This text obviously teaches us that none who are thus righteous can possibly be lost, but that they shall be enabled to persevere unto the end; and to this they are secured

1. By the eternal and unalterable appointment of God the Father. This purpose of God is first mentioned, because it is the origin, the moving cause of our salvation and infallibly secures the communication of all other blessings both in grace and glory. The love of Jehovah having once centred upon the soul remains unchanged, and unchangeable forever; it necessarily issues in the fruits of faith, of repentance, of holiness in this world, and of eternal life in the world to come. All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me; "all that were ordained to life in his sovereign, unsearchable councils shall actually come to me; they shall approach me as their Savior, and Hope; they shall rejoice in me as their Beloved and Friend; and once united to my Person they shall be kept by my power to salvation," for him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out; "I will on no conceivable, no possible considerations reject or disown them: I will never recal that sentence of pardon which was passed in their behalf, nor exclude them from my dear family into which they were adopted." But as Jesus the Mediator is constrained by his own love to his redeemed to keep them from falling,

he is obligated, if the language may with reverence be used, he is obligated also by the sovereign decree of his righteous Father.And this is the Father's will which hath sent me; "this is the Father's WILL, his gra cious pleasure, his absolute, immutable determination and appointment," that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing. Is it possible that any truth could be expressed in language more undeniable and strong? "It is his will that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing; but raise it up at the last day." The righteous are no doubt dear to Christ as the purchase of his own blood; it is impossible that he can lightly esteem those for whom he endured so much reproach and suffering, but they are objects of his peculiar care not only as their redemption cost the effusion of his own blood, but as they were actually committed him in trust of the Father; before one of them can fail of salvation he must be unjust to himself, who purchased them by the sacrifice of his life, and unfaithful to Jehovah who ordained him their covenant Head.-Their names were early written upon his breast plate, and their persons are now preserved by his almighty power. Such is the will of God with respect to his chosen, and may we not confidently assume that inspired challenge, who hath or can resist his will ?— Can all the intrigue of earth or hell undermine the plans of infinite wisdom, or de

feat the opperations of almighty power? Surely none who realise the perfections of God will doubt for a moment the truth of the declaration, "my Father which gave them me is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." Again, "the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal," this security, "the Lord knoweth them that are his.' The eternal foreknowledge and the changeless purpose of Jehovah are the broad basis on which the building of redemption is reared up, and although the superstructure is great, even ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of living stones, the foundation is fully equal to its support; and as no blast can possibly shake the basis, none can shake the building, because every stone in this celestial fabric he, whose name is Jehovah, carefully watches with his eye, and holds with his hand. "This is the seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his ;" he knows them by name, and by sir-name whom his sovereignty fore-ordained to glory, and his love, and faithfulness will see to the execution of his eternal purpose. This same argument the apostle mentions for his own spiritual consolation. "In hopes of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised before the world began." The apostle expresses a confident expectation of a blessed immortality, and what was the foundation of his hope? The purpose of God from eterni

DD

ty, and his truth which will certainly accomplish his purposes. "God that cannot lie had promised it before the world began," and therefore he had strong consolation.Another text for the confirmation of this argument shall suffice. "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; and whom he did predestinate them he also called; and whom he called them he also justified; and whom he justified them he also glorified." Here the various parts of our salvation, like so many links in . one golden chain, are connected inseparably together; all originating from, and estab lished by electing love as the moving cause. After he contemplates this truth, the inspired author indulges the animated, animating challenge, "who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" He afterwards breaks forth in the language of confidence, and of transport, "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come; nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2. That "the righteous shall hold on his way," may be inferred with equal certain

ty from that intimate relation which exists between them and Jesus the Mediator. He is denominated the great shepherd, and they are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand, and can we suppose that he will suffer the wolves of prey to enter his fold, and snatch the flock from his view, when he is able to prevent it? "I know my sheep and am known of mine, and I give to them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." He is the surety of a better testament or covenant, and in that capacity has laid down the price of their redemption, and can we imagine that he will afterwards see them involved in condemnation? Will a surety, after the debt is fully paid, and the bond actually cancelled, permit the debtor to be thrown into prison, and there languish for life?— "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again." How affectionately does the Son of God address them under this relation? What strong consolation does he minister to them from the consideration that he has actually suffered and satisfied in their room?" Thus saith the Lord, O Israel, fear not; for I have redeemed thee:" he recognizes them as his own by actual, costly purchase, and encourages them amidst all adversity whether temporal or spiritual. I have redeemed thee;" with a costly sacrifice I have obtained thy delive