this he will break Satan's head, and not cease till he hath brought forth judg- ment unto complete victory in thy soul. He that can make a few wounded men rise up and take a strong city, can make a wounded spirit triumph over sin and devils, Jer. xxxvii. 10. The ai-k stood in the midst of Jordan till the whole camp of Israel was safely got over into Canaan, Josh. iii. And so doth the covenant, which the ark did but typify ; yea, Christ, covenant, and all, stand to secure the saints a safe passage to heaven. If but one believer drowns, the covenant must drown with him. Christ and the saints are put together as co-lieirs of the same inheritance, Rom. viii. 17. ' If children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.' We cannot dispute against one but we question the firmness of the other's title. When you hear Christ is tunied out of heaven, or himself to be willing to sell his inheritance there, then, poor Christian, fear thy coming thither, and not till then. Co-heirs cannot sell the inheritance except both give up their right, which Christ will never do, nor suffer thee.
Use 3. — Thirdly, This tiiith calls for a word or two of caution. Though there is no fear of a saint's falling from grace, yet there is great danger of others falling from tlie top of this comfortable doctrine, into a careless security, and presumptuous boldness; and therefore a battlement is very necessary, that from it we mav with safety to oiu- souls stand and view the pleasant prospect this truth presents to our eye. That flower from which the bee sucks honey, the spider draws poison. That which is a restorative to the saint's grace, proves an incentive to the lust of a wicked man. What Paul said of the law, we may truly say of the gospel : sin taking occasion from the grace of the gospel, and the sweet promises thereof, deceives the carnal heart, and works in him all maimer of wickedness. Indeed, sin seldom grows so rank anywhere, as in those who water its roots with the grace of the gospel. Two ways this doctrine may be abused.
First, Into a neglect of duty.
Secondly, Into a liberty to sin. Take heed of both.
First, Beware of falling into a neglect of duty upon this score; if a Christian, thou canst not fall away from grace. Take for an antidote against this, three particulars.
First, There are other arguments to invite, yea, that will constrain thee to a constant vigorous performing of duty, though the fear of falling away should not come in, or else thou art not a Christian. What ! nothing make the child diligent about his father's business, but fear of being disinherited and turned out of doors ! There is sure some better motive to duty in a saint's heart, or else religion is a melancholy work. Speak for yourselves, O j^e saints, is self- preservation all you pray for, and hear for? Should a messenger come from heaven, and tell you heaven were yours, would this make you give over your spiritual trade, and not care whether you had any more acquaintance with God till you came thither ? O how harsh doth this sound in your ears ! There are such principles engraven in the Christian's bosom, that will not suffer a strange- ness long to grow betwixt God and him. He is under the law of a new life, winch carries him naturally to desire communion with God, as the child doth to see the face of his dear father ; and every duty is a mount wherein God pre- sents himself to be seen and enjoyed by every Christian.
Secondly, To neglect duty upon such a persuasion, is contrary to Christ's practice and counsel. First, His practice. Though Christ never doubted of his Father's love, nor questioned the happy issue of all his temptations, agonies, and sufferings ; yet he prays, and prays again more earnestly, Luke xxii. 44. Secondly, His counsel and command. He told Peter, that Satan had begged leave to have him, to sift him. But withal he comforts him, who was to be hardest put to it, with this, ' But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.' Sure our Saviour, by this provision made for him and the rest, means to save them a labour that they need not watch or pray. No such matter; after this, as you may see, verse 40, he calls them up to duty: ' Pray, tluit ye enter not into temptation.' Christ's praying for them was to strengthen their faith, when they should themselves pray for the same mercy ; not to nourish their sloth, that they needed not to pray. Christ's prayers in heaven for his saints are all heard already, but the return of them is reserved to be inclosed in the answer
192 AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND.
God sends to tlieir own prayers: the Christian cannot in faith expect to receive the mercies Christ prays for in heaven, so long as he lives in the neglect of his duty on earth. They stand ready against he calls for them by the prayer of faith; and if they be not worth sending this messenger to heaven, truly they are worth little.