falling, even whilst it lasts; and even as if it might be all lost at any moment.

If Job's friends were "miserable comforters," such persons are miserable guides; and almost as dangerous as those who prophesy only "smooth things." It is, perhaps, difficult to say, whether those who prophesy harsh things only, or those who prophesy smooth things only, are most dangerous. One thing is certain-they are both very unlike Christ, and both ignorant, alike, of the human heart. That, can neither be led on in holiness by fear only, nor kept from going back by hope only. Accordingly, those converts who are kept in perpetual dread of falling, obey without pleasure; and those who are taught that they cannot fall, disobey without much ceremony or compunction.

How do you feel on this subject? Whether do you take for granted that you shall not

fall, or take measures to enable you to stand? On what security against falling away, do you lay hold oftenest and lean most? Not, I hope;-not, I pray!-on the abstract theory of final perseverance. Falling is begun, whenever a man or a woman, instead of persevering in prayer and watchfulness, presumes on safety without them. And when any one comes to argue his case thus,-"If I am decreed to be saved, I cannot be lost, whatever I neglect; instead of praying over his case thus,-" Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe;" he is fallen far, both from the doctrines and spirit of grace. He has then given up known Truth, for unknown Decrees. Yea, he has ceased to consult God; and begun, if not exactly to defy Him, to alter his decrees, yet to tell him that, if there be a decree, He cannot alter it.

The cool effrontery of this calculation is horrible, just because it is so cool! It makes a

supposed decree of the Eternal Mind, suppress all the holy principles and feelings of the Eternal Mind. It sets against all the present will of God, the presumption that there has been a past act of the Divine will, which He is bound to abide by, whatever be the consequences to his law or his grace. The fatalism of the Mahommedans is nothing to this!

You are shocked at it. Well you may. Let it teach you, that the heart can be "desperately wicked," as well as "deceitful above all things." And, do not imagine, that nothing but gross sins can produce this fool-hardiness. It springs oftener from losing the power of godliness, than from the loss of moral character. This dreadful game of hazard is more played at, by those who become lax in religious duty, than by those who are loose in morals. It is the slothful, not the sensual; the worldly, not the vicious, who try most to find out "bye

ways" to heaven. The sensual do, indeed, presume; but it is not upon past decrees being in their favour; but upon future displays of mercy, coming in time enough to save them. It is the slothful who try to believe, that there may be some Eternal purpose, which will prevent them from being lost. This is sad work! And, observe, how extremes meet in it: both classes are equally afraid of the present will of God.

Neither can hope in Him, just as He is
Both see that His

and feels at the moment.

immediate feelings must be against their conduct; and, therefore, the one class throw themselves upon the chance of former purposes, and the other upon the chance of future good-will.

You have not "so learned Christ!" When you repeat to yourself His promise, "I give unto my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish," you also remember His description of their character,-"My sheep hear my voice,

T

and follow me, and a stranger will they not follow." Thus it is only the followers of Christ, who cannot be plucked out of his hands, nor out of the hands of the Father. Accordingly, you see and feel that, were you to turn back, or to give up following the Saviour, you could have no more hold upon the power which keeps His flock "unto salvation," than they have who never professed or wished to be his sheep. This is well so far, because it is wise.

In what way, however, do you calculate upon Divine power keeping you from falling away from Christ, and thus keeping you from falling short of heaven? How do you expect this keeping power to act for your safety? How do you draw upon it for strength, to stand before trials and temptations? I multiply these questions, because that power acts by rule in preserving both the sheep and the lambs of Christ from apostacy, and thus from