are the objects of this purpose cf grace; therefore every one that names or professes the name of Christ ought to use the utmost caution, that they be not ensnared; let them depart from all iniquity, and not converse with those who endeavour to overthrow their faith. And, indeed, all that are faithful shall be kept from iniquity by God, as they are here given to understand that it is their duty to endeavour to depart from it, and consequently they shall be kept from apostacy. This seems to be the sense of these words; and it is agreeable to the analogy of faith, as well as a plain proof of the doctrine which we are maintaining. A late writer[91], by _the foundation of God, which standeth sure_, supposes the doctrine of _the resurrection_ is intended, which Hymeneus and Philetus denied, saying, that it _was past already_; this doctrine, says he, which is a fundamental article of faith, _standeth sure, having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his_; that is, he loveth and approveth of them. But though it be true the resurrection is spoken of in the foregoing verse, and we do not deny that it is a fundamental article of faith; yet that does not seem to be the meaning of the word _foundation_, in this text. For if by the resurrection we understand the doctrine of the general resurrection of the dead, I cannot see where the force of the apostle’s argument lies, _viz._ that there shall be a general resurrection, because the Lord knoweth who are his, since the whole world are to be raised from the dead. But if by the resurrection we are to understand a resurrection to eternal life, so that they who are known or beloved of God, shall have their part in it, and the apostle’s method of reasoning be this, that they who believe shall be raised to eternal life; that is, so far from militating against the argument we are maintaining, that it is agreeable to the sense we have given of the text, and makes for, rather than against us. As to what is farther advanced by the author but now mentioned, _viz._ that _the Lord knoweth who are his_, is to be taken for that regard which God had to his apostles and ministers. This seems too great a strain on the sense of the words, and so much different from the scope of the apostle therein, as well as disagreeable to the caution given, that _every one who names the name of Christ_ should _depart from iniquity_, that no one who reads the scriptures without prejudice, can easily give into this sense of the text.