A Golden Mine Opened, Sermon 9
JOHN X. 28. And I give them-Eternal Life, and they ſhall never, periſh.
Serm. VII.DOCT. 3. All the Saints of God, all Believers, or Sheep and Lambs of Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall be ſaved, and none of them ſhall ſo fall away as eternally to periſh.
Beloved, in ſpeaking unto this Point of Doctrine, I ſhall only do two things.
I. Endeavour to confirm and prove the Truth of the Propoſition.
II. Anſwer all the Objections that are uſually brought againſt the Doctrine of the Saints final Perſeverance.
Firſt, But before I enter upon the Proof and Confirmation of this great Goſpel-Truth, let me hint a word or two to explain who we mean by the Saints of God.
Secondly, I ſhall ſhew you, by way of Premiſe, that the Saints, or Sheep of Chriſt may fall, yea, fall from Grace; and alſo how far they may fall: and then proceed to demonſtrate the Truth of the Propoſition, and prove, That they cannot fall finally, ſo as eternally to periſh.
1. Thoſe that I call the Saints of God, or Sheep of Chriſt, are thoſe who are elected or choſen in Jeſus Chriſt unto Salvation.
2. And ſuch who are elected, are they who are redeemed and purchaſed by the Blood of Chriſt, or thoſe whom he died for, or in the ſtead of.
3. By the Saints, I mean, thoſe who are effectually called, regenerated, juſtified, ſanctified, and adopted; theſe are the Sheep of Chriſt that ſhall never periſh, but have Everlaſting Life. They are not all ſuch that are of his Fold or Church on Earth, not all the Members of the viſible Church, but all the Members of the inviſible Church, or myſtical Body of Chriſt.
Secondly, I ſhall ſhew you how far the Saints may fall.
1ſt. They may, if they take not heed, fall into great Evils, nay Saints may fall into great and grievous Evils.into moſt of the worſt and abominable Sins any Mortals do commit and are overcome by.
Noah was a Saint of God, yet he fell grievouſly by drinking too much Wine: Noah began to be an Husbandman, and he planted a Vineyard, and he drank of the Wine and was drunken. Though it Gen. 9. 19, 20.might be partly through Ignorance of the Nature of the Fruit of the Grape, yet no doubt, by the pleaſantneſs of the Liquor, and Corruption and Infirmity of the Fleſh he was overcome.
Lot was a Saint of God, a righteous and juſt Man, yet he fell worſe; not only by Drunkenneſs, but alſo by committing Inceſt with his two Daughters. What are the beſt of Men, when God leaves them to themſelves.
Jacob alſo, no doubt, greatly ſinned and fell, when he told his Father he was Eſau, his Firſt-born.
How lamentably did David ſin and fall, who was a Man after God's own Heart, ſave in the Caſe of Bathſheba the Wife of Vriah.
Peter fell likewiſe, and that grievouſly too, not only in denying of his bleſſed Maſter, but alſo by Curſing and Swearing, that he did not know him.
Many more ſad Inſtances I might add of this Nature, but that I love not to rake into the Sores of God's ſincere Servants. No doubt the Falls and grievous Sins of the Holy Saints of God, are by the Spirit left on Record for bleſſed Ends and Purpoſes.
(1.) To ſhew what need the beſt of Men and Women have to pray, and ſtand upon their Watch at all times.
(2.) To diſcover the Strength of Indwelling Sin, or the natural Corruptions of the Hearts of ſuch who are truly gracious; and the abſolute Neceſſity there is for all to depend upon the Divine Help and Aſſiſtance of God under Temptations.
(3.) That no true Chriſtian that is ſuffered to fall into Sin, ſhould deſpair of the pardoning Grace of God.
2dly. The Saints of God, or true Believers, may fall from Saints may fall from Degrees in Grace.Grace, (as well as into great and immoral Evils, and Acts of Wickedneſs) I mean, they may fall from Degrees of Grace, or decay in Grace, loſe the Strength and Power of Divine Grace, as to the Acts and Exerciſe thereof. They may decay in Faith, in Love, in Humility, Patience, Hope, &c. Yet nevertheleſs I have Rev. 2. 4.ſomewhat againſt thee, becauſe thou haſt left thy firſt Love. Love may cool in the beſt of Saints, though it ſhall never be quite extinguiſhed, for nothing can utterly quench it. How low was the Faith of Chriſt's Diſciples, when they ſaid, We truſted that it had Luke 24. 21.been he that ſhould have redeemed Iſrael. Job alſo intimates, that his Hope was cut off: He hath deſtroyed me on every ſide, and I am gone, Job 19. 10.and mine Hope hath he removed like a Tree. There are Weakneſſes in the Strongeſt, and Imperfections may come upon thoſe who are perfect, as Mr. Caryl notes; Ebbings after the greateſt Flowings, and Declinings after the greateſt Heights of Graces, and gracious Actings: My Days are ſpent without Hope. David alſo ſaid, I ſhall Job 7. 6.one day fall by the Hand of Saul, ſo low was his Faith.
