1. Their personal recovery — " [Salt that has lost its savour, cannot by any means be restored to its former pungency. And thus it is with those who, after some experience of the power of godliness, have made shipwreck of their faith and of a good conscience. Doubtless, " with God all things are possible ;" and therefore He can restore the most determined apostate : but there is very little reason to hope that he ever icill ; since he has told us,
that such an one shall be given over to final impenitence''
The state of one who has merely declined in religion is cer- tainly not so desperate ; but still it is truly deplorable. If a man had never known any thing of religion, it might be hoped that the truths of the Gospel would influence his mind ; but if he be already acquainted with those truths, and they be not able to preserve him, how can it be hoped that they shall have efficacy to restore him ? Whilst " the heart is yet tender," the Gospel is mighty in operation ; because God accompanies it with his power from on high : but when " the heart is hardened through the deceitfulness of sin," and the Spirit of God has withdrawn his agency, there is great reason to fear that the man " will draw back unto perdition." How solemn are the admonitions given on this subject to the Chvirch at Ephesus^, and to that at Sardis*^! Let ever}' one then who has declined in religious exercises and enjoyments, even though his declen- sions be ever so secret, tremble, lest that threatening be ful- filled in him, " The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways*^."]
2. Their ministerial usefulness —
[" All who have received the gift, are bound to minister the same to others, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God'." But the man that has lost the savour of religion in his own soul, is ill qualified for this : he has not inclination to do it, he has not courage, he has not ahility. When religion flourished in his soul, he could converse upon it with pleasure : " Out of the abundance of his heart his mouth would freely speak." But now he can converse on any other subject rather than that: he finds no satisfaction in maintaining fellowship even with the saints : it is not to be wondered at therefore that he has no disposition to instruct the ignorant, and reform the wicked. Indeed, he is afraid lest that proverb should be retorted upon him, " Physician, heal thyself:" and his own conscience will remonstrate with him in the energetic language of the Apostle, " Thou that teachest another, teachest thou
e Heb. vi. 4—6. and x. 26, 27. . 2 Pet. ii. 20 — 22.
f Rev. ii. 4, 5. s Rev. iii. 1—3. '^ Prov. xiv. 14.
i 1 Pet. iv. 10.
1295.J CHRISTIANS THE SALT OF THE EARTH. 8a
not thyself"?" And though no change has taken place
in his intellect in reference to earthly things, his understanding becomes clouded in relation to spiritual things : his gifts in a great measure vanish together with his grace : he once could speak and pray with fluency ; but now his mouth is shut ; and he experiences the truth of that singular declaration, " From him that hath not (that hath not improved his talent) shall be taken away even that which he hath^"
But it is observed of the salt, not only that it is " good for nothing," with respect to its primary uses of keeping other things from putrefaction, but that it is " not fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill'"." The fact is, that salt, when destitute of its proper qualities, has a tendency rather to produce sterility than to promote vegetation, if it be cast upon the land. This
is intimated in many passages of Scripture" And such
is the effect produced by those who have lost the power of godliness, and departed from God : they cast a stumbling-block before men, and " cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of." The world may do what they please, and the individuals alone are blamed ; but let any one who professes religion do any thing amiss, and religion itself must be accountable for it, and the name of God is blasphemed on his account. This indeed is most unreasonable and absurd : nevertheless so it is : and a most aggravated woe is thereby entailed on all who occasion such an offence".]