Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applied unto unconverted sinners, and saints…Meditations and discourses concerning the glory of Christ applyed unto unconverted sinners, and saints…

THERE is no visible difference as unto Light, between the Light of the Morning, and the Light of the Evening; yea, this latter sometimes from gleams of the Setting Sun, seems to be more Glorious than the other. But herein they differ; the first goes on gradually unto more Light, until it comes to perfection; the other gradually gives place unto Darkness, until it comes to be Mid-night. So is it as unto the Light of the Just and of the Hypocrite, and so is it as unto their Paths. At first setting out they may seem alike and equal; yea, Convictions and Spiritual Gifts acted with corrupt ends in some Hypocrites, may for a time give a greater lustre of Profession than the Grace of others sincerely Converted unto God may attain unto. But herein they discover their different Natures; the one increaseth and goeth on constantly, though it may be sometimes but faintly; the other decays, grows dim, gives place to darkness and crooked walking.

THIS then is the Nature of the path of the Just: And where it is otherwise with us in our Walk before God, we can have no Evidence that we are in that Path, or that we have a living, growing Principle of Spiritual Life in us. And it is fit that Professors of all sorts should be minded of these things; for we may see not a few of them under visible Decays, without any sincere ⟨p. 37⟩endeavours after a Recovery, who yet please themselves that the root of the matter is in them. It is so, if Love of the World, Conformity unto it, negligence in Holy Duties, and coldness in Spiritual Love be an Evidence of such Decays. But let none deceive their own Souls, wherever there is a saving Principle of Grace, it will be thriving and growing unto the end. And if it fall under Obstructions, and thereby into Decays for a Season, it will give no rest or quietness unto the Soul wherein it is, but will labour continually for a Recovery. Peace in a Spiritually decaying condition, is a Soul-ruining Security; better be under terror on the account of surprisal into some Sin, than be in peace under evident Decays of Spiritual Life.

THIS then is the Nature of the path of the Just: And where it is otherwise with us in our Walk before God, we can have no Evidence that we are in that Path, or that we have a living, growing Principle of Spiritual Life in us. And it is fit that Professors of all sorts should be minded of these things; for we may see not a few of them under visible Decays, without any sincere