to turn aside from following him. We must keep our eye single in this respect : we must have one object, and one alone, in view : to honour God must be the one aim of our lives. In relation to this, we must maintain with equal firmness the principles and the practice of Christianity: we must "hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering," and " be steadfast, immoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord."]
" Suffer ye then a word of exhortation" —
[That the subject is deserving of your deepest attention, cannot be doubted : the character given of Barnabas, in the words following our text, is a pledge of it ; " He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith." He was " a son of consolation ;" and therefore we may be sure he did not needlessly endeavour to distress the souls of any: yet he exhorted all without exception, because all are in danger of falling, and of " making shipwreck of the faith." Consider then, beloved, what obligations you are under to cleave unto the Lord. Has he so highly favoured you with tokens of his love and mercy, that you should forsake him at last ? Has our blessed Saviour shed his blood for you, that you should ". tread him under your feet" by relapsing into sin ? Has the Holy Spirit enlightened, quickened, sanctified you, that you should "do despite to him," and " quench "his sacred motions? Have you " found God a wilderness to you," that you should desert him, and go back again to the world for happiness ? Is it wise to "leave the fountain for broken cisterns?" Is it likely to make you happier even in this world ; and, if not, how much less will it do so in the world to come ? Did you never read, that they who turn back, " turn back unto perdition ;" and that " God's soul can have no pleasure in them ?" Be on your guard then, ere it be too late. But if any will not take warning, I shall conclude my address to them with the solemn declaration of Moses, just before his death ; "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing : therefore choose life that ye may live, and that ye may love the Lord your God, and cleave unto him ; for he is your life, and the length of your daysp.]
p Deut. xxx. 19, 20.