II. To mark his conduct —
" He is unstable in all his ways," and is ever liable to be turned from the truth —
1. In his principles —
[Not having such clear views of the covenant of grace as to be able to lay hold of it, and confidently to expect all the blessings contained in it, he is ever open to the allurements of novelty, and ready, " like a child, to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and the cunning craftiness with which they lie in wait to deceive1." Matters which really are of doubtful disputation, possess in his mind an importance which does not belong to them : and he will dwell on them, to the neglect of other things which are essential to his salvation. Hence it is that heretics of every description gain such influence : and hence it is that so many, " led away by the error of the wicked, fall from their own steadfastness k." The versatility both of the one and of the other originates in this, that they have never obtained such a knowledge of God in Christ Jesus as has brought perfect peace into their souls. They know not what God is to his people : they see not to what an extent he has pledged himself to them : they have no conception of the interest which the Lord Jesus Christ takes in them, or how indissolubly con- nected their happiness is with his honour and glory. Let them be well " rooted and built up in Christ, and established in the faith, as they have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving1;" and they will "stand fast in the faith," and suffer nothing to " move them away from the hope of the Gospel."]
2. In his practice —
[The man that cannot fully confide in God will be alarmed, whenever a storm is gathering around him. Were " his mind fully stayed on God, he would be kept in perfect peace m" ; and, when menaced with the most formidable assaults, would reply, " None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto me, so that I may but finish my course with joyn." But the double-minded man is so terrified by his adversaries, that he dares not to proceed in the plain path of duty. Like " the stony-ground hearers, he is presently offended, and in time of temptation will fall away." How many of this description are there in every place, where the Gospel is preached in sincerity and truth ! It convinces many ; it calls forth many to make an open profession of their acceptance of it: but in a little
i Eph. iv. 14. k 2 Pet. iii. 17. J Col. ii. 6, 7-
m Isai. xxvi. 3. n Acts xx. 24.