ENMITY A CAUSE OF APOSTASY. 85
are more vitiated and corrupted than are the preceptive and directive powers of the mind; and hence it was that all the world, who had — nothing to conduct them but the light of nature, apostatized from its guidance, and lived in contrariety unto it. They were all rebels _ against that light which they had; and so will all mankind be with- _ out the especial grace of God.
Tt is so also with respect unto truths communicated by swper- _ natural revelation. It is given as the character of those who were _ to carry on the great apostasy from the mysteries and worship of the gospel, that “they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” 2 Thess. ii. 10. The truth itself, as to the profession of it, they did receive and own for a time; but such an approbation of it, such a love unto it, as should incline them unto obedience, or the improvement of it unto its proper ends, that so they might be saved, they neither had nor endeavoured after. This made them prone, on all occasions and temptations, to forego and relinquish the profession of it, to change it for the vilest errors and grossest super- stitions; for in such a posture of mind, men’s corruptions will prevail against their convictions. First they will stifle the truth as to its operation, and then reject it as to its profession. Let other notions be proposed unto them more suited unto the vanity of their minds _ or the sensuality of their affections, and they will not fail of a ready entertainment. .
There are instances among all sorts of men, how, when they have imbibed persuasions and opinions, even such as are false, vain, and _ foolish, and have them rivetted in their minds by powerful interests
or inveterate prejudices, neither the evidence of truth nor the fear ’ of danger can prevail with them for their renunciation or relinquish-
ment. All false ways in Christianity, and that of Mohammedanism, give us examples hereof. But we have two general instances of it
that may well fill the minds of men with astonishment. The first is _ of the Jews, who for so many successive generations, under all manner of difficulties and calamities, continue obstinate in the most irrational unbelief and apostasy from the faith of Abraham their forefather and the expectation of all their ancestors that can enter into the heart of any man to imagine. For many generations, those who from among them have been so convinced of their folly as really and sincerely to embrace the gospel do scarce answer one unto a century of years. The other is in the church of Rome. It is known how that communion aboundeth with men otherwise wise and learned, what kings and rulers of the earth do adhere thereunto; and this _they continue to do, and will do so, notwithstanding that the errors, -impieties, superstitions, and idolatries of that church are so many and so manifest. Other instances there are sufficiently pregnant to
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86 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
evince that no opinions in religion can be so foolish or contemptible but that some will be found pertinaciously to adhere unto them against all endeavours for their relief, either in the way of God by rational and spiritual convictions, or in the way of the world by per- secution.
It-may be more may and will be found to be obstinate in error upon trials, with difficulties, dangers, and oppositions, than will on the like trials be constant in the profession of the truth,—I mean among them who together with its external profession have not received its internal power and efficacy, with the love of it in their hearts: for both sorts receive their notions and apprehensions of things in the same way, and on the same grounds of appearing reasons, though the understanding be imposed on and deceived in the one and not in the other; but error once received under the notion of truth takes firmer root in the carnal minds of men than truth doth or can whilst their minds are so carnal. And the reason of it is, because all error is some way suited unto the mind as thus depraved, and there is nothing in it that is enmity thereunto. Neither in itself nor any of its effects doth the mind dislike it, for being fallen off from the first Truth and Goodness, it wanders and delights to wander in crooked or by paths of its own; for “God made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions,” Eccles. vii. 29. These it pleaseth it- self withal and is conformed unto; for there is somewhat in every error to recommend itself unto the vanity, or curiosity, or pride, or superstition of the carnal mind. But it is otherwise with evange- lical truths, which the mind disrelisheth because of its innate enmity unto the things which they propose and exhibit. Hence it is easier, for the most part, to draw off a thousand from the profession of it, who have no experience of its power and efficacy in their souls, than to turn one from an erroneous way, especially if he be confirmed in it by interest and prejudice. And so it is at present in the world. Every sort or party of false professors, as Papists and others, do carry off multitudes of common professors from the truth which they had owned, but seldom do we hear of any one recovered from their snares. Nor need any seducers desire a greater advantage than to have ad- mittance unto their work where persons live in an outward profession of the truth and inward enmity unto it. They shall be filled with proselytes unto satiety.