...them liberty, while they are themselves the slaves of corruption. " For," concludes the apostle, " if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the...latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Por it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, (the doctrine of Christ,)...

...through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (the only possible way of escaping them) they are again entangled therein and overcome ; the...have known the way of righteousness, than after they had known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.' 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. That the 'knowledge...

...them. For then had his labour been in vain, and they had received the word to their own damnation. For it had been better for them not to have known...they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment given unto them. The devil is the tempter. His strength and practice is not always by force of arms,...

...cursed children ; which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray." And further he says of them ; "If after they have escaped the pollutions of the...than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandments delivered unto them." It is evident that those of whom the Apostle spake, had been in...

...they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesua Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome...than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandments delivered unto them." 247 It is evident that those of whom the Apostl* spake, had been...

...receive a greater damnation. " It had been better for them (says St. Peter of such characters) not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they...turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." * And St. Jude declares of such, that to them is " reserved th« * 2 Pet. ii. 21. " blackness of darkness...

...11. ' 1 Tim. v. 22. « 1 Tim. vi. 11, 18. 11 2 Pet. i. 6—7. ' Philip, iv. 8. k Gal. vi. 9. ness*. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of...it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto themp. Wherefore, look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that...

...brought to the knowledge of the truth, have thoughtlessly gone back to the sinful courses of the world: "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of...with them than the beginning: For it had been better they had not known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment...

...26—29.) St. Peter also has this observation, in his 2d Epistle, which is much to the same point : " If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world...entangled therein and overcome : the latter end is worse than the beginning." And once more, in one of St. John's Epistles, we are told this truth : " There...

...Saviour Jesus " Christ, they are again entangled therein, " and overcome, the latter end is worse " than the beginning. For it had been " better for them...after they have " known it, to turn from the holy com** mandment delivered unto them b ." y 1 Cor. xv. 2. z Galat. iii. 4. iv. 20. a Hebrews vi. 4,5,6....