(2.) God knoweth them. Knowing is put for —
{1st.) His particular notice of them as his peculiar people of all that belong to the election of his grace. He knoweth their persons : Jer. i. 5, 'IBefore I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.' God hath a special care of them, that they may not die in their unregenerate con- dition. He knoweth their names : Exod. xxxiii. 12, ' I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight ; ' and ver. 17, ' 1 will do this thing also which thou hast spoken ; for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know tliee by name.' And it is said of Jesus Christ that * he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out,' John X. 3. He knoweth all his flock particularly, their names and their number by head and poll, even to the meanest and poorest saint :
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John, Andrew, Thomas. He knoweth their necessities, straits, and temptations, cares, griefs, fears, wants, difficulties, and dangers : Mat. vi. 32, ' Your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things.' He knoweth who wanteth food, and raiment, and protection. His eye is never off the saints : Ps. Ivi. 8, ' Thou tellest my wanderings; put thou my tears into thy bottle ; are they not in thy book ? ' Not a drop but is in God's bottle. God doth number their tears, reckon all the steps of their wanderings and pilgrimages ; every weary step through Zipli and Hareph. I tell you, it is God's business in heaven to look after his saints : ' The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through- out the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him,' 2 Chron. xvi. 9. He knoweth all their employments, and how they are to be fitted for them : Gal. i. 15, ' It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace.' He datetli God's care from that time. This child is appointed to be a vessel of mercy, to be employed in an especial manner for God's glory. Thus Jeremiah was designed to be a prophet before he was bred or born ; Paul to be an apostle in his mother's womb. An instance we have of God's particular knowledge in Acts ix. 11, ' The Lord said unto him. Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus ; for behold he prayeth.' Such a town, such a street, such a person, about such a work. God taketh notice of every particular circumstance.
{2d.) As he taketh notice of them, so it is with love, delight, and approbation, verha noiiitce connotant affectus. He embraceth them with special love, delighteth in them as his peculiar people, and approveth of them. Knoiuing beareth this sense for approving ; as Ps. i. 6, ' The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.' So Mat. vii. 23, ' I never knew you ; depart from me, ye workers of iniquity ; ' that is, I do not approve you. The Lord seeth and beholdeth them with mercy, and according to the gracious tenor of the evangelical covenant he approveth and rewardeth all the good purposes and performances of the godly. Here the Lord rests in his love : Zeph. iii. 17, ' The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty ; he will save thee ; he will rejoice over thee with joy : he will rest in his love ; he will joy over thee with singing,' as his peculiar people.
(3d) Knowledge is put for the communication of saving benefits : Gal. iv. 9, ' Now after ye have known God, or rather are known of God.' Sinners in an unconverted estate are such of whom God taketh no notice and knowledge, to wit, so as 'to be familiar with them, and to communicate saving blessings to them ; but thus God knoweth his people, that he will not suffer them to be taken out of his hands.
[2.] The impression that suiteth with our part, or our duty in the covenant, ' Let every one that nameth the name olE Christ depart from iniquity.' Where take notice —
(1.) Of the description of the parties concerned, ' Whoso nameth the name of Christ ; ' that is, maketh profession of being a christian. As the wife is called by the name of her husband : Isa. iv. 1, ' Only let us be called by thy name ; '- the father's name is put on the children :
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Gen. xlviii. 16, * Let my name be named on them ; ' so ' every one that nameth the name of Christ,' that is, so as to entitle himself to him, to be one of his disciples and followers.
(2.) The duty required, ' Let him depart from iniquity.' Where note —
(1st.) That there is a duty required of those that would possess those blessed privileges. Those that presume of their election, and cast away all care of salvation, and let loose the reins to all carnal liberty, they have no title nor right to these comforts. No ; it belongeth to them who live in a conscionable obedience and careful endeavour to please God in all things. No man immediately knoweth his election but by holiness : 1 Thes. i. 4, 5, ' Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God ; for our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost.' We understand things by their effects. God carrieth on the business of salvation in such a manner that he will have his people co-operate by the power they have received from him, taking heed of all things which are contrary thereunto, both in life and doctrine : Phil. ii. 12, ' Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling ; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do, of his good pleasure ; ' and 2 Peter i. 10, ' Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' God's counsel is fulfilled by means, and we can have no knowledge but by the effect.