hindered, and even turned aside, by looking at the world, and being tempted to think that, after all that has been said to the contrary, there is something desirable in sinful pleasures, in worldly show and parade, and in being esteemed, rather than being contemned and despised for our attentions to religion; and especially when we can take up with a religion which costs us nothing, which happens to be honour able in the world, and which, while it approves of decency of manners, permits us to indulge ourselves in a variety of things which the stricter precepts of real christianity forbid, as inconsistent either with the glory of God or the true interests of the immortal soul. Thus, many who had "ciean escaped from them who live in error," are again entangled therein and overcome. There was a strange propensity in the Israelites to imitate the manners of their heathenish neighbours, and many of those who have known the Lord, and entered into covenant with him, have in all ages copied too much after their erroneous example. What a dreadful instance have we of this in King Solomon, who, after the glorious manifestations of Jehovah, suffered his idolatrous wives to steal away his heart. "Little children, (said St. John) keep yourselves from idols." Worldly appearances are extremely delusive; and yet how few consider them in the same light in which they are represented in the scripture, "that all is vanity and vexation of spirit!"

5. False doctrines.-The propagators of false doctrines are in general either aiming at their own emolument, or the advancement of their own honour; though some may be actuated by other motives, such as ignorance, superstition, and fanaticism. It would be next to impossible to enumerate all the errors that have been broached among them. Some have explained away the divinity of Christ, degrading him to a mere man who is higher than the angels, while others have denied his humanity. Some have held the covenant of works as the sure ground of acceptance with God, thus rendering their salvation impossible; while others have maintained that the moral law is dispensed with to all

believers, &c. &c. but the great thing in false doctrines is, the making the way narrower or wider than God has made it. The first of these are such as bind heavy burdens upon men and grievous to be borne, as our Lord said of the Pharisees, and which the anchorites and zealots of the antichristian church, enforced by penalties, &c.; and the others, whose principal maxim is, "Let us sin, that grace may abound," or because it does abound. Now whoever enters upon a holy life, and walks with God in the way he has appointed and approves of, and afterwards, that he may be under less restraint, gives up that way, and chooses another; that man necessarily departs from God; and how many do this, is known only to him that sees all things. Again, he who chooses to leave the plain letter of scripture, to follow visionaries, and imbibe their sentiments, will by his injudicious conduct soon be bewildered; and, engaging in their defence, be ready for every fresh pretender, and for all their ridiculous and monstrous conceits. It was revealed clearly by the Spirit to St. Paul, that in the latter times such impostors should arise, "I know this, (said he) that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them," Acts xx. 29, 30; and again to Timothy, "In the latter time shall some depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hy. pocrisy," &c. Thus every believer ought to be strictly upon his guard against all those who attempt to corrupt the gospel of God his Saviour, and be careful not to give ear to any doctrine derogatory to his honour. Truth must be loved for its own sake, and its dictates followed, or we must expect to fall into error; and how far that false light may lead us into danger, cannot be easily divined.

6. Not pressing after greater holiness." It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace," said the apostle. Not attending strictly to this maxim has been the downfall of many. The regenerate find in themselves, on too many

I occasions, the truth of these words, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh :" and how is the victory to be gained over the corruption of our nature, but by constantly looking up to God for his power and grace? "He has given to us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we might be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE;" and he expects that we believe, receive, and earnestly desire their fulfilment, that the graces of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, may abound in us; and that we may neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. If these things are attended to, we shall never fall, 2 Pet. i. 5, &c. This implies, if there be not proper diligence used, and these things sought after, we shall certainly fall. Unless the mind is kept in pursuit of all the Lord is willing to impart, the temptations of Satan, and his numerous devices, will ensnare us, the cares, pleasures, and difficulties of life, will intoxicate or drown us, Luke xxi. 34, 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10; and our nature will prevail against us, and cause us to turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, and we shall again be in bondage to our former idolatries, Gal. iv. 8, 9. Such make shipwreck of faith and a good. conscience, and may even go so far as to "forget that they were purged from their old sins." What necessity then is laid upon us not to sleep as do others; not to cast away our confidence; not to say that surely all bitterness is past, that we have now no more to do; our state is so secure that there is no danger? How much nearer to the spirit of the gospel shall we come, if we say with one who seemed to think that there was scarcely any thing done till all was done: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to the things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Other causes might be mentioned besides those enumerated, as travelling and mixing with great variety of strangers; being kept long from public ordinances; taking offence at

others; sudden elevation or depression of fortune, imperious persecuting superiors, unnecessary dabbling in politics, &c.: but these and many others may be brought under one or other of these heads. I shall therefore dismiss this head, and proceed to shew

THE VARIOUS DEGREES OF BACKSLIDING. THERE are many degrees of backsliding spoken of in scripture, and it is from this ever-faithful and unerring word that we must discover them, The eyes of the Lord are continu: ally upon all the ways of men, and he seeth all their doings, and nothing can possibly be hid from his all-penetrating view. We are incapable of judging the real state of religi ous professors in a thousand instances, and are liable to make numerous mistakes. This is not the case with him at all. Let us then carefully attend to what he speaks concerning this matter. The backslidings spoken of in his holy word, are either those of the heart or life. Let us take notice

1. Of those of the heart. It is plain both from scripture and experience, that men may decline in heart from God, while there still may be kept up the exterior garb and appearance of piety; yea, a degree of real piety itself. This appears sufficiently plain from what follows concerning the soul's departure from God.

We depart from him when we leave our first love, Rev. ii. 4. By first love is to be understood that love which we feel to God, and every thing which belongs to him, when we are first converted to himself. There may be the appearance of this love by some attentions to religious services, where it never properly took place in the heart; and such persons, without having fully proved the power of christianity, may feel themselves disposed to make a profession of religion. I shall just name a few of them, and pass them by, to speak of those who have actually partaken of the heavenly gift.

Some walk with Jesus for a time, till they discover the spirituality and strictness of his doctrines; and then they "go back, and walk no more with him."

Some receive the seed of divine truth into their hearts:

but for want of due reflection, an upright intention, and firm resolution to be on the Lord's side, the seed is lost, and their souls remain barren; and these slaves of sin, and their religion, sink into the world together.

There are those who put on the appearances of piety, or attend divine ordinances out of compliance to the wishes of others; and as soon as the constraint ceases, as the bow flies back on slackening its string, so these fly back to their sins and follies.

And there are not a few of those who can "feign themselves just persons," to accomplish some favourite design, and, whether they gain their point or fail in it, soon disappear, and are gone.

These may be termed in some sense backsliders, at least, such persons may pass with some for religionists, and may, when they discover themselves in their true colour, do harm in the world; but as those who have known the goodness of God, and left him, are the greater sinners, I shall speak only of these in the following remarks.

But with regard to first love.-When the soul is truly converted to God, and is assured of its acceptance in Christ, the love we feel to him is full of tenderness, gratitude, and admiration. Christ is then all in all to the believer. His name, services, ways, and grace, are all precious. We see, we feel his infinite compassion, and this teaches us to discover something of the same to all, both friends and enemies. This state of mind should always continue at least; as there is no cause why God should have less of our love, but many why he should have more, we should never decline in it. Yet it is to be feared that many, very many do leave this most blessed state into which they are brought through the tender mercy of God, and content themselves with a smaller degree of it for years together. Such persons may imitate in some sort, in their works, and labour, and patience, the angel of the Ephesian church; but, like him, they must expect the reproof, "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love ;" and in general where the reproof is dis