THE SECURITY OF GOD's CHILDREN.
Matt, xviii. 14. It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
OF all the images used in the Holy Scriptures for the representing of the Christian character, that of a little child is perhaps the most just and the most in- structive. Its simplicity, its teachableness, its entire dependence on its parents for all things that are needful, render it a fit pattern for our imitation ; so that our blessed Lord, when he would shew his Disciples the most exalted of all characters, *' took a little child, and set him in the midst of them ;" and declared, that the person who most resembled such a child was " the greatest in the kingdom of heaven''." But, whilst the resemblance is to be traced chiefly in the dispositions of the mind, it will be found also in the utter incapacity of a child to protect itself, or to supply its own necessities. The state of God's children upon earth is one of great danger; insomuch, that they must of necessity perish, if he do not continually
^ ver. 4.
exert himself in their behalf. But, helpless as they are, it is the purpose and determination of God that not one of them shall ever perish. In confirmation of this truth, I will endeavour to set before you,
I. Their dangers —
All the Lord's people are exposed to many and great dangers ;
1 . From the corruption of their own hearts —
[TJiey are by nature as depraved as other men, and as liable to commit every species of iniquity ]
2. From the temptations which beset them on every side —
[They have not a desire, to the gratification of which they will not find incentives, wherever they go ]
3. From the assaults of their great adversary, the devil —
[He is justly represented as a serpent for subtlety, and as a lion for strength: and his efforts to destroy them are inces- sant : " As a roaring lion, he goes about seeking whom he may devour." And who can understand his wiles, or be suf- ficiently on his guard against his devices? He has all the powers of darkness also confederate with him, for the destruc- tion of the Lord's people. And who would be able to with- stand him, if Almighty God himself did not stand forth for their help ? If left to his assaults, not any child of man could ever be saved ]
4. From the pernicious influence of false brethren —
[To these, especial reference is made in the preceding context^. " It must needs be that offences will come:" some dishonouring the Gospel by their unholy lives ; and others departing from it altogether. The effect of such examples is pernicious in the extreme : and, inasmuch as they prevail in every age of the Church, every one will be more or less in danger of being drawn to abandon the faith which has been so dishonoui-ed by them''.]
But, in our text, we see,
11. Their security —
1. God regards them as his peculiar property —
[It is this consideration which induces a shepherd to go in search of a sheep that he has lost. If there be only one
^ ver. 7. *= 2 Pet. ii. 2,
1381.1 THE SECURITY OF GOD's CHILDREN. 477
out of a hundred that goes from the fold, he will search and inquire till he find it. And to this he is stimulated by the consideration that it is his property"^. Now, God regards his " little ones" in this view. Even the lambs of the flock are not despised by him. " He has loved them with an everlasting love :" " he has chosen them in Christ before the foundation of the world ;" and " predestinated them to the adoption of children," and set them apart to be a peculiar people for him- self. Hence he feels a peculiar interest in them, and keeps his eye continually fixed upon them for good. He has given them from all eternity to his dear Son, to be his purchased possession : and they shall therefore be reserved as jewels to adorn his crown.]