weaken the force of the supposition in my text, by an appeal to human systems ; but to admit it as a salutary caution to yourselves, and to improve it with all diligence, that you yourselves may not become examples of the case that is supposed.]
Admitting then the possibility of the case supposed, let me draw your attention to,
II. The evil of it declared —
Wherever such a case occurs, the man is indeed in a most pitiable condition : '■■'. His last end is worse than his beginning." Yes verily, he is in a worse state than ever,
1. In respect of guilt —
[The more light a man has in his mind, the more he sins if he resist that light. Now in the case under our consideration, the person is supposed to have obtained " a knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and such a measure of it as has been attended with the happiest effects ; and yet, after know- ing the way of righteousness, to depart from it." Here then he must sin against light and knowledge: he must violate the dictates of his own conscience : for, though it is true enough, that a man may persuade himself that he is acting right, whilst yet he is violating the plainest commands of God, he cannot experience a transition from the service of God to the service of Satan without many rebukes from conscience, and strong misgivings in his mind. And every step he takes in such a state exceedingly augments and aggravates his guilt: insomuch that the sins which he committed in his days of ignorance, have no guilt in comparison of that which he now contracts. What our blessed Lord said to the Jews of old is strictly ap- plicable to him : " If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin : but now they have no cloak for their sing." If to this be added, that in departing from the ways of righteousness he in a tenfold degree dishonours God, and brings disgrace upon his Gospel, and weakens the hands of the godly, and hardens the hearts of the ungodly, the sin of an apostate is great indeed.]
2. In respect of bondage —
[The Spirit of God strives more or less with every living manh: but with those who have experienced the sanctifying effects of the knowledge of Christ, he must of necessity have wrought in a more abundant measure. Consecpjently, by the increased resistance necessary to overcome his sacred motions,
g John xv. 22. »> Gen. vi. 3.