394 ` Chap. 21: AnExpofition upon theBook of J O S. Verf. r T. declining in the profefon ofthe faith. Let us take heedof either ofchofe waverings and declinings,before explained. Firth, Let us not decline in theway, but keep up in the fame degreeofholines and love toChrift. The Churchof Ephefus is charged with this fort of declining; and therefore after Chrift had given that Church a great and a deferved commendation (Rev.2.2.) I know thy worker, and thy labour, andCloy patience, and bow thou canfi not beare then; which are evil', andball tried them that fay they are Apoflles,and arenot, andh4 found there liars; yet Chrift cornes with a rebuking, neverthele¡feat the 4th verf)Ihaveforce- what again,fl thee, becaufe thou hall left thy firft love i that is,tbou bagdeclined from, or abated in thy firft beate of love. Ephefue did not totally forfake, nor cart off Chrift out of her love; Epbejur did not choofe other lovers, nor fay, fhe would have no more to doe with Chrift : Thechiefe objet$ of her love wasthe fame, but her aâings were no: the fame. The ftreames ofher af- fecRiondid not run into another channel,but theywere fallenand ebb'd in their former channel. 'Tis fad, when Saints decline thus; we fh:tuld keepe up to the fame height, to the fame heat, to the fame degree of love without declining, we fhould not onely run at firft lettingou},but continue running,or as the Apofle fpeaks. (Heb. r z. t.) Run with patience, that is,run conftantly,or with perfeverance, the race that to fet before us. They that run in +a worldly race, the ncerer they come to the Coale, the falter they run, and the more they firive ; fo fhould we in our holy race : we fhould hill be growingand excreafing with the encreafe ofGod, ASaint íhould be thankfull for the leafs degree,but he flsould not fit downe in thegreateft degree, he bath already attained unto. And though force who have grace doe not aâually reach after more, yet they who fay they have enough, or need nomore,give too cleare an evidence againft themfelves, that they have none at all. As the higher degrees ofgrace (under a temptation or de- fertion) may beuathriving andunftriving after perfe&ion,fo the loweft degree oflaving grace is (in its owne nature) thriving and striving after moreperfeâion. He that beleeves,truely,would be- leeve more, and he that loves truly, would love more andmore, till his love become a vehement flame, fovehement a flame that manywaters (hall not be ableto quench it, nor the floods (of :rouble avid perfecution from the world) drowne it. Secondly;
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