Page images
PDF
EPUB

alone which can justify the challenge, "Who shall

[ocr errors]

lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" or render proper the declarations, "God hath quick"ened us together with Christ, and made us sit to gether in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

46

4. The eternal welfare of Christ's sheep is certain, from his infinite power, his relation to them, and his care over them.

We will not again enlarge on the promise of ' Christ, as its meaning has already been explained. Neither is it necessary to prove that he will be con stant to all his promises; for he is "the same, yes"terday, to-day, and for ever," without" variable

ness, or shadow of turning."* But his tender and watchful care over his people, and his relation to them, remain to be illustrated; and will repay our attention by inspiring confidence and joy.

64

"

The names given to Christ as Mediator are almost all expressive of a trust or charge committed to him. Thus he is called "the Messenger of the covenant," God's righteous servant," "the Apostle and High-priest of our profession,"§ "the "Surety of the better testament," "the Shepherd "and Bishop (or overseer) of souls." Now the charge intrusted to him, or the object of his com mission as Mediator, he himself explains" This

is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of "all which he hath given me, I should lose "nothing, but should raise it up again at the last "day."** And to prevent any misunderstanding of the expression, he adds, "This is the will of him "that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son,

Heb xiii. 8. and James i. 17. ↑ Mal, iii. x. Isaiah liii. II.

Heb. iii. r.

♫ Ibid. vii. 22.

Tr Peter ii. 25. ** John gi. 39

"and believeth on him, may have everlasting "life."* Can we, then, entertain such base thoughts of Christ, as to imagine him unqualified, either in respect of fidelity or power, to discharge the trust committed to him ;-to imagine that he, who laid down his life for the sheep, may have shed his blood for nought, or that he may become forgetful of the end for which he suffered? or dare we think of the Father, that he would intrust his pleasure to one, in whose hands it might not prosper? No: the good Shepherd will never, through neglect or design, and cannot from want of power. suffer any of his flock to become a prey to wolves or robbers, to perish for lack of pasture, or to be lost by their own wanderings. Paul's reasoning to this effect is conclusive-" If, when we were ene"mies, we were reconciled to God by the death of "his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be "saved by his life." But the words of Christ himself are stronger still: "Because I live, ye shall live also." This promise represents him as living on his people's behalf; and on their behalf, as a forerunner, entering into heaven. It makes his life the pledge and security of theirs; and assures believers, that they can no more fail to obtain everlasting life, than he can be deprived of it. Where were the beauty of the vine, if the branches were broken off? What were the head, if the members have perished? Or can he be any longer called an husband, whose wife has received a bill of divorcement? But Christ is the vine; believers are the branches: he is the head; they are the members: and their Maker is their husband; the Lord of Hosts is his name,

John vi. 40. + Rom. v. 10.

John xiv. 19.

Against them, then, no enemy shall be able finally to prevail. Their help is laid on one who is mighty and able to save; who shall never fail nor be discouraged; who proved his divine mission by his miracles, and his Godhead by his resurrection from the dead. Even while he was suffering in weakness, he exhibited an instance of sovereign mercy and almighty power, in the salvation of one, and to the comfort of millions. Both the crucified thieves had 'reviled him :* but one is chosen; one is enabled to address a companion on a cross as " Lord;"* and to petition for bliss in the kingdom of a person dying as a malefactor. It is only, indeed, for a remembrance that he sued. But the grant exceeded his prayer+ To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise."t Then was the hour and the power of darkness. Yet, even then, our Redeemer took away the captives of the mighty, and the prey of the terrible. The prince of this world was then judged, bound, and cast out; principalities and powers were spoiled. And his might surely is not diminished by his advancement to the Father's right hand, his possession of the mediatorial throne, and of “ power over all flesh, to give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him." Ere long, while his enemies shall lick the dust, the multitudes whom that power hath rescued, shall appear assembled, and shall be fixed as pillars in the temple of his God, to go out

66

[ocr errors]

no more.

5. The text represents the eternal life of believers as secure, because of the Father's gift and power. My Father gave them me," says Jesus. And we have just seen for what purposes they were given.

[ocr errors]

See Matt, xxvii. 44.

↑ Luke xxii. 42, 43.

The security is sufficient. It would reflect on the Father's wisdom, had he assigned them to the care of one unequal to the trust; and on his power, nay, on his faithfulness and goodness, were he to permit the end for which he gave them to be de feated. But to give, if possible, still greater ground of confidence, while Jesus affirms that" none is "able to pluck them out of his Father's hand," he adds, "I and my Father are one." In whatever manner this expression is understood, the evidence and the comfort of the doctrine remain the same. If it be meant that Jesus and his Father are one in nature and perfection, then their will and their power are the same; or if that they are one in power and in purpose, then they are the same in essence and in perfection. And in both cases, all the attributes of the Godhead are engaged to support the chosen flock, and to bring them safely to [the land of uprightness.

Behold, then, how ample are the securities, on which the safety of the righteous rests! Of the considerations which have been enumerated, any one might have sufficed. But our God, as if delighting in the contemplation of his people's privilege, and anxious to afford them every possible assurance against every possible doubt and fear, multiplies the evidences of the certainty of their state, and fortifies it by numerous defences, each impregnable. Nor are these all. From his nature, and from his word, may many more be drawn, equally direct in their tendency, and invincible in their force. How precious, then, must the security arising from the whole appear! How unspeakably precious, when we consider its glorious object,that life eternal,

[ocr errors]

which is so inestimably excellent in itself, and whose value is, at the same time, so much enhanced by the contrast of the accursed doom, which is our just and natural inheritance!-Improve it, then, ye followers of Jesus, as matter both of gratitude and of joy. Rejoice that the Shepherd of souls is able to save, to the uttermost, all that come to the Father through him; that his claim is," Father, I will that

they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me "where I am; that they may behold my glory;"* and that his life in heaven is not only the glorious evidence of his power to save, but the beginning of his people's salvation. And let every believer say, "I I know whom I have believed, and am perdam "suaded that he is able to keep that which I have "committed unto him, against that day."+"I will trust, and not be afraid for the Lord Jehovah is "my strength and my song; he is also become my salvation." Because my Redeemer liveth, I shall live also.

46

And if any, who are not yet within the fold, hear this address, let the consideration of the privileges of Christ's sheep incite them to press for entrance. Neither let the adversary of souls suggest to the timid it is vain; for if you be of the chosen flock, you cannot be admitted: or to the careless, it is unnecessary; for if you be among the elect, you cannot be excluded. The divine decree can be known only by its effects. And our duty is clear, to ask that we may receive, to seek that we may find, and to knock that it may be opened to The assertion of Jesus; "No man can come

[ocr errors]

♦ John xvii. 24.

† 2 Tim. i. 12.

Isaiah xii. 2.

S S

« EelmineJätka »