Matt. xxiv. 12, 13. Because iniqiiity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
THESE words are a part of the discourse which our Lord held with four of his disciples in private, after he had retired from the Temple to the Mount of Olives''. Being in full view of the Temple, his
a Compare Mark xiii. 1 — 4. ^\ath Matt. xxiv. 1,2. .
disciples were struck with the magnificence of its appearance, and expressed to him their admiration of it : from whence he took occasion to foretell the speedy destruction of it, and to give them signs whereby they should ascertain the approach of the judgments which awaited their whole nation. At the same time he gave them instructions for their own support and comfort under all the trials which they themselves should endure previous to that time. He told them what evil treatment they should meet with from the enemies of his Gospel ; and what difficulties they should encounter from his pretended friends. Their trials from without must be waved at present. Those from within we propose for our present con- sideration.
In the words before us our Lord suggests to his disciples,
T. The danger of spiritual declension —
Independent of the proneness of man at all times to backslide from God, there is a danger arising to us from the conduct of those with whom we stand con- nected. The bitterness of persecution, or abounding of corruption, may operate to abate our zeal in the service of our God; but the falls and offences of those who profess religion have a peculiar tendency to dis- courage the people of God ; and it is to this, we apprehend, our Lord more especially refers.
Such events must be expected in every age —
[If we consult the Holy Scriptures, we shall find that, even in the apostolic age, multitudes who were once hopeful, declined from the ways of God, and made shipwreck both of
faith and of a good conscience'' And what is there to
prevent a recurrence of the same evils? As long as the heart of man is so evil and so treacherous, it will ever be prone to start aside from God, even as a broken bow ]
Whenever they do happen, they tend to quench
the love even of the most established —
[Great disappointment is felt by all the members of the Christian Church : and every one feels a portion of that
•> 2 Tim. i. 15. and ii. 17. and iv. 10.
528 MATTHEW, XXIV. \2, Vd. [1395.
disgrace which the instability of any member brings upon the whole body. From the frailty of some, the fidelity of others begins to be questioned : evil surmisings arise : a coolness and distance are occasioned among the brethren: the communion of the saints is interrupted; and their associations for holy exercises are less frequented, or less enjoyed'^. Divisions then ensue: each leader endeavours to increase the number of his partisans : and thus all that union and harmony which should characterize the family of Christ, is destroyed.
Hence arises also a coldness of heart towards God himself,
and a loss of fellowship with him In a word, the
almost inseparable effect of an irruption of iniquity into the Church of God is, that " the love of many at least, if not of all, will wax cold." One single ** root of bitterness springing up, will trouble and defile many^."]
Such danger always existing, we proceed to suggest, II. A preservative against it —
Two things are certain, namely. That on our con- tinuajice in well-doing our salvation dej)e7ids ; and. That by our continuance in well-doing our salvation is secured : and the consideration of these two points will, under God, prove an excellent antidote against all the dangers to which we can be exposed.
Consider then, that
1. On our continuance in well-doing our salvation depends —