3dly. God's Saints may alſo fall from the true Doctrine of the Saints may fall from the Doctrine of Grace. Gal. 5. 4.Goſpel, which is called a falling from Grace: Chriſt is become of no effect unto you, whoſoever of you are juſtified by the Law; ye are fallen from Grace: that is, ſuch who ſeek or deſire to be juſtified by a Law, any Law of Obedience, or by their own Righteouſneſs, for the End of Chriſt's Death, and the Goſpel, is to caſt away Man's own Righteouſneſs in point of Juſtification, and to ſupply us with the Suretiſhip-Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt: and ſuch who ſeek to be juſtified any other way, are fallen from Grace, they renounce the Free Grace of God exhibited in the Goſpel. The Apoſtle doth not here refer to a State of Grace, but to the Doctrine or Goſpel of Grace, in which is manifeſt the free Love of God in offering Chriſt to Sinners for Righteouſneſs and Life.
4thly. True Believers, or the Sheep of Jeſus Chriſt, may fall Saints may fall from the Profeſſion of Faith.from the publick Profeſſion of the Faith, from a viſible owning and maintaining their Teſtimony to Chriſt and his Goſpel, through ſlaviſh Fear. Thus not only Peter, but all the other Diſciples fell alſo, they all forſook their Bleſſed Maſter, when he was apprehended and led away as a Sheep to the Slaughter; then all the Diſciples forſook him. All theſe Diſciples had promiſed him, that Mat. 26. 56.they would not forſake him; but when the Trial comes, not one of them ſtands, they ſhrunk from profeſſing themſelves to be his Diſciples and Followers: But they recovered this Fall, and after Chriſt's Reſurrection made a glorious profeſſion of him and his Goſpel unto the Death.
5thly. The Saints of God may fall, ſo as to break all their Bones, and grievouſly to wound their own Conſciences: O Lord, Saints may fall and break all their Bones. Pſal. 6. 2, 3.heal me, for my Bones are vexed. My Soul is alſo ſore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? My Pain and Anguiſh is bitter by the Burden of my Sin and Senſe of thy Anger. Again, he ſaith, My Strength faileth, becauſe of mine Iniquities; and my Bones are conſumed. Pſal. 31. 10. Pſal 38. 8.I am feeble and ſore broken. Elſewhere he ſpeaks, as if all his Bones were broken, all his Strength was gone: Bones, we know, are the Strength of the Body, from thence the Metaphor ſeems to be taken. Now that is a grievous Fall, which breaks all the Bones.
6thly. The Saints, or Sheep of Chriſt, may ſo fall, or to ſuch Saints may be without any Light.a degree loſe the exerciſe of their Faith and Hope in God, as to be deprived of the Light of God's Countenance, and the Joy of his Salvation; Reſtore to me the Joy of thy Salvation: Nay, may wholly be in Darkneſs for a time, or have no Light: Pſal. 50. 12. Job 19. 11. Pſal. 88. 5, 6.He hath kindled his Wrath againſt me; and he counteth me to him as one of his Enemies. I am gone, ver. 10. I am a loſt Man, as if he ſhould ſay, Thou haſt laid me in the loweſt Pit, in Darkneſs, in the Deeps. Free among the Dead, like the ſlain that lie in the Grave, whom thou remembreſt no more; and they are cut off from thy Hand.—That walk in Darkneſs, and have no Light. I do not ſay that Deſertion is always the Fruit and Puniſhment of Sin, though ſometimes it is; Iſa. 50. 10.yet it is always occaſioned through the decay or want of the Exerciſe of Grace, or through God's withdrawing his ſweet Preſence and Influences of his Spirit from the Soul.
It may not be amiſs here, before I proceed, to anſwer a Queſtion that ſome perhaps may have in their Thoughts to propound, viz. What are the Cauſes that ſometimes the Saints fall ſo far as hath been hinted?
Anſw. The Grounds or Cauſes of their falling may be divers.
1. It is through the Remainders of Corruption, or Indwelling The Cauſes of the grievous Falls of God's Elect Ones.Sin, that abide in all Believers. The chiefeſt Saints of God are but renewed in part: Though they are renewed in every Part, there is a Law in the Members that wars againſt the Law of the Mind: But I ſee another Law in my Members, warring againſt the Law of my Mind, and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of Sin, which Rom. 7. 23, 24.is in my Members. O wretched Man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the Body of Sin and Death? Theſe two Laws are in all true Believers, or in all regenerate Perſons, and they are directly contrary the one to the other; and by reaſon of this, there is continual War and Combating between them: And evident it is, thro the Power or Policy of the fleſhly Part, the Godly are ſometimes overcome, not only by common Failings, but fall into great Tranſgreſſions alſo. Our chief Enemies are thoſe of our own Houſe; the Devil could do us little hurt from without, had he not ſuch a ſtrong Party for him, and ſiding with him in our own Bowels, or within us. This inbred Enemy always lies in wait to betray us; and if we take not the more care, will prevail againſt us, and at one time or another trip up our Heels, eſpecially that Sin which doth chiefly beſet us; moſt Chriſtians having their Conſtitution-Sin, though no godly Man hath a beloved Sin: yea, the Seed of all Sin ſtill remains in our baſe Hearts, and hence it is our Danger is great which appears may be not ſo clearly, till the Providence of God brings us unto ſuch a State, Occaſion or Company, whereby Satan hath an Opportunity to excite and ſtir up, or draw forth that Sin or evil Seed into act that lies hid within us.
