A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

3. Constantly: It is in the present World as long as we are here, without any Limitation, and therefore it hints final Perseverance, without which as good we had never begun. It is notable that under the Law, the Nazarite, if he had made a Vow he should touch no Wine, or any thing that was forbidden, for so many Days or Months; but if he had defiled himself before the Days of his Purification were accomplished, he was to begin again; Numb. 6.12. The Days that were before shall be lost, because his Separation was defiled. So when we have renounced the Vanities and Delights of the World, and given our selves to God, all is lost, when we turn Apostates, and go off from a Course of Godliness; Ezek. 18.24. But when the Righteous turneth away from his Righteousness, and committeth Iniquity, and doth according to all the Abominations that the wicked Man doth, shall he live? all his Righteousness that he hath done, shall not be mentioned; in his Trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his Sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. As good never have begun, if we fall off and tire before we come to the End; nay in some respect it would have been better if we had never begun, than not to have continued; for it is said, the latter End is worse with them than the beginning, 2 Pet. 2.20. A Malefactor who hath made an Escape out of Prison, if he be taken again, he is loaded with Chains and Irons: So when any have made some show of Escape out of the Devil's Clutches, by keeping a constant Course of Duty and Communion with God, and then turns and breaks off again, none in such Bondage and Slavery as they. Nay, and this Apostasy is a mighty Dishonour to Christ, as well as a Disadvantage to your selves: for a Man that hath begun to be strict, and careful, and holy, and righteous, and profess himself to be taken out of the Kingdom of Darkness, and made experience of the Ways of Christ, yet if he falls off, he doth as it were after Trial pronounce to the World that Satan's Service is better than Christ's. As Jacob kept wrestling till Day-light appeared, and would not let go his hold-fast; so till the Morning of Glory come, still keep on and continue your Courage. Or as Elisha would not leave his Master till he was taken from him into Heaven;

3. Constantly: It is in the present World as long as we are here, without any Limitation, and therefore it hints final Perseverance, without which as good we had never begun. It is notable that under the Law, the Nazarite, if he had made a Vow he should touch no Wine, or any thing that was forbidden, for so many Days or Months; but if he had defiled himself before the Days of his Purification were accomplished, he was to begin again;