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crime of which he speaks, and the terrible threatening denounced, supposes greater guilt than is incurred by unregenerate men. And facts, in many revivals, assure us that the most openly wicked of unbelievers, even if they have been much enlightened, are not without the pale of mercy But these apostates, mentioned by the apostle, cannot be restored. If they had never been renewed to repentance, why does he assert the impossibility of their being again renewed. To renew, is to restore to the former state, in this instance. And Paul exhorts the Hebrews to guard against apostacy, because they cannot be restored if they fall. This implies that they were Christians; and if this is denied, we must admit that the apostle warns vain professors of religion against falling away from self-righteousness, assuring them that if they do apostatize from their unregenerate state, they cannot be brought back again. What would it avail if they could ? It is absurd to suppose that mere professors are addressed in such language; and besides, the apostle believes them to be Christian brethren. (ver. 9.). Admitting, then, as we must, that Christians are in this epistle and elsewhere in the Scriptures addressed as liable to fall and perish, why are they thus addressed? Because God treats Christians as free agents, as rational beings; because he guards them against defection, not by mere physical power, but by moral

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means adapted to their nature, as free and rational agents. Let every man speculate as he pleases on this subject, when he addresses Christians by way of warning, he will inevitably fall into the same modes of address. And plainly he ought so to do; for thus have all the sacred writers done, and thus did the Saviour himself.”

The truth is established, then, that the saints are preserved by the power of God; but in themselves considered, they are liable to wander from the fold and perish. On this ground—including also their accountability and the duty of perseverance—they are warned and exhorted to faithfulness : and these admonitions are a part of the appropriate means employed to keep them in the faith. So far as injunctions to duty, and effort, and assurance of hope, and the gratitude of obedience are concerned, the inspired writers do not bring into view the personal election of the saints and the promises pledged for their endurance to the end. They take the same practical view of spiritual things that they do of temporal. (Acts 27. 31 : 2 Thess. 2. 13–17: 2 Pet. 1. 1–12: Rev. 3. 2–6.) Will

any child of God pervert to licentiousness and sin a revealed doctrine--the truth of which is both demonstrated and created by the natural depravity of the human heart ? Will he abuse a doctrine on which is hung the sole hope of his * Stuart on the Hebrews, vol. ii. Excursus 12.

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own salvation! If gratitude for redeeming love and the washing of regeneration do not prevent him, a correct understanding of the subject will. True, the sheep shall never perish. But who are the sheep? They, and they alone, who persevere in holiness. If therefore

you

have no evidence of living faith, the promise does not reach you. He only who endureth to the end shall not perish. And if you endure to the end, you will find no time for idleness or sin. Will you still dismiss the subject with this lazy remark; If God has purposed that I shall be faithful, he will fulfil his purpose without my concern. What is this but saying—if I am to be faithful, I shall be faithful, whether I am faithful or not, and I will not be faithful ?" But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For if these things (the Christian virtues) be in you and abound, they make you neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure ; for if ye

do these things ye SHALL NEVER FALL: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you ABUNDANTLY into the EVERLASTING KINGDOM of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. WHEREFORE I WILL NOT

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BE NEGLIGENT TO PUT YOU ALWAYS IN REMEM

BRANCE OF THESE THINGS, THOUGH YE KNOW THEM AND BE ESTABLISHED IN THE PRESENT TRUTH.”

CHAPTER X.

ON THE NATURE OF INABILITY.

a

This subject has been partially illustrated in the preceding chapters. But it has so important a bearing on all the prominent doctrines of the gospel and the practical duties of religion, that I shall give it a distinct consideration.

It is worthy of notice that promises and threatenings are intermingled through the whole Bible. Excepting the introductory, but very brief history of creation and the fall of man, it commences with intimations of grace for the penitent, (Gen. 3. 15.) and closes with the general invitation to take the water of life freely. The last denunciation, expressed in few and appalling words, is enclosed by the offers of free salvation and a benediction—and thus has God finished his testimony with the most explicit declaration that sinners, without distinction, may come to him and trust in his mercy. I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride

say,

Come. And let him that heareth,

And let him that is athirst, Come. And whosoever will, let him TAKE THE WATER

say Come.

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