus Chriſt, was to ſave all the Elect; and the End and Deſign of Chriſt's Death cannot be fruſtrated, they are in God's Hand, that is, it is his Purpoſe and Counſel to ſave them; and his Counſel ſhall ſtand, and he will do all his Pleaſure.
1. All the Counſels of God then from Eternity, and all his Promiſes and Declarations that hold forth thoſe Counſels, having a ſpecial Relation to Chriſt's dying for his People, and their actual Salvation, muſt and ſhall have their abſolute Accompliſhment; for the End of a thing is that for which the thing it ſelf is: And had it not been for that, the thing had never been at all, it being that the chief Agent principally aimed at, and purpoſed to bring about.
2. Therefore the Salvation of Chriſt's Saints muſt be certain, from the conſideration of the Immutability of God, in which the Perfection of his Divine Nature ſhines forth, and requireth a correſpondent Affection of all the Internal and External Acts of his Mind and Will.
3. From his Soveraignty, in making good and executing all his Purpoſes, which will not admit of any Mixtures of Conſults as among Men, (the Lord may do what he will with his Creatures, we are but as Clay in his Hand; and ſuch as he will make Veſſels of Honour, who ſhall contradict him or reſiſt his Will?) Shall any change God's Mind, or render his Thoughts liable to Alteration? Alſo is it not from his Sovereign and Diſtinguiſhing Grace to ſome, that makes the Apoſtle break out, O the depth of the Riches both of Rom. 11. 33.the Wiſdom and Knowledg of God! how unſearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways paſt finding out!
4. If we conſider how his abſolute Purpoſes doth excite his Omnipotency to the actual accompliſhing of them, who can once ſuppoſe any one Believer ſhould miſcarry! The Lord of Hoſts hath ſworn, ſaying, Surely as I have thought, ſo ſhall it come to paſs; and as I have purpoſed ſo ſhall it ſtand. As God is able to do whatſoever Iſa. 14. 24.he hath purpoſed, ſo we may aſſure our ſelves there is nothing that ſhall fail which is according to his determinate Counſel; He is of one Mind, and who can turn him?
5. And what Folly and unreaſonable Incredulity is it once to imagine, there ſhould be any manner of ſuſpending the Acts and Purpoſes of the Will of God, upon any actings of the Creatures whatſoever, ſeeing it cannot be done without ſubjecting Eternity to Time, and the Will of Man to the Will of God, or the Firſt Cauſe to the Second, the Lord to the Servant?
6. Now then ſeeing God hath taken the Salvation of his Elect into his own Hand, Power, and Eternal Purpoſe, and hath been at ſuch vaſt Expence of Rich Treaſure, in order to the accompliſhing of his great Deſign herein, who can imagine that any one of his Saints ſhould miſs of Everlaſting Life? Suppoſe a Prince ſhould have a wonderful Project in Hand, which he carries on with the Advice of his Council, to make ſo many of his Subjects that his Love and Affections are let out upon, Great and Happy on Earth; and in doing of which, ſhould expend all, or the greateſt part of his own Riches, nay, ſacrifice his own Son; Would he, after all, (if he could help it) ſuffer his Deſign to miſcarry in the Advancement of any one of them? Or ſhould a moſt wiſe and cunning Artiſt, contrive a curious Piece of Workmanſhip, which might coſt him thouſands, it being his whole Work, and taking up all his Time, for forty or fifty Years, to bring it to Perfection; ſuppoſe it be a rare Piece of Clock-work, would he ſuffer any one part of it to be disjointed from the reſt by an Enemy, whilſt he look'd on, if he could prevent it, or were it in the Power of his Hand? Alas, what are all the r…reſt, the richeſt or moſt curious Things in Nature, that are or ever have been in the World, to this Work of God in the Redemption and Salvation of his Choſen Ones? What Treaſure hath he ſpent, (as I may ſay)? Hath it not coſt him the parting with the Pearl of great Price, even the breaking of it into pieces, that ſo he might enrich and make great and glorious every one of his Elect? Nay, and after he hath curiouſly formed his own Image upon each of their Souls, to the Joy and Wonder of the Holy Angels, and to the Perplexity and Sorrow of Devils, and this as the Contrivance of his Eternal Council; will he, after all, think you, ſuffer Satan to deface this his Image in the Souls of any one of them, and ſo ſpoil and bring to nought part of that glorious, expenſive, and curious Piece of his own Workmanſhip, which was the abſolute Reſult of his Council to compleat and deliver from miſcarrying from all Eternity? Now then ſeeing that all the Elect, or all true Believers, are thus in the Father's Hand, viz. put under his Abſolute and Eternal Decree and Purpoſe, to ſave, through Jeſus Chriſt, what can obſtruct or hinder this God from effecting of his own Glorious Deſign herein? To talk of Conditional Purpoſes concerning Perſeverance, ſaith Dr. Owen, are either impoſſible, implying Contradictions, or ludicrous, even to an unfitneſs for a Stage. See the 29th Verſe, My Father that gave them me, is greater than all; and none can pluck them out of my Father's Hand.
