1. The consideration of the extent and almost universality of this apostasy may be of use unto this purpose. Ignorance, profaneness, worldly-mindedness, with sensuality of life, have obtained the most eminent catholicism in Christendom. The complaint of the prophet is not unsuited to the present state thereof: Isa. i. 4-6, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lorp, they have pro- voked the Holy One of“Israel unto anger, they are gone away back- ward. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores.” Do we hear but of this or that individual person who hath apostatized from a profes- sion of holiness, into a sensual, wicked, worldly course of life, or is turned from the faith into pernicious errors? there is no man that is wise and careful of his eternal concerns, but he will take it as a warn- ing to examine, try, and be careful of himself; and this counsel is laid before us by the apostle, 2 Tim. ii. 17-19. What, then, is re- ° quired of us when we see nations, churches, multitudes of people, by one means or other, degenerated from that power of godliness which once they professed? If we hear that one or other in a city is visited with the plague, we are not altogether insensible of our own concern and danger, because we know how usual it is for the
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DANGERS FROM THE PREVAILING APOSTASY. 225
infection of that disease to spread and diffuse itself; but if the whole _ city be infected, and thousands fall under it every week, there is _ none so sottish as to need much warning of their danger. And shall we be less concerned for our immortal souls and their eternal con- dition than we are for these frail carcasses and their continuance for a few days in the world, which, if they escape one distemper, may yet in a few moments fall under the power of another? This spiri- tual “pestilence,” that hath formerly “walked in darkness,” is now a “destruction wasting at noonday.” Nations are depopulated by it and cities left desolate, as unto their interest in God and the gospel; and is it not high time to “look diligently” lest the infection reach unto us also, lest we also should “ fail” and’come short “ of the grace of God,” and be “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin?” As, then, our bodies are of the same natural frame and constitution, as they have in them the same humours, the same kind of animal spirits, as are in those who are infected with the plague, whereby we are obnoxious unto the same infection with them; so there are in our souls and minds the same principles of sin and love of the world as are infected, drawn away, enticed, excited, and enraged, by out- ward occasions and temptations, until they have issued in apostasy. Do we think that we shall be always easily preserved, and that whilst we are careless and secure, from that torrent which hath carried away such multitudes before it? Are we in ourselves better than they, or any of them? Have we a patent for our preservation, whilst we neglect any ways, means, or diligence that the rule requireth there- unto? Doth not God show unto us, not one, but many churches and nations, saying, “Go unto those Shilohs where I some time placed my name, and see what is become of them, and what I have done unto them? Will ye go after them? have ye a mind to be made like unto them? Think not to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham to our father; we have those outward privileges and ad- vantages which they had not:’ for they also enjoyed the same until they had forfeited them by their apostasy.” Certainly the general prevalency of this evil proclaims such a danger as no wise man, no man that takes care of his own salvation, ought or indeed can ne- glect. Wherefore, as it is always with Christians, if ever it be, a time to watch, to stand on our guard, to take unto ourselves the whole armour of God, to be jealous of ourselves, to be constant and diligent in the use of all means, both private and public, for our pre- servation, it is now atime so to be. And if professors will not be awakened; if they will not stir up themselves with the gifts and graces which they have received; if they will please themselves that all is well with them, and is likely so to be; if they will yet immix themselves with boldness and confidence in the ways of the world; _ VOL. VIL I
226 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
—oh that my head were a fountain of tears! oh that my soul could mourn in secret for them! seeing assuredly they will not be able to
stand in that day of temptation which is come upon the face of the ©
earth, to try them that dwell therein. The outward court is long since given to be trodden down by the Gentiles, and how soon the enemies may roar in the very sanctuaries, and set up their banners for tokens, we know not; for,—