Chap. 34. An Expolitioa upon the Book of J ó B. Verf. 27. Welted Apoflacy ; he did not turn from truth to error, but from error to truth ; he did not turn from pure woríhip to Idolatry and fuperflition, but. from Idolatry and fuperflition ro pure worfhip. Howwretched is their condition who are indeed Apoliaces 1 who turn fromGod to the world, from truth to error,from pure wor- ihip to Idolatry and fuperflition, from a holy converfation to prophanefs, loofnefs .and libertenifme, to a complyance with e world , and a fymbolizing with them in their lufls and wicked neffe. This abominable apoflacy is a fruit of hypperifie , Hypo- crites turneonly theirfaces toGod, and Apotates turnetheirbacker upon him, or, turn backfrom him. And all they who turn only their facesunto God, willfor their none advantage, or to fave themfelves turn their backs upon him. Hypocrites when put to it, when the forme comes,ever prove Apoiates. Secondly, There is. a turning from God found even inthe befh followers of God; who is there among the Saints onearth that keepes conflant un-interrupted communion.withGod ? The leafl degree of inordinate lettingdowne or turning the heart to the creature, is, a degree of turning back fromGod. As holinefs is our motion toward God, and'to'a& holyly is to keep the eye of the foule alwayes uponGod ; fo, unholinefs, is an averuion from, God. David did not fay, nor could he fay ( though as holy a man as lived) that he had never turned fromGod ; he could' only fay that he had notwiekèd ÿdeparted Pont God (Pfal: 18. z i . ) Thirdly , There is a turning back from God, proper to all un- regenerate perfons,whether they be fuch asare civilly honefi and poffibly fuch as doe not decline the .outfide of that religion wherein they were borne andbred ; or fuck as are flagitious in their lives and wayes, fcorning to own religion; and being even afhamed of the wayes of God. Thefe may be fayd to turn back fromGod, becaufe they have many calls to God, and are invited to corne unto him; 4vh.icla yet they either neglea and mind not at all, or refute and rejeó, and fo thrufl away God from them ; and when the light comes, they love darknefr; rather then ligh't, . becaufe theirdeeds are evill (Joh: 3. r 9.) Such were they of whom 'job fpake ( chap: 2I. z 4. )Theyfay to God depart fromus : he loth not intend ie ofApoflates in a aria notion, who once made profeflìon ofgodlinefs ; but he fpeakes of commonand prolhane perfons,.who :have no mind at all to,obey; or walk with God, but mind 70.1,
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