2. The Cauſe of thoſe Evils, or grievous Falls that ſome Chriſtians have and do ſuſtain, are from Satan; who is not only a malicious Enemy, but a ſtrong and cruel Enemy alſo: Hence called, A roaring Lion, going about and ſeeking whom he may devour. 1 Pet. 5. 8.He is very diligent to obſerve the natural Inclinations of all Chriſtians, and watcheth the fitteſt Opportunity to make his Onſets: As when David neglected the proper Work and Buſineſs God by his Providence called him unto, The time when Kings go forth to battel, 2 Sam. 11. 1.he ſent Jo…b, and tarried at home himſelf; and then the Enemy ſet upon him; he being a walking on the Roof of his Houſe, ſpied a Woman waſhing her ſelf, which produced his fearful Fall. Let Chriſtians take heed they are not out of ſuch Employment that God calls them to, and not put an Opportunity into Satan's Hand, by exceſs of Eating, Drinking, or Idleneſs, or by gadding or gazing Abroad, like Dinah, Jacob's Daughter; and beware how they neglect any ſpiritual Duty, in the way of which God hath promiſed to keep our Souls.
3. The Falls of the Saints may be occaſioned by reaſon of the weakneſs of their Grace: Faith may be but ſmall, or not in Exerciſe and ſo the Hope and Truſt of the Soul may fa…l. If the Anchor hath not good and firm hold, but ſhould ſlip, the Ship is in danger; ſo it is here, Hope is the Anchor of the Soul, it ſhould be therefore both ſure and ſtedfaſt: O ye of little Faith, wherefore did you doubt? Chriſtians are in no ſmall danger if their Faith be Mat. 6. 30. & 8. 25, 26.not ſtrong: Faith is the Shield by which we ſhould quench all the ſiery Darts of the Wicked. The Apoſtle alludes to thoſe violent Eph. 6. 16.Temptations, by which Satan ſtrives to enflame Mens Luſts; but right skill to uſe the Shield of Faith, will ſoon quench all thoſe Darts of Temptations. A Shield is to deſend every part of the Body, and will, if rightly uſed. So by Faith a Chriſtian is enabled, when in the true Exerciſe thereof, to preſerve his whole Soul from Evil; but let this Shield go, and Satan quickly prevails: If Satan can perſwade a Man there is no ſuch Evil in Sin as God's Word declares, or that it is no great matter, 'tis no wonder he is overcome.
4. They ſometimes fall, by reaſon of their own fleſhly Confidence, or truſting in their own Strength: Though all deny thee, yet will not I. Nay, Peter ſaid unto him, Though I ſhould die with thee, Mat. 26. 35.yet I will not deny thee. O how dangerous a thing is it to glory in our own Abilities, or truſt in Self-confidence! What little knowledg have we of our own Hearts! It was but a few Hours after this, but Peter denied our Saviour, and ſwore he did not know him. When Men have not their whole dependance on the Grace and Power of God, he oft-times leaves them, that they may ſee without him they can do nothing: And whenever God withdraws his Divine Aſſiſtance from a Perſon, or leaves him to himſelf, he falls immediately as Peter did.
5. The Falls of the Saints, may be through the Enſnarements and Vain-glory of this wicked World. Hezekiah fell this way; his Heart was lifted up with Pride in beholding all his Glory and Riches, which he ſhewed to the Princes of the King of Babylon, in a vain-glorious manner: He ſhewed them all the Houſe of his precious things, the Silver, and the Gold, and the Spices, and the precious Ointments, 2 King. 20. 13.and all the Houſe of his Armour, and all that was found in his Treaſures; there was nothing in his Houſe, nor in all his Dominions, that Hezekiah ſhewed them not. This was his Sin and Fall; this provoked God againſt him: And Iſaiah ſaid unto Hezekiah, Hear Ver. 16, 17, 18.the Word of the Lord. Behold, the Days come, that all that is in thine Houſe, and that which thy Fathers have laid up in Store to this Day, ſhall be carried into Babylon; nothing ſhall be left, ſaith the Lord. And of thy Sons that ſhall iſſue from thee, which thou ſhalt beget, ſhall they take away, and they ſhall be Eunuchs in the Palace of the King of Babylon.
6. Sometimes they fall by the Subtilty of Deceivers, who lie in wait to corrupt their Minds, and poiſon their Souls with their abominable Errors. Hence the Apoſtle Peter cautions the Saints, to take heed, leſt they being led away by the Error of the Wicked, fall from 2 Pet. 3. 17.their own ſtedfaſtneſs.
7. Many times they fall through ſlaviſh Fear, in the Time of Perſecution. Many gracious Chriſtians have wanted Courage in that Hour, and have been prevailed with too far to a ſinful Compliance with the Luſts and Wills of their Adverſaries, by reaſon of their cruel Threats and bloody Edicts; who have nevertheleſs afterwards been reſtored again by Repentance, as Peter was.
