ther, 1 John ii. 23. The Deift's God, I ing judge, is not the God and Father o Jefus Chrift. Such a man therefore, may profess, is an enemy to the cross SECT. II. The Enemy comes in like a Flood, T e which which im ... as well godlinefs. -? xvi. 17. which he works, 12 an error in Erroneous Doctrine.wich fome luft HE enemy may be faid to flood, in refpect of error in i do not fucceed by one ftratagem, ploy another. To mistake the m the fenfe of holy fcripture, is deemer and his church, in the ' is a defeating the very end of was to rule our faith, as well -tice. Nay, to pervert the fer is to fight against heaven as w for thereby that which was Che fluices to may the enemy when not God's e of their con. at he hits; and mediarely affect his -ie What a flow The two tables is 1 Nebushtan! are fcarcely legible wearing and Sab what is truth, is made to mi oppreffon, pre fword of the Spirit is emplo not the enemy overimmed to fay, Our lips What a fearful and the honourable of Any other day devoted What a deluge of tery, and affemble them--it's houses! Jer. v. 7. be a terior to evil doers, ce, and power, are deepest, the poor! When ey may be placed How threatening, fcorner's chair, and er on all that are called ach rather pass for proTors of the Redeemer's ed the guilt of a land, on brings up the rear of n the righteous is reckoned departeth from evil, is acha torrent of iniquity is deoter where our text lies: Our ltiplied before thee, and our fins Judgment is turned. away backtandeth afar off: for truth is fallen equity cannot enter; yea, truth failit departeth from evil, maketh himself y comes in like a Flood, in refpect of Neutrality of Practice. enemy may be faid to come in like a od, when a deteftable neutrality reigns in ts of many. The Lord was clad with zeal ke, in behalf of his people; and by every are bound to burn with holy ardour for him, his caufe. But, ah! what footing has the got, when profeffing Chriftians are cold in fe of Chrift! When they are fhy to drop a We read of wholesome words, and the doctrine which is according to godliness, 1 Tim. vi. 3.; which implies, that there are unwholesome words, as well as meats; and a doctrine tending to ungodliness. As truth has a fanctifying virtue, John xvii. 17. fo has error a defiling power. As the truth which Chrift has spoken, and the grace which he works, have a bleffed affinity; fo there is not an error in the head, which is not in alliance with fome luft in the heart. Infidelity draws up the fluices to immoralities of every kind. Juftly may the enemy be faid to come in like a flood, when not God's law, but men's own lufts are the rule of their con. duct. When every man does what he lifts; and may, provided it does not immediately affect his neighbour's name, property, or life. What a flow of immorality, when the firit of the two tables is broken in pieces and rejected as a Nehushtan! When the remains of the fecond are scarcely legible in the lives of many! When fwearing and Sabbath-breaking, uncleannefs and oppreffion, prevail in every corner! Does not the enemy overflow, when men are not ashamed to fay, Our lips are our own, who is Lord over us? What a fearful inundation, when the holy and the honourable of the Lord, is more than any other day devoted to paftime, and profanity! What a deluge of vice, when men commit adultery, and assemble themfelves by troops in the harlot's houses! Jer. v. 7. When those who fhould be a terror to evil doers, are a protection, if not a PATTERN to them! When the highest in station, place, and power, are deepest involved in guilt! What an overflowing flood, when the rich grind the faces of the poor! When they lay field to field, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! How threatening, when multitudes afcend the fcorner's chair, and thence look down with a fneer on all that are called godly! When they had much rather pafs for profane, than for the profeffors of the Redeemer's name! How accumulated the guilt of a land, when mockery at religion brings up the rear of bare-faced vice! When the righteous is reckoned a fool, and he that departeth from evil, is accounted mad! Such a torrent of iniquity is defcribed in the chapter where our text lies: Our tranfgreffions are multiplied before thee, and our fins testify against us. Judgment is turned away backward, and juftice ftandeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter; yea, truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil, maketh himfelf a prey; marg. is accounted mad. The Enemy comes in like a Flood, in respect of Neutrality of Practice. TH HE enemy may be faid to come in like a flood, when a deteftable neutrality reigns in the hearts of many. The Lord was clad with zeal as a cloke, in behalf of his people; and by every tie we are bound to burn with holy ardour for him, and for his caufe. But, ah! what footing has the enemy got, when profeffing Chriftians are cold in the caufe of Chrift! When they are thy to drop a word for him, who flew, as on the wings of love, to lay down his life for them! He foretold what the experience of ages has often, very often verified, because iniquity shall abound, fball wax cold, Matth. xxiv. 12. the love of many The enemy com ing in like a flood, quencheth the love of multitudes. The loaves being ended, fo is their love. If the garb of godliness any how incumber them, they can drop it in a trice. As one impiously faid, They will not launch fo far into the