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HOPEFUL'S ACCOUNT OF APOSTACY OF SUCH MEN. 235

HOPE. I am of your mind, (for my house not being above three miles from him) he would oft-times come to me, and that with many tears. Truly I pitied the man, and was not altogether without hope of him but one may see, it is not every one that cries Lord, Lord.

CHR. He told me once that he was resolved to go on pilgrimage, as we go now; but all of a sudden he grew acquainted with one Saveself, and then he became a stranger to me.

HRPE. Now, since we are talking about him, let us a little inquire into the reason of the sudden backsliding of him and some others,

CHR. It may be very profitable; but do you begin. HOPE. Well then, there are in my judgment four reasons for it.

1. Though the consciences of such men are awakened, yet their minds are not changed: therefore, when the power of guilt weareth away, that which provoketh them to be religious ceaseth: wherefore they naturally return to their old course again: even as we see the dog that is sick of what he hath eaten, so long as his sickness prevails he vomits and casts up all not that he doeth this of free mind (if we must say a dog ha ath mind,) but because it troubleth his stomach: but now, when his sickness is over, and so his stomach eased, his desires being not at all alienated from his vomit, he turns him about, and licks up all; and so it is true which is written, "The dog is turned to his own vomit again."(a) Thus, I say, being hot for heaven, by virtue only of the sense and fear of the torments of hell, as their sense of hell, and fear of dam.

Those who are

Saveself. This generation greatly abounds among us. under this spirit, are strangers to themselves, to the truths of God's law, and the promises of his gospel, and so consequently are strangers to those who know themselves to be totally lost; are dead to every hope of saving themselves, and look only to, and glory only in salvation by Jesus. "Two cannot walk together except they be agreed." Amos iii, 3.

(a) 2 Pet. ii. 22.

236 THE EFFECTS OF AN UNRENEWED HEART.

nation, chills and cools, so their desires for heaven and salvation cool also. So then it comes to pass, that, when their guilt and fear is gone, their desires for hea. ven and happiness die, and they return to their course again.*

2. Another reason is, they have slavish fears that do overmaster them:-I speak now of the fears that they have of men: "for the fear of man bringeth a snare. (a) So, then, though they seem to be hot for heaven so long as the flames of hell are about their ears, yet, when that terror is a little over, they betake themselves to second thoughts, namely, that it is good to be wise, and not to run (for they know not what) the hazard of losing all, or at least of bringing them, selves into unavoidable and unnecessary troubles; and so they fall in with the world again.

3. The shame that attends religion lies also as a block in their way: they are proud and haughty, and religion in their eye is low and contemptible: therefore, when they have lost their sense of hell and wrath to come, they return again to their former course.

4. Guilt, and to meditate terror, are grievous to them; they like not to see their misery before they come into it; though perhaps the sight of it first, if they loved that sight, might make them flee whither the righteous flee and are safe; but because they do as I hinted before, even shun the thoughts of guilt and terror, therefore, when once they are rid of their awakenings about the terrors and wrath of God, they har, den their hearts gladly, and choose such ways as will harden them more and more,

CHR. You are pretty near the business; for the bottom of all is, for want of a change in their mind and will. And therefore they are but like the felon that standeth before the judge; he quakes and trembles, and

* A true description of the state of too many professors. Here see the reason why so many saints, as they are called, fall away.

(a) Prov. xxix. 25.

CHRISTIAN SHOWS HOW THEY DRAW BACK. 237

seems to repent most heartily: but the bottom of all is, the fear of the halter; not that he hath any detestation of the offences; as is evident, because, let but this man have his liberty, and he will be a thief, and so a rogue still; whereas, if his mind was changed, he would be otherwise.

HOPE. Now I have showed you the reasons of their going back, do you show me the manner thereof.

