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of sin. It becomes final, when the mind is given up to judicial hardness, as in the case of Judas the traitor of our Lord. But no child of God is permitted to fall into this lamentable state, since grace and glory are linked together in the purpose of God, in his holy oracles, and in the dispensations of his

mercy.

In the people of God, backsliding is partial, but not final. Partial backsliding must be distinguished from hypocrisy. The former may exist, where, on the whole, there are gracious intentions, but the latter is a studied effort to appear to be what we are not. True believers may fall into sin, but they cannot live in the habit of it, or sin with the full bent of their wills. In this sense, "he that is born of God sinneth not, because his seed remaineth in him."

There are many causes of backsliding. Excessive cares and anxieties often engender inattention to the concerns of the soul, and choke the word so as to render it unfruitful. Improper connections tend to draw the soul away from God. "Evil communications corrupt good manners." If a pious person be married to one that is worldly and ungodly, the consequences are dangerous. The person who before had lived very near to God, becomes exposed, and the danger is great. In this way many promising appearances have passed away "like the morning cloud or the early dew."

Junius was brought up by very pious parents, who devoted him to God in his infancy, by christian baptism, and pious dedication. They continually watched over him, and laboured to impress on his mind a proper sense of that great God who

gave him

"life and breath and being." With prayerful solicitude they watched the openings of his mind, and taught him the fear of the Lord. Like Timothy, he might be said to know the Scriptures in some measure from his youth. Nor was their pious labour in vain, Their parental instructions were deeply impressed on his mind, and marks of genuine piety appeared in all his conduct. He was humble, modest, and unassuming; he loved the ordinances of religion and the people of God; never neglected prayer at the usual seasons; and in all his conduct and manners there was an air of seriousness and devotion, without any ostentatious effort to display his own excellences. All who knew him said, "Junius is a youth of unaffected piety, and will doubtless become a blessing to the church and to the world." At length a nobleman, struck with his promising talents, took him into his service, and promoted his education. After a while he accompanied this nobleman in a tour through his own country, and then went with him to India.

This unexpected connection, and extraordinary elevation, became hurtful to his piety and a snare to his soul. He fell into a backsliding state, neglected the Bible, and restrained prayer before God. After the lapse of a few years, he returned, with his noble friend, to his own land. Walking one day in London, he was met by an old gentleman, who had lived near his father's house, in Scotland, and who had marked his early progress in piety. He recognized' his old friend, who, being surprised to be accosted by "a fine young gentleman," was still more surprised to find it was Junius. The old man listened

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with astonishment to the story of his young friend, who readily told him where he had been, and what wonders he had seen. Anxious to know the real state of his mind, the aged pilgrim said to Junius, after he had heard his tale, "Well, Sir, and how is it with you now, as to religion ?" "O!" replied Junius with an air of decided indifference, "I have done with that long ago." "Done with that! done with religion, the only thing in the world that can make you truly happy," said the old man, “O Sir, done with religion, I am very sorry to hear you say so." This closed their interview, and they soon separated. But Junius could not rest. What the old Scotchman had said, so wrought upon his mind, that having made out his lodgings, he repaired to him, stated his case, and begged his advice. This was the means, under God, of reclaiming him, and he afterwards was ordained as a clergyman, and returned to India, to proclaim amongst her idolatrous sons redemption through the blood of the Lamb.*

The ways of God are wonderful. We may here trace his providential hand, in overruling events in themselves extraordinary, for purposes of his own glory. But the connections of Junius had almost erased from his mind his early impressions, and the salutary lessons of his father and friends. By relapsing into worldly company, he caught a worldly spirit, and lost several years' communion with God.

Another cause of backsliding is the neglect of secret duty. It has justly been said, "that apostasy begins at the closet door." Looking back, is the

*This is believed to be a statement of facts.

first step towards going back. What a man is in the closet, and in the family, that he is in reality. Junius seemed to go on well for a time, till the buzz and the glare of surrounding objects, and a succession of scenes constantly varying, dissipated his mind. One night, after a long journey and much fatigue, he retired to rest without kneeling down to adore his gracious Father and Protector. After this he omitted prayer frequently, when a small hinderance appeared to be in the way. By degrees his conscience, which at first made some remonstrance, became more calm and easy, till at last he declined prayer altogether, and spent the surplus of his time in the pursuit of general literature, or worldly pleasures. Sad change for Junius! How many happy days had he enjoyed in Scotland, when, but a shepherd's lad, he had often poured out his soul before God in fervent prayer!

Take a useful lesson from Junius. If your soul be in a prosperous state, and you would have that prosperity continued, avoid those snares which would entangle it, and keep you from constantly maintaining communion with God. Let no day pass without prayer; call on the Lord, "seek him in secret, and he will reward you openly."

Self-conceit and self-dependence are also causes of declension in religion. It is the saying of some old divine, "That a head full of vain and unprofitable notions, meeting with a heart full of pride and self-conceitedness, disposes a man directly to be an atheist." There is too much truth in this saying. Solomon saw the danger men were in, and therefore says, "Lean not to thine own understanding."

The heads and hearts of many professors are inflated with pride. Pride in dress and appearance, in gifts and talents, is a sad evil in the present day. But where this pride is indulged in believers, it is a sure indication of being in a backsliding state. It is also observable that in many instances, persons who call themselves the followers of the humble Redeemer, become self-sufficient, assume airs of importance, and are ready to say "We are the men, and wisdom will die with us."

Serenus once appeared an humble Christian, was very zealous in the ways of religion, and ready to every good work. When he was thirty years old, he had the management of a prosperous concern on his own account with a rising family. But the prosperity of his soul did not keep pace with the prosperity of his trade. As that of the latter increased, that of the former was diminished.

At length Serenus became so bloated with consequence, that he stood aloof from his former friends and brethren, and appeared hardly to know them. His attendance on divine ordinances was intermitted, and he treated with neglect the faithful pastor who had often admonished him of the danger which he foresaw.

At length, as providence would have it, there came a reverse of circumstances. He was reduced; his riches, hastily gotten, "made themselves wings and flew away." In addition to this, God was pleased to lay a heavy affliction on him and his family. Thus the Lord showed him his sin and his folly; he was humbled, and became, once more, "as a little child." He was humbled in the dust, con

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