they have no evidence that they are christians, when they exhibit no appearance of holiness in their conduct.

The most distinguishing graces of the gospel may be so successfully counterfeited, that saints can have no certain evidence of their adoption, no further than they have evidence that they walk in the path of truth and holiness. It is however most certain, that they may be real christians, while no distinguishing evidences are seen by men in their conduct. Man looketh upon the outward appearance, while it is the province of Jehovah alone to survey the heart. Men may have in their own minds the most deep and sincere repent. ance for their sins, while it may be concealed from others. David, and Peter, and many other eminent christians, for a time, lost all appearance of piety. The same fact is undeniably evident from the parable of the ten virgins. "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bride-groom tarried, they all slumbered and slept," &c. a

Without referring to the custom to which this parable alludes, or, attempting to give it a critical explanation, we may notice the following things, as having a direct bearing on the subject before us, 1 Real christians may be asleep. "They all slumbered and slept. 2. Others may have the appearance of religion without the reality. "The foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them." "And they said unto the wise, give us of your oil for our lamps are gone out." 3 There may be a radical difference between men, when that difference cannot be discovered. Both the wise and foolish had lamps,

a Math. xxv. 1-8

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and lamps may be seen; but both had not oil, and oil is not

seen.

3. It is not meant by the perseverance of the saints, that such as have been born again, will be saved let them do what they will. It would be a contradiction in terms. We might with equal propriety assert, that they will certainly persevere, though they fall away:

4. It is meant by Perseverance, that all who are regenerated and made partakers of the grace of God, although they may be left to occasional imperfections, and to commit very aggravating sins; will be enabled so far to hold on their way as on the whole to wax stronger and stronger, till the work of sanctification be completed. In other words, it is meant, that "He which hath begun a good work in them, will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ." a

Q. What evidence have we of the truth of this doctrine ? A. One argument may be derived from the fact, that God is determined to save some of our race. If any thing can be inferred concerning his designs, from what he has done; it is certain that he means to save some. If he has given his only begotten Son to die for sinners, if he has revealed the terms on which his merits may be applied to them, and if he has provided many mansions for the eternal residence of those to whom they are applied; we must believe that he has determined the salvation of some at least. The supposition that he has been at this expense, while in his own mind, it was uncertain whether a single individual should ever be benefitted by it; must be considered a base reflection upon his character. But if he has so far determined the salvation of any individuals, that their salvation is certain; it will be seen that upon every legitimate principle of reasoning, their perseverance is equally certain. We are brought to the same

o Phil: i. 6.

conclusion, by an argument to which we have already alluded, while discussing the doctrine of election. It was clearly and it is believed satisfactorily shown, that unless God be changeable, whatever he does, he had forever determined to do. That he does, by conviction, conversion, and by sanctification, save some, will not be disputed; and by consequence, the perseverance of such must be infallibly cer

tain.

2. The truth of this doctrine is evident, from the metaphors which are used in the Bible, to represent the security of the Saints. In some passages our Saviour is called the good Shepherd. "I am the good Shepherd. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and I give unto them eternal life." a Other shepherds, while the shades of night are spread over them, by wolves and beasts of prey, may be robbed of their flocks; but who will say that he who never slumbers nor sleeps, whose eyes are to the ends of the earth, and who has laid down his life for the sheep, will permit them to be torn from his fold? When some adversary more wakeful and more powerful, shall attack the good Shepherd; then, and not till then may we reasonably entertain fears, that his sheep may be destroyed.

Again, such is the connexion between the Saviour and his church, that they are represented as being one body. "And he is the head of the body, the church." b "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." c The same idea is exhibited in a number of other passages. d If this metaphor does not represent the connexion between the Saviour and his people as being indissoluble, it would be diffi cult to find one that would; and indeed it would be difficult to frame a proposition, whether a metaphor be employed or not, that would exhibit such a connexion, in a more clear and

a John x. 27. 28. b Col, i. 18. c I Cor. xii. 27. 1 Cor x. 16. & xii, 18. Eph. iv. 12.

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conclusive manner. of its members, without becoming to some extent a cripple. How can we believe that metaphors, indicating a connexion as near and as strong as this, would be so often used in the Scriptures, if such a connexion did not exist ?

It is impossible for a body to lose one

Again, the children of God are represented as being incorporated with Jesus Christ, into one building. The apostle Paul observes to his Ephesian brethren who were Gentiles, "Ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets; Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together, for a habitation of God through the Spirit." a Would that building be complete from the body of which one single stone should be removed? When one stone is removed, the second may be removed with the greater ease, and what security can we have if the adversary be able to remove one; that the whole temple will not be soon in ruins ?

Again, christians are represented as belonging to the same family with the Lord Jesus Christ. They are called his brethren. Brethren of the same family, will not be very ready to give up each other to their common enemy, if they are able to prevent it.

3.

Another important argument in the view of the candid, may be drawn from those passages, which seem to admit that real christians, may lose the life and appearance of religion to a lamentable, degree; which at the same time, show us that they will not wholly apostatize. "A just man falleth seven times and riseth again" b "But God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; But will with the temptation make a way to escape." This a Eph, ii. 19-22. b Prov. xxiv. 16. c 1 Cor. x 13.

*

passage very plainly implies that men may to a great extent, be drawn away by the influence of temptation, and yet, through the faithfulness of God may be prevented from final apostacy. The apostle Paul in his epistle to Timothy admonishes him to shun certain teachers, alledging that by their corrupt instruction they had "Overthrown the faith of some." How often is this passage cited to prove that saints may finally apostatize from the favour of God? The Aposthe, as though he were aware, that such a sentiment by a careless reading might be drawn from his declaration, and as though he meant studiously to guard against it; adds in the next verse; "Nevertheless the foundation of the Lord standeth sure having this seal, the "Lord knoweth them that are his." a From this we have an undoubted right to conclude that the faith, which had been overthrown, was not a living, but a cold and dead faith. From this passage, it is also plain that although persons may have a faith, and may have for a while the semblance of religion, and finally apostatize; their apostacy is no evidence against the doctrine we are attempting to support.

4. All the perfections in the character of God, seem to be pledged for the support of this doctrine. In the passage we have just cited, the foundation on which the saints are built, is said to be as sure as the knowledge of God. "The foundation of the Lord standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his." The force of the Apostles argument in this passage appears to be this; as certain as it is that the Lord knoweth who are his; so certain it is, that they will continue to be his, and not make shipwreck of their faith. Who would call in question the knowledge of God?

The power of God is also pledged in support of thris

a Tim. ii 18, 19.