454 HOW TO RECOVER FROM SPIRITUAL DECAY,
first sort are never to be diverted from attempting their relief by such means; and when they find them fail, for the most part they cease contending, and abandon themselves to the power of their lusts; for they have no evangelical light to guide them in another course.
Unto them who are of the second sort is this direction given, in an endeavour for a recovery from backsliding, and thriving in grace, by a redoubled attendance unto the duties of mortification and new obedience : Let care be taken that, as unto the matter of them, they be of divine appointment ; and as to the manner of their performance, that it be regulated by the rules of the Scripture. Such are constant reading and hearing of the Word, prayer with fervency therein, a diligent watch against all temptations and occasions of sin ; especially an endeavour, by a holy earnestness, and vehement rebukes of the entrance of any other frame, to keep the mind spiritual and heavenly in its thoughts and affections.
(2.) Let them take heed that they attempt not these things in their own strength. When men have strong convictions that such and such things are their o^vn duty, they are apt to act as if they were to be done in their own strength. They must do them, they will do them, — that is, as unto the outward work, — and, therefore, they think they can do them; that is, in a due manner. The Holy Ghost hath for ever rejected this confidence, — none shall prosper in it, 2 Cor. iii. 5, ix. 8. But hereby many deceive themselves, labour- ing in the fire, while all they do doth immediately perish ; they have been negligent and careless, whereby things are come to an ill pos- ture with them, and that peace which they had is impaired ; but now they will pray, and read, and fast, and be liberal to the poor, and now strive after an abstinence from sin. All these things they sup- pose they can do of themselves, because they can and ought to per- form the outward works, wherein the duties intended do consist. Hereby Christ is left out of the whole design, who, when all is done, is the Lord that healeth us, Exod. xv. 26. And there is another evil herein ; for whatever men do in their own natural abilities, there is a secret reserve of some kind of merit in it. Those who plead for these things, do aver there can be no merit in any thing but what proceeds from our own free-will ; and what is so done hath some kind of merit inseparably accompanying of it ; and this is enough to render all endeavours of this kind not only useless and fruitless, but utterly rejected. Faith must engage the assistance of Christ and his grace in and unto these duties ; or, however they may be multiplied, they will not be effectual unto our healing and recovery. These things are to be used, according as we receive supplies of grace from above, in subordi- nation unto that work of faith that shall be declared. Wherefore, —
3. The work of recoverinfr backsliders or believers from under their
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spiritual decays is an act of sovereign grace, wrought in us by virtue of divine promises. Out of this eater coineth meat. Because believers are liable to such declensions, backslidings, and decays, God hath pro- vided and given unto us great and precious promises of a recovery, if we duly apply ovn-selves unto the means of it. One of the places only wherein they are recorded I shall here call over and explain, Hos. xiv. 1-8, " 0 Israel, return unto the Lord thy God ; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord : say unto him. Take away all iniquity, and receive us gra- ciously: so mil we render the calves of our lips," &c. " I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely : for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel : he shall gxow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return ; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon, Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols ? I have heard him, and observed him. I am like a green fir-tree : from me is thy fruit found."
The whole matter treated of in general, both as unto the disease and remedy, is fully stated in this passage of Scripture ; and that in the experience of the church, and God's dealing with them; we may therefore receive many plain directions from it, and a safe guidance in our progress ; which we shall endeavour to take in the ensuing ob- servations : —
(1.) This application of God unto Israel, " 0 Israel, return," was made when the generahty of the people were wicked, and devoted unto utter destruction. So it is declared in the last words of the fore- going chapter ; and their desolation fell out not long after accordingly. Wherefore no season nor circumstances of things shall obstruct sove- reign grace, when God will exercise it towards his church : it shall work in the midst of desolating judgments.