488 The danger of .flpency from Chriftiewity, V01.1 lives in, the more notorioufly he contradi&s his Profeffion, and falls off from Chri- ftianity, and the nearer he approaches to theSin in theText, and the danger there threatned : but yet for all that, this is not that which the Apoftle fpeaks of. 4th/y, But it is a total Apoftacy from theChrittian Religion, more efpecially to the HeathenIdolatry, the renouncing of the True God, and our Saviour, and the Worflhip of falfe Gods, which the Apoftle here fpeaks of And this will be evi- dent, if we confider theoccasion and main fcopeof this Epiftle. And that was to confirm the lems, who had newly embraced Chriftianity, in the profefionof that Religion; and tokeep them from apoftatizingfrom it, becaufe of the Perfecutions and Sufferings whichattended that Profeffion. Ìt pleafed God, when Chriftianity firft'appeared in the World, topermit the Powers of the World toraife a vehement Perfecution againft the Profeffors of it, by reafon whereof many out of bate Fear did Apoftatize from it, and in teftimony of their Renouncing it, were forced to Sacrifice to the Heathen Idols. This is that which the Apoftle endeavors to caution and arm Men againft throughout this Epiftle. Ch. 2. r. Therefore roe ought to give, the more iarheft heed to the things which we have heard, left at any time roe fhould fall away : And Chap. 3 r2. it is called an evil heart of Unbeliefto apoflatize from the livingGod. Take heed, Brethren, leftthere be in anyofyou an evil heart of 'Un- belief to depart from the living God; that is, to fall from the Worfhip of the True God to Idolatry. And, Chap. so. 23. Let us hold fall the Profefflon of our Faith without wavering", not forfaking the afenoblingofour fettles together; that is, not de- clining the Affembliesof Chriftians, for fear of Perfecution; and v. z6. it iscall'd afinningwilfully, after we have received the knowledge ofthe Truth ; and v.39. a draw- ing back to Perdition. AndCh. 12. it is call'd by wayofEminency, theSin which fo eafly befits 5 theSin which in thofe times of Perfecution, they were fo liable to. And I doubt not but this isthe Sin whichSt. john fpeaks of, and calls the Sin unto Death, and doesnot require Chriftians to pray for thofe who fall into it, with any affurance that it (hall be forgiven ; i john 5. r 6. There is a Sin unto Death; I do not fay that he [hall pray for it. AllVlnrighteoufnefsisSin, and there is a Sin not unto Death. We know that whofoever is born ofGod, finneth not; that is, does not fall into the Sinof Apoftacy from Chriftianity to that of the Heathen Idolatry : But he that is begotten of God keepeth himfelf, and that wicked one toucheth him not, And then y. 21. he adds this Caution, LittleChildren keep your [elves from Idols. Which fufficienly thews what that Sin was which he was fpeaking of before. So that this being the Sin which the Apoftle defign'd to caution Men againft throughout this Epiftle, it is very evident what falling away it is he here fpeaks of namely, a total Apoftacy from Chriftianity, and more efpecially to the Hea- then Idolatry. 5thly, We will confider the Reafon of the difficulty of Recovering fuch Per- fons by Repentance. If they fall away, it is extremly difficult to renew them again to Repentance ; and that for thefe three Reafons. r. Becaufe of the greatnefs and heinoufnefs of the Sin. 2. Becaufe it renounceth, and cafteth off the means of Recovery. 3. Becaufe it is fo high a Provocation of God td withdraw his Grace from fuch Perfons. r. Becaufe of the greatnefs and heinoufnefs of the Sin, both in the Nature and Circumftances of it. It is a downright Apoftacy from God, a direct renouncing $fhim, and reje&ingof hisTruth, after Men have owned it, and been inwardly perfwaded and convincedof it and fo the Aponte expreffeth it in this Epiftle, calling it anApofiacy from the living God, a finning wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the Truth. It hath all the Aggravationsthat aCrime is capable of, being againft the cleareft Light and Knowledge, and the fulleft Convi Lion of a Man's Mind, concerning the Truth and goodnefs of that Religion which he renounceth againft the greateft Obligations laid upon him by the Grace and Mercy of the Gofpel; after the free Pardon of Sins, and the Grace and Affìftance of God's Spirit received, and a miraculous Poweréonferr'd for a Witnefs and Te- ftimony to themfelves, of the undoubted Truth of that Religion which they have embraced. It is the higheft Affront to the Son ofGod, who revealed this Reli- gion to the World, and fealed it with his Blood; and, in effe&, an expreffion of;
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