059. Foreordination

Foreordination

2Ti 1:8-10. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Every dispensation of the Divine Providence seems to be the basis and the preparation of a farther display of wisdom and goodness. The last discovered purpose of the Eternal Mind, is the continuation, the extension, and the improvement of that which immediately preceded it; and the glory hitherto displayed in the ways and works of God, however excellent, is hastening to lose itself in “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” yet to be revealed. Periods of immeasurable, incomprehensible duration had flowed, before this fair and majestic frame of nature was called into existence. For we read of a purpose of grace formed and given “before the world began,” and of “a kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world;” of an election made, and of “eternal life promised, of God who cannot lie, before the foundation of the world.” Who can tell what systems have preceded that which now exists? We know from Scripture that one more glorious is to succeed it. “According to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”[*]2Pe 3:13--And who can tell what future systems may arise in endless progression? As well might the fluttering insect, which was born in the morning and perishes at night, presume to dive into the ages beyond the flood, or with bold, adventurous wing attempt to soar into the heaven of heavens, and declare the wonders of the world of spirits. But though system may succeed system, though dispensations change, one thing is immutable, “the gracious purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” One great object was kept in view before the world began, is still kept in view through the whole extent of its duration; and is to be pursued through the endless ages of eternity. Do you need, Christian, to be told what it is? The salvation of the world by Christ Jesus. It is a little thing to say, that Abraham saw his day afar off: that of him Moses wrote, Isaiah prophesied, David sung, and Paul preached. “These things the angels desire to look into.” On this exalted theme the everlasting counsels of peace revolved; to mature them, the powers of heaven and earth were shaken; and to bring them to their consummation, a new creation shall expand infinite space, and a succession of ages that are never, never to expire. Placed at whatever point in this immense sphere, our eyes are still attracted to the glorious Center, from which all light, and life, and joy, issue; and in whose light every inferior orb revolves and shines. The epistle of the great apostle of the Gentiles from which I have taken the subject of this Discourse, is addressed to Timothy, whom he styles his “dearly beloved son in the gospel,” and who had been ordained first bishop of the church of the Ephesians. Paul himself was at that time a prisoner at Rome, and totally uncertain respecting the issue of a cause which affected his life, before the imperial court. What mercy, what justice was to be expected from such a prince as Nero--the monster who could fire his country, shed the blood of his virtuous preceptor, and destroy his own mother? But we behold in the prisoner a spirit much exalted above the roar of a tyrant, a mind prepared for the worst that could befall him, and expressing anxiety, not about personal safety, but about the success of the gospel, and the steadfastness of a beloved disciple. He solemnly charges that disciple not to suffer himself to be one moment shaken in the faith, by the persecution to which the cause of Christ had exposed himself, or the ills which he might still be called to endure for the testimony of Jesus: and, to enforce his charge, he suggests a view of the gospel which eclipses all created glory, “stills the enemy and the avenger,” plucks from death his sting, and robs the grave of its boasted victory. He represents Timothy and himself as engaged in a cause, which the great God himself, before all worlds, regarded as of superior importance, and made peculiarly his own; which “at sundry times and in divers manners” he disclosed, and which at length, “by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, be made manifest” to all men. Paul glories in the idea of being a worker together with God in this generous design; in his appointment to the office of “a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles,” in the great mystery of godliness; in displaying and dispensing to a guilty, perishing world, the unsearchable riches of Christ--who had “abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” In tracing the history of the patriarchs who lived both before and since the flood, from Adam to Abraham, and from Abraham to Moses, we have endeavored to point out this unity of design, this steadiness of co-operation, this progress of discovery. By whatever name the typical person is designated, patriarch, prophet, high priest, under the Old Testament dispensation; whatever be the designation of the ministering servant under the New, apostle, evangelist, pastor, or elder, the office and the end of the institution is one and the same--to declare the Son of God, the Savior of men, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, onto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”[*]Eph 4:13

Borne down the current of divine revelation, we have arrived with Israel at the mountain that burned with fire, and at awful distance, with trembling eyes beheld its summit involved in clouds, clothed in terror; and with wonder and joy contemplated the cloud dispersing, the thunder ceasing, the terror done away, and Mount Sinai transformed into Mount Zion. Whatever farther progress we make, in whatever direction we proceed, we shall find this exceeding high mountain still in view; and, whether under the conduct of the leader and commander of Israel, or of the Champion of Christianity, we are equally led by “one” and the same “Spirit” in “one hope,” to “one Lord, one faith, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all.”[*]Eph 4:5-6

We shall endeavor to connect our past and following Course of Lectures, by the view here presented to us by the apostle, of the plan of Providence in the redemption of the world; and the execution of it, “by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ.”--And you will be pleased to observe,

