Reynolds - BX5133.R42 S4 1831

ON HOSEA XIV. --- VERSES 3, 4. 163 come to Christ, John vi. 37. and cleave to him, and lay hold upon him, Heb. vi. 18. Isa. lvi. 2. 6. but by this we depart, and draw back from him, and let him go, Heb. x. 38, 39. By the one we prize Christ as infinitely precious, and his ways as holy and good, Phil. iii. 8. 2 Pet. i. 4. by the other we vilify and set them at naught, stumble at them as ways that do not profit, Matt. xxi. 42. Acts iv. 11. 1 Pet. ii. 7, 8. Job xxi. 14, 15. For a man having approved of God's ways, and entered into covenants with him, after this to go from his word and fling up his bar- gain, and start aside like a deceitful bow : of all other dispositions of the soul this is one of the worst, to deal with our sins as Israel did with their servants, Ser. xxxiv. 10, 11. dismiss them, and then take them again. It is the sad fruit of an evil and unbelieving heart, Heb. iii. 12. And God threateneth such per- sons to " lead them forth with the workers ofiniquity," Psa. cxxv. 5. as cattle are led to slaughter, or male- factors to execution. And yet we here see God pro - miseth healing unto such sinners. For understanding whereof we are to know that there is a twofold apostacy. The one out of impo- tency of affection, and prevalency of lust, drawing the heart to look towards the old pleasures thereof again, and it is a recidivation or relapse into a former sinful condition out of forgetfulness and falseness of heart, for want of the fear of God to balance the conscience, and to fix and unite the heart unto him : which was the frequent sin of Israel, to make many promises and covenants unto God, and to break them as fast, Judg. ii. 11, 12. Psa.' cvi. 7, 8. 11 -13. And tl.is falling from our first love, growing cold and slack in duty, breaking our engagements unto God, and re- turning again to folly, though it be, like a relapse after

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