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"withmany stripes; for unto whom much "is given, of them much shall be requir"ed." Without spending time in quoting passages from other parts of the Bible, let us only look into the chapter where our text lies, to learn the doom of apostates and the impossibility of their escaping the righteous judgment of God. " If "we sin wilfully," says the apostle in the 26th verse," after that we have received "the knowledge of the truth, there re"maineth no more sacrifice for sins, but

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a certain fearful looking for of judg"ment, and fiery indignation, which shall "devour the adversaries."-" He that de"spised Moses' law died without mercy "under two or three witnesses; of how "much sorer punishment, suppose ye, "shall he be thought worthy, who hath "trodden under foot the Son of God, "and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace?"

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Think then, my friends, think often on the guilt of apostacy,-on the danger of hypocrites, of false pretenders to religion. Think, what weeping and gnashing

"of teeth" there will be, when " ye shall

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see Abram, Isaac, and Jacob, and all "the prophets in the kingdom of heaven, "and you yourselves thrust out!" Think what it will be to be outcasts from the glorious mansions of the blessed, and from all share and fellowship in their joy and felicity, to be for ever consigned to the realms of misery and despair, the place prepared for the devil and his angels, to endure unutterable torments, both in body and soul, and that for ever,

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-to dwell with everlasting burnings, and have no rest day nor night! And "see"ing, therefore, beloved, ye know these "things before, beware lest ye also, being "led away with the error of the wicked, "fall from your own stedfastness." But rather "grow in grace, and in the know

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ledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus "Christ, whom to know is eternal life."

You have now heard, my friends, your duty and your danger,—the snares to which you are exposed, and the reasons that should determine you to cleave with purpose of heart unto the Lord.

Learn from what has been said to guard against the beginnings of spiritual

declension. It is generally by slow and insensible degrees that men fall from the faith and profession of the gospel. It is often by indulging a proud and captious spirit, by improper compliances with the customs and manners of those around them," by forsaking the assembling of "themselves together,"-by the neglect or careless performance of secret devotion,or by needlessly associating with those who are destitute of the life and power of godliness;-it is, I say, by such means as these, that those awful backslidings begin, which terminate in a total and final apostacy. "Watch and pray, therefore, "that ye enter not into temptation." Shun the occasions of sin. "Abstain

" from all appearance of evil.”

I speak to some, no doubt, who have experienced very serious impressions of divine truth. Nay, perhaps there are none hearing me, who at one period of their lives have not seen something of their guilt and misery as sinners, and felt considerable uneasiness concerning the safety of their soul. I ask, my brethren, if any of you have stifled these convictions? If so, let me exhort,-let me

charge, let me beseech you, as you value your everlasting peace, to do so no longer. Take the alarm in time." Con"victions of sin and danger," says an eminent writer *, "are the means which "God employs for bringing us out of "darkness into his marvellous light.' "Oh! then, resist not, quench not the "working of the Spirit. It may be the "first dawn of that light in your soul, "which, if suffered to increase, may ne"ver be extinguished. It may be the "first spark of that heavenly fire, which, "if not at present smothered, will burn "for ever." Improve this, and all the means which the wisdom of God hath appointed for your recovery from backsliding, and for your establishment in the ways of truth and holiness.

In particular, "let the love of Christ "dwell in you richly in all wisdom." Search the Scriptures daily, not as a task or lesson, but with reverence and attention, and earnest desire to profit. Avoid bad company, by which I mean, not only the company of the dissolute and pro

• The Rev. Edward Cooper's Practical and Familiar Ser

mons.

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fane, but of those also, who are enemies to serious religion, and strangers to the power of godliness. In the intercourse of life, it is impossible, I acknowledge, altogether, to avoid their society; but do not choose such for your bosom friends and companions. This advice, which is necessary for all, ought to be peculiarly attended to by the young. "O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto "their assembly be not thou united. He "that walketh with the wise, shall be "wise; but a companion of fools shall "be destroyed. Cease, my son, to hear "the instruction that causeth thee to "err from the words of knowledge." On the other hand, cultivate the society and friendship of those who love the name, bear the image, and obey the laws of the Saviour. In the time of very general apostacy, we read, that "they who feared "the Lord, spake often one to another, "and the Lord hearkened and heard it; " and a book of remembrance was writ"ten before him for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his name." Finally, my brethren, "be strong in the "Lord, and in the power of his might.

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