2 Pet. ii. '20, 21. If after they have escaped the polhitiovs of the luorld through the hwwledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again intangled therein and overcome, the latter end is luorse with them than the beginning : for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered 2into theyn.
THAT persons inspired with the love of God should endeavour to bring their fellow-creatures to the knowledge of him, and to a participation of the blessings which they themselves enjoy, seems easy to be accounted for; because nothing but good can result from their labours: but that men should be active in proselyting to impiety those who are walk- ing uprightly before God, appears almost incredible ; because no good whatever can issue from their exer- tions. Were we to see a bond-slave labouring with anxiety to reduce to the same situation with himself those who were enjoying the sweets of liberty; we should account it strange. Yet is the zeal of many exercised for this very end, whilst they strive to reduce to the bondage of corruption their brethren, who through grace have been delivered from it. In the Apostles' days, some professed to have been favoured with sublimer views of the Christian system than others ; and to have juster notions respecting the nature and extent of Christian liberty: and by " speaking great swelling words of vanity, they al- lured, through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, many who had clean escaped from those who lived in error:" thus, under the semblance of Ministers of righteousness, promoting most effec- tually the interests of Satan's kingdom. And such "false Apostles" will be found in every age, "de- ceitful workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christy" and ruining the souls whose welfare they profess to seek. That this is the sad effect of their labours, the Apostle does not scruple
to » 2 Cor. xi. 13--15.