John 10:28–30

In the last branch of the answer, least they should account it a small losse to be none of his sheep; Christ, to grieve them who would not embrace him, lets them see the fair priviledges and allowance which he conserreth upon his sheep. And, 1. He assures them of eternal life, and of perseverance, till they come to the full fruition thereof, ver. 28.—2. He confirmes this, from his own and his Fathers power, which is employed about them, for their preservation, and which is above all opposition, ver.—28, 29. 3. He confirmes further wherefore he had joyned his own power with the Fathers in this work, by shewing, that he and the Father are one in essence, and consequently have the same power and will. And therefore as none can pluck them out of the Fathers hand, so none can pluck them out of his hand, who is one with the Father, ver. 30.

From verse 28. Learn, 1. Such as come not to Christ, are great losers, and the happy condition of these who would not follow them, will be their eye-sore one day; Therefore doth Christ preach to them the fair priviledges of his people, to let them see how far they prejudged themselves, and to vexe them. See Psal. 112.10. Mic. 7.10. 2. All who come to Christ indeed, get eternal life begun in them, in the bud of grace, and in their right by faith; for, I give (saith he, in the present time) unto them eternal life. See 1 Joh. 3.9. 1 Pet. 1.5. Luk. 22.29, 30. 3. This great priviledge is Christs gift, being both purchased and applyed by him; for, I give unto them eternal life. 4. Albeit Christs converted people may have many shakings and tossings in their condition; Yet their final perseverance, till they come to full possession of eternal life, is certain: so that whatever they lose by the way, yet they will not lose themselves eternally: Therefore he who giveth eternal life, doth also promise, and they shall never perish. 5. When Christ conferres his special favours and allowances on his sheep, he doth also take a charge of them and their allowances, and hath a special care of them; for, so is imported here, the sheep, to whom eternal life is given, are in my hand, saith he. The forme of speech, to be in his hand, imports not only that they are under his power, to do with them what he will, so that nothing is to be feared if he desert them not; But more especially, it points out, that they are still in his sight and under his care, whereby he testifieth his affection, and prevents any prejudice to them. 6. Such as are owned by Christ as his sheep, and so are put in a blessed condition, will not want adversaries to oppose them, and to endevour to bring them down from their happinesse; for, it is supposed here, that there will be somewhat (to wit, Satan, the world, and their own flesh) to endevour to pluck them out of his hand. 7. Albeit the Lord do conferre grace and faith upon his own, yet that is not sufficient to secure them; but these might decay of themselves, if it were not for the purpose of God in conferring thereof, and his power and everlasting armes, preserving the same; Therefore it is that, for securing of them, they need to be in his hand. 8. Christ is so unchangable in his purposes of love, and so invincible in his power, that nothing shall be able to hinder their perseverance unto eternal life, whom he takes in his custody and charge; Therefore doth he confirme their perseverance thus, Neither shall any pluck them out of my hands. As for these who grant that, indeed none can pluck them out, unlesse they go out willingly of themselves; they do clearly impugne Christs reasoning, who upon this, that none shall pluck them out of his hand, doth inferre, that they shall never perish, whereas granting that distinction, it might be said, they may perish of their own accord, though they be not plucked out, But Christ, by this promise, doth give assurance of their certain perseverance.

From verse 29. Learn, 1. It is an argument of the Saints perseverance, and of Christs employing his power for that end, that they are committed to him by the Father to be forth-coming for them; Therefore doth he declare in this matter, My Father gave them me. 2. The Father doth so intrust Christ with his sheep, as yet he casts not off care of them; But as Christ is engaged for them, as the Fathers servant and commissioner: so the Father is engaged to make them forth-coming to Christ, as the covenanted reward of his sufferings: And so the immutable Father and Sonne, and their invincible power, is employed for their preservation; Therefore also they are in the Fathers hand, as well as Christs. 3. The power of God is so invincible, and so far above all created opposition; and he doth so let out his power, in maintaining Saints in the state of grace, as doth sufficiently assure them of the certainty of their perseverance; for, so doth the Argument run, My Father is greater then all, and therefore no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand. And here they who except mans freewill in this point, alleaging they may go out of his hand, they do wrong both the power of God, by implying that the idol of mans will must be exempt from his dominion, as if he could not command it; and his fidelity, who hath promised to subdue the will to his fear, that Saints may persevere, Jer. 32.40.

From verse 30. Learn, 1. Christs working in behalfe of his sheep doth demonstrate his greatnesse, and prove him to be God; Therefore doth he here point out his preserving them, with the Father, as flowing from, and being an evidence of his eternal Godhead. 2. Christ is so God, as he is one in essence and nature with the Father; for, saith he, I and my Father are one. 3. Albeit Christ be one in essence with the Father, yet are they distinct persons one from another; for, albeit they be one, yet there is I and my Father, and a plurality of persons, we are one. 4. Because the Sonne is one in essence with the Father, therefore are they equal in power, and with one consent and will are employed about the same work; for, upon this ground, I and my Father are one, it followeth, that they are both about this work of preserving the sheep, and that his power is sufficient to preserve them, because the Father, with whom he is one, is greater then all.