I. It is God’s own purpose. The contrivance, the discovery, the progress, the accomplishment, all, all is from heaven. In what relates to this world, in what contributes to the sustentation and comfort of a transient life, human sagacity, ingenuity, and industry may challenge a little praise. Men soon invented and improved the necessary, useful, and ornamental arts. They soon learned to build cities, to work in brass and iron, to “handle the harp and organ.” But their dexterity, address, perseverance, and success in the pursuit of perishable interests, form an humiliating contrast with their awkwardness, indolence, inattention, and incapacity in their higher, their spiritual, and everlasting concerns. Wise in trifles, or to do evil, how to do good they find not. The experiment was permitted to be fully made. It was proved how far the powers of nature could go. Egypt, Assyria, Greece, Rome, improved one upon another; and what was the result? “The world by wisdom knew not God.” They became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”[*]Rom 1:22-23 To increase our wonder and mortification, when God’s purpose of mercy was declared, when his method of salvation was revealed, men were “slow of heart to believe.” They “resisted the Holy Spirit;” Christ “came to his own and his own received him not.” The disciples themselves understood not, believed not “what the prophets had spoken.” No wonder then that the doctrine of the cross was “to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks, foolishness.” Here then is a purpose, which not only is not of man’s forming, but which man uniformly and violently opposed. In other cases, we behold the wisdom of God blending itself with human counsels, directing, subduing them to its determination, and the great God graciously condescending to divide his glory with the creature. But if there be a design more peculiarly his, from which he claims undivided praise, which was not, which could not be of man, nor “according to our works,” it is this, the gracious design of “saving them that believe,” by Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

II. This leads us forward to observe, that as the work of redemption is Jehovah’s own peculiar purpose, so it is a purpose of grace. The thoughts of “the Father of Spirits,” are unfolded, and they are “thoughts of peace.” Transporting view! Behold the greatest and most glorious of all beings employing himself in devising the means of doing good, of communicating happiness, of relieving the miserable; and forming a scheme of benevolence which extends from eternity to eternity, and comprehends innumerable myriads of rational beings restored, recovered from ignorance, from guilt, from misery, to wisdom, to holiness, to perfect and exalted felicity. Blessed purpose! The formation of man, the creation of an universe are only parts of it. Man was formed that he might be redeemed; was sent into this world to be prepared “for heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” The firmament was expanded, adorned, lighted up, to witness the display of “the exceeding riches of the grace of God, in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus;” and every successive opening of the plan of Providence is only a new discovery, a more endearing expression of the love of Christ, “which passeth knowledge,” of “the peace of God which passeth all understanding.” Think, O guilty man, think, O my soul, what a purpose of justice, think what a purpose of wrath would have been, had “God sent his Son into the world to condemn the world!” The spirit fails at the dreadful thought. Behold an insulted God descending to confound the pride and presumption of the builders of Babel; and mark their speedy dispersion. Behold a righteous God descended on a purpose of fiery indignation against polluted Sodom; and consider, in trembling silence, the smoke of her torment ascending up to heaven. Behold a whole world of ungodly men overwhelmed with the waters of a deluge; and learn how dreadful, how inconceivably dreadful a deliberate purpose of vengeance is. And, when you have pondered it well, reflect with wonder, gratitude, and delight, that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life;”[*]John 3:16 that Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. Again,

III. This purpose of God, this purpose of grace was formed before the world began. Human purposes are feeble, fluctuating, unenlightened; obstructed by unforeseen events, they are constrained to change their direction, and to assume a new form. The imperfect work which through many difficulties is at length executed, bears no manner of resemblance to the original design. Man performs what he may, because he cannot effect what he would. He is governed by circumstances over which he has no power. But the distinctions of past and future, vanish away from before the eye of God. There can be no difficulty in the way of almighty power, nothing concealed from the view of omniscience. The duration of a world shrinks into a single moment before Him who is “from everlasting to everlasting.” Contingency and chance can have no effect on the counsels of Him “who seeth the end from the beginning,” and saith, “My counsel shall stand, and I will fulfil all my pleasure.”

