86 The Danger ofApofçacy Vol, I. fin unto Death, the Apoftle means Apoftafie from the Chriflian Religion to Ido- latry, is molt probable from what follows, Verfe 18. we know that whofoever is born of . God finneth not, ( that is this Sin unto Death) but he that is be- gotten of God keepeth himfelf, and the wicked one toucheth him not, (that is, he is preferved from Idolatry, unto which the Devil had feduced fo great a part of Mankind) and we know that we are of God, and the whole World, év Tr, 7r,vnpw X;11,41, is under the dominion of that wicked one, (viz. the De- vil, whom the Scriptureelfewhere calls the God of this World; ) and we know that the Son of God is come, and bath given us an underftanding, that we may know him that is true, (that is, hath brought us from the Worfhip of falfe Gods, to the knowledge and Worfhip of the true God ; ) and then he concludes, little Children, keep your felves from Idols ; which Caution hath no manner of dependence upon what went before ; unlefs we underhand the Sin unto Death, in this Senfe ; and it is the more probable, that it is fo to be underftood, becaufe Apoffafie is fo often in this Fpi/Ile to the Hebrews called the Sin, by way of Eminency, as it is here, by St. john, whofoever is born of God finneth not. So that at the very heft, the Scripture fpeaks doubtfully ofthe Pardon of this Sin however, that the Punifhment of it, unrepented of fhall be very dread- ful. It feems to be mildly expreft here in theText, If any naan draw back, my Soul fhall have no pleafure in him : But it is the more fevere, for being expreft fo mildly, according to the Intention of the Figure here ufed ; and therefore in the next Words, this expreflion of God's taking no pleafure in fuck Perfons, is explained by their utter. Ruin and Perdition ; But we are not of them that draw back unto Perdition. And in feveral parts of this Epidle, there are very fevere paffages to this purpofe Ch. 2. 2, /. If the word fpoken b Angels was fled- fafl, and every tranfgreffaon and difobedience received a :lull recompence of re- ward ; how fhall we efcape, if we neglect fo great falvation ; And Ch. ro. 26, 27. If we fin wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more Sacrifice for Sin ; but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation, which fliall devour the adverfary. He that defpifed Mofes law, dyed without mercy, under two or three witneffes ; of how much forer punifhment, fuippofe ye, fbauhe be thought worthy, that bath trodden under foot the Son of God ! &c. For we know him who bath fail, Vengeance is mine, I will recompencefaith the Lord : And again, The Lord jhall judge his People. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. What can be inure fevere and terrible than thefe Expreffrons? I will mention but one Text more, and that is Rev. 21. 8. where in the Ca- talogue of great Sinners, thofe who Apoftatize from Religion, out of fear, do lead the Van; He that overcometh 'hall inherit all things, (which is elfewhere in this Book expreft, by continuing faithful unto the Death.) He that overcometh, (hall inherit all things ; and I will be his God, and he fhall be my Son : but the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and whoremongers, andforce- rere, and idolaters, and all lyars, (hall have their part in the hake, which burneth with fire and brimflone, which is the fecond death. The fea>fill, and unbelievers, and lyars, that is, they who out of fear relapfe into infidelity', and abide not in the 'Truth, fhall be reckoned in the firft rank of Offenders, and he punifhed accordingly. And thus I have donewith the Four things I propounded to fpeak to, from thefe Words ; the Nature of Apoftafie ; the feveral flaps and degrees of it ; the heinous Nature of this Sin ; the danger-of if, and the terrible punifhment it ex- pofeth Men to. And is there anyneed now, to exhort Men to hold fä/i the Profelfion of Faith, when the danger of drawing back is fo evident, and fo terrible ? or is there anyReafon and Occafion for it ? Certainly there is no great danger amongft us of Men's Apoftatizing from Chriftianity, and turning yews, or Turks, or Hea- thens ; I do not think there is, but yet for all that,- we are not free from the danger of Apoftafre; there is great danger, not of Mens Apoftatizing from one Religion to another, but frotn Religion to Infidelity, and Atheifin ; and of this worft
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