[2.] Neither is this spoken to hinder the comfort and encouragement which ariseth from the application of this doctrine. The belief of per- severance in the general is one thing, and the belief of my perseverance is another. That is not so evident and certain every way as the doc- trine itself ; for my own sincerity is more questionable than the truth of God's promise : conclusio sequitur debiliorem partem — the conclusion follows the weaker part. It is certain that ' he that believeth in Christ hath eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,' John v. 24 ; because it is a truth revealed in the word of God. Amen, the faithful witness, hath assured us of it. But I am a true believer ; this may be certain and evidenced to me by such real arguments and grounds of confidence as I have no reason to doubt of it ; yet it depending upon spiritual sense and experience, it is not so unquestionably certain as the word of God is. Therefore this being the limiting proposition, the con- clusion can bear no more weight than this proposition hath truth in it. Therefore while I am but making out my claim, as I am doing through- out the whole course of my life ; though there be no uncertainty in the case, yet since there is no difficulty in the case, I may, and must say with the apostle, ' I press on if I may apprehend ; ' yet while I am-
VfiR. 12.] BEKMOM UPON PHILIPPIAXS in. 79
labouring, and striving, and persevering in my faith, love, and obedi- ence, I may encourage myself in the love, faithfulness, and power of God to keep me as he hath kept me hitherto, and that he will preserve me in all difficulties and temptations : 1 Cor. i. 9, ' God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;' 1 Thes. v. 23, 24, 'And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that hath called you, who also will do it.'
II. Yet they cannot look upon themselves as quite out of all danger, and past all care and holy solicitude. We are not yet out of gun- shot till we come to the end of our race, and are conquerors over all opposition.
Seasons.
1. Because there is no period put to our duty but life ; and it is not enough to begin with God, but we must go on in his way till we come home to him. We must not give over working till we obtain our reward : Heb. iii. 6, 14, ' But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of our hope firm unto the end. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end ; ' Heb. vi. 11, ' And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end.' These places show we have not done our work till we have done our lives. We must not give over running in the race till we obtain the prize. Though we are translated from death to life, we are not translated from earth to heaven ; and therefore you must work, and ' work out your salvation with fear and trembling,' Phil. ii. 12.
2. During our lives upon earth there is somewhat yet more to do, and something yet more to suffer ; some lust to conquer, some grace to strengthen. Paul was not perfect.
[1.] Sin is slowly weakened, and never perfectly subdued. There is a continual conflict between the flesh and the spirit : Gal. v. 17, ' For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh ; and these are contrary one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.' The leading and commanding faculties of the soul do but imperfectly lead and command ; and the faculties that should be commanded and led do but imperfectly obey, yea, often rebel, being put into a distemper by the senses. Now there is danger in a kingdom, where there is a feeble empire, and rebellious subjects.
[2.] There are continual oppositions from the devil and the world, whereby the weak measure of grace present is often interrupted. As sin within disturbeth it, so Satan and the world incessantly assault it. Therefore we must not give over watching till Satan give over tempting, nor striving till the world give over opposing. Well, many a storm and tempest you must expect, and possibly you may be put upon stranger trials than any yet you have undergone. Therefore, if hitherto you have forsaken all and followed Christ, you must follow him to the end. Temptations will haunt you to the last hour of your lives ; there- fore you must watch and pray that you fall not by these temptations, Mat. xxvi. 41. The danger is not over whilst you are in the way.
80 SERMONS UPON PHILIPPIANS III. [SER. VIII.