III. 1. From the preceding considerations we may learn, first, To give a clear and incontestible answer, to a question which has frequently perplex many, who were sincere of heart. Does sin precede or follow the loss of faith? “Does a child of God first commit sin, and thereby losehis faith? Or does he lose his faith first, before he can commit sin?”
*I answer, some sin of omission at least, must necessarily precede the loss of faith: some inward sin. But the loss of faith must precede the committing outward sin.
*The more any believer examines his own heart, the more will he be convinced of this: that faith working by love, excludes both inward and outward sin from a soul watching unto prayer: that nevertheless we are even then liable to temptation, particularly to the sin that did easily beset us: that if the loving eye of the soul be steddily fixed on God, the temptation soon vanishes away: but if not, if we are [46]ἐξελκόμενοι, (as the apostle James speaks) drawn out of God by our own desire, and δελεαζόμενοι, caught by the bait of present or promised pleasure: then that desire conceived in us, brings forth sin; and having by that inward sin destroyed our faith, it casts us headlong into the snare of the devil, so that we may commit any outward sin whatever.
2. *From what has been said, we may learn, secondly, what the life of God in the soul of a believer is; wherein it properly consists; and what is immediately and necessarily implied therein. It immediately and necessarily implies, the continual inspiration of God’s holy Spirit: God’s breathing into the soul, and the soul’s breathing back what it first receives from God: a continualaction of God upon the soul, and re-action of the soul upon God: an unceasing presence of God, the loving, pardoning God, manifested to the heart, and perceived by faith; and an unceasing return of love, praise, and prayer, offering up all the thoughts of our hearts, all the words of our tongues, all the works of our hands, all our body, soul, and spirit, to be an holy sacrifice, acceptable unto God in Christ Jesus.
3. *And hence we may, thirdly, infer, the absolute necessity of this re-action of the soul (whatsoever it be called) in order to the continuance of the divine life therein. For it plainly appears, God does not continue to act upon the soul, unless the soul re-acts upon God. He prevents us indeed with the blessings of his goodness. He first loves us, and manifests himself unto us. While we are yet afar, he calls us to himself, and shines upon our hearts. But if we do not then love him who first loved us, if we will not hearken to his voice; if we turn our eye away from him, and will not attend to the light which he pours upon us: his Spirit will not always strive; he will gradually withdraw, and leave us to the darkness of our own hearts. He will not continue to breathe into our soul, unless our soul breathes toward him again; unless our love, and prayer, and thanksgiving return to him, a sacrifice wherewith he is well pleased.
4. Let us learn, lastly, to follow that direction of the great apostle, Be not high-minded, but fear.Let us fear sin, more than death or hell. Let us have a jealous (though not painful) fear, lest we should lean to our own deceitful hearts. Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall. Even he who now standeth fast in the grace of God, in the faith that overcometh the world, may nevertheless fall into inward sin, and thereby make shipwreck of his faith. And how easily then will outward sin regain its dominion over him? Thou therefore, O man of God, watch always; that thou mayest always hear the voice of God. Watch that thou mayest pray without ceasing, at all times and in all places, pouring out thine heart before him. So shalt thou always believe, and always love, and never commit sin.
SERMON XX.
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jeremiah xxiii. 6.
This is his name, whereby he shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.
1.HOW dreadful, and how innumerable are the contests, which have arisen about religion? And not only among the children of this world, among those who knew not what true religion was: but even among the children of God, those who had experienced the kingdom of God within them, who had tasted of righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? How many of these in all ages, instead of joining together against the common enemy, have turned their weapons against each other, and so not only wasted their precious time, but hurt one anothers spirits, weakened each others hands, and so hindered the great work of their common Master! How many of the weak have hereby been offended? How many of the lame turned out of the way? How many sinners confirmed in their disregard of all religion, and their contempt of those that profess it? Andhow many of the excellent ones upon earth have been constrained to weep in secret places?