go back, after all that he had seen and heard, what shall be said of us, if we resist all the gracious invitations of the Gospel, after all that we have seen and heard in the New Testament ? He was a Midianite by birth and by profession too, whereas we name the name of Christ, and profess ourselves his fol- lowers. Let us remember, that the invitation, rejected once, maybe lost for ever; and that the Master of the feast, when he hears your vain excuses, may send his invitations to others, and decree that you " shall never taste of his supper."]
2. Those who having once accepted it are disposed
to turn back —
[Many such we read of in the Scriptures ; and many such we behold amongst ourselves. But, if any who are here pre- sent be halting, we would ask them, " To whom will ye go ? " Where, but in Christ Jesus, will ye find the words of eternal life x? You have not forgotten Lot's wife, or the judgments that overtook her for only looking back to the city whence she had escaped : nor can you reasonably doubt but that they who turn back, " turn back unto perdition V I charge you then, Be steadfast; and harbour not so much as a thought of "returning with the dog to his vomit, and with the sow that was washed to the wallowing in the mire." " If, after you have once escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, you are again entangled therein and overcome, your last end will be worse with you than your beginning2." Do not, like Orpah, kiss, and part ; but, like Ruth, be steadfast in cleaving to the Lorda. Be faithful unto death, and God will give you a crown of life."]
3. Those who, having given themselves up to Christ,
are cleaving to him with full purpose of heart —
[You have doubtless met with some trials in your way, and been called to make some sacrifices : for where was there ever a true follower of Christ who had not his cross to bear ? Then I will ask you, Have you ever had cause to regret any sacrifice you made for him ? He has said, that " if any man leave father and mother, and house and lands, for His sake and the Gospel's, he shall receive an hundred-fold more in this life ; and in the world to come, eternal lifeV Is not this true? Have you not found it to be so by actual experience? Go on, " strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." Only, with Caleb, " follow the Lord fully," and you shall with him assuredly obtain a blessed portion in the promised land. " Faith- ful is He that hath called you; who also will do it."]
x John vi. 67, 68. >' Heb. x. 39. z 2 Pet. ii. 20.
a Ruth i. 14, 17. h Mark x. 29, 30.
149.1 MOSES' PRAYER AT THE ARK's REMOVAL. 27