CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Others, they understand this giving, Of which none is perished, but Judas, not of giving by Election, but to the Apostleship, and by way of Office, in which sense our Saviour said, Have I not chosen twelve, and one of you is a devil? He doth not there speak of an eternal Election, but a temporal one to the Apostolical Office; But because all along in this Chapter, Those that are given to Christ are said to have eternal life, and to be given out of the world, we understand it of eternal Election, in which sense it's plainly said, Judas was now elected, John 13.18. I speak not of you all (viz. that you shall be happy) I know whom I have chosen. Therefore the answer is, that [Greek or Hebrew] is not by way of exception, but opposition, not as if Judas were one excepted of those given to Christ, and perished, but the contrary, None is perished, but he who was never given, and therefore is a Son of perdition. Thus the words are used Mat. 24 36. Of that day knoweth no man, no nor the Angels of Heaven, [Greek or Hebrew], but the Father only, where it is not exceptive, for then the Father should be in the number ⟨p. 364⟩men or Angels, but by way of opposition; So Revel. 21.27. There shall not enter into it any unclean thing, or that makes a lie, [Greek or Hebrew], but those that are written in the book of the Lamb, where it cannot be exceptive, for then those written in that book, should be in the number of those that make a lie, or are unclean. One place more may be added, Revel. 9.4. where the Locusts are commanded not to hurt the grass or trees, [Greek or Hebrew], but only those men, which have not the Seal of God on their foreheads; and that it must be so understood here is plain, because John 6.36. it's expressly said, None that are given to him shall ever perish. Thus Latin Critics observe, that the word nisi, used in this place by the vulgar, is sometimes in Tully and Terence, with other good Authors for sed. The words thus explained, Observe