My Father, as if Chriſt ſhould ſay, is equally concerned with me about my Saints Perſervation, and final Perſeverance; and they are in his Hand, he hath put them into his own Power, and he is greater than all, he is greater than me as I am Mediator, tho as God I and my Father are one; tho he hath put them into my Hand, as I am Mediator and their Surety, yet he hath not let go his own hold of them, he will ſee not one of them be loſt for whom I lay down my Life. If any would get them out of my Father's Hand, it muſt be againſt his Will, his Purpoſe, his Decree, and they muſt do it by Force, by Violence, they muſt pluck them or rend them out of my Father's Hand: Mind the word pluck twice mentioned; Neither ſhall any pluck them out of my Hand; and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's Hand. Not that any are able to pluck them out of the Hand of Chriſt as Mediator: But our Saviour adds that, in this 29th Verſe, as a farther Confirmation, and as an aſſurance of their ſafe ſtanding. Who is too ſtrong for Omnipotence it ſelf? Can any bring his Counſel to nought, or deſtroy ſuch that he holds in the Hand of his Eternal Decree, in the Hand of his Everlaſting Love and Affection, and alſo in the Hand of his amazing, inconceivable and irreſiſtable Power? That Enemy that will deſtroy one Saint, muſt be a Match for the Infinite God, and overcome him, and rob him of his chiefeſt Treaſure, or of his precious Jewels. O who dares to ſay this can be done! Well then, aſſure your ſelves, that not one Sheep of Chriſt can periſh: Sin muſt be ſtronger than God if it deſtroys one of the Elect; and Satan more mighty, greater in Power than God: which to think is Blaſphemy. Why ſhould our Saviour here add, My Father is greater than all, were it not to ſignify the impoſſibility of their periſhing, or to ſhew how impoſſible it is that any Enemy ſhould deſtroy them?
Thirdly, By their being in the Father's Hand, may be meant Jeſus Chriſt, who is called the Power of God, and the Wiſdom of God; 1 Cor. 1. 18.becauſe by and through him, God exerts his Power, or his Strength to ſave; or the Glory of his Power is manifeſted, as well as of all his other Attributes. Sin ſeem'd to eclipſe the Power of God in ſaving his People, becauſe Divine Power could not ſave in a way of Omnipotence, to the Impeachment of his Juſtice and Holineſs; but in Chriſt Juſtice and Holineſs is as much magnified as Mercy and Goodneſs; and thereby ſo too, that the Power of God might ſhine forth in its full Glory: Father, glorify thy Name, ſaith John 11. 28.Chriſt. Then came a Voice from Heaven, ſaying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it: Thy Name, that is, however thou art made known, or glorify all thy Glorious Attributes. Almighty Power was ſeen in creating the World; and alſo as it wrought in conjuction with Divine Juſtice, it ſhone forth in caſting the Angels out of Heaven, and Adam out of Paradiſe; as alſo in the Flames of Sodom: And as Divine Power joined with Divine Mercy and Goodneſs, it ſhone forth in ſaving the Iſraelites at the Red Sea. But the Strength and Glory of every Attribute never ſhone forth in their equal brightneſs and ſplendour, as all are united and in conjunction together, and meet in ſweet Harmony, as they do in the ſaving of Man by Jeſus Chriſt; ſo that Jeſus Chriſt may be well called the Wiſdom of God, and the Power of God. Chriſt is the firſt-born of every Creature: Col. 1. 15.And as the Firſt born is the Strength of the Parent, ſo is Chriſt the Strength of God. The tranſcendent Excellencies and Glories of the Divine Being, that were ſcattered (as it were) in the Creation, are all united and gathered in Chriſt; that like as when a bundle of Rods united and bound up together cannot be broke, or as ſo united are very ſtrong, ſo God in Chriſt ſhines forth, as having all his Glorious Perfections united in one; and in this ſenſe Believers may be ſaid to be in the Father's Hand, and ſo that none can pluck them out, God hereby appearing in his united Strength. And thus Chriſt may be ſaid to be, that Branch that God hath made Pſal. 8…. 15.ſtrong for himſelf. And again, The Man of thy right Hand, the Son of Man whom thou haſt made ſtrong for thy ſelf, in whom thou ſheweſt the greatneſs of thy Power to ſave, or to manifeſt his Almighty Power by. O what a Hand is the Hand of God in Chriſt! Who can pull one Soul out of the Father's Hand, or out of Chriſt, who is the Father's Hand of Power to ſave all his Elect? Believers are in Chriſt's Hand, and Chriſt is the Father's Hand, yea the Father's Right Hand: the Power and Glory of all the Divine Attributes are united together in Chriſt; herein they ſhew the Perfection of their Strength, and are all exerted in the Salvation of every Believer; therefore it is impoſſible one of them ſhould periſh. In the uniting of all the Attributes of God together doth the ſtrength of God appear to ſave. And in this reſpect Believers are in God's Hand, God is concerned to ſee the Salvation of his People perfected by Chriſt as Mediator; who is, as ſo conſidered, his Right Hand, or the Greatneſs of his Power, or the Perfection of his Power and Strength.
