DocL 2. That Christians should be so established, and have such constancy of mind, that they should not be easily shaken and moved fi'om the faith.
1. Let us see how this is pressed. Sometimes it is pressed from the encouragement of your great hope : 1 Cor. xv. 58, ' Be stedfast, and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.' First, he would have them stedfast and unmoveable \ these two words have their special signification, the one is a degree above the other. A man may be stedfast in a thing, though he be moved a little in some by- matters ; but now, since your innocency will bear you out, be not only stedfast but immoveable, which is a higher degree ; but take it thus, be stedfast in yourselves, and unmoveable by the storms of tempta- tion from without : a man is stedfast in himself, settled upon his own foundation ; and you are unmoved when you are strengthened against outward assaults : Acts xx. 24, ' None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto me, so I might finish my course with joy.' A man may be settled in the knowledge of the truth, but he is not unmoveable except he be fortified against all temptations that may draw him off from his profession. Such constancy of mind may be well enforced because of our great hope ; thus it is pleaded for there. Then the absolute necessity of it is urged at other times, as Col. i. 23, ' If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.' The same condition is required to continue as to begin our right in the privileges of the gospel. There are some conditions required for the beginning, others for the con- tinuing of our right. Now this is absolutely required for the continuing
20 THE SECOND SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 2.
of our right, both for present reconciliation with God, and future glory ; it is upon this condition, ' if ye continue in the faith.'
2. Let us inquire what is necessary to this constancy and establish- ment of mind, that we may not be soon troubled and shaken ; partly that our minds may be enlightened to know the truth, and our hearts renewed to believe and love the truth; for without this there can never be any constancy of mind in religion.
[1.] A clear conviction of the truth, or certainty of knowledge, a rooted assent, or well-grounded ])ersuasion ; not some fluctuating ojiinion about it. A half light makcth us very uncertain in our course : James 1. 8, 'A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways ' — Bt-y{rv)(o^ aKardaraTO^ ; first 'try all things,' 1 Thes. v. 21, then 'hold fast that which is good.' When men resolve upon evidence, or after due examination, the truth sticketh the closer and faster by them ; but when they take up things hand-over-head, they have no firm prin- ciples, and therefore waver hither and thither, as vessels without ballast are tossed with every wave : 2 Peter iii. 16, 17, ' Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness' — iBiov crT7?pt7/i.oi', substantial grounds within themselves. They do not stand by the knowledge of others, or the faith of others, and consent of others: light chaff" is carried about with every wind, 7r€pi(f)ep6fxevoi : Eph. iv. 14, ' That ye henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.' They go through all parts of the compass ; sometimes this wind of error taketh them up, sometimes that ; sometimes taking up one opinion, then changing it for another : this is the fruit of half-convictions.
[2.] The other part of our basis is a resolution to adhere to the truth. What likelihood is there that we should continue, who are not so much as resolved so to do ? The heart must be established by grace, as well as the mind soundly convinced: Heb. xiii. 9, 'Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines, for it is a good thing that the heart be establislied with grace;' as the apostle speaketh of a })urpose not to marry : 1 Cor. vii, 37, ' He that standeth stedfast in his own heart,' &c. So here, Acts xxi. 13, ' I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.' A firm, thorough resolution is requisite to fortify us against all changes in religion ; otherwise we are but as trees without a root, or a house without a foundation. Now this resolution of the heart is by faith and love. Faith : Heb. iii. 12, ' Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.' Love : 2 Thes. ii. 10, ' They received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved ; and for this cause God shall send them strong delusions, that they shall believe a lie.' We are not only rooted and grounded in faith, but ' rooted and grounded in love :' Eph. iii. 17, 'That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted ai]d grounded in love,' &c.