Am. 2. Again, if we would hold out, get a strong resolution against all oppositions, for, know this, scandals will come, difficulties will arise, but firm resolution will carry us through all. Those that go forth to walk for pleasure, if a storm comes, they return in again presently ; whereas he that is to go a journey, though he meets with never so many storms and
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tempests, j'et he will go through all, because he hath so resolved before- hand. Things are either good or evil, as a man willeth them. The bent of the soul to God makes a man good.
Ans. 3. That thou mayest persevere to the end, labour, as for the obe- dience of faith, to bdice the truth, so for the obedience of practice. Labour to know the truth, and to practise what thou knowest, that so thou mayest be built on the rock Christ Jesus. If thou fall, it is thy own fault for building on the sand. Therefore, often put this question to thy soul, Is this truth that I hold ? would I die for it ? If so, then hold it fast, other- wise suspect there is unsoundness.
Ans. 4. Above all things, yet the love of God in thy heart. This will constrain us to obedience. If we look altogether upon our discourage- ments, alas ! we shall soon flag and fall away. But if we eye our encouragements, it is impossible we should desert Christ, or his truth. Who would not hold out, having such a captain, and such a cause as we fight for. Where the truth is received in the love of it, there is con- stancy.
Ans. 5. Strive to grow daily in a denied of thyself. None can come to heaven, but he must first strip himself of himself. He must not own his own wit, will, or aflectious ; he must be emptied of himself wholly. He must deny himself in all his aims after the world, in the pleasure, profit, or preferment of it. He must not respect anything if he will follow Christ. A respective religion is never a sound religion. A true Christian hath a single eye ; he serves God for himself. A man that hath worldly aims hath a double eye as well as a double heart ; such a one cannot but waver. Bring therefore single eyes, hearts, and aims to receive the word. It is the great fault of many ; they bring false hearts with them to the ordi- nances of God. It is said of Israel that he brought Egypt into the wil- derness, Num. xi. 18. So it is with most men, they think to have religion and their lusts together ; but whatsoever doth begin in hypocrisy will end in apostasy. And know this, that he that hath religion needs not go out for aims or good company. He hath acquaintance with God and Christ, and he hath an eternal inheritance to aim at. There be encouragements enough in religion itself. We need not go out and look abroad for more. I speak this the rather, because false aims and ends is the ready means to undo men, when we have respect to such a man or such a thing in our practice of holiness. Joash was a good king all the while Jehoiada lived. This respect kept him in awe. The eye of a great person keeps some men in, and causeth them oft to blaze forth in a greater show, than many others less outwardly apparent, but more inwardly sincere.
Ans. 6. Labour, therefore, to have divine truths engrafted in thee ; net to have them loose, for then they will never grow, but get them engrafted in thy heart, that so they may spring forth in thy Ufe, as that which is set in a stock turns the stock into the same nature with it. We should embrace truths inwardly. And indeed God's children will have truths as belonging to themselves. As a wife receiving a letter from her husband, saith. This is sent to me, it belongs to me, so we should say in every truth, this was penned for me, and directed to my soul in particular.
Ans. 7. Lastly, That thou mayest grow deeper in religion, grow deeper and deeper in humiliation. Then a man is humble when he accounteth sin his greatest evil and grace his chiefest good. Such a one will hold out in time of trial; and if temptations come on the right hand, of profit or preferment, Oh, saith he, Christ is better to me ! And if sin comes on
412 THE DANGER OF BACKSLIDING.
the left band, to draw liim aside, Oh, saith he, this is the vilest thing in the world; it is the worst of all evils, I may not yield to it,
Obs. But to go on, from Demas his forsaking of Paul, and embracing of the present world, we learn, that the Inve of Christ and the world cannot lodf/e together in one heart.
Reason 1. The reason is, 1, Theij are two masters, ndinghy contrary laws. Christ was resolved to suffer, but the world saith, ' Spare thyself,' Mat. xvi. 22. How can these agree ? I deny not but a man may be truly religious, and abound with all outward blessings ; but the love of the world, and love of religion, cannot harbour in one breast. When the love of the world entered into Judas, it is said the devil entered into him, John xiii. 2. Now, Christ and Satan are contrary one to the other. Where religion is, it carries the soul upwards to heaven and heavenly things; but where the love of the world is, it brings the soul downward to the earth and things below.