2. To those who have actually backslidden from God —
[Are there none of this character amongst us ? Would to God there were not ! But look back, I pray you, and see whether it is still with you as it was in " the day of your espousals k." Have none of you " left your first love1?" Time was, perhaps, when the concerns of your souls were of such
f John x. 27—29. B Rom. xi. 29. h Rom. xi. 20.
1 1 John ii. 19. k Jer. ii. 2. » Rev. ii. 4.
importance in your eyes, that you thought you could never do enough to promote their eternal interests. The word of God and prayer were then, as it were, your daily food : you walked with God all the day long. To maintain communion with him was your highest delight : you dreaded every thing that might draw you from him : your bodies and souls were, like living sacrifices, offered to him daily upon his altar. But how is it with you now ? Perhaps at this time any formal service will suffice to satisfy the conscience : the duties of the closet are become irksome to you ; the world has regained an ascendant over your minds ; and evil tempers, which once appeared sub- dued and mortified, display themselves on every occasion, to the destruction of your own peace, and to the annoyance of all around you. Ah ! think what dishonour you do to God, and what cause of triumph you give to his enemies. Through your misconduct, " the way of truth is evil spoken of," and " the very name of God is blasphemed." But His word is true, whether men stumble over it or not : and, whatever a profane world may imagine, " He is a Rock ; and there is no unrighteousness in him. " But delude not youi'selves with notions about electing love, or God's faithfulness to his pro- mises. The only promises in which ye have any part, are those which are made to weeping penitents : " Repent ye, then, without delay, and do your first works m :" else " you shall be filled with your own ways n," and reap for ever the bitter fruit of your own devices °.]
2. To those who are holding on in the good way — [You are living witnesses for God, that he is both mer- ciful and " upright." You know whence it is that you have been preserved. You know that you would have fallen, even as others, if he had not upheld you in his everlasting arms. Give Him the glory, then ; and cast yourselves altogether upon him. Beg of him to water your roots, and to make you " fruitful in every good work." Entreat him, not only " not to turn away from you, but to put his fear in your hearts, that you may never depart from himp." So may you look forward to all the occurrences of life with a joyful hope, that you shall be preserved even to the end, and be " more than conquerors through Him that loved you q. " The proper medium to be observed, is that between presumptuous hope and servile fear. A filial confidence is your high privilege : and you may go forward with joy, knowing in whom you have believed, that He is both able and willing to keep that which you have com- mitted to him r," and that he will be eternally glorified in the salvation of your souls.]
m Rev. ii. 5. n Prov. xiv. 14. ° Prov. i. 31. and xxii. 8.
p Jer. xxxii. 40. (i Rom. viii. 35 — 39. r 2 Tim. i. 12.