SERMON VI.

2 TIMOTHY, Chap. ii. verse 19.

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

We noticed this morning what was said by St, Paul concerning those that had fallen away; in order to stir up the minds of the faithful, to the end they should not be troubled thereat. If we see those fall who seemed to uphold the church, as it were, we must not be shaken; for if men be frail, if they go astray out of the right way, if they be froward, it is no new thing, for such is their nature; therefore we ought not to marvel at it, if they fall into wickedness rather than godliness. But in the mean time, our salvation is settled upon the grace of our God; yea, insomuch that it pleased him to choose us be} fore the world began, and to make us of the number of his chosen children.

But we are grieved to see those who have shown some good tokens that they were the children of God, turn back; for we ought to possess a zeal to have the church of God enlarged and increased, rather than diminished. We ought also to have a care of our brethren, and to be sorry to see them perish; for it is no small matter to have the souls perish, who were bought by the blood of Christ. Yet notwithstanding, we must always comfort ourselves with this doctrine, that God will maintain his church, although the number be but small; though it be not so great as we could wish it, yet we must content ourselves, and believe he will safely keep all those he hath chosen.

Those that fall away, and those backsliders that renounce Jesus Christ, although they were joined to

us, we must conclude that they were not of this number; seeing they have departed from us. For it is easier for the world to be turned about a thousand times, than that one of God's chosen children, whom he holdeth fast to himself, should perish it cannot be! For God is the protector of our salvation, as he himself hath declared: yea, and this office is given to our Lord Jesus Christ, to maintain and keep all that God the Father hath chosen. This is what St. Paul meaneth by these words, The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his.

St. Paul setteth down two articles, which we shall here notice. In the first place, when we see such turning, that those who seemed to be the forwardest in religion, give back, and fall away from us, and so estrange themselves from the kingdom of God that they become unbelievers, we must not think that the church falleth. It is true, the number of those whom we thought to be faithful, is lessened by this means. But howsoever the world go, there is a sure foundation; that is to say, God will always keep his church, and there shall always be some to call upon him, and worship him; therefore let this be sufficient for us. For he hath declared, Psalm lxxii. that so long as the sun and moon endure, he will have some people to fear him, throughout all generations.

If we see the devil scatter the flock of our Lord Jesus Christ, if we see those that have given some proof of a good hope fall away, yet notwithstanding, we may be assured that the building remaineth; even though it be hid from our view; for it hath remained when there was scarcely a christian to be found in all the world. In what case were we forty years ago, before God gave us the light of his gos pel? Would it not have been thought that all christianity had been banished out of the world? But yet there was a foundation hid; that is, God re

served after a wonderful manner, such as he would, though it were but a small number. Therefore, the foundation of God standeth sure.

When we see such troubles, that we think all will come to nought, let us behold by faith this foundation, which cannot be seen by the eye of man. For if we have not faith to discern the church of God, we shall think it utterly abolished. We see what came to pass in the days of the prophet Elijah: he saith, 1 Kings xix. 14. "The children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." But the Lord reproveth him, by telling him that he hath yet seven thousand in Israel, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. And so it will be at all times and seasons; we may think the church of God is utterly defaced and abolished, but he will keep the foundation sure.

Secondly, St. Paul informs us, that although the foundation of God standeth sure, yet it is as a letter closed up and sealed. and sealed. And why so? Because the Lord knoweth them that are his. If God humble us, and blind us as it were, we must be content therewith; for he hath made his election sure, though it be hid from us. Although he will not make it known at first, yet notwithstanding, it remaineth in his secret counsel. Therefore if God know them that are his, let us not think it strange if we be often deceived when men revolt. Why so? For we know them not; but God will not be deceived; he will bring to an end whatsoever he hath determined in the counsel of his own will.

St. Paul exhorteth us not to be negligent, when we see those that were like angels among us fall from the right way: but to walk in fear and trembling; and beware that we do not abuse the name of God, by cloaking ourselves falsely with the name of chris

tianity, as do the hypocrites; who take the name of God in their mouth, and at the same time mock him, and falsify his holy precepts. Let us practise that which is here contained; to wit, that if we call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, if we make. profession to be his, we must depart from iniquity. For we are not of the church of God, unless we separate ourselves from the world, and from the subtleties thereof.

Therefore, let us consider whereunto we are called; what our condition is: and then let us be faithful, and walk uprightly: for God can easily cut us off from his church, seeing he hath shown us such examples, if we have not made our profit by them.

But now, that we may apply this text better to our instruction, let us treat upon the point we have already mentioned; namely, the everlasting counsel of God, whereupon our election is grounded; upon which our salvation is surely settled. It is true, (as the scripture saith,) that we are saved by faith; for we know not that God is our Father, and that we are made partakers with him, only by faith, and by laying hold of the promises contained in the gospel; wherein God showeth that he accepteth us, and is pleased with us, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must accept of this benefit, or we cannot know him. So then, we are in possession of our salvation by faith. This is true; but who is it that giveth us faith, save God alone? And why doth he give it to us? Because it pleased him to choose us before we were made; yea, before the world itself was made; as St. Paul showeth, especially in the first chapter to the Ephesians. He setteth that before us, which is most familiar to us; even that which we know; to wit, that God hath made us partakers of his heavenly blessings through Jesus Christ: that after he hath forgiven us our sins, he

showeth us that we are acceptable to him, and that he hath taken us to be his children. Thus we have all that the gospel openeth to us.

But St. Paul lifteth us up higher; saying, all that is given us, is because God had chosen us before the world began; because he loved us in our Lord Jesus Christ before we could do either good or evil. This is what we shall now notice: namely; although God draweth us to him by the gospel, and we by faith receive the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the cause of our salvation; yet notwithstanding, there was a secret love of God that went before yea, though it were hid from us, though God made no great haste in drawing us to him, yet it is certain that we were chosen. This is what St. Paul aimeth at in the sentence before us; to wit, The foundation of God standeth sure.

He setteth this foundation of God, against whatsoever virtue may be found in man: he setteth this sureness of which he speaketh, against this frail state of ours. St. Paul, knowing that we are inconstant, and that we straightway fall and pass away like water, saith, we must take our sureness in God; for we perceive it is not in ourselves, neither in our nature. Therefore, if we find no certainty in things on earth, we must know that our salvation resteth upon God; and that he holdeth it in such a manner, that it can never vanish away. This is a very happy consideration.

If I see a man become wicked, what can I say for myself? I am so likewise; but I must come to this conclusion; though I am weak, God is steadfast and sure! Therefore, I must commit myself wholly into his hands. And for this cause our Lord Jesus informs us, John x. that those whom the Father hath given him, shall never perish. And why so? Because God the Father is stronger and more mighty than all those that would oppose