It is certain that here is a description of a very woful state and condition; and the Psalmist, knowing that he was called of God to be a teacher and instructor of the church in all ages, records his own experience unto that end. Hence the title of it is, " A Psalm to bring to remembrance." Some judge that David had respect unto some great and sore disease that he was then visited withal. But if it were so, it was only an occasion of his complaint; the cause of it was sin alone. And four things he doth represent. 1. That he had departed from God, and fallen into provoking sins, which had pro- duced great distresses in his mind, verses 3, 4. 2. That he had foolishly continued in that state, not making timely application to gTace and mercy for healing, whereby it was grown deplorable, verse 5. And this folly is that alone which makes such a condition dangerous, — namely, when men, on their surprisals in sin, do not speedily apply themselves unto healing remedies. 3. That he had herein a continual sense of the displeasure of God by reason of sin, verses 2-4. 4. That he was altogether restless in this state, mourning, groaning, labouring continually for deliverance.
444 HOW TO KECOVER FROM SPIRITUAL DECAY,
This is a clearer delineation of the condition of believers, when, either by the greatness of any sin, or by a long continuance in an evil and a careless frame, they are cast under a sense of divine dis- pleasure. This opens their minds and tlieir hearts, declaring how all things are within, which they cannot deny. It is not so with many, in the same measures and degrees, as it was with David, whose falls were very great ; but the substance of it is found in them all. And herein the heart knoweth its own bitterness; a stranger intermeddleth not with it: none knows the groaning and labouring of a soul con- vinced of such spiritual decays, but he alone in whom they are. Hereon is it cast down to the earth, going mourning all the day long, though others know nothing of its sorrows : but it is of a far more sad consideration, to see men manifesting their inward decays by their outward fruits, and yet are little or not at all concerned therein. The former are in ways of recovery; these in the paths that go down to the chambers of death.
I suppose, therefore, I may take it for granted, that there are few professors of religion, who have had any long continuance in the ways of it, ha^dog withal been exposed unto the temptations of life, and much exercised with the occasions of it, but that they have been asleep in their days, as the spouse complains of herself. Cant. v. 2 ; that is, they have been overtaken with decays of one sort or another, either with respect unto spiritual or moral duties, — in their relation unto churches or families, in their judgments or their affections, in their inward frames or outward actions, they have been overtaken with the effects of sloth, negligence, or the want of a continual watch in the life of faith. I wish it were otherwise.
I principally herein intend those gradual declensions in the life and power of grace which men in a long course of profession are subject unto. And these for the most part proceed from formality in holy duties, under the constant outward performance of them ; vehement engagements in tlie affairs of life, an overvaluation of sinful enjoy- ments, growth in carnal wisdom, neglect of daily mortification of such sins as men are naturally disposed unto, Avith a secret influence from the prevalent temptation of the days wherein we live ; — which things are not now to be spoken unto.
III. But I come to that which was proposed in the tliird place, — namely, to show that this at present is the state of many professors of religion, that they are fallen under those spiritual decays, and do not enjoy the effects of the promises concerning flourishing and fruit- fulness, which we have insisted on. To fasten a conviction on them, or some of them at least, that it is indeed so with them, is my present design; and this ought to be done with some diligence. Tlie glory of Christ, the honour of the Gospel, and the danger of the souls of
AND GROW IN GRACE. 44-5
men do call for it. This is the secret root of all our e\'il, which will not be removed unless it be digged up. Who sees not, who complains not of the loss of, or decays in, the power of rehgion in the days Avherein we liv^e ? But foAV there are who either know or apply them- selves, or direct others, unto the proper remedy of this evil. Besides, it is almost as difQcult to convince men of their spiritual decays as it is to recover them from them; but without this, healing is impos- sible. If men know not their sickness, they will not seek for a cure. Some, when they see their sickness and their wound, will apply themselves unto wrong, useless remedies, like them in the prophet Hosea, v. 13. None will make use of any cure who see no disease at all. Wherefore, to fasten a conviction hereof on the minds of some, we may make use of the ensuing inquiries and observations.