These things I know are by some despised. They suppose they have surer ways and better expedients forthe preservation of the profession of the gospel amongst us than its own power and efficacy. What those ways are we need not conjecture, seeing themselves de- clare them continually; but they shall not be here spoken unto. But it is to be feared that they may be filled with the fruit of their own imaginations when those things shall fail them wherein they have placed their confidence. Wherefore, if there be a neglect about these things in the ministry and others whose duty it is to promote . them, the issue will be sad, it may be beyond what is feared: for if the body of the people be suffered to live without any evidence of an acquaintance with the power of that truth which they do profess, or any demonstrative fruits of it in a holy conversation, we may cry out, “Popery, Popery,” as long as we please ; but when temptations, oppor- tunities, and interests do concur, their profession will fall from them as dry leaves from a tree when they are moved with the wind. The apostle tells us that those who “went out from them were not of them, for if they had been of them they would have continued with ~ them,” 1 John ii. 19. They were among them by the profession of the truth, or they could not have gone out from. them ;—but they were “not of them” in the participation of the power of the truth, — and “communion thereby with the Father and the Son;” for if they had, “they would have continued with them,’—that is, steadfast in - their profession. d
This is that which ought to be fixed on the minds of all persons concerned, of all that are zealous for the truth of the protestant re- ligion, or are obliged, what lies in them, to provide for its preserva- tion. When things are come unto the appointed season, when they are issuing in that period which they have a natural tendency unto, all other expedients and devices will be of none effect. A diligent communication unto the body of the people, through the dispensa-
ENMITY A CAUSE OF APOSTASY. 91
tion of the word, or preaching of it, of the power of the truth they profess in all its blessed effects,—whereon they will have an experi- ence and witness within themselves of the reasons why they ought to abide constantly in its profession,—will alone secure the continuance of the gospel in succeeding generations. All other means will be ineffectual unto that end; and so far as without this they are or may be effectual, it will be of no advantage unto the souls of men.
That there is a danger at all times of a defection among professed Christians from the truth hath been before evinced. That this danger at present hath many especial circumstances rendering it dangerous in a peculiar manner is in like manner acknowledged by all such as call these things into serious consideration. And it will not, I presume, be denied but that every man, according as he is called and warranted by especial duty, is obliged to his utmost endeavours for the prevention of a revolt from the truth. The whole inquiry is, What is the best way, means, or expedient, to be plied unto this end? And this, I say, is only by the diligent ministerial
_ dispensation of the word, with such an exemplary zeal and holiness
of _), £2
in them by whom it is dispensed, and all other things requisite unto the discharge of that work, as may reconcile the hearts of the people unto evangelical truths, beget in them a delight in obedience, and
_ implant the power of the word in their whole souls. Want hereof
was that which lost the gospel in former ages, and will do so where- ever it is, in this or those which are to come. And I shall not, in my own thoughts, blamably digress from my present subject, if I confirm this opinion with some few obvious considerations; for,— 1. It is the way, the only way, which God hath ordained, and which he blesseth to this end and purpose. None will pretend, as I suppose, that God hath appointed any other way to bring men unto the profession of the truth but by the preaching and dispensation of the word alone. When they are wrought upon or convinced thereby, so as to give up themselves unto the profession of it, it will be hard to find an ordinance of God of another kind for their preservation
therein. When the apostle took his last farewell of them who were
converted by his ministry at Ephesus, he “commended them to the word of God’s grace, which,” as he judged, “was able to build them up, and to give them an inheritance among all them which are sanctified,” Acts xx. 32.
A man would think it were a more difficult work to convert men from Judaism or Paganism, or any false religion, unto the profession of the gospel, than to retain them in that profession when they are initiated thereinto: for in that first work there are all sorts of pre-
_ judices and difficulties to be conflicted withal, and not the least ad-