Secondly, To proceed; as they are in the Father's Hand, ſo he hath, you heard, put them into Chriſt's Hand as their great Sponſor, Mediator and Surety; and that before the World began, in that Covenant and Bleſſed Compact the Father and Son entered into, in order to the Eternal Salvation of all his Saints: And the Holy God hath fixed on ſuch Ways and Means, and in ſuch manner, that the Thing deſigned cannot miſcarry. Men indeed may miſs of their Ends they aim at; but what is directly in the Hand of God, and is put by him into the Hand of his Son, to effect and finally to accompliſh, ſhall never miſcarry, it being, as I have told you, done according to his Eternal Counſel. God's Abſolute Purpoſe ſhall ſtand, let it be what it will; much more that Grand Purpoſe and Deſign of his, of ſaving all true Believers by Jeſus Chriſt.
Firſt, There is a proof of it already as to Matter of Fact: Many thouſands of the Souls of his Elect are gone to Heaven, in ſpight of Sin, Hell, Death, World and Devils.
Secondly, In the Salvation of Believers by Chriſt, all Intereſts concerned are ſecured.
(1.) God is Juſt, and herein he declares his Juſtice with a Witneſs. And,
(2.) Yet the Sinner is juſtified.
(3.) Vengeance hath to the full took hold of Sin. And yet,
(4.) Mercy is magnified to the higheſt Degree in ſaving the Sinner: Juſtice is ſatisfied, and yet the Sinner is forgiven.
(5.) The Law of God hath its full and juſt Sanction; and the Violence offered to it is retrieved.
(6.) And Jeſus Chriſt who did all this, in beholding his Seed and Fruit of his Soul, and their Eternal Bleſſedneſs ſecured for ever, is well pleaſed and fully ſatisfied.
Thirdly, The way of accompliſhing this Deſign, is ſuch as will certainly compaſs the End, Divine Power being ingaged in it, which reſteth not in the leaſt on the Concourſe or Compliance of any fruſtrable Inſtruments; nay every Attribute being hereby magnified, they join hand in hand for the effecting of it.
Fourthly, No Power can ſuperſede God's Decree, nor obſtruct Jeſus Chriſt in his compleating the Whole of his Work: I will work, and who ſhall let? And again it is ſaid, He ſhall bring forth Iſa. 42. 3. & 53. 10.Judgment unto Victory. He ſhall not fail nor be diſcouraged: The Pleaſure of the Lord ſhall proſper in his Hand. And ſeeing then that the Final Accompliſhment of the Salvation of every Believer is put into Chriſt's Hand, for a farther Demonſtration how this tends to ſecure them all from Danger, and to preſerve them to Eternal Life,
Take here a ſhort Induction of Particulars.
