Additional light will be reflected on this subject, while we consider, II. The evil and bitterness of a backsliding state —
The sinfulness of an ignorant and carnal state, heinous as it is, is by no means comparable to the guilt of backsliding from God. To view backslidings in their real malignity we must remember that they involve in them,
1. A violation of the most solemn engagements — [The man, who professes to be a follower of Christ,
pledges himself by that very profession to devote himself entirely to the service of his God : he declares, as it were, his approbation of his baptismal covenant, and his determination through grace to adhere to it in all things. But, in proportion as he yields to open sin or secret declensions, he revokes all his promises, and renounces all his expectations of the Divine favour. How vile, and how desperate, must such a conduct be in the eyes of God !]
2. A contempt of the richest mercies —
[While we serve God aright, we never find him backward to recompense our worthless endeavours : the more diligently we have sought him, the more abundantly has he enriched us with grace and peace. When therefore we forsake him, we say, in fact, that we neither love " nor fear him," (see ver. 19.) yea, that we despise his mercies, and prefer the pleasures of sin before any of the pleasures which he can afford us. What base ingratitude, what daring insolence is this !]
3. A vindication of God's open and avowed ene- mies—
[Practical piety condemns the world; but impiety, as far as it extends, proclaims to all, that God is not worthy to be loved and served. The backslider goes further still ; and says to all around him, I have tried God, and found him to be " a wilderness to his people f:" I once was weak enough to think that the more religious I was, the more happy I should be: but I was disappointed in my hopes ; and now revert to my former ways, that all may know the superior happiness, which, in my opinion at least, is to be enjoyed in freedom from restraints, and in the gratifications of time and sense. Alas ! on what a precipice does the backslider stand ! and, what an account will he have to give at last, if he do not instantly return to God in penitence and faith !]
Nor is the bitterness of such a state easy to be ap- preciated—
f ver. 31.