8. Some fall through their Remiſneſs in Duty, or being off their Watch. There is no great fear of falling, if Chriſtians always ſtand with their Swords in their Hands, and having all their Armour on; Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit, Eph. 6. 18.watching thereunto with all Perſeverance. The VVitch told the wicked Perſon (as the Story goes) that employed her to do Miſchief to a godly Neighbour of his, That ſhe could not touch him, becauſe he was always either Reading, Praying, or Meditating, or to that effect. No Evil, no Sin nor Devil need that Man fear, that is always careful in the true and faithful diſcharge of his Duty to God. If we are aſleep, or ſlothful, 'tis no marvel that Satan prevails, and wounds our Souls. How eaſy was it for the Philiſtines to cut off Sampſon's Hair, and bind him, when he was aſleep? or Jael to ſtrike a Nail through Siſera's Head, he being aſleep?Judg. 4. 21.
9. And laſtly, They may ſometimes alſo fall, by having a greater dependance on that Grace they have already received, or on the Grace that is in them, than on that Grace which is in Chriſt Jeſus; we ſtand not by virtue of that Grace that is in our Ciſterns, but by the Grace that is in God's Fountain: When the Grace already received fails us, that Grace that is in Chriſt ſhall ſupply us, if we by Faith depend upon him; Thou therefore, my Son, be ſtrong in the Grace that is in Chriſt Jeſus. How is that done? Why, 2 Tim. 2. 1.to have our whole dependance upon Chriſt, who as he is our Head and Mediator, hath received the Spirit without meaſure, to the end he might communicate thereof to all his Members: 'Tis of his John 1. 16.Fulneſs that all we receive, and Grace for Grace. But it is not all let out at one time, we have not all our Riches put into our own Hands; No, no, God will not truſt it in our own keeping, but it is put into the Hands, or committed to the keeping of our Bleſſed Truſtee, who will give forth Grace unto us as we want it: But my God ſhall ſupply all your Need, according to his Riches in Glory, Phil. 4. 19.by Chriſt Jeſus. Some poor Saints can't live longer than they ſee their own Wells are full of Water; they live more, alas, by Senſe than by Faith: but if all their Hope and Comfort lies in the Grace they have already received, 'tis no wonder if they ſoon fall, as being worſted. Let us make ſome Improvement of this.
APPLICATION.
Firſt. From hence we may infer, what the Reaſon is we have ſo many Cautions, or Take-heeds, in the Holy Scriptures, and anticipate a grand Objection that is brought againſt the Doctrine of the Saints final Perſeverance: No marvel that we have ſo many Warnings given us, ſeeing our Danger is ſo great, or that the Saints may fall ſo foully. Watch and pray always. What I ſay unto Matth. 26. Mark 13. 37. 1 Cor. 16. 13. 1 Theſſ. 5. 6.one, I ſay unto all, Watch. Watch ye, ſtand faſt in the Faith, quit your ſelves like Men, be ſtrong. Be ſober, and watch unto Prayer. But let us not ſleep as others do, but let us watch and be ſober. Take heed unto your ſelves. *Deut. 4. 9, 15.And again, Only take heed, and keep thy Soul diligently, &c. †Luk. 15. 15. Mark 13. 23. 1 Cor. 10. 12. Heb. 3. 12.Take heed, and beware of Covetouſneſs. Again, Take heed that no Man deceive you, &c. Take heed, behold, I have told you all things, &c. He that thinketh he ſtands, let him take heed leſt he fall. Take heed, Brethren, leſt there be in any of you an evil Heart of Vnbelief, in departing from the living God. And a multitude more of like Cautions.
2dly. There is another Reaſon alſo for theſe Take-heeds.
1. Becauſe the Evil of the Sins of God's People are ſo great, God is grievouſly diſhonoured by the Falls and groſs Enormities of his Saints. How did David's Sin provoke God, and cauſe the Enemy to blaſpheme him and deſpiſe his holy Iſrael! They are as Wounds he receives in the Houſe of his Friend. Hence he cries out, O do not this abominable thing which I hate.Jer. 44. 4.
2. The Sins and Falls of God's People, hinder the ſpreading and bleſſed Promulgation of the Goſpel. It makes the Souls of thoſe who ſtand faſt to mourn, and the Hearts of the Wicked to rejoice, and to inſult over them who always watch for their halting.
3dly. Another Reaſon of theſe Cautions may be, becauſe there are many falſe Profeſſors in Churches who may fall finally: therefore from theſe and other Reaſons it appears.
1. That there may be great need of, and good reaſon wherefore, God gives ſuch Cautions in his Word, though his Elect Ones cannot fall finally.
2. We may alſo infer from hence, that the Reaſon why ſome fall quite away, is, becauſe their Hearts were never upright with God.
3. From hence we may likewiſe be ſtirred up to conſider and examine our Hearts about our Sincerity; for if not, we may fall away and riſe no more.
