TER. 13, 14.] SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN II. 12-14. 413
of some that ' left their first love,' Eev. ii. 4 ; there was a great decay, though not an utter extinction. It is said, 2 Chron. xvii. 3, ' The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David ; ' who in his latter time fell into scandalous crimes, as his adultery with Uriah's wife, the murdering of Uriah himself, and the numbering of the people. And it is the opinion of some divines that he never recovered a like measure and proportion of grace as he had before. The like may fall out to others, partly from the continual presence of temptations. The devil continually suggesteth evil, and as an importunate suitor, and by perseverence in his suit, may at length prevail. The world we daily converse with, objects to which we are accustomed, taint the mind. A deformed object which is con- tinually in view seemeth less deformed. Indwelling lusts long restrained may break out again, as roses nipped in the summer near about bearing time bear in winter. Satan still waiteth, and his temp- tations do importunately return upon us. I confess this is no excuse, yet it may be a cause. Satan's continued temptations should make us more watchful. Long experience of the vanity of worldly things should wean us from them, and lust long kept under is the more easily bridled. Yet the continual presence of temptation showeth the daily necessity of gracious helps and means. Partly by their own security. A man of long standing, being secure of salvation, may grow remiss and negligent ; and supposing that he hath grace, and is possessed of the love of God, may think that there needeth not such diligence as when he was doubtful. And if he go round in his accustomed tract of duties, may carry it as if he were now past all danger, and so insensibly decayeth. After the first labours of regeneration, and the difficulties of reconciliation with God are past over, and freedom from the terrors of the law in part obtained, and they have gotten some peace and con- fidence, then they are in danger of this security : Eev. iii. 17, 18, 'Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor, and blind, and naked ; I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich, and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear ; and anoint thy eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.' It is not spoken to beginners, and persons unacquainted with Christ, but to old lukewarm professors. Well, then, there needeth watchfulness to the very last. Man is a very changeable creature ; therefore we should always stand upon our guard. Partly because the course of temptations may be altered ; the devil doth not always play the same game. As it is said of Joab, 1 Kings ii. 28, ' Joab turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom.' In his old age he miscarried. A man may withstand one kind of brunt, and yet fail in another. The children of God prosperous differ from the children of God afflicted. We had need be provided for all weathers : Phil. iv. 12, ' I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound ; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.' The young prophet withstood the king, yet was overcome by the enticings of the old prophet, 1 Kings xiii. 4, with the 19th. Lot, that was chaste in Sodom, miscarried in the
414 SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN II. 12-14. [SER. IV.
mountains, where were none but his own family. When conscience is cast asleep, even a child of God may fall into the grossest sins. David's heart smote him when he cut off the lap of Saul's garment, yet afterwards fell into uncleanness and blood, and lay asleep in it a long time, till Nathan the prophet roused him up. Well, then, the fathers must be written unto, as well as the young men and babes. You would think it a great misery if a mariner, after he hath weathered out all tempests at sea, should suffer shipwreck in the haven's mouth ; so for you to do an unseemly action after you have long professed your- selves servants of Jesus Christ, and have been assisted by him in several conditions.
2. They must be written unto first, that their growth may be pro- moted ; that they may be stirred up to more seriousness, and more diligence, and more fruitfulness.
[1.] After so long a standing, and so much means, more growth and tendency towards perfection may be justly expected from them : Ps. xcii. 13, 14, ' Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God ; they shall bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing.' The courts of God are a kindly soil ; they that grow there are kept fresh and lively, and fruitful towards God. The decay of the outward man doth not hinder the renewing of the inward. Their last works are better than the first ; they shall have great liberty and delight in God to the last : Isa. xl. 31, ' They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run and not be weary,, and they shall walk and not faint.' When nature seemeth to be clean spent, there is a sweet supply of spiritual strength. Eagles are vigor- ous, they fly strongly and swiftly, and renew their youth ; some say by casting their bill when their upper beak groweth crooked with age, and shooteth up the lower ; or rather by moulting and casting their feathers : Ps. lxxxiv. 10, ' They go on from strength to strength ' in the heavenly journey, always get ground ; we should always be learn- ing something ; as we grow older, we should grow wiser and better.