1. Conſider the Nature of that Covenant, by virtue of which all the Elect are put into Chriſt's Hand: It is a Covenant made and entered into by the Son as Mediator with the Father; not only to redeem and purchaſe Life for them, and to infuſe Life in them, but to preſerve them in a State of Life, ſo that none of God's Covenant-Children might depart from him any more for ever, which the firſt Covenant failed in; and therefore God found fault with that or rather with them with whom it was made, who failed in continuing their Obedience thereunto, but ſinned, and fell from God. Now ſay I, God to prevent the like again, hath entered into a New Covenant with his Son for us, which is ſo well ordered in all things, and ſure, as that not one Soul ſhall ever eternally miſcarry that is comprehended therein. O remember that this Covenant was the Reſult of Infinite Wiſdom, as well as it reſulted from inconceivable Love and Goodneſs in God; and it was to fruſtrate and deſtroy the Works of the Devil for ever, ſo that he might never have Cauſe to inſult over the Majeſty of God, in getting out of his Hand one Soul that he deſigned in his Eternal Counſel to make happy, and ſave for ever.
2. Conſider, Jeſus Chriſt to this End, in this Covenant, hath took all that the Father gave unto him into his Hand as their Surety. Pray conſider, all Believers are thus in the Hand of Chriſt: Hence he is called the Surety of a better Covenant. He is their great Sponſor; Heb. 9. 22.if any be loſt, he muſt anſwer for them. Let me read that Text in 1 Kings 20. I ſhall only allude to it to clear up this Matter the better to weak Capacities; Thy Servant went out into the midſt of the Battel, and behold, a Man turned aſide, and brought a Man unto 1 King. 20. 39.me, and ſaid, Keep this Man: if by any means he be miſſing, then ſhall thy Life go for his Life. I know this was ſpoken by the Prophet parabolically, yet it may ſerve to ſhew you the Nature of Suretiſhip, where one engageth for another, or for others. Thus Judah became Surety to his Father for Benjamin; I will be Surety for him; of my Hand ſhalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto Gen. 43 9.thee, and ſet him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever. Reuben alſo became Surety for Benjamin; And Reuben ſpake unto his Gen. 42. 37.Father, ſaying, Slay my two Sons if I bring him not to thee, and deliver him into thy Hand. This was more indeed than was required of him, or that his Father Jacob could accept of without Sin, had he failed. But O ſee the Nature of Suretiſhip; Jeſus Chriſt hath taken all his Saints into his Hand, as their Surety to the Father; and God hath accepted him in this Caſe, and looks for them all at his Hand; the Father ſubſtituted him, not to be a Shepherd only, but a Surety alſo.
3. And let it be conſidered, that Jeſus Chriſt became not our Surety to pay our Debts, or to ſatisfy for our Sins which we ſtood charged with before our Converſion, but alſo for all our Sins after we believe: his Blood was a plenary Satisfaction for all; ſo that Chriſt ſays (as it were) to the Father, as Judah to Jacob, I thy Servant am become Surety for theſe, and every one of theſe that thou haſt given to me; and if I bring them not to thee, and ſet them not before thee in Heaven, then let me bear the blame for ever. Or he may ſay, as Paul ſpeaketh concerning his Son Oneſimus; If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on my Account. Philem. 18, 19.I Paul have written it with my own Hand, I will repay it, &c. Thus Chriſt may ſay, Father, charge the Sins, the Debts that my Saints have, and ſhall commit, to me, I will be accountable for them: And indeed he hath already done it, once for all; and not only ſo, but to bring them all to Heaven, and this in a moſt high and ſublime Covenant and Holy Compact he made with the Father before the World began: therefore not one Soul of them can periſh.
4. Conſider alſo, that in purſuit of this Covenant and Suretiſhip, Jeſus Chriſt hath ſuffered Death, ſpilt his own precious Blood, which the Father doth accept of as their full Diſcharge: and ſhall any once ſuppoſe that one Soul of his People for whom he thus ſtruck Hands and died for, and took into his Care and Charge, ſhall eternally miſcarry?
5. Conſider, that as they are in Chriſt's Hands, and he hath ſuffered Death for them, and in their ſtead, ſo alſo, that the Merits of his Blood might become effectual to them, he is every ways fitted, endowed and qualified with all things whatſoever that is neceſſary, in order to his actual Diſcharge of this great Truſt he hath taken upon him.
(1.) He hath received the Spirit without meaſure, to the end he might have that and all Grace that is needful, to communicate to every one of his Saints as he ſees neceſſary for them; and it is laid up in his Hand, not given all at once to them; but they ſhall have all their Wants ſupplied according to his Riches in Glory.
(2.) He hath Wiſdom enough alſo, for he is Wiſdom it ſelf.Phil. 4. 19.