7. Let us bewail our ſelves upon the account of Indwelling Sin, for oft-times it wounds our Souls, it breaks our Bones, deſtroys our Peace, ſpoils our Communion with the Father and the Son, and brings Fears and Doubts upon us about our State, when we are overcome thereby, covering us with Clouds and Darkneſs.
8. This may be of uſe alſo by way of Exhortation, to arm our ſelves, and to ſtand upon our Guard, and to reſiſt Satan ſtedfaſtly in the Faith, our Life being a Life of Warfare: Let us ſhew our ſelves good Souldiers of Jeſus Chriſt, and make a reſiſtance of Sin and Satan, whilſt there is Life in our Bodies, or Blood in our Veins.
9. It may teach us alſo to be aware of Deceivers, ſince they ſome times trip up the Heels of many of God's poor Saints.
10. It muſt needs adminiſter great Succour to ſuch Saints who have fallen, I mean, to Backſliders, and keep them from utter Deſpair; for though they fall, they ſhall riſe again, as the truly Godly (of whoſe Falls we read of in the Scripture) always did. Where do we meet with one Godly Perſon, that the Lord declares ſo to be, who fell and roſe no more? Or that there is no ground left in the Word for us to believe they were ſaved?
11. Laſtly, It may ſerve to diſcover the infinite Grace of God in Chriſt, who hath ſecured the ſtanding of his own faithful Ones; they are in Chriſt's Hand, and cannot be pluck'd out, nor periſh, let all Enemies do what they can; as I ſhall now in the next place come to demonſtrate, and fully prove, according to my Promiſe, and the Propoſition I have raiſed, viz.
The grand Doctrine opened.That all the Saints of God, or Sheep of Jeſus Chriſt, ſhall be ſaved, and none of them ſhall ſo fall away as eternally to periſh.
The firſt Argument taken from Election.The Truth of this Point I ſhall prove by divers Arguments and Scriptures.
And my firſt Argument ſhall be taken from Eternal Election, which dependeth wholly upon the Abſolute Soveraignty of God, who hath Power over all his Creatures, and may do with his own as it ſeemeth good in his Eternal Wiſdom, and good Pleaſure of his Will.
I ſhall premiſe one or two things before I proceed to confirm this Argument.
1. That God ſet up Jeſus Chriſt as Mediator from Everlaſting, as the Head and Spring of our Election; therefore it is ſaid, We were choſen in him before the Foundation of the World. Eph. 1. 4.It was the only Act of Love, and Free Grace of the Father, therefore not to be aſcribed to the Merits of Jeſus Chriſt: For though Chriſt hath merited our Salvation, yet he did not procure or merit our Election; for Chriſt himſelf was the Fruit of this Eternal Bleſſing and Privilege, it being then the ſole Act of God's Sovereign Grace and Love. It follows,
2. That all the Ways which were ordered in the Wiſdom of God, for the accompliſhing the Ends of Election, are of the Father's appointment alſo; for whatſoever Chriſt hath done in working out of our Redemption, it was according to the Purpoſe and Determinate Counſel of his own Will and Sovereign Goodneſs. Jeſus Chriſt was firſt choſen, or elected, by the Father, as Head and Mediator, and only Foundation to bear up the whole Building, which the Almighty deſigned to raiſe: The Father's Love, did precede Chriſt's glorious Miſſion; therefore he was only of the Father's Deſignation; Who verily was fore-ordained before the Foundation of the World, but was made manifeſt in theſe laſt Days. 1 Pet. 1. 19.Chriſt was firſt choſen as the Well-head of Grace and Glory, and then others were choſen in him, by and through whom they ſhould be redeemed and raiſed to a State of Grace and Holineſs here, and to Eternal Happineſs in Heaven hereafter: For whom he did foreknow, he alſo did predeſtinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son, that he might be the Firſt-born among many Brethren. Rom. 8. 29.To the Image of his Son, that is, to Chriſt's likeneſs as Mediator, and taking our Nature; not to Chriſt barely conſidered as God, for as Chriſt is God, he is no where ſaith to be the Firſt-born among many Brethren. Now this Conformity being abſolutely deſigned in Election, Chriſt, in the Contrivance and Intention of the Father, was the firſt Exemplar and Copy of it, or the main Center, to which all muſt be brought that were given unto him; the Father ſetting him up, and electing him as Head of all that ſhould be ſaved, or as the glorious Bridegroom, and therefore it was requiſite he ſhould be conſulted about thoſe who were to be the Members of his Body, and his own bleſſed Spouſe for ever: And ſince Chriſt was alſo to ſuffer and undergo ſuch Pain and Sorrow in the purchaſing and redeeming of them, it was neceſſary he ſhould not only freely aſſent and conſent in the Choice of them, but alſo be certain of the obtaining and ſecuring them all to and for himſelf for ever, and not run the Hazard of injoying or not injoying of them; which muſt follow he did, if the Doctrine of ſome Men of dark Minds were true.
