`Ver.' 2. the 17th Chapter of St. JOHN. 169 SERMON XX. JOHN XVII. t4. While I was with them in the World, I kept them in thy Name: thole that tbori gaveft me, I have kept, and none of them is loft, but the Son of Perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled. N this Verfe Chrift declareth bow he had performed his Duty to the Apoftles, when corporally prefent with them, which Help was now to be removed : He had Paid before, I am no more in the World ; and he faith now, Whil I was with them in the World, I kept them, &c. The Argument is .aken from the Neceiliity of the Requefl, and the Equity of it. r. The Necefiity. He could no longer keep them as he had kept them, by his via- ble Prefence, outward Miniftry, and familiar Converfation 5 therefore he beggeth the Father to keep them. Chrift is careful to remedy every Defel ; when the viable ex- ternal Cuftody was to have an end, then he beggeththe Spiritual. 2. The Equity. Wheníthou commendedft them to me, I kept them ; now I cow- mend them to thee, do thou keep them. Which is not to be fo underftood, as if Chrift did totally refign his Charge unto the Father, or as if the Father and Son kept us by turns : No, as the Father is not hitherto excluded, fo not the Son for the fu. ture. But he fpeaketh of his vifible familiar Prefence and Care, which was now to ceafe; and in lieu of it, he beggeth his Father's Cuftody and Tutelage ; and that upon this Ground, becaufe of his faithfulnefs during his corporal Prefence: In the words, you may obferve, Firft, Chtifl's Care. Secondly, The Fruit of it. r. As to the Elett. 2. As to the Son of Perdition: Which that it might not be fcandalous to his Cuflody, or manner of Keeping, is mot lified by a Prediction or Prophecy of Scripture. [While I was with them in the World] o Corporally, vifbly Prefent, familiarly Con= verfant: He fpeaketh as if he were already gone, becaufe the time of his departure was at hand, [I kept them in thy Name.] Chrift kept them, as Man, inftrumentally i by teach- ing, converting, warning, by daily Precepts and Examples i as God, as the principal Agent, by inward Influxes and Operations of Grace 5 as it is prefently added, in thy Name, by thy Authority and Power, for thy Glory. [ Thole that thou gavefi me, I have kept, and *one Of them are loft.] I shall only open the different manner of Keeping and Lofing, Spiritually and Corporally i none were Y y y loth
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