The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Fifthly, They lose, though not the total seed of grace, yet the degree and fervency of it; yea in regard of outward appearance all seemeth to be lost. They have not that tenderness, that strictness they once had. Hence the Apostle couples, The shipwreck of faith and a good conscience together, 1 Tim. 1.19 Lose one, and you lose the other. How careful is the Apostle to forbid all those disputes, which do not tend to godliness, and which do not edify? 2 Tim. 2.16. The shell-fish was unclean, it had but little meat in it, and a great deal of difficulty to get it. Men given wholly to dispute, do not mind the affectionate part of godliness. Grapes do not usually grow on such thorns. This then should make every one look to what he buildeth; take heed thou art not falling into a noisome pit; look lest that when thy eye groweth dark, thy whole body will quickly grow dark; and to decay in grace is a great provocation of God. To decay in thy estate, in thy health, are sad things; but in thy love to God, in thy fervency, in thy zeal, is much more miserable. Remember from whence thou art fallen, and do thy first works, Rev. 2.5. It's our duty to grow in grace, and for thee to do the clean contrary, to decay in grace must needs provoke. Now part of this growing in grace, is to keep steadfastly to the truth. That is very observable, 2 Pet. 3 17. They must not fall from their steadfastness, And how shall that be? By growing in grace and knowledge.

Fifthly, They lose, though not the total seed of grace, yet the degree and fervency of it; yea in regard of outward appearance all seemeth to be lost. They have not that tendernesse, that strictnesse they once had. Hence the Apostle couples, The shipwrack of faith and a good conscience together, 1 Tim. 1.19 Lose one, and you lose the other. How carefull is the Apostle to forbid all those disputes, which do not tend to godlinesse, and which do not edifie? 2 Tim. 2.16. The shell-fish was unclean, it had but little meat in it, and a great deal of difficulty to get it. Men given wholly to dispute, do not mind the affectionate part of godlinesse. Grapes do not usually grow on such thorns. This then should make every one look to what he buildeth; take heed thou art not falling into a noisom pit; look lest that when thy eye groweth dark, thy whole body will quickly grow dark; and to decay in grace is a great provocation of God. To decay in thy estate, in thy health, are sad things; but in thy love to God, in thy fervency, in thy zeal, is much more miserable. Remember from whence thou art fallen, and do thy first works,