To proceed, it may not be amiſs to conſider what is contained The firſt Argument explained.in the Bowels of my firſt Argument, viz. that there is a peculiar People, or ſome certain Perſons (as perſonally conſidered) of the loſt Children of the firſt Adam, who are Elected or Choſen of God, in Chriſt, from all Eternity, of his own Sovereign Grace and good Pleaſure, ordained unto Everlaſting Life; and that this Decree of Election doth prevent their final falling, or make it impoſſible that any of them ſhould ever ſo apoſtatize as eternally to periſh.
The Argument being thus fairly ſtated, it calls upon me to do two things.
Firſt, To prove that there is ſuch a particular and perſonal Election of a peculiar People of the loſt Sons of Adam.
Secondly, To ſhew how this prevents their final falling, and makes it impoſſible that any of them ſhould ever ſo apoſtatize as eternally to periſh.
A little to open the firſt of theſe.
1. I ſay of peculiar Perſons, which denotes it belonging to them only and to none elſe; others are paſſed by, or not afforded by any ſuch Divine Act of Grace the like Privilege: they are God's Jewels, or his peculiar Treaſure, though until called and cleanſed, or Mal. 3. 17.their inward Filth and Pollution purged away, they cannot be delighted in by him, or be beloved with a Love of Complacency; though from Eternity God did love all his, with a Love of good Will, purpoſe of Grace and of Benevolence.
I ſay perſonally Elected; that is, the Objects of this Grace, or of this Election were ſingled out and pitched upon by Name; not with reſpect had to ſuch or ſuch Qualifications foreſeen in them, they being repenting, believing, and holy Perſons, but choſen in Chriſt, the Head of Election, that they ſhould believe, ſhould repent, and ſhould be Holy and without blame before him in Love. They Eph. 1. 4.are choſen that they may be Holy; not becauſe they were Holy, or God foreſaw they would be Holy.
I ſay, they were ordained to Everlaſting Life. Now to predeſtinate, decree, or ordain, denotes the ſame thing, and ſignifies the abſolute Purpoſe of God to bring them into a State of Grace here, through Jeſus Chriſt, and to Eternal Glory and Happineſs here-after: Hence it is ſaid, As many as were ordained to Eternal Life, Acts 13. 48.believed, or appointed; and he that ordered or ordained the End, ordained the Means alſo, and ſo prepared them for Everlaſting Life.
They were choſen in Chriſt; in the Mediator, in their Bleſſed Head, that their ſtanding might be ſecured through their Union with him, and his Righteouſneſs being imputed to them, according to God's Eternal Purpoſe.
2. And further, to make good the firſt Part of what I have Particular Election proved.laid down, viz. That there is ſuch a particular Election; what lies more clear in the Word of God, and the Election of Jacob, I ſhall here firſt mention, as a full Proof of what I ſay; For the Rom. 9. 11.Children being not yet Born, neither having done Good or Evil, that the Purpoſe of God, according to Election might ſtand, not of Works, but of him that calleth. Here the Apoſtle deſignedly or on purpoſe confirms, not only the Doctrine of Perſonal Election, but alſo that of Preterition, of a paſſing by, or rejection of the other; and all reſulting from the Eternal Purpoſe and Good Pleaſure of God's Will; As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Eſau have I hated. Rom. 9. 13.The main ſcope of Paul in this place is to ſhew, that God hath not caſt off all Iſrael, that is, thoſe who are the true Iſrael, or ſuch who are the Children of the Promiſe, or that do belong to Chriſt according to the Election of Grace; ſee 5, 6, 7, 8 Verſes: therefore they that run the Love of God and Election here ſpoken of, to the Poſterity of Jacob, and Reprobation to the Poſterity of Eſau, and will not have it to be underſtood of their particular Perſons, do palpably abuſe the ſacred Text and Drift of the Holy Ghoſt. Now that all Men may know that Election doth run to, or take hold of particular Perſons, and that not for any foreſeen Faith or Holineſs in them, Paul ſaith, The Children being not yet born, neither having done Good or Evil. And therefore adds, not of Works, that is, of foreſeen Worthineſs or Deſert in Jacob, but that the Purpoſe of God, according to Election might ſtand, (that is, ſtand firm as an Act of God's Sovereign Love and Grace only) and abide a bleſſed Truth againſt all the Oppoſition and Cavils of cloudy Minds. I might have mention'd Abraham, Iſaac, Moſes, David, and others; alſo Jeremiah, of whom God ſays, Before I Jer. 1. 5.formed thee in the Belly, I knew thee; that is, I knew thee to be one of them that I had choſen and given to my Son, or one of mine Elect Ones; and I ſanctified and ordained thee a Prophet.
