[1.] You must chiefly commit your souls to him. Most men lose
VeR. 6.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 215
their souls to keep the body. That which a man chiefly looketh after is his jewels and precious things, in a dangerous time, to commit them to the custody of a friend. So a christian, whatever becometh of him in the world, he is careful to lay up his soul in Christ's hands, that it may be kept from sin and the consequents of sin. Alas ! while we have it in our own keeping it will soon miscarry. Now concerning this committing the soul to Christ, let me observe: —
(1.) That this act is most sensible in time of deep troubles and death, when we carry our lives in our hands, trust Christ with your souls : Ps. xxxi. 5, ' Into thy hands I commit my spirit : thou hast redeemed me, 0 Lord God of truth.' So Christ: Luke xxiii. 46, ' Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.' Can we trust Christ, upon the warrant of the gospel, when troubles are nigh and fears of death ? Lord, take my spirit ; as Stephen, Acts vii. 59, ' Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' We must do it in our life, especially as often as we renew covenant ; but then most sensibly when we come to die. Jesus Christ is always the depository of souls ; but when we come to die, or are in special troubles, then we are chiefly solicitous about our souls ; as when a house is a-burning we are not careful about our lumber, but run to fetch our jewels to put them in a safe hand.
(2.) Whenever we do it, it must be an advised act. A man must be sensible of the danger he is in, of the many temptations to which he is exposed, what a sorry keeper he is of his own heart (Satan could fetch a prey out of paradise, Judas out of Christ's company), what abilities Christ hath: 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I know whom I have Ijelieved, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have com- mitted to him against that day.' Presumption is a child of darkness ; it Cometh from ignorance and incogitancy. Faith is deliberate and advised ; a christian can venture his soul upon Christ's grace notwith- standing infirmities, upon Christ's power notwithstanding temptations ; this precious thing is daily in danger, yet I can trust it in Christ's hands ; he that made it can best keep it, and guide us by his grace, and direct us in this dangerous passage.
(3.) It must still be accompanied with some confidence. We must be quieted : ' I am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him.' We should not distrust when we have resigned ourselves to the care and tuition of his Spirit. Christ's charge will be safe from danger. It is our weakness to be full of doubts and fears. We may be assaulted, but we are safe in the Father's purpose and the Son's protection. Too much confidence in sanctification, and too little in justification, will unsettle us.
(4.) There must be a care of obedience : ' Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' ' Commit your souls to him in well-doing,' 1 Peter iv. 19. Sins will weaken trust ; an impure soul cannot be committed to Christ's custody. Would we commit dung to a friend to keep ? There must be a giving up ourselves to him in love, as well as com- mitting ourselves to him in faith : John xii. 26, 'If any man serve me, let him follow me ; and where I am, there shall also my servant be.'
(5.) It must arise from a chief care of your souls. Most men are negligent herein ; they watch over their goods, but neglect their souls, and lose their souls to keep these trifles. What account can they
216 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. IX.
make to God at the last day ? These live as if they had no souls, aud can they be said to commit their souls to God ?
2. We must give up our bodies to him, and the conveniences of the body, to let him dispose of us according to his pleasure. We shall have a body at the last day, and that body will have glory enough ; that fallelh under Christ's charge: John vi. 39, ' Tliis is the Father's Avill that hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I sliould lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.' He that cannot do the lesser, it is impossible he should do the greater ; ho that will not trust God with his earthly substance, credit, estate, how will he trust God with his soul for eternal salvation ? ' Which is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, and walk?' Mark ii. 9. It is more difficult to believe for salvation, but bodily incon- veniences are more pressing and sensible. The welfare of the body must not be committed to wealth or wit, but to Christ. A christian is not troubled v/hat shall become of him ; he leaveth himself to Christ's disposal, which is the way to allay his cares and fears.