1. There was scandalum seductionis : ver. 18, ' They overthrow the faith of some,'' fides quce creditur. It is principally meant, they turned them away from the truth.
2. There was scandalum contristationis. They were a great trouble- to the faithful, and weakened their comfort ; as surely it is a mighty disheartening to see such glorious luminaries fall from heaven like lightning. Some think the main drift of the text is to comfort them with an hope of preservation though these fell away. When others fall, those who are truly the Lord's, and do unfeignedly dedicate them- selves to be his people, shall be preserved by his power, because the foundation, or first stone of this spiritual building, was laid in their election, which is firm and unchangeable. I am not against this sense,, because I find election to be made the ground of our standing out in. temptations : Mat. xxiv. 24, ' Insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.' The elect cannot possibly be deceived and drawn away from the true Christ, because of the wisdom, love, and power of God engaged for them : 2 Thes. ii. 13, ' God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctifieation of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. Their election did secure them from damnable errors. I am not against this truth, yet I think it not the full mean- ing of this place, though strongly implied in it. Truly the apostle doth confirm the hearts of the faithful in these words, by showing them their privileges and their duty : their privileges, when he telletli them that
* God knoweth them that are his ; ' their duty, when he presseth them to holiness : ' Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.' The apostasy of some should excite all to watchfulness,, lest they be caught in the same snare. But yet I cannot induce myself
SERMON UPON 2 TIMOTHY II. 19. 349
to think that by the foundation of God is meant his election ; and it is an hard thing to conceive that a foundation of a building should be sealed.
3. There is scandalum offensionis. It might make them to stumble, and take offence, and raise a scandal of prejudice, or doubtfulness at least — (1.) Against the truth of the gospel ; (2.) The honour of the church. The latter scandal is obviated in the 20th verse : ' But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth ; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.' The carnal and renewed, the sincerely godly and the hypocrites, live together in the church without any dishonour to the church, or derogation to God's providence ; as in a great family there are divers utensils, some for a nobler, some for a baser use. But the former scandal against the truth of the gospel, which seemed to be weakened in their minds by this perverse opinion, that the resurrection was past, is chiefly obviated in the text. They denied the future estate, and so there was no bliss for them that were persecuted. Now, to comfort them, the apostle telleth them that God hath a reward for those that were faithful with him, and that eternally both in body and soul. So that the meaning of ' The foundation of the Lord standeth sure,' is his obligation and covenant with them in Christ ; and his purpose towards them remains unchangeable and firm, because it is sealed on God's part by his provi- dence, administering all things for the good of the elect ; on man's part, by their conscience of their duty : ' Nevertheless the foundation of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his ; and, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.' In the words observe —
1. The proposition concerning the sureness of God's covenant, * The foundation of the Lord standeth sure.'
2. The confirmation —
[1.] In general, because it is a sealed contract.
[2.] More particularly from the nature of this seal, or the double inscription or motto of it. It hath an inscription or motto agreeing to the condition of the two parties contracting.
(1.) On God's part, * The Lord knoweth them that are his.' God will be faithful and constant in loving those who are his servants.
(2.) On man's part. Yet we are not to be negligent of our duty ; *And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'
I)oct. That whatever errors or scandals arise in the church, yet God's purpose, declared in the gospel, of bringing his peculiar people unto glory, remaineth firm and steady.
This was the truth assaulted by this error, which shook so many, and this is the comfort which the apostle propoundeth to the disciples and servants of Christ.
The point will be made good by explaining the circumstances of the text.
I. The proposition here asserted, 'The foundation of the Lord standeth sure.' All the business will be to show what is the founda- tion of God. Ge/jbiXio^, 'foundation,' is taken sensu forensi ov arclii- iecionico, in the builder's sense or in the lawyer's sense. In the builder's