to the yoke for a season, becomes restive and ungovernable, and disappoints thereby the expectations of its owner.]
Lest the frequency of these characters should tempt us to think favourably of them, we proceed to shew,
1 1. The evil and danger of such a state — We shall notice,
1. The evil of it —
[A backslidden state, in whomsoever it is found, is exceed- ing sinful : but in those who have made some profession of reli- gion, it is attended with peculiar aggravations.
It is a contemning of God; of his Majesty, which demands our subjection, and of his mercy, which would accept and re- ward our poor services. And it is in this light that God him- self frequently complains of itk.
It is a justifying of the wicked ; for it says to them, in fact, " I was once as you are, and thought I should become happier by serving God : but I find by experience that there is no profit in serving him ; and therefore I am returning to your state, which is, on the whole, the happier and more desirable."
It is a discouraging of the iveak. Little do false professors think how much evil they do in this way1. Many are induced to follow their example in some things, under the idea that they are innocent ; and are thus drawn from one sin to another, till they make shipwreck of a good conscience, and utterly turn away from the faith.
And need we multiply words any further to shew the evil of backsliding from God ? Well does God himself call it " a won- derful and horrible thing™."]
2. The danger of it —
[This is an iniquity which God marks with peculiar indig- nation" ; and never fails to visit it, sooner or later, with some awful token of his displeasure.
The first symptoms of declension lead, if not speedily mourned over and resisted, to utter apostasy °. The disposition to backslide will soon increase, till it become inveterate, and, unless by a marvellous interposition of God himself, incurable.
The misery that will he incurred by means of it will far exceed all that would have been endured, if no profession of religion had ever been made. " If any man draw back," says God, " my soul shall have no pleasure in him :" he " draws back
k Numb. xi. 20. 1 Sam. ii. 30. and 2 Sam. xii. 10. Ps. x. 13. 1 Mai. ii. 8. m Jer. v. 30. " Jer. ii. 19, 21, 22.
° Prov. xiv. 14.