[3.] There is an eternal and unchangeable covenant : Heb. xiii. 20, ' Through the blood of the everlasting covenant.' Though the cove- nant made with Israel was abolished, yet this is everlasting, and con- tinueth for ever, and shall never be altered ; because it w^as able to reach the end for which it was appointed, which is the eternal salvation of man. That was a temporary covenant, tliis eternal. Now, because this is the main circumstance, and the next ground of our eternal con- solation, the covenant of life and peace that God hath made with us in Christ, I shall prove the eternal truth and immutable constancy of this covenant. That a promise be immutable, certain, and firm, three things are required : —
(1.) That it be seriously and heartily made, with a purpose to per- form it.
(2.) That he that hath promised continue in his purpose Avithout change of mind.
(3.) That it be in the power of him that promiseth to perform what he hath promised. Now, of all these things there can be no doubt.
(1.) God meaneth as he speaketh when he })romiseth to give eternal life to these that believe and obey the gospel. There is no question but he is so minded, when he sent the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven to assure us of it by his doctrine, to die the death to purchase it for us, and afterward to rise again and enter into that happiness that he spake of ; and as soon as he was ascended u]) on high, gave gifts to men to give notice of this blessed estate to be had upon tiie terms of his new covenant, his Spirit attesting the truth of it by divers signs and won- ders, partly to alarm the drowsy world to regard it, and assure the incredulous world that it is no fable ; and because they live not for ever, did ins[)ire those holy men, before tliey w^ent out of the body, to write a book of tliis salvation for the use of the world in all a<r''s. To think that God is not serious in all this, is to make him a liar
2 ThES. II. IC] THE FIFTEENTH SERMON. 153
indeed ; yea, to establish a falsehood Avith tlie greatest solemnity and demonstration that can be offered to mankind ; yea, to make a lie necessary, not only to the governing, but sanctifying oi the world. Surely, then, there is a truth in that great promise which he hath promised us, even eternal life.
(2.) That God doth continue in his purpose without change of mind. There is no doubt of it, if we consider his eternal and unchange- able nature : Mai. iii. 6, ' I am the Lord, I change not ; ' James i. 17, * With him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.' And what should alter his purpose ? Doth he meet with anything that he fore- saw not, or knew not before ? No ; this is a weakness incident to man ; God doth never repent and call back his grant, which he hatii by this condescending act of grace insured to the heirs of promise. 1 Sam. XV. 29, * The strength of Israel will not lie nor repent, for he is not as man, that he should repent ; ' Ps. ex. 4, ' I have sworn, and will not repent ; thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.' Christ is by oath instated in full power of entertaining and blessing his faithful servants, which shall never be retracted and reversed. To take off all doubt, he hath given double assurance— his word and his oath : Heb. vi.'17, 18, ' God, being willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it with an oath ; that by two immutable things, wherein it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope that is set before us.' That we might know that the new covenant is unchangeable and irrevocable, and so our comfort be the more strong, certain, and stable, God was pleased to give sincere believers this double assurance, by his word and oath, having regard to our infirmity, and those many doubts wherewith we are haunted about the world to come. God hath ever been tender of his word ; above all that is famed or believed of him, this is most conspicuous : Ps. cxxxviii. 2, ' Thou has magnified thy word above all thy name ; ' and Mat. xxiv. 35, ' Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away ; ' and an oath is fieylarT) Trap uvdpoiTTOL^ TTLarci ; and the apostle tells us it is Trepa'i avTiXoyLa<i. It is interposed usually indeed in a doubtful matter. But though here it needed not, God would show his extraordinary care for our sal- vation ; we see his good-will in the promise, his solicitude in the oath ; in short, God would never be so fast bound, but that he doth and will still continue his purpose.
(3.) That he is able to perform it. Faith looks to that also ; for this was the-ground and prop of Abraham's faith : Eom. iv. 21, ' Being fully persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform ; ' so must all Abraham's children that would give glory to God in believing. The way of salvation is so rare and mysterious, and so many difficulties object themselves to our view, that we are soon puddered, unless we reflect upon the power of God. God is able to find out a way whereby sinners may be reconciled, our corrupt hearts sanctified, and our sins subdued by his Spirit, whereby his interest in us may be preserved against the assaults and temptations of the devil, world, and flesh ; he is able to receive our souls to himself after they flit out of the body ; and finally, he is able to raise our vile bodies after they are eaten out by worms,