pleasures of sin will be suffered to detain us from him. Having " tasted the gall and wormwood of a backslidden state, our souls will have them still in remembrance." We shall deter- mine with the Church of old, " I will return unto my first husband, for then it was better with me than now V
I call then on this whole assembly now to unite as with the voice of one man, saying, " Thou Lord art our God ; and we come to thee " according to thy commandment ; yea, " behold," and bear witness to us this day, " We come unto thee ; for thou art the Lord our God."]
2. An unreserved surrender of ourselves to his service —
[The love of Christ has a constraining power, which, if not irresistibly, yet invincibly, impels us to live unto him. Let it once be " shed abroad in our hearts," and we shall instantly exclaim with rapture, " My Lord, and my God." " What have I to do any more with idols," will be the natural effusion of our souls c. We shall feel a holy indignation at the thought of having so long " provoked the Lord to jealousy ;" and shall address him in the language of his repenting people, " Other lords beside thee have had dominion over us, but by thee only will we make mention of thy name d."]
Application —
1. To those who are deliberately resisting the will of God—
[While casting off the restraints of God's law, and follow- ing the dictates of your own will, you conceive yourselves to be enjoying perfect liberty. But such liberty is the sorest bondage e. A subjection to sin is a vassalage most abject in its nature, and most fatal in its consequences f. Would to God that the slaves of sin would reflect a moment what "master they are serving, and what wages they are likely to receive ! Soon would they then cast off the yoke which their own lusts have imposed, and seek for freedom in the service of their God. Awake, ye deluded sinners, and return to him, whose "yoke is easy, and whose burthen is light."]
2. To those who, having begun to serve God, are drawing back from him —
[" Who hath bewitched," who hath infatuated, your depraved hearts ? " Hath God been a wilderness to you," that you are tired of his service g? " Is there indeed no profit in serving him?" We will venture to put the matter to this
b Hos. ii. 7. c Hos. xiv. 8. d Isai. xxvi. 13.
e 2 Pet. ii. 19. * Rom. vi. 16. * Jer. ii. 5, 31.
10f36.] REPENTANCE THE PREVENTIVE ( F RUIN. 49
issue. Are you as happy now in your departure from God, as you were when you were endeavouring to walk with him? Has your return to secret neglects and sinful indulgences been attended with a proportionate increase of peace and comfort? Sure we are, that none can truly affirm this to have been their experience. If your consciences be not altogether seared, your wounds are festering at this instant. Beware then lest God leave you to be " filled with your own waysh." That would be the greatest curse that can be inflicted on you. O return immediately to God ; and he will heal your backslidings and love you freely'.]
3. To those who are maintaining a steadfast walk with God —
[Thrice happy souls ! ye are highly favoured of the Lord. Say, Have ye not already the recompence in your own bosoms ? Is not his service perfect freedom ? Be thankful then to God who enables you so to live. Be fearful of any thing which may " grieve that Holy Spirit, by whom ye are sealed." Watch against secret backslidings in their very first beginnings. Be more and more diligent in every good word and work. " Be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; and be assured that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord."]