(2d.) How his duty is expressed, ' Let him depart from iniquity.' Not only retain the faith and profession of Jesus Christ, but depart from all manner of sin.
(1st.) The thing quitted is sin. It is an indefinite expression, which implieth all sin ; not only sensual lusts, as voluptuous living, but pride, ambition, contention, animosity, vainglory. See ver. 21 and 22 of this chapter : ' If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work : flee also youthful lusts, but follow after righteousnes.s faith, charity, peace.' In short, our duty is to keep close to God ; and the departing from iniquity is by sound repentance at first, and by constant holiness of life afterwards, which are as the gate and the way.
(2d.) Though it belongeth to our care, yet God aflfecteth and worketh this obedience in the hearts of the elect, or his peculiar people ; they must attend upon this work, but all is done by the grace and power of the Holy Ghost : Heb. xiii. 20, 21, ' Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.'
Use. We learn lience two things — (1.) A comfortable dependence upon God till our salvation be accomplished ; (2.) The necessity of all holy care and diligence, notwithstanding God's undertaking in the covenant.
1. A comfortable dependence upon God till our salvation be accom- plished. (1.) You are his : Ps. cxix. 94, ' I am thine, save me.' (2.) He knoweth you, and will make a distiuction between you and others:
356 SERMON UPON 2 TIMOTHY II. 19.
John xiii. 18, ' I speak not of you all ; I know whom I have chosen ; ' 2 Peter ii. 9, ' The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.' (3.) He that knoweth you is the Lord, and what is too hard for the Lord ? his divine power can give you all things : 2 Peter i. 3, ' According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness ; ' and 2 Cor. ix. 8, ' God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.' (4.) It is the seal of his foundation, therefore he will unchangeably pursue what shall be for our good : Isa. xiv. 27, ' The Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it ? ' Ps. xlvi. 10, ' My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure ; ' Mai. iii. 6, ' I am the Lord, I change not ; there- fore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.' We often complain, as Israel of old, ' My way is hidden from the Lord, and my judgment passed over by my God,' Isa. xl. 27. He hath forgotten us in the throng of business that is upon his hands, and taketh no notice of us. But here is sufl&cient encouragement for a dependence upon God : ' The founda- tion of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth those that are his.'
2. We learn the necessity of all holy care and diligence, notwith- standing God's undertaking in the covenant. Qui fecit ie sine ie, &c. — God, that made thee without thee, will not save thee without thee. God, that decreed the end, decreeth also the means. (1.) If you name the name of Christ, there must be holiness joined with profession, otherwise you are a dishonour to him, and make him the minister of sin : Gal. ii. 17, 'But if^ while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin ? God forbid.' (2.) Consider the impartiality of your judge. You will not find favour for being a christian in profession only : 1 Peter i. 17, ' If ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.' (3.) You lose your evidence if you do not live as one known of God. External profession is disclaimed : Mat. vii. 21-23, ' Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day. Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you ; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' (4.) As you are concerned in God's foundation, you oblige yourselves to a strict holy life • 1 Peter iii. 21, ' The like figure whereunto even baptism doth now also save us ; not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God ;' and Heb. x. 21, 22, ' Having a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.'