[3.] This life is begun, and carried on by degrees.
(1.) The foundation of it is laid in regeneration : then do we begin to live when Christ beginneth to live in us ; and we may reckon from that day when, in the power of his life, we began to advance towards heaven ; for then there was a seed laid of a life which cannot be de- stroyed. The life of nature may be extinguished, but not of grace : Kom. viii. 11, 'If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his {Spirit tliat dwelleth in you.' The Spirit cannot leave his dwelling-place. It is said, John v. 24, ' He that lieareth my word, and believetli on liim that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death imto life.' The change is wrought as soon as we begin to be acquainted with God in Christ.
(2.) Presently after death there is a further progress made. As soon as the soul is separated from the body, it begins to live gloriously. It is with Christ : Phil. i. 23, ' I desire to depart and to be with Christ;' it is in Christ here, but not so properly with him. And it is in paradise : Luke xxiii. 43, ' This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.' In Abraham's bosom : Luke xvi. 25, ' He seetli Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.' And enjoyeth the fruit of good works : Piev. xiv. 13, ' Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord ; from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.' There is not only a cessation from sin and misery, but an enjoyment of glory ; and the body resteth without pain and labour till the resurrection, as in a bed : Isa. Ivii. 2, ' He shall enter into peace : they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.'
(3.) After, at the resurrection of the body, there is a consummation
136 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeK. II.
of all joy. That is called ' tlio day of re<^eneration,' ]\rat. xix. 28. Body and soul shall be renewed perfectly, for immortality and glory. Then we live indeed. Therefore Christ saith, John xi. 25, ' I am the resurrection and the life.' All is consummate and full then ; death hath some power till that day.
Use \. To press us to labour after this holy life : John vi. 27^ 'Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat that endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give you.' Grace is the beginning and pledge of it. It is the beginning and seed of life ; this is an immortal spark, that shall never be quenched : it is the pledge, 1 Tim. vi. 19 ; you may seize life as your right and inheritance. Oh ! labour for it. This life is made bitter that thou mayest desire the other. Consider, all dependeth on thy state in this world ; either thou art a child of wrath or an heir of life. Wicked men do die rather than live in the other world. It is better not to be than to be for ever miserable ; to lie under the wrath of God, to be shut out of the presence of God for evermore.
Use 2. Bless the Lord Jesus Christ for opening a door of life for them that were dead in and by sin. The tree of life was fenced by a flaming sword : no creature could enter till Christ opened the way : 2 Tim. i. 10, ' By his appearing he hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.' Christ came from heaven on purpose to overcome death and take away the sting of it ; and he is gone to heaven on purpose to make way for us. Our life cost Christ his death : John xvi. 5, 'Now I go away to him that sent me.'
' To as many as thou hast given him.' — Let us see the import of this phrase.
1. How we are said to be given to Christ.
2. Who are they that are given to Christ. 1. How we are said to be given to Christ.
[1.] By way of reward. There was an eternal bargain and compact : Isa. liii. 10, ' When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed,' &c. We are members of his body, children of his family, subjects of his kingdom. This is a ground of certainty to the elect : ' The Lord knoweth those that are his,' 2 Tim. ii. 18. He made no blind bargain ; he had leisure enough to cast up his account from all eternity.
[2.] By way of charge, to be redeemed, justified, sanctified, glorified : John vi. 37-40, ' All that the Father giveth me shall come to me ; and he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlast- ing life ; and I will raise him up at the last day.' When the elect were made over to Christ, it was not by way of alienation, but opjiignoration ; they were laid to jjledge in his hands, and God will call Christ to an account. None given to liim by way of charge can miscarry. You. trust Christ, and God trusted him with all the souls of the elect.