8. God hath secured the growth of this spiritual life, by the pro- vision of food for it, whereby it may be strengthened and increased ; for life must be preserved by food. And this in our case is the Word of God, with all other ordinances of divine worship which depend
442 HOW TO RECOVER FROM SPIRITUAL DECAY,
thereon, 1 Pet. ii. 2, 3. Whatever the state of this life be, — whether in its beginning, its progress, its decays, — there is suitable nourish- ment provided for it in the good Word of God's grace. If men will neglect their daily food that is provided for them, it is no wonder if they be weak and thriftless. And if believers are not earnest in their d esires after this food, — if they are not diligent in providing of it, at- tending unto it, — much more if, through corruptions and temptations, they count it, in the preaching of it, light and common food, which they do not value, — it is no wonder if they fall into spiritual decays; but God hath herein provided for our growth even unto old age.
And this is the first thing which was proposed unto confirmation, — namely, that the constitution and nature of spiritual life is such as to be indeficient, so as to thrive and grow even in old age, and unto the end.
II. The second thing proposed is, that notwithstanding all this provision for the growth of spiritual life in us, believers, especially in a long course of profession, are subject to decays, such as may cast them into great perplexities, and endanger their eternal ruin.
And these spiritual decays are of two sorts. 1. Such as are gra- dual and universal, in the loss of the vigour and life of grace, both in its principle and in its exercise. 2. Such as are occasioned by surprisal into sin through the power of temptation ; I mean such sins as do waste the spiritual powers of the soul, and deprive it of all solid peace.
As for temporary believers, give them but time enough in this world, especially if it be accompanied with outward prosperity or persecution; and, for the most part, their decays of one sort or an- other will make a discovery of their hypocrisy. Though they retain a form of godliness, they deny the power of it, Pro v. i. 31 ; 2 Tim. iii. 5. And if they do not openly relinquish all duties of religion, j'-et they will grow so lifeless and savourless in them, as shall evidence their condition ; for so it is with them who are lukewarm, who are neither hot nor cold, who have a name to live, but are dead.
And herein lieth a signal difference in this matter between sincere believers and those who believe only for a time ; for those of the lat- ter sort do either not perceive their sickness and decays, — their minds being taken up and possessed with other things, — or if they do find that it is not with them as it hath been fomierly, they are not much concerned, and on any occasional new conviction they cry, " Yet a little more slumber, a little more sleep, a little more folding of the hands to sleep;" but when the other do find an}'^ thing of this iiature, it makes them restless for a recovery. And although, through the many snares, temptations, and deceits of sin, or through their igno- rance of the right way for tlieir healing, they do not many of them
AND GROW IN GRACE. 443
obtain a speedy recovery, yet none of them do approve themselves in such a condition, or turn unto any undue rehefs.
Now, that believers are subject to decays in both the ways men- tioned, we have full testimony in Scripture ; for as unto that general, gradual decay, in the loss of our first faith, love, and works, in the weakening of the internal principle of spiritual life, with the loss thereon of delight, joy, and consolation, and the abatement of the fruits of obedience, our Lord Jesus Christ doth expressly charge it on five of the seven churches of Asia, Rev. ii., iii. And in some of them, as Sardis and Laodicea, those decays had proceeded unto such a degree, as that they were in danger of utter rejection. And hereunto answers the experience of all churches and all believers in the world. Those who are otherwise minded are dead in sin, and have got pre- tences to countenance themselves in their miserable condition. So is it with the Church of Rome; and I wish others did not in some measure follow them therein.
And as unto those of the second sort, whereinto men are cast by surprisals and temptations, producing great spiritual distress and anguish of soul, under a sense of God's displeasure, we have an instance in David, as he gives us an account of himself, Ps. xxxviii. 1-10, " 0 Lord, thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger ; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head; as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink, and are corrupt, because of my foolishness," &c.