This is a true observation of the learned Gerson, Perfcciioiies sibi relictce, sunt pondera ad ruinam : The most perfect creature left to itself, will fall into ruin. This was exemplified in the angels that fell ; and in Adam, though in a perfect state. Divine preservation is the prop which supports the best creatures from ruin. Grace itself is but a creature, and therefore a dependent being: It is but a stream, depending upon the supply of the fountain : If the fountain let not forth itself, what becomes of the stream ? That is a true and judicious observation of the learned Dr. Ames, Per sever antia jidelmm^ vel immutabilis eorum conditio secuiidum integram ejus rationem, non pervenit a priJicipio intrinseco solo, nee a solo extrinseco ; sed par- tim ah intrinseco, ex natura vitoe spiritualis a Christo Jiuentis, et partim ab extrinseco, ex custodia, protectione et directione Dei ; Amesii Coroiiis, Art. 5. The perseverance of believers, or the im- mutability of their condition, if we view the whole ground and reason of it, is not wholly from within, or wdiolly from without itself; but partly from the nature of the spiritual life which flows from Christ into them, and partly from the keeping, protection, and direction of God : That protection is always afforded to this life of grace ; and this life of grace always needs that protection. The best of men are but men at best, as one speaks: It was not Peter's grace and reso- lution that kept him, but Christ's care of him and intercession for him, Luke xxii. 32. " Be strong in the Lord, (saith the apostle) -' and in the power of his might," Eph. vi. 10. " Without me '•' (saith Christ) ye can do nothing," John xv. 5.
Neither of these is that which I have before me to prove ; but
586 TKIKD GRACE IS TRUE GliACE.
this is that which I aim at, that such seeming grace as was nevef yet brought to the trial, nor will be able to bear the trial, when God shall bring it thereto, must not pass for current (as too frequently it doth) among us: Such grace will neither comfort us now, nor save us hereafter : For,
1. 3J IRST, great numbers of persons in the professing world are deceived and destroyed by trusting to seeming and untried grace : this was the miserable condition of those Laodicean professors in the text ; they reckoned themselves rich, but were really poor : All is not gold that glitters ; their gold (as they accounted it) was never tried in the fire. If a man's whole estate lay in some precious stone, suppose a rich diamond, how is he concerned to have it thoroughly tried, to see whether it will bear a smart stroke with a hammer, or fly like a Bristol diamond under it ? All that you are worth lies in the truth and sincerity of your grace ; and till that be tried you know not whether you be worth any thing or nothing.
Reader, There are two sad sights in the world which cannot but deeply affect every upright heart ; one is to see so many thousands of rational and ingenuous men in the Romish church, by an implicit faith in their guides, venturing their souls upon their bare word ; never searching the scriptures with their own eyes, but wholly trusting to the infallibility of a pope or a council ; when, in the mean time, they would fear to take their word for a sum of money, Avithout some further security. It is amazing to behold the soul-destroying, easy creduhty of those men ; but this is a stroke of madness and spi- ritual infatuation, judicially inflicted upon them, that the judgment which is written might be fulfilled in them, " God shall send them *' strong delusions, that they should believe a lie," 2 Thes. ii. 11.
And yet more amazing is that stroke of God upon multitudes of vain and formal professors even in the reformed Protestant churches, where no man is restrained from searching the scriptures; nay, where men are so frequently and earnestly pressed, from sabbath to sabbath, to examine themselves, and prove their own work, that vet so many are content to leave all at hazard, and without any more ado, or farther search in the matter, credit the report of their own deceitful hearts, and take all for granted, without due trial or ex- amination of the matter.
Surely, no one thing sends down more souls daily to hell out of the professing world than this doth. The five foolish virgins (i. e. the unprincipled professors in the reformed churches) perished this way ; they took it for .granted all was v/ell, because they had lamps of profession as well as others ; and saw not the cheat till the cry was heard at midnight, and their unfurnished lamps went out. Mat. xxv.
^. Secondly, The promises of salvation are made over to tried grace, and such only as will endure the trial : So James i. 12. " Blessed is
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'' the man that endureth temptation ; for when he is tried he shall " receive the crown of hfe which God hath promised to them that " love him :"" We must be first tried, and then crowned. *' If a " man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive " lawfully," 2 Tim. ii. 5. He manifestly alludes to the Roman games, to which there were judges appointed to see that no foul play were offered contrary to the law tor wrestling ; and where it was found the crown was denied them. Not to him that sets forth in the morning with resolution and gallantry, but to him that holds out till the evening of his life, is the promise made ; Matth. x. 22. " He that endureth to the end shall be saved." So Rom. ii. 7. " To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory " and honour, and immortality, eternal life." And once more, Heb. iii. 14. " We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the be- " ginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end." So that if you should endure some few slighter troubles, and faint at last, give out when a closer trial befals you, all your labours and sufferings are in vain. Sincerity and final perseverance are the conditions of all special promises.
3. Thirdly, Every man's graces and duties must be tried and weighed by God in the great day ; and if they cannot endure these lesser trials to which God exposes them now, how will they endure that severe and exact trial to which he will bring them then ? No man can search his own heart with that exactness in this world, as God will search it in the world to come.