Christianity as old as the creation! It boasts a much more ancient date. The creation is of yesterday, the world is not yet six thousand years old; but Christianity is of the essence of God himself. It bears date “of old, even from everlasting.” “This pure river of water of life” proceeds out of the throne of God, who dwells in inaccessible light. Imagination wearies itself, thought is lost, in tracing it up to its source. Bless the Lord, O my soul, who from eternity, in the greatness of his might, in the plenitude of his goodness, in the incomprehensibility of his wisdom, condescended to fix the bounds of thy habitation, to arrange the events of thy mortal existence, to prepare thy place in the heavenly mansions; who “before the world began” surveyed with complacency and delight his own benevolent design, his own glorious work, the universe which he was about to speak into being, the bit of clay he was to fashion into a man, the immortal spirit which his breath was to inspire, the needy, perishing wretch whom his mercy was to redeem. But,

IV. The blessed Author of this gracious, everlasting purpose, has revealed and bestowed it in his own way. He “hath saved us,” “not according to our works,” nor in the way of our own wisdom--it is given us in Christ Jesus. From the formation of the merciful plan of salvation to its consummation in glory, the necessity of a mediator is never for a single moment left out of view. His name, like a sweet perfume, is wafted on the wings of every wind. Survey the world of nature through all its vast extent, and in its minutest particle, and we behold the omnific “Word by whom all things were made, and without whom nothing was made that is made.” He also “upholdeth all by the word of his power;” “all power is given unto him in heaven and in earth.” Open the history of redemption at whatever page, and it still unfolds the mercy of God through Christ Jesus our Lord. Conducted of the Spirit back to the eternal days of uncreated light, admitted to the deliberations of the councils of peace, we hear the Son of God proclaim, “I am Alpha,” “the beginning.” Carried forward in joyful hope to the day when he shall “make all things new,” the same voice still proclaims, “I am Omega,” “the ending,” “who was, and is, and is to come.” Search the Scriptures; consult the prophets; to him they “all give witness.” Meditate the promises; “all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him amen, unto the glory of God.” Examine the record; this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life; and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”[*]1Jn 5:11-12 Consider the ministration of angels; the covenant of promise “was ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator.” Hearken to a voice from the most excellent glory: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him.” All is light and glory; but not a single ray of light is transmitted through any medium but this. All is grace--free, sovereign grace; but there is not one intimation given, not one act of favor conferred, but through the “one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.” To him let every knee bow, to him every tongue confess, of things in earth and things in heaven. What saith the Scripture? “He putteth no trust in his saints, and his angels he chargeth with folly.” Is not this a plain declaration, that the highest and holiest of created beings are imperfect and dependent; that they stand in need of a Mediator and Advocate in order to their acceptance with a holy God? And is it not for this reason, that, “when he bringeth in the First-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him?”--It being the fundamental law of God’s everlasting kingdom before the world was, and after it shall be burnt up and pass away, with all that it contains, under patriarchs, prophets, and apostles, under the legal and under the evangelical dispensation, under the dominion of grace and in glory, on earth and in heaven, that there should be access to hope in, and acceptance with God, for men and for angels, only through the Son of his love, the eternal Word which made and supports all things.

V. In conformity with this glorious purpose and grace in Christ Jesus, what hath been executed? Everything worthy of a design so grand, everything worthy of its great “Author,” worthy of the glorious “Finisher of our faith.” His appearing hath made it manifest. The clearest sighted of the prophets, like the blind man only half restored to vision, saw men but as trees walking, but now, under the gospel, the dullest and most despised among believers sees everything plainly; he sees the eternal purpose of God written in characters which he can read and understand; he compares the model with the structure, and finds the tabernacle erected in the plain, the perfect counterpart of the pattern delivered in the mount--He finds the Scriptures fulfilled, the predictions verified, the types explained, realized, justified; all things finished in and by the Lord Christ.

What hath been executed? He hath abolished death, that hated, hideous specter, through fear of whom the fallen posterity of Adam are “subject to bondage.” He path restrained the power, put an end to the dominion, annihilated the existence of the king of terrors. Through sin death gained admission into the world; in sin his empire is founded; by sin he is armed with a mortal sting. By the great propitiation for sin he is banished thence, his reign is terminated, his sting is plucked out. Ask that sickly, pining creature, what it would be to have the disease which is perceptibly preying upon his vitals abolished? Ask that dejected prisoner of despair, what it would be to have his debt discharged, and the writ of his confinement abolished? Ask the wretch condemned, what it would be to have the fatal handwriting of judgment that is against him abolished! And let the answers you would receive convey, as well as they can, a sense of the obligation under which we lie, to Him, who hath done away the deadly, plague which wastes, which threatens, which destroys the soul; to Him, who hath paid the enormous debt “to the uttermost farthing,” purchased a release, set open the prison doors; to Him who hath cancelled the awful sentence of a righteous God, “nailing it to his cross.” He hath abolished death, with all the woe that leads to it, all the dreadful woe that is in it, all the more tremendous woe that succeeds sickness and pain, anguish and old age: the bitter pang that rends asunder the body and the spirit; the hell that follows. And by what wonderful means hath all this been effected? “through death” he has destroyed “him that had the power of death.” Into his own snare the deceiver has fallen; by his own weapons the enemy has been disarmed; his own triumph hath proved his ruin. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”[*]1Co 15:55-57

What hath been executed? He hath brought life and immortality to light. It is more than flattering hope or fond desire; it is more than the speculation of a philosophic mind, or the presumptuousness of reasoning pride; it is more than patriarchal confidence, or the dawning light of Mosaic revelation. It is desire warranted, and hope supported by facts: it is reason justified and confirmed by demonstration; it is the morning light of promise, advanced to the perfect day of discovery and accomplishment. “He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”[*]Rom 8:11 “For if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”[*]1Th 4:14 This is not the cold peradventure of a sage, saying, “If in this I err, I willingly err;” but the blessed assurance or an apostle, saying, “I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”[*]2Ti 1:12 “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”[*]2Ti 4:6-8 And can it be necessary to inquire who caused this light to arise? Who removed the veil, and disclosed the hidden glories of eternity? What power could tune the human tongue to such raptures, and inspire a mortal breast with such holy and triumphant joy? “God is the Lord, which hath show ed us light.” It is “the revelation of Jesus Christ, who showeth to his servants things which must shortly come to pass.” “By the gospel life and immortality are brought to light;” “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”[*]Col 1:26-27

Learn hence the folly and danger of all opposition to the plans of eternal Providence. “He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength who hath hardened himself against Him and hath prospered?”[*]Job 9:4 “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”[*]Psa 2:2-4;Psa 2:6;Psa 2:8 “If this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”[*]Acts 5:38-39 “Verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”[*]Mat 5:18 “Woe be to him who striveth with his Maker.” Sinner, learn wisdom in time; cease from the ruinous contention; “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks;” thou art wounding, destroying only thyself. “Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”[*]Psa 2:12

Christians, be of good courage; “in patience possess ye your souls.” God will support and vindicate the cause that is his own. His truth and faithfulness, evinced by the interposition of ages past, are a full security for his care and attention through ages to come. Time, which impairs all things else, gives stability, force, and effect to the purposes of Heaven. The dissolution of the frame of nature is the consummation of the work of redemption. As the writings of Moses are an improvement upon the traditional knowledge of the antediluvian world; and as the gospel is an improvement upon the law and the prophets, so, “according to his promise,” we look for a new economy, which shall be an improvement upon, and an extension, confirmation, and accomplishment of the gospel dispensation.

Learn to aspire after the honor and happiness of working together with God in forwarding this gracious design: It is the glory of the most exalted of all beings; and therefore, surely, deservedly claims the employment of the noblest powers of man. What heart would not rejoice in putting forth a helping hand towards rearing this blessed fabric, were it but to drive a pin, or fasten a cord. Remember that carelessness here is highly criminal; that to sit still is not only robbing yourself of the most exquisite pleasure, and declining the highest honor of which your nature is capable, but is at the same time the highest insult to your Creator, and the most certain means of incurring his displeasure. Look around you, and observe these myriads of fellow-creatures, less favored of heaven than you are; consider them well, and be to them in the place of God. Extend to them that compassion which the Father of mercies hath extended toward thee.

See, my brothers, they are deformed, diseased in body; they are distressed in their circumstances; they are grieved in mind; alas, they “are dead in trespasses and sins!” Lost to God, lost to all the valuable purposes of existence, better for them they had never been born. But yet they are your brethren; they are susceptible of pleasure and pain like you; the same sun enlightens them; the gospel aims at relieving them as well as you; the same God created, and sustains, and cares for you both. Have pity upon them; strive to restore them to peace with themselves, to peace with the world, to peace with God. “It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”[*]Mat 18:14 “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy upon them.” Let the purpose of grace comprehend them, even them also.

Son of God, who didst restore agility to the lame, sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, the faculty of speech to the dumb, life to the dead, and who givest wisdom to the wise,--thou shalt renovate all things, thou shalt abolish death and point out the path of life! O, I shall bless thee with transports of joy ineffable, in the day when the powers of heaven shall be shaken, and the heavens pass away with a great noise, and the earth with all that it contains shall be consumed. Then thy suffering creatures, delivered from all the ills which oppressed them, shall be clothed upon with a glorious and immortal body, fashioned like to thy glorious body; shall be perfectly conformed to thy blessed image--the image of the first-born among many brethren! Then the Savior of the world shall pronounce, not from the expiring agony of the cross, but from the radiance of a throne above the skies, “It is finished!” Then He who “maketh all things new,” shall with complacency contemplate this second glorious creation, and proclaim “all is good, yea, very good!”