In either of these states we are exposed to the most
imminent danger —
[There are a variety of ways in which God will punish sin, but none so terrible as that specified in the words before us. If God were to fill the backslider with acute and long-continued pain, or visit him with some other teniporal affliction, it might work for good, and bring him to consideration and repentance: but if he give him up to his own heart's lusts, and leave him to be " filled with his own ways," nothing but a certain and
a Gal. i. 6. and v. 7. and iv. 15. b 2 Pet. i. 9. and ii. 20. Gal. iv. 16. VOL. VII. L
aggravated condemnation can ensue. Was he far from God ? lie will be further still : was he addicted to any sin ? he will be more and more enslaved by it : nor can there be a doubt, but that God ivill give us up to this judgment, if we " leave off to behave ourselves wisely," and return to the indulgence of wilful neglects and secret sins'' ]
But we shall see a strong additional motive to persevere, if we consider,
II. The benefit of maintaining steadfastness in reli- gion—
The " good man" is here put in contrast with the backslider —
[As every occasional declension does not denominate a man a wilful backslider, so neither does every transient inclination to virtue denominate a man good. To be truly good, he must set out well, and " hold on his way," causing his " light to shine more and more unto the perfect day*^."]
Such an one shall find much satisfaction both in and from his way :
He shall have the comfort of seeing that he is advancing in religion —
[The testimony of a good conscience is one of the richest comforts we can enjoy '^. Hezekiah pleaded it before God in a dying hour, not indeed as a ground of justification before him, but as a grovmd whereon he might hope for some favourable indulgence with respect to the continuance of this present life^. And Paul, in the near prospect of the eternal world, found it a source of unutterable joy^. Now this satisfaction every upright soul shall enjoy. If he cannot distinctly see the progressive steps of his advancement from day to day, he shall have a testi- mony in his own conscience that he is on the ivhole advancing: he shall feel himself more and more fixed in his " purpose to cleave unto the Lord," and increasingly desirous of approving himself faithful to his God and Saviour.]
He shall also enjoy more abundant manifestations of God's love —
[God will not leave his people without witness that he is pleased with their endeavours to serve and honour him. " He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." If he behold any persons striving to please him, " he will love them and come unto them, and sup with them, and manifest himself to
c Ps. Ixxxi. 11, 12. Deut. xxxii. 15, 18, 19, 20. Prov. i. 30, 31. d Prov. iv. 18. e 2 Cor. i. 12.
f 2 Kings XX. 2, 3. s 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.