228 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
from the gospel, but an end also. He will one day execute the vengeance that he hath written and recorded on the throne, power, and kingdom of the antichristian apostasy, and in one day shall the plagues of Babylon come upon her; and he will again “turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call on the name of the Lorp, to serve him with one consent,” Zeph. iii. 9. He will again revive the beauty of his worship, and the glory of holiness in the earth; but, in the meantime, what things may come unto I know not. Those who pretend to a clearer inspection into future things may not do amiss strictly to examine the grounds whereon they pro- _ ceed; for many have been made ashamed of their predictions, that within such or such a time the yoke of Babylon should be broken. This is all I say (and I say it only for myself), I know no assurance that can be given on infallible grounds that the apostasy which we are treating of shall not one way or other, in one instance or other, become again to be catholic, and prevail against all open, visible pro- fession of the purity and power of gospel worship and holiness. Now, if this be not so unto others, yet unto myself it ought to be a warn- ing how I may be thought worthy to escape, and to stand before the -Son of man. And I am sure there is so much danger of it at least as to deserve the consideration of all who take care of their eternal salvation; for if things should come to such a pass, they are not many, they are but very few, who will be entirely preserved. The most will, one way or other, suffer loss; and it is not an easy thing to be found among the number of the few in such a season. Can we think that men careless in holy duties, cold in zeal, lukewarm in love, barren in good works, cleaving to the world and conformable — unto it, low in their light, dubious in their state, useless in the world, fearful of trials, will be of this number? They are wofully deceived who are pleased with such apprehensions. Other principles, other ways, courses, and practices, will be required in them who shall be hidden and safeguarded in that day.
4. The various ways whereby this defection prevails in the world should also warn us to stand upon our guard. Were it of one sort only, did it work only one way, or make use of one engine alone for its progress, the evil and danger of it might be the more easily either withstood or avoided; but as we have before referred it unto three general heads,—with respect unto the doctrine, the holiness, and the worship of the gospel,—so under each of them there are various ways and means whereby it is promoted. The infection from this plague is taken innumerable ways, Heb. xii. 1. Some take it in their shops or especial vocations; some in their societies, civil and ecclesiastical ; some from the vanities and pleasures, some from the profits and ad- vantages, of the world. Unbelief, the deceitfulness of sin, corrupt lusts
DANGERS FROM THE PREVAILING APOSTASY. 229
_ and affections, spiritual sloth, cares about and love of riches, lie all in a readiness to give entertainment to and to embrace any oppor- tunity, advantage, or means, whatever it be, whereby this apostasy may be admitted and take place in them. See Heb. iii, 12, 13, xil, 15-17. Satan, in the meantime, labours by his insinuations to corrupt our minds, to poison our lusts, and to supply them with all inveigling or provoking objects, 2 Cor. xi. 3; 1 Pet. v. 8. In this state of things, look how many public temptations there are in the world, so many general ways and means are there whereby this apostasy doth prevail; and who can reckon up these temptations? Hence it is that men fall under this evil-in such various ways, and unto such various degrees. Some do so by errors and “damnable he- resies, denying the Lord that bought them;” some by superstition and idolatry ; some by a contempt of gospel mysteries, and preferring another way of duty before evangelical obedience; some by ambition and pride of life; some by love of the world, and a neglect. of duties spiritual and moral, under a deceiving profession; some by suffering carnal wisdom and some sensual lusts to devour their convictions and their efficacy; some by the uncertainty of their minds, brought to an indifferency in all things supernatural and divine; some by vain-glory and shame to be found among the scorned society of those who are truly religious; and multitudes are initiated into an irre- coverable profaneness by the vain pomps and spectacles of the age. And other ways there are, more than can be recounted, whereby this evil is propagated, and men fall under the power of it. By this means the very common air we breathe in is infected, 1 Cor. xv. 33. Snakes are in all grass whereon we tread, and scorpions under every stone. Snares are laid for us on every hand, and those (some of them) so gilded and set off, that multitudes of loose professors have taken them up and wear them as their ornaments. Those who escape one evil do every day fall into others. And how shall they escape who are encompassed with so many dangers, if they live in the neglect of any one duty or means of their preservation that God hath appointed and made useful thereunto?