things, are gone back again to the world ; whilst others have taken refuge in high principles, (of election, and predestina- tion, and the perseverance of the saints,) and are living with- out any due regard to practical and progressive holiness. Both the one and the other of these are in the utmost danger of perishing in their sins : and I must warn you, whilst I am yet in this tabernacle, that if you relapse into either of these states, it would have been better for you never to have been born: for it would have been better that you had never known any thing of the way of righteousness, than that, after you have known it, you should depart from it.]
3. Because he could not otherwise discharge his duty to them —
[He was well aware of the duties of his office. He knew that, as a watchman, it was his duty to warn them ; and that, " if he should neglect to warn them, their blood would be required at his hand." Hence he said, " It is meet," and just, and right " for me, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to put you in remembrance :" and if I should cease to do so, it would he an injustice to that gracious God, who has com- mitted you to my charge ; and to you, who are entitled to this care ; and to my own soul, which must endure through all eternity the penalty of that neglect.
And is there not the same cause for me also to discharge this part of my office towards you? By dwelling more upon doctrines, I might perhaps please you more, because they might tend to lull you asleep in a state of fancied security : whereas by insisting thus on duties, and declaring the indispensable necessity of fulfilling them, we keep you in a state of uninter- mitted vigilance and exertion. But we must " not prophesy unto you smooth things :" we must not " speak peace when there is no peace." God has said, " He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully :" and it is only " by de- claring to you the whole counsel of God that we can be pure from the blood of all men."
Behold then I now remind you of these things. As one who is sensible that he must shortly put off this tabernacle, I would warn you with all fidelity. Holiness is necessary : " without holiness, real and universal holiness, no one of you shall ever see the Lord." Examine then carefully what those graces are which you are to be continually " adding one to another." Search, in which of them you are most defective. Cry with all earnestness to God to give you more grace, and to supply that which is lacking in your spiritual attainments : so shall you " have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of your Lord," and " be the joy and crown of him" who has thus warned you, through eternal ages.]