(3.) He is clothed with Power alſo; he is a Saviour, a great One: Pray hear what he himſelf ſaith; I that ſpeak in Righteouſneſs, Iſa 63. 1.mighty to ſave. All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth, Mat. 28. 18, 19.&c. He cannot fail for want of Power as Mediator, let the States or Straits of any Soul of his, be what they will, or of any that relie upon him or come unto him; Wherefore he is able to ſave to the uttermoſt, all that come to God by him. Nay, and this Power is Heb. 7. 25.given to him to this very end, namely, not only to quicken and renew them, but alſo to perfect Holineſs in them, and to bring them to Heaven at laſt: As thou haſt given him Power over all Fleſh, that he ſhould give Eternal Life to as many as thou haſt given him.Joh. 17. 2.
6. Conſider the ſtrict Charge the Father hath given to Chriſt, as he hath put all Believers into his Hand.
(1.) A Charge to redeem them; he laid down his Life as the Father commanded him.
(2.) See that in Iſa. 49. 9. That thou mayſt ſay to the Priſoners, Go forth; and to them that are in Darkneſs, Shew your ſelves. He had a Charge to call his Elect out of the Grave of Sin, and to knock off their Fetters, to open their Eyes, and to heal their Wounds.
(3.) He hath a Charge to lead them: For he that hath Mercy on them ſhall lead them, even by the Spring of the Waters ſhall he guide Iſa. 49. 10.them. Chriſt hath the Conduct of theſe redeemed Captives, which we have fully proved by his being called a Shepherd.
(4.) He hath received a Charge to receive all the Father hath given him; and thoſe that come unto him, he ſaith, he will in no Joh. 6. 37.wiſe caſt out. And this he doth not only out of his own Affections and B. wels to all ſuch poor Sinners, but alſo as in diſcharge of his Office as all are put into his Hand.
(5.) He hath received alſo a Charge to perfect that good Work that he hath begun in them: The bruiſed Reea ſhall he not break, Mat. 12. 20.and the ſmoaking Flax ſhall he not quench, till he hath brought forth Judgment unto Victory. He will carry on that Work in the Soul till it i compleated; He ſhall do this, ſaith the Father, this is part of his Work and Office which he hath accepted of: And our Saviour takes notice of this thing as his Father's Will and Charge given unto him; And this is the Father's Will that ſent me, that of John 6. 39.all which he hath given me, I ſhould loſe nothing, but ſhould raiſe it up again at the laſt Day. My Father ſent me to cheriſh and take care of the pooreſt and weakeſt Soul that he hath given me, and to ſee that none of them be loſt; I muſt, as if he ſhould ſay, ſtrengthen their Faith, ſubdue their Corruptions, and never leave them till I preſent them all before my Father, without Spot, at the laſt Day.
(6) He muſt give an Account of them alſo at the laſt Day, and he will preſent them all without Blame before the Father, in Love, and ſay, Behold, here am I, and the Children which thou gaveſt me, none of them are loſt.
7. Conſider in what Relation all Believers ſtand unto him in, as well as he hath them in his Hand, they are his Brethren, nay more, his Seed, his Off-ſpring, his own Children begotten, and born of his own Spirit; they are the Members of his own myſtical Body, his own Spouſe, yea, of his Body, of his Fleſh, and of his Bone: and will not this, think you, greatly move him, excite and ſtir up his tender Heart to hold them faſt in his Hand, and keep them from periſhing?
8. Conſider his Faithfulneſs; is it look'd upon as one of the worſt Blots any Mortal can have upon him, to betray his Truſt, or not to diſcharge it with all care and faithfulneſs, eſpecially where the Life of a Perſon is concerned? And ſhall not our Lord Jeſus faithfully diſcharge his Truſt? Will he fail any poor Believer under Temptation, or leave him to the Power of Sin and Satan, when the Life of the Soul is concerned? O what is the Natural Life of the Body, to the Eternal Life of the Soul? Now are all the Godly put into Chriſt's Hand, and hath he accepted of this Truſt, viz. to keep all the Father hath given him unto Everlaſting Life, and not ſuffer the Soul of any one to be loſt, and will he not be faithful? O how faithful hath he been to the Father in all things, and to the Souls of thoſe that are already ſafely landed on the other ſide of the Grace; and will he not be as faithful to all that yet remain in this lower World? Alas, he knows how weak and frail we are, and that without him we can do nothing: He is faithful, and will not ſuffer us to be tempted above what we are able; and will alſo with the Temptation make way for our 1 Cor. 10. 13.eſcape, that we may be able to bear it. For in that himſelf hath ſuffered being tempted, he is able to ſuccour them that are tempted: He has Heb. 2. 18.a Fellow-feeling of our Infirmities, and hath Compaſſion of the Heb. 5. 1, 2.Ignorant, and ſuch that are out of the Way.