Moreover, in the New Teſtament we find, that our Saviour calls his Diſciples by Name, and tells them, That he knew whom he had John 13. 18.choſen, excluding Judas; he muſt therefore intend their Eternal Election, for as I ſaid before, Judas was choſen to the Apoſtleſhip: alſo Paul by Name, Jeſus Chriſt declares (to Ananias) was a choſen Veſſel, not only as an Apoſtle, but one alſo comprehended in the Election of Grace. Do but obſerve the Nature of his Converſion, and what he was before and when called by the ſpecial Grace of God. Moreover of this number and ſort, were thoſe that the Lord ſpeaks of in Elias's Time which Paul mentions, I have reſerved Rom. 11. 4.to my ſelf ſeven thouſand Men who have not bowed the Knee to Baal. Though it is a certain Number put for an uncertain as to us, yet all their particular Perſons were choſen, and known to God; Even ſo at this preſent Time alſo there is a Remnant, according Verſe 5.to the Election of Grace. God had ſome particular Perſons then whom he had from everlaſting elected, and ſo he hath now; According as he hath choſen us in him before the Foundation of the World, that we ſhould be holy and without blame before him in Love: VsUs, as ſuch and ſuch particular Perſons, not ſuch of ſuch and ſuch Qualification, viz. as being Believers, obedient and holy Perſons; No, no, but that they might believe, &c. Election will produce Faith: it is, becauſe they are elected that they do believe; But ye believe John 10. 26.not, becauſe ye are not of my Sheep as I ſaid unto you; that is, not ſuch as were ordained to believe, and ordained to Eternal Life. And as many as were ordained unto Eternal Life, believed: As it was Acts 13. 48. Acts 18. 10.hinted before, Chriſt hath elect Perſons, or Sheep, that yet believe not; I have much People (ſaith he to Paul) in this City.
Unto theſe Teſtimonies I ſhall add one or two more; as that of Paul, touching the Saints at Theſſalonica; Knowing, Brethren beloved, your Election: For our Goſpel came not to you in VVord only, but 1 Theſſ. 1. 4, 5.alſo in Power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, &c. By the evident Operations of God's Spirit, the Apoſtle knew they were elected: We cannot know our Election, but by ſpecial Vocation, or as it is manifeſt in the Fruits and Effects of it. There is a Knowledg of Things, (as our Annotators note on this place) à priori, when we argue from the Cauſe to the Effect: So à poſteriori, when we argue from the Effect to the Cauſe. Now what is Election, but a chuſing ſome out of others? Thus the Angels that ſtand were 1 Tim. 5. 21.elected, and the reſt were left to the Power they had, or paſſed by, or reprobated. Peter alſo confirms the Doctrine of perſonal Election, calling the Perſons to whom he wrote his Epiſtle, Elect according to 1 Pet. 1. 2.the foreknowledg of God, or his Eternal Purpoſe; and therefore were ſeparated unto God by ſpecial Grace, or effectual Calling; through ſanctification of the Spirit to Obedience, &c. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt, are concerned in our Salvation; the Father elects, this is principally aſcribed to the firſt Perſon in the Godhead; the Son purchaſeth, he redeems; and the Holy Spirit renews, calls, and ſanctifies. Now the Purchaſe of the Son extends no further than the Election of the Father; nor the Sanctification of the Spirit, further than the Purchaſe or Redemption of the Son: Sanctification here, takes in the whole Work of the Holy Spirit in Regeneration and actual Holineſs, to the final ſitting and making the Soul meet for the Eternal Inheritance.
So much ſhall ſerve to prove that there is an Election of particular Perſons.
Object. But may be ſome will Object, If this be ſo, what need If I am Elected, I ſhall be ſaved; if not, I ſhall be damned.any Man concern himſelf about his Salvation, as to ſeek it or labour after it: for if he be elected, he ſhall be ſaved; but if not, let him do what he can, he cannot be ſaved, he cannot fruſtrate God's Decree, nor alter the thing that is gone out of his Mouth?
Anſw. 1. I anſwer, All Mankind are under the ſtrongeſt Obligation This grand objection anſwered.imaginable to God, as he is their Creator, and they his Creatures; as he is their only Lord and Supreme Governour, they are bound to fear him, and obey his Laws, let him do what he will with them. Is not that a baſe and for did Principle in a Servant or Subject, to do nothing but for meer Self-profit and Advantage?
2. Paul was certain of a Crown of Life, yet knew it was his Duty to preſs towards the Mark for the Prize of the High Calling of Phil. 3. 14.God in Chriſt Jeſus, and to keep down his Body. He ſtrove as ſtrenuouſly againſt Sin, as if Salvation could be merited by ſo doing; ſo that his Election took him not off from a diligent Care in uſe of Means, in order to his attaining to Eternal Happineſs.
3. God hath as well ordained the Means, as the End, as I newly told you; both are appointed of God, and equally under his abſolute Decree: Men are not elected to Salvation, but alſo to Sanctification and Holineſs.
4. "We are not to look upon the Decree of God (as a Reverend Miniſter well obſerves)Mr. Mead. for a Rule of Life, but the Word of the Goſpel; ſecret things belong to God, &c. The Decree can neither be a Rule of Life, nor Ground of Hope, but the Precept and the Promiſe," &c. He that leads an ungodly Life, and purſues his filthy Luſts, may aſſure himſelf, ſo living and dying, he ſhall be damned for ever: He that believes not in Chriſt, but rejects him, and deſpiſeth all the Offers of his Grace to the End of his Life, no Decree can ſave him; therefore if he will go on in Sin preſumptuouſly, let him take what will follow. On the other hand, he that doth believe in Chriſt, and conforms to the Holy Goſpel, need not doubt of Salvation, no Decree can hinder him of Salvation. Men ought to endeavour to believe and repent, and cloſe with Chriſt upon a Peradventure; If God peradventure will 2 Tim. 2. 25.give them Repentance to the acknowledgment of the Truth.
5. Becauſe God hath abſolutely determined the Time of thy Life, or how long thou ſhalt live: And there it a Time thou canſt not paſs; Wilt thou therefore forbear eating, or uſe of Phyſick, to preſerve thy Life, and ſay, If I eat not, I ſhall live my appointed Time? What ſignify Means of Medicines, I will take no Phyſick, no Potion? for it the Time is come God hath ſet in his Eternal Decree, I ſhall die, nothing can ſave my Life: Would not all think you were under a fearful Temptation and Deluſion of the Devil?
6. Did not God abſolutely tell Paul, that he had given him the Acts 28. 22, 23.Lives of all that were with him in the Ship, and that none of them ſhould periſh? Yet he ſaid, Vnleſs theſe abide in the Ship, ye cannot be ſaved. Whoſoever therefore that doth neglect the Means Verſ. 31.God hath appointed, in order to the obtaining the End, let it be what it will, doth but tempt God, and comply with the Devil, let his Pretence be what it will.
7. No Decree of God neceſſitates Men to ſin: for though the Free Grace of God is the abſolute Cauſe of Election, and no foreſeen Jude 4.Faith or Holineſs; yet foreſeen Wickedneſs, Unbelief and Diſobedience, is the procuring Cauſe of the Reprobation and of the Damnation of them that periſh: O Iſrael, thou haſt deſtroyed thy Hoſ. 13. 9.ſelf, but in me is thy help.
8. Were any ever damned that did what they could in the uſe of all Means under the Light of the Goſpel, to be ſaved? Brethren, God (may juſtly and) will condemn Men for their not improving their one Talent. Nor will it be a good Plea for ſuch to ſay, I Mat. 25. 27.knew thou were an hard Man, reaping where thou haſt not ſown, &c. Thus ſome Men ſeem to charge God, I am not Elected. There is an Election of Grace, of ſpecial and diſtinguiſhing Grace, and Man hath no Power in his own Will; and God doth not give me Power to believe, and will he damn me? Doth he expect to reap where he hath not ſown, and gather where he hath not ſtromed? Such ſhall have no Excuſe, as our Saviour ſhews, at the Great Day. The Lord of that Servant ſhews, the Fault lay in his own Sloth and Annotators.Wickedneſs; and his dread of his Lord's Severity, (as our Annotators note) was but a frivolous Pretence and unreaſonable Excuſe; for if he had feared any ſuch thing, he ſhould have done what he could; he ſhould have put out his Money to the Exchange, and then he ſhould have received his own with increaſe. Thus God may as juſtly another Day reply upon thoſe who think to excuſe their lewd and wicked Lives, their unbelief and contempt of his Word, from their not being Elected, and not having Power of themſelves to believe and repent, not receiving his efficacious Grace; O ye wicked and ſlothful Wretches. May he not ſay, did ye ſuſpect or fear you were not elected? Why did you not then give all diligence to attend upon the Means, and to make your Calling ſure, as all they do that are elected? Do you plead the Power of your own Wills, to repent one while, and that you wanted Power at another time, and that I gave you not my ſpecial Grace? But had you not Power to keep from Taverns and Alehouſes, to keep from Lying, Stealing, Swearing, and other prophane Deeds of Darkneſs? Had you not Power to read, to hear my Word, to pray? If you had done your uttermoſt in improving of the Talent I gave you, would I have been wanting to you? But ſince you did not that, why ſhould I truſt you with more? Brethren, are theſe Mens Eyes Evil, becauſe God's Eye is Good? Is he unjuſt in giving effectual Grace to ſome, becauſe he doth not beſtow it upon all? Had he not took hold of a few, the whole Lump of Mankind would have deſtroyed themſelves, and none would have been ſaved. Was God unjuſt in electing ſome of the Angels, becauſe he paſſed by others of them?
9. In the Day of Judgment, God will be juſt, and all Mens Mouths ſhall be ſtopped: This you may aſſure your ſelves of, He Pſal. 51. 4.will be juſtified when he judges, and clear when he condemns: He that had not on the Wedding-garment, was ſpeechleſs. God will not then proceed with Men upon Election and Reprobation, but upon their believing, or not believing: He will render to every Man according Rom. 2. 7, 8.to their Works. All Mens Mouths ſhall be ſtopped, and every Man's Conſcience witneſs againſt him. Alas, Men do not act or exerciſe that humane Faith in reſpect of the Report of the Goſpel, which they do in reſpect of other matters and things that are made known to them, or do not bring forth the Fruit of ſuch an hiſtorical Faith. But ſo much to this Objection.
Now I ſhould come to the ſecond thing, viz. to ſhew how Election doth tend to prove and fully demonſtrate the happy State of all Chriſt's Sheep, or that it is impoſſible they ſhould, any one of them, ſo fall away as eternally to periſh. But that muſt be the Work of the next Day.