CHR. So I will willingly.They draw off their thoughts, all that they may, from the remembrance of God, death, and judgment to come-then they cast off by degrees private duties, as closet-prayer, curbing their lusts, watching, sorrow for sin, &c. then they shun the company of lively and warm Christians :-after that they grow cold to public duty: as hearing, reading, godly conference, and the like ;-then they begin to pick holes, as we say, in the coats of some of the godly, and that devilishly, that they may have a seeming colour to throw religion (for the sake of some infirmities they have spied in them) behind their backs : -then they begin to adhere to, and associate themselves with, carnal, loose, and wanton men:-then they give way to carnal and wanton discourses in secret; and glad are they if they can see such things in any that are counted honest, that they may the more boldly do it through their example.-After this, they begin to play with little sins openly :--and then, being hardened, they show themselves as they are. Thus, being launched again into the gulf of misery, unless a miracle of grace prevent it, they everlastingly perish in their own deceivings,*

See how gradually, step by step, apostates go back. It begins in the unbelief of the heart, and ends in open sins in the life. Why is the love of this world so forbidden? why is covetousness called idolatry? Because, whatever draws away the heart from God, and prevents enjoying close fellowship with him, naturally tends to apostacy from him. Look well to your hearts and affections. Daily learn to obey that command, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life," Prov. iv. 23. If you neglect to watch, you will be sure to smart: under the sense of sin on earth, or its curse in hell. "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil." Eph. v. 15.

238

THEY ARRIVE AT THE COUNTRY OF BEULAH.

CHAPTER XX.

THE PILGRIMS TRAVEL THE PLEASANT COUNTRY OF BEULAH. SAFELY PASS THE RIVER OF DEATH, AND ARE ADMITTED INTO THE GLORIOUS CITY OF GOD.

NOW I saw in my dream, that by this time the pilgrims were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of Beulah, (a) whose air was very sweet and pleasant, the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of birds, and saw every day the flowers appear in the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle in the land. In this country the sun shineth night and day: wherefore this was beyond the valley of the Shadow of Death, and also out of the reach of Giant Despair; neither could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle.* Here they were within sight of the city they were going to: also here met them some of the inhabitants thereof; for in this land the shining ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders of heaven. In this land also the contract between the bride and the bridegroom was renewed: yea, here, "as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so did their God rejoice over them." Here they had no want of corn and wine; for in this place they met with abundance of what they had sought for in all their pilgrimage. Here they heard voices from out of the city, loud voices saying, "Say ye to the

O what a blessed state! what a glorious frame of the soul is this! Job speaks of it as the candle of the Lord shining upon his head, ch xxx 3. The church, in a rapture cries out, "Sing O heavens and be joyful, O earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, for the Lord hath comforted his people," Isa. xxix. 13. Paul calls this "the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of peace," Rom. xv. 29. O rest not short of enjoying the full blaze of gospel peace, and spiritual joy.

(a) Sol. Song. ii. 10-12. Isa. lxii. 4-12.

THE PILGRIMS OVERCOME WITH JOY.

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daughter of Zion, Behold, thy Salvation cometh! Behold, his reward is with him!" Here all the inhabitants of the country called them "The holy people, the Redeemed of the Lord, Sought out."-&c.

Now, as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote from the kingdom to which they were bound; and drawing near to the city they had yet a more perfect view thereof. It was builded of pearls and precious stones, also the streets thereof were paved with gold; so that, by reason of the natural glory of the city, and the reflection of the sun-beams upon it, Christian with desire fell sick, Hopeful also had a fit or two of the same disease: wherefore here they lay by it a while, crying out because of their pangs, "If you see my Beloved, tell him that I am sick of love."*

But, being a little strengthened, and better able to bear their sickness, they walked on their way, and came yet nearer and nearer, where were orchards, vineyards, and gardens, and their gates opened into the highway. Now, as they came up to these places, behold the gardener stood in the way; to whom the pilgrims said, "Whose goodly vineyards and gardens are these?" He answered, "They are the King's, and are planted here for his own delight, and also for the solace of pilgrims." So the gardener had them into the vineyards, and bid them refresh themselves with the dainties; (a) he also showed them there the King's walks and arbours, where he delighted to be: and here they tarried and slept.

* See what it is to long for the full fruition of Jesus in glory. Some have been so overpowered hereby, that their earthen vessels were ready to burst their frail bodies have been so overcome, that they have cried, Lord, hold thine hand, I faint, I sink, I die, with a full sense of thy precious, precious love Covet earnestly this best gift, Love. Lord, shed it more abun. dantly abroad in these cold hearts of ours!

(a) Deut. xxiii. 24.

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