9. Conſider of the Greatneſs of that Love he hath to all that are in his Hand, or are committed to his Charge, which I have already ſpoken unto.
10. Conſider what he ſays in my Text, take notice of his Reſolution, and Purpoſe of his Soul; Neither ſhall any pluck them out of my Hand.
Queſt. What is meant by any?
Anſw. The World ſhall not, the Devil ſhall not, the Fleſh ſhall not, Sin ſhall not, Temptation ſhall not, Proſperity ſhall not, Adverſity ſhall not, Death ſhall not; no Enemy whatſoever ſhall be able to pluck them out of my Hand, viz.
1. They ſhall not break that Union there is between me and them, but it ſhall abide indiſſolvable for ever.
2. None ſhall be able to remove my Love from them; I will love them ſtill, love them to the end.
3. None ſhall cauſe me to caſt them off, or throw them out of the Covenant into which I have brought them.
4. Neither ſhall any be able to do it; they ſhall not be able by Force to do it, nor by Flattery to do it, I will keep them, and ſafely protect them: The Enemy will attempt to do it, (as if our Saviour ſhould ſay) they will ſtrive, they will pluck and pull, and do what they can to get them out of my Hand; but, ſays he, they ſhall not do it: Reproaches, Perſecution, Poverty, Hunger, Nakedneſs, Peril nor Sword, theſe, nor any of theſe, ſhall ever be able to pluck them out of my Hand.
Thirdly, I ſhall now ſhew you in what reſpect, the Saints may In what reſpect the Saints are ſaid to be in Chriſt's Hand.be ſaid to be in the Hand of Chriſt, or under what conſiderations.
I ſhewed you at firſt, in opening our Text, that he hath a ſevenfold hold of them, which is held forth in part in the Sacred Scripture, by ſeveral Tropical Alluſions.
1. They are (as you have heard again and again) in his Hand, by virtue of his Covenant which he made with the Father; ſo that they are in his Hand, As when a Man makes a Bargain to do ſuch or ſuch a piece of Work, which he ingageth and promiſeth he will go through with, and will not ceaſe until he has perfected it. Now upon this Account we ſay, that Work is in his Hand: And thus Chriſt hath undertaken the Work of our Salvation; we, and that Work of Grace in us are in his Hand, and he will perform it, and perfect it before he hath done.
2. God the Father hath given us into Chriſt's Hand, we are in his Hand by the Father's gracious Reſignation; and he hath accepted of the Truſt, Care and Charge of us, as our only Sponſor and Bleſſed Truſtee, to pay our Debts and ſupply all our Wants.
3. We are in Chriſt's Hand, as Sheep are in the Hand of a Shepherd, to feed, lead, and preſerve us, and defend us from all Enemies.
4. As a Bride is in the Hand of the Bridegroom, to love, comfort, cheriſh, and delight in us; even ſo Believers are in Chriſt's Hand.
5. We are in his Hand, as a blind Man is put into the Hand and Care of a faithful Guide, to lead, protect, and ſave in the midſt of all Dangers; and he hath promiſed to guide us by his Spirit into all Truth: And I will bring the Blind by a Way that they Joh. 16. 13.knew not, I will lead them in Paths that they have not known: I will Iſa. 42. 16.make Darkneſs Light before them, and crooked things ſtreight. Theſe things will I do unto them, and not forſake them.
6. They are in his Hand, as little Babes are in the Hand of a tender Mother or faithful Nurſe, to feed and preſerve, bear up in his Arms, and protect from all Dangers.
7. They are in Chriſt's Hand, as Subjects are in the Hand of a faithful Soveraign; yea, ſuch Subjects that are his own Children and beloved Favourites, that he keeps company with, and delights to honour.
8. They are in Chriſt's Hand, as a Patient is in the Hands of a wiſe, able, and faithful Phyſician, whom he hath undertaken to cure of all Diſeaſes whatſoever.
9. As a Garden is in the Hand, and under the Care of a skilful and painful Gardiner, who is to plant it, to weed it, to water it, and to watch it Day and Night; or as a Vineyard is in the Hand of a Vine-dreſſer.
10. They are in his Hand, as a Ship ſent out to Sea in a Storm between Rocks and Sands, which is committed into the Hand of a skilful Pilot to ſteer and preſerve from Danger.
