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the world, he lays himself open to the return of those evil habits which he had banished, and of others still worse. He must keep himself free while the old enemy is at a distance; for, if he suffers him to return to his former abode, he will not come alone, but with associates still more wicked than himself, and thus "the last state of that man will be worse than the first."

The Holy Spirit will not "always strive with man." He must be constantly sought, constantly solicited, constantly importuned, or the desired aid will not accrue. There must be no halting; no falling back after good resolutions have been formed. There must be no heedless relapses without renewed energies for recovery; no encouragement to sins, not considered deadly because they are common, and therefore held to be trifling. If there is, the soul so fatally influenced, will be under speedy preparation for the return of its former occupant, and of many others more flagrant still; and then the chances of extrication will be reduced in proportion as the difficulties are encreased. To such I would say, remember our Lord's caution: "No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Perhaps there is nothing more dangerous to the spiritual security of Christians, than the assumption, but too readily taken, that a certain license will be allowed to our minor miscarriages, if we can only successfully overcome the greater. The danger lies in this; that, by encouraging the

former, we shall run the risk of bringing back the latter; since to encourage the one, is, in effect, to encourage the other. The first is but the seed from which the last fructifies; and, if the young growth be fostered, what can be looked for but an eventual ripening and maturity of evil, that will choke the tender promise of good, and finally overgrow the whole man? It is only by determined and unremitted resistance to the solicitations of sin, in whatever form, or under whatever modifications they appeal to our passions and appetites, that we shall prevail against them "to the saving of the soul." And in proportion as we continue this resistance, we shall find it not only easy but satisfactory. One triumph will enhance and stimulate another, so that we shall thus "go on in our way rejoicing," until we attain to the full measure of the Christian standard, and then the "crown of glory" will be immortally won.

The condition of that man, into whom the unclean spirit re-enters after expulsion, is one of which the contemplation should furnish the most eloquent caution against allowing the return of a once banished vice. Look at the spiritual state of such a Christian. He is possessed by the same unclean spirit which had been formerly banished, and seven others more wicked. These enter into him and dwell there. Here they remain. They are not again expelled. And what is the consequence? They become his masters, his lords, his tyrants. He is obedient to them

their sport, their minister, their servant. They influence him, govern him, deprave him. They reduce him to the most odious bondage, the "bondage of corruption." He cannot extricate himself. They are become too powerful for him. He has deferred his resistance until it is too late. They have gained the mastery. They are his vanquishers, and in the end will become his destroyers. He has now no prospect but remorse, misery, death. Those enemies have alienated him from God, preventing his return to that allegiance from which they have withdrawn him. They shake over him the scourge of their terrible power. He has abandoned himself to their supremacy, and they exercise it fearfully. They glory in their conquest. They abide with him continually. His bosom is their home.

There

they revel; there they prey upon their victim; taunt him with his vile subjugation, triumphing in their victory over him, and showing him by sad experience that "the last state of that man is worse than the first."

My brethren! I cannot for an instant imagine that any among you are in such an awful state of spiritual destitution. But a timely caution is always a measure of prudence, even with the most holy; and a lesson of the highest wisdom may be learned by serious reflection, upon the application of the parable which has this morning engaged our attention. The best of us need the apostle's warning, for it was addressed to good and bad alike, "be not high-minded but fear."

374 NECESSITY OF EXPELLIng besetting SINS.

Relaxation in the pursuit of holiness will betray us into danger, and may precipitate us into ruin. Our best resolutions then should be applied to counteract this infirmity, where there is a disposition to encourage it. Unclean spirits are your enemies, and you must oppose them with a resolved and holy courage, "that the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of faith, even the salvation of your souls."

your

SERMON XXI.

THE INSUFFICIENCY OF THE LAW.

GALATIANS, CHAP. II. VER. 21.

"If righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain."

THE object of the Apostle in these words, is to shew that righteousness comes exclusively by Jesus Christ, in opposition to some Jewish teachers who had been endeavouring to disturb the faith of the Galatian Christians, by maintaining arguments subversive of that great doctrine of Christianity. They contended that righteousness, in its perfection, resulted solely from the Law of Moses; a due observance of which, as they insisted, would secure salvation, without recourse being had to any other means. They attributed such efficacy to the ceremonial or ritual law, if its requisitions were strictly complied with,

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