I wish very particularly to put you on your guard, that you do not convert the blessing of God into a curse, and render the very means which he has bestowed for the salvation of your souls, into an occasion of deeper and heavier con- demnation.]
Heb. vi. 9 — 11. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shelved toivard his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.
WHOMSOEVER we address, it is needful that we use at times the language of warning and admonition. For in a mixed assembly all are not alike upright : there will always be found some tares amongst the wheat : and even the most upright may derive bene- fit from counsels faithfully administered. Hence, in addressing the believing Hebrews, St. Paul warned them against the danger of apostasy ; declaring, that, if they did not make a just improvement of the pri- vileges they enjoyed, they would bring upon them- selves an aggravated condemnation. But did he therefore conceive of them as hypocrites ? No ; he had a good opinion of their state : " he was persuaded better things concerning them," notwithstanding he thus addressed them : yet, whilst he acknowledged with gratitude their active piety, he urged them to abound in it more and more.
Under a similar persuasion in respect to many of you, and with similar desires in reference to all, we proceed to point out,
1. What are those things which accompany sal- vation—
Many things there are which are common both to the hypocrite and the true believer : but some things