[3.] Obedience. Personal obedience, in the iniiversal observation of all the commands of Christ, is the keeping of his word, John
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xiv. 15. Close adherence unto Christ inhohness and universal obe- dience, then when the opposition that the gospel of Christ doth meet withal in the world doth render it signally the word of his patience, is the life and soul of the duty required.
Now, all these are to be so managed with that intension of mind and spirit, that care of heart and diligence of the whole person, as to make up a keeping of this word ; which evidently includes all these considerations.
We are arrived, then, to the sum of this safeguarding duty, of this condition of freedom from the power of temptation : — He that, having a due acquaintance with the gospel in its excellencies, as to him a word of mercy, holiness, liberty, and consolation, values it, in all its concernments, as his choicest and only treasure,^ — makes it his busi- ness and the work of his life to give himself up unto it in universal obedience, then especially when opposition and apostasy put the patience of Christ to the utmost, — he shall be preserved from the hour of temptation.
This is that which is comprehensive of all that went before, and is exclusive of all other ways for the obtaining of the end purposed. Nor let any man think without this to be kept one hour from enter- ing into temptation ; wherever he fails, there temptation entei's. That this will be a sure preservative may appear from the ensuing consi- derations : —
(1.) It hath the promise of preservation, and this alone hath so. It is solemnly promised, in the place mentioned, to the church of Philadelphia on this account. When a great trial and temptation was to come on the world, at the opening of the seventh seal, Rev. vii. 3, a caution is given for the preservation of God's sealed ones, which are described to be those who keep the word of Christ ; for the promise is that it should be so.
Now, in every promise there are three things to be considered : — [1.] The faithfulness of the Father, who gives it. [2.] The grace of the Son, which is the matter of it. [3.] The power and eficacy of the Holy Ghost, which puts the promise in execution. And all these are engaged for the preservation of such persons from the hour of temptation.
[1.] TMe faithfulness of God accompanieth the promise. On this account is our deliverance laid, 1 Cor. x. 13. Thoiigh we be tempted, yet we shall be kept from the hour of temptation; it shall not grow too strong for us. What comes on us we shall be able to bear; and what would be too hard for us we shall escape. But what security have we hereof ? Even the faithfulness of God: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you," etc. And wherein is God's faithfulness seen and exercised? " He is faithful that promised," Heb. x. 23; his
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faithfulness consists in his discharge of his promises. " He abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself/' 2 Tim. ii. 13. So that by being under the promise, we have the faithfulness of God engaged for our preservation.
[2.] There is in every promise of the covenant the grace of the Son; that is the subject-matter of all promises: " I will keep thee." How? " By my grace with thee." So that what assistance the grace of Christ can give a soul that hath a right in this promise, in the hour of temptation it shall enjoy it. Paul's temptation grew very high; it was likely to have come to its prevalent hour. He " besought the Lord," that is, the Lord Jesus Christ, for help, 2 Cor. xii. 8 ; and re- ceived that answer from him, " My grace is sufficient for thee," verse 9. That it was the Lord Christ and his grace with whom he had peculiarly to do is evident from the close of that verse : "I will glory in my infirmity, that the power of Christ may rest upon me ;" or " the efficacy of the grace of Christ in my preservation be made evident." So Heb. ii. 18.
[3.] The efficacy of the Spirit accompanieth the promises. He is called " The Holy Spirit of promise ;" not only because he is pro- mised by Christ, but also because he effectually makes good the pro- mise, and gives it accomplishment in our souls. He also, then, is engaged to preserve the soul walking according to the rule laid down. See Isa. lix. 21. Thus, where the promise is, there is all this assistance. The faithfulness of the Father, the gTace of the Son, the power of the Spirit, all are engaged in our preservation.
(2.) This constant, universal keeping of Christ's word of patience will keep the heart and soul in such a frame, as wherein no prevalent temptation, by vktue of any advantages whatever, can seize upon it, so as totally to prevail against it. So David prays, Ps. xxv. 21, " Let integrity and uprightness preserve me." This integrity and upright- ness is the Old Testament-keeping the word of Christ, — universal close walking with God. Now, how can they preserve a man? Why, by keeping his heart in such a frame, so defended on every side, that no evil can approach or take hold on him. Fail a man in his integrity, he hath an open place for temptation to enter, Isa. Ivii. 21. To keep the word of Christ, is to do it universally, as hath been showed. Q'his exercises gi'ace in all the faculties of the soul, and compasses it with the whole armour of God. The understanding is full of light ; the affections, of love and holiness. Let the wind blow from Avhat quarter it will, the soul is fenced and fortified ; let the enemy assault when or by what means he pleaseth, all things in the soul of such a one are upon the guard ; " How can I do this thing, and sin against God?" is at hand. Especially, upon a twofold account doth deliverance and security arise from this hand ; —