But pray obſerve, Chriſt exceeds all Covenant-Servants; they may be unfaithful, or negligent, or want Wiſdom or Power to do what they undertake; but in none of theſe things he can, nor will fail: he exceeds all Shepherds; they may loſe a Sheep, do what they can, a Lion may tear it from them; but ſo they cannot from Chriſt, as I formerly ſhewed you. He exceeds all Bridegrooms; others may cool in their Affections, or want Wiſdom, or Wealth to inrich, or Power to ſave their Spouſe; but ſo doth not Jeſus Chriſt to his People that he hath betrothed unto himſelf. He exceeds all Phyſicians; others may not know the Cauſe of ſome Diſtempers, nor how to cure them, or may want Care or Tenderneſs: but ſo doth not Jeſus Chriſt, he knows the Cauſes of all our Sickneſſes, and wants no Skil, Care, nor Tenderneſs, in order to heal all his Children, whatever their Diſeaſes may be. He exceeds all Guides; they may let go their hold, or gaze about and let the Blind fall into a Pit and periſh: But ſo will not he, he holds them faſt, and will not let his hold go, he hath faſter hold of us than we have of him: When David's hold was near gone, and his Steps well nigh ſlipt, yet nevertheleſs (ſaith he) I am continually with thee, thou haſt holden me by my right Hand. Chriſt exceeds Pſal. 73. 2, 23.all Mothers; Can a Woman forget her ſucking Child, that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the Son of her Womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands, thy Walls are continually before me. Chriſt exceeds all Iſa. 49. 13, 16.Kings on Earth; for he to make his Subjects Rich, became poor himſelf. Others may take an Offence againſt their very Favourites, though Children, and turn them out of all Places of Honour, and utterly degrade them: But ſo will not he. Chriſt exceeds all Gardiners or Vine-dreſſers; a Drought may come and ſpoil a Garden or Vineyard, let the Dreſſer do what he can; or through his careleſneſs Weeds may overrun and utterly ſpoil it: But he hath promiſed to prevent the Danger of Drought; his People ſhall then Jer. 17. 8.not ceaſe bearing Fruit, Sin ſhall not have dominion over them; thoſe Weeds ſhall never ſpoil his Garden. Chriſt exceeds all Earthly Pilots; they may loſe a Ship in a Storm let them do what they can, it may be drove either upon Rocks or Sands: But Jeſus Chriſt hath the command of the Wind, the Winds and Sea obey him; he can lay any Storm that may ariſe in the Soul at his Pleaſure, and ſave from all Rocks of Preſumption, or Sands of Deſpair. O happy Soul that art in Chriſt's Hand, be thou whoſoever thou wilt!
11. Believers are in Chriſt's Hand as an Inheritance or Habitation, which he hath bought and purchaſed for himſelf, and hath taken actual poſſeſſion of: or as Jewels or choice Treaſure is in the Hand of the Owner; even ſo are the Saints in Chriſt's Hand. Brethren, what will not a Man do to keep and preſerve his Right, or his Riches? True, Thieves may notwithſtanding get all he hath from him, or Fire may conſume it, or by Injuſtice it may be torn away; but Chriſt's Riches, his Inheritance, his Jewels, which are his People, who are to him of an ineſtimable Value, there is no Theft, no Fire, or no Violence that any can uſe, can deprive him of the leaſt part of; I mean, of the pooreſt or meaneſt Saint.
12. The Saints are in Chriſt's Hand, as a curious Piece of Workmanſhip caſt in a rare Mold by a skilful Artiſt is in his Hand, which hath coſt him vaſt Treaſure, Time and Pains, which is not fully compleated, nor can any do it in all the World but himſelf alone: Even thus, I ſay, are all Believers in Chriſt's Hand, who hath caſt them into the Mold of his own Likeneſs, whom he, as the great ſpiritual Artiſt, after infinite Coſt, Time, Wiſdom and Labour, hath renewed or regenerated; and none can finiſh or make up that Work begun in them, but himſelf only; nor is it by the Father put into any other Hand, but into his alone to do it. And as the finiſhing any curious Piece of Workmanſhip is counted no ſmall part of the Curioſity or Art, ſo it is here, the perfecting of the Saints is no ſmall part of the Workmanſhip of God: And ſhall Chriſt leave that to the Wiſdom of Man to do, or ſhall he ſuffer the loſs of all his Travels, Coſt and Time? For if the Work be not perfected, all is loſt that ever Chriſt did. O think on this, you that are ſuch rare Artiſts, as to venture to take Chriſt's Work out of his Hand, or that ſay it is the Work of the Creature; for that is the Purport of your Doctrine.
13. They are in Chriſt's Hand as a great Victory is in the Hands of a prevailing Conqueror, who hath brought the Strength of his Enemies down, and there remains only ſome ſcattered Forces who lurk in Holes, which he is alſo concerned to root out, and finally to ſubdue; and ſhould he not purſue his Conqueſts, (for alas, they may get Head again) all his Pains and Expence of Treaſure would prove in vain: Thus I ſay the Soul of every Believer is in Chriſt's Hand, the Body and Power of Sin is deſtroyed, and there only abides in them ſome remainders of Corruption, which none but he by his Spirit can finally vanquiſh, overcome, and root out for ever: And ſhould he not purſue his Victory, all he hath done will prove fruitleſs and in vain; therefore be ſure he will never ceaſe, until he hath brought all his Foes, not only under his Foot, but deſtroyed them for ever more.
14. They are in Chriſt's Hand, as a poor Orphan is in the Hand of his Guardian, who commits himſelf wholly to his Care, Faithfulneſs and Compaſſion, whilſt in non-age, not being able to help himſelf or ſhift for himſelf: Thus, I ſay, Believers are in the Hand of Jeſus Chriſt, they are as poor helpleſs Orphans, under-Age, and have every one of them choſen him to be the only Guardian and Truſtee of their Souls, or have wholly committed themſelves to his Care by a holy Reſignation of themſelves to him, to be his and no more their own for ever; and will not he be faithful, think you, to every one of them, eſpecially conſidering they did it alſo at his Command, and by the Influence of his Spirit? Will he betray his Truſt, who hath taken them into his Houſe, and under his own Conduct, or leave them to ſhift for themſelves? They firſt gave themſelves to the Lord, and unto us by 2 Cor. 8. 5. Pſa. 10. 14.the Will of God. And as David ſaith, The Poor committeth himſelf unto thee; thou are the helper of the Fatherleſs. He yields himſelf up to thee, Himſelf, his Matter, his Cauſe: And what, ſays he further, Thou ſhalt keep them, O Lord; thou ſhalt preſerve them from Pſal. 12. 7.this Generation, and for ever. He tells us in the 5th verſe, who they Verſe 5.are, even the Poor and Needy. Brethren, this lays a great Obligation upon a Guardian when he ſees what a Child, or any Perſon hath done in chuſing him, in confiding in his Fidelity, and putting his whole Truſt and Dependence in him. What Man that has a Principle of Honeſty or of Morality, will deceive or fail ſuch a One, after he hath taken the ſole Care and Charge of him? And ſhall Chriſt be more unfaithful to the Souls of his People? God forbid.
From the whole I infer.
(1.) If all Believers are in the Father's Hand, or under his Eternal The general Argument.Purpoſe and Counſel to ſave: (2.) If God's Purpoſes are Immutable: (3.) If he hath not left it to any mixtures of Counſels; if he is Omnipotent, and can and will bring all his Abſolute Purpoſes to paſs: (4.) If it be folly to imagine any of his Purpoſes ſhould be ſubjected to the Will of Man: (5.) If Chriſt be the right Hand of God, or in whom all his Attributes are united to the Perfection of his Power to ſave Believers: (6.) If Chriſt alſo hath them all in his Hand, as God's faithful Servant, and as their Surety or Truſtee: (7.) If many of them are gone to Heaven already: (8.) If all Intereſts concerned in our Salvation are well pleaſed in Chriſt's Undertaking: (9.) If the Glory of every one of the Divine Attributes are raiſed in the Salvation of each Believer: (10.) If Chriſt hath received a Charge to keep every one of them, and to loſe none, as he hath promiſed to do: (11.) If Chriſt is every ways fitted to ſupply his Saints with all things they need or can need: And (12.) If they are all in Chriſt's Hand, in all thoſe reſpects I have mentioned; then it is impoſſible any one of them ſhould ſo fall away as eternally to periſh. But all this is undeniably true; therefore not one of them can ſo fall away as eternally to periſh.
I ſhould make ſome Improvement of this, but having but one Argument to add to prove the Propoſition, I ſhall leave the Application to the laſt, wherein I ſhall ſhew you how Chriſt doth preſerve his Saints in a way of Holineſs and Obedience unto Eternal Life.