of duty; many warnings given, and dangers pointed out, to deter them from evil; many examples of suffering patience and victorious faith, for their imitation, comfort, and support, whenever they come into similar circumstances; and many glorious things affirmed, concerning that inheritance which God has provided for them, in order to raise their affections to heavenly things, and to invigorate their hope of eternal blessedness: all which are adapted to promote their edification, and to preserve them in the way of peace. The ordinances of God in general, which are compared to green pastures, in which the sheep of Christ delight both to feed and rest; Psalm xxiii. 2. being adapted to nourish their souls, and to increase the vigour of their spiritual life, must be happily conducive to their preservation. By a suitable attendance on divine institutions, believers have their faith confirmed, their holiness advanced, and their hope brightened. In them they have the bread of God dispensed, by which they are nourished up to life eternal. On those appointments of heaven, therefore, it is their duty and their blessing to attend: nor can they without the highest presumption, expect preservation in the faith, while they neglect these salutary means. Nor are the divine chastisements without their use in this respect. For the children of God are chastened of their Father, that they might not be condemned with the world. 1 Cor. xi. 32. Ps. lxxxix. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34.

On the whole, then, we have the utmost reason to conclude with Paul, that wherever God begins a good work, he will certainly perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. For He that formed the universe, is not such an inconsiderate builder, as to

lay the foundation of a sinner's complete happiness in his own eternal purpose, and in the blood of his only Son, and then leave his work unfinished. No; it shall never be said by his infernal enemies, Here God began to build and was not able to finish. He once loved, redeemed, regenerated, and designed to have saved these wretched souls; but his love abated, his purpose altered; or, which is more to our honour and his disappointment, we have rendered his plan of operation abortive; and now we torment, with a vengeance, myriads that were once in Jehovah's favour, and numbered among his children.' But, though this be the consequence of the opposite doctrine, Lucifer himself, with all his pride and enmity, will never entertain such a thought, nor thus blaspheme his Maker.

The following quotation may serve to exhibit, in a compendious view, the substance of the foregoing paragraphs. Since, we stand not, like Adam, upon our own bottom, but are branches of such a vine as never withers; members of such a head as never dies; sharers in such a Spirit as cleanseth, healeth, and purifieth the heart; partakers of such promises as are sealed with the oath of God-since we live, not by our own life, but by the life of Christ; are not led or sealed by our own spirit, but by the Spirit of Christ; do not obtain mercy by our own prayers, but by the intercession of Christ; stand not reconciled to God by our own endeavours, but by the propitiation wrought by Christ; who loved us when we were enemies and in our blood; who is both willing and able to save us to the uttermost, not to preserve his own mercies in us; to whose office it belongs, to take order that none who are

given unto him be lost-undoubtedly, that life of Christ in us, which is thus underpropped, though it be not privileged from temptations, no, not from backslidings, yet it is an abiding life. He who raised our soul from death, will either preserve our feet from falling, or, if we do fall, will heal our backslidings and will save us freely.'*

Some, perhaps, may be ready to object: If the perservation of believers depend upon God, in the manner asserted, they have no occasion to be at all careful how they live. No great harm can befal them, for they are certain of being finally safe.' In answer to which I shall only observe, That the strength of this objection was long since tried, by Satan, upon our Lord himself. But as it appeared of no force to him, though the tempter proposed it as the necessary consequence of those promises made by the Father to Christ, as man and mediator respecting his preservation, so it appears to have as little in the present case. The major proposition in the devil's argument was, If thou art the Son of God, his angels will certainly preserve thee: thou canst not be injured. And his conclusion was Therefore, without any danger, thou mayest cast thyself down from this eminence.-So, in the present case, the argument contained in the objection, is, If you be a child of God and in union with Christ, your perseverance must be certain. For, being the charge of Omnipotence, it is impossible you should finally fall. Therefore you may safely bid adieu to all circumspection. You need not fear sin, or its consequences; nor is there any occasion to be soli

*Bp. Reynold's Works, p. 173, 174,

citous about walking with God in the ways of holiness. But as our Lord, who hath not the least doubt of the special care of his Father over him, rejected Satan's proposal with the utmost abhorrence; knowing it was a temptation to evil, and that the argument used to enforce it was an abuse of the scripture: so the believer, though fully persuaded that grace reigns in every part of salvation: and though it strongly appears in that special care of God, which is incessantly exercised over him in his perseverance to eternal life; yet he is well convinced, that he must not continue in sin that grace may abound. On every such suggestion, therefore, he will from his heart say, God forbid !-Besides, there are many important purposes answered, by walking in the ways of obedience, respecting the Christian himself, his neighbour, and his God; which, having been considered already, I shall not here particularly mention.

Nor can it, with any propriety, be objected against the doctrine for which I am pleading, That the saints are exhorted to pray for the continual aids of grace; divine support in time of trial; and for protection against their enemies; as if it argued their state uncertain, with reference to the final event. For Christ, who was absolutely sure of happiness, nor could possibly fail of enjoying the reward that was promised to him, as Mediator; or come short of possessing that glory which he had with the Father before the world was; yet prayed for it with as much fervour as any saint can possibly do for the most desirable blessing. John xvii. 1, 5. Compare 2 Sam. vii. 27, 28, 29. Dan. xi. 2, 3. A noble example this, of the assurance of faith, respecting our

eternal state, and of an unreserved reliance on the divine promises, being perfectly consistent with earnest and constant prayer for the fulfilment of them; -Besides, whoever dares to act on the principle of this objection, has no reason to consider himself as a Christian; but rather, as dead in sin, and in the broad way to final ruin.

But notwithstanding the Lord has promised that his people shall never perish; yet, as he has nowhere engaged that they shall not fall into sin, and as moral evil is provoking to the eyes of his holiness, they are bound to use the utmost caution lest, by disobedience, they move him to use the scourge. For the frowns of a father will be hard to bear; as their spiritual peace and joyful communion with him will be much interrupted, by such disobedience and chastisement. The children of God, when careless in their walk and guilty of backsliding, have severely smarted under his correcting hand. The sorrowful confessions and bitter complaints of David, after his scandalous intrigue with Uriah's wife, are a standing, incontestible proof of this observation. Their persuasion of interest in the everlasting covenant has been terribly shaken, if not lost for a season, so as to wound their hearts with keenest anguish; till, after many prayers and great watchfulness, they have been again indulged with the smiles of Jehovah's countenance, and with the joys of his salvation. Psalm li. 8, 12. and lxxxix. 30, 31, 32. The remembrance of this, and a consideration how God the Father and his incarnate Son are dishonoured, the Holy Spirit grieved, the glorious gospel reproached, weak believers offended, and the hands of the wicked strengthened, by the careless