The Spurgeon Series 1855 & 1856. Charles H. Spurgeon

if I was purchased by the Son’s blood, I cannot be lost, for it would be impossible for Jesus Christ to lose one whom he has redeemed, otherwise he would be dissatisfied with his labours. I know that where he has begun the good work he will carry it on. I never fear that I shall fall away, or be lost; my only fear is, lest I should not have been right at first; but, provided I am right, if I am really a child of God, I might believe that the sun would be smitten with madness, and go reeling through the universe like a drunken man — I might believe that the stars would run from their courses and instead of marching with their measured tramp, as now they do, whirl on in wild courses like the dance of Bacchanals — I could even conceive that this great universe might all subside in God, “even as a moment’s foam subsides again upon the wave that bears it”; but neither reason, heresy, logic, eloquence, nor a conclave of divines, shall make me pay a moment’s attention to the vile suggestion, that a child of God may ever perish. Hence I tread this earth with confidence. Arguing a little while ago with an Arminian, he said, “Sir, you ought to be a happy man; for if what you say is true, why you are as secure of being in heaven as if you were there.” I said, “Yes, I know it.” “Then you ought to live above cares and tribulations, and sing happily from morning to night.” I said, “So I ought, and so I will, God helping me.” This is security. “He gives his beloved sleep.” To know that if I died I should enter heaven — to be as sure as I am of my own existence that God, having loved me with an everlasting love, and he being immutable, will never hate me if he has once loved me — to know that I must enter the kingdom of glory — is not this enough to make all burdens light, and give me the hind’s feet by which I may stand upon my high places. Happy state of security! “So he gives his beloved sleep.”

      13. And there is a sleep, my dear friends, of security, which is enjoyed on earth even in the midst of the greatest troubles. Do you remember that passage in the book of Ezekiel, where it is said, “They shall dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods?” A queer place to sleep in! “In the woods.” There is a wolf over yonder, there is a tiger in the jungle, an eagle is soaring in the air; a horde of robbers dwell in the dark forest. “Never mind,” says the child of God:

      He that has made his refuge God,

      Shall find a most secure abode;

      Shall walk all day beneath his shade,

      And there at night shall rest his head.

      I have often admired Martin Luther, and wondered at his composure. When all men spoke so ill of him, what did he say? Turn to that Psalm — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble; therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” In a far inferior manner, I have been called to stand up in the position of Martin Luther, and have been made the butt of slander, a mark for laughter and scorn; but it has not broken my spirit yet; nor will it, while I am enabled to enjoy that quiescent state of — “So he gives his beloved sleep.” But thus far I wish to inform all those who choose to slander or speak ill of me, that they are very welcome to do so until they are tired of it. My motto is cedo nulli — I yield to none. I have not courted any man’s love; I asked no man to attend my ministry; I preach what I like, and when I like, and as I like. Oh! happy state — to be bold, though downcast and distressed — to go and bend my knee and tell my Father all, and then to come down from my chamber, and say —

      If on my face, for your dear name,

      Shame and reproach shall be;

      I’ll hail reproach, and welcome shame,

      For you will remember me.

      14. VI. The last sleep God gives his beloved, is the sleep of a happy dismission. I have stood by the graves of many servants of the Lord. I have buried some of the excellent of the earth; and when I bid farewell to my brother down below there slumbering in his coffin, I usually commence my speech with those words, “So he gives his beloved sleep.” Dear servants of Jesus! There I see them! What can I say of them, but that “so he gives his beloved sleep?” Oh! happy sleep! This world is a state of tossing to and fro; but in that grave they rest. No sorrows there; no sighs, no groans, to mingle with the songs that warble from immortal tongues. Well may I address the dead thus: — “My brother, oftentimes have you fought the battles of this world; you have had your cares, your trials, and your troubles; but now you are gone — not to worlds unknown, but to yonder land of light and glory. Sleep on, brother! Your soul does not sleep, for you are in heaven; but your body sleeps. Death has laid you in your last couch; it may be cold, but it is sanctified; it may be damp, but it is safe; and on the resurrection morning, when the archangel shall set his trumpet to his mouth, you shall rise. ‘Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord: yes, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.’ Sleep on in your grave, my brother, for you shall rise to glory.” “So, he gives his beloved sleep.”

      15. Some of you fear to die, and have good reason to do so, for death for you would be the beginning of sorrows; and on its approach you might hear the voice of the angel of the Apocalypse: “One woe is past, but behold two woes more are to come.” If, sirs, you were to die unprepared, and unconverted, and unsaved, “There remains nothing but a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation.” I need not speak like a Boanerges, for it is to you a well known truth, that without God, without Christ, “strangers from the commonwealth of Israel,” your portion must be among the damned — the fiends — the tortured — the shrieking ghosts — the wandering souls who find no rest —

      On waves of burning brimstone toss’d,

      For ever, oh for ever lost!

      “The wrath to come!” “The wrath to come!” “The wrath to come!”

      16. But, beloved Christian brother, why do you fear to die? Come let me take your hand:

      To you and me by grace ’tis given,

      To know the Saviour’s precious name;

      And shortly we shall meet in heaven,

      Our end, our hope, our way the same.

      Do you know that heaven is just across that narrow stream? Are you afraid to plunge in and swim across? Do you fear to be drowned? I feel the bottom — it is good. Do you think you shall sink? Hear the voice of the Spirit: “Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed, I am your God: when you pass through the river, I will be with you, and the floods shall not overflow you.” Death is the gate of endless joys, and do you dread to enter there? What! fear to be emancipated from corruption? Oh! do not say so! but rather, gladly lay down and sleep in Jesus, and be blessed.

      17. I have finished expounding my subject. There is only one question I want to ask of you before you pass out of those doors. Do you seriously and solemnly believe that you belong to the “beloved” here mentioned? I may be impertinent in asking such a question; I have been accused of that before now, but I have never denied it. I rather take the credit of it than not. But seriously and solemnly I ask you — Do you know yourselves to be among the beloved? And if it happens that you want a test, allow me to give you three tests, very briefly, and I am finished. It has been said that there are three kinds of preachers — doctrinal preachers, experiential preachers, and practical preachers. Now I think there are three things that make up a Christian — true doctrine, real experience, and good practice.

      18. Now, then, as to your doctrine. You may tell whether you are the Lord’s beloved partly by that. Some think it does not matter what a man believes. Excuse me: truth is always precious, and the least atom of truth is worth searching out. Nowadays the sects do not clash as much as they once did. Perhaps that is good, but there is one evil about it. People do not read their Bibles as much as they once did. They think everyone is all right. Now, I believe we may be all right in the main, but we cannot be all right where we contradict one another; and it is proper for every man to search the Bible to see who is right. I am not afraid to submit my Calvinism, or my doctrine of believer’s baptism, to the searching of the Bible. A learned lord, an infidel, once said to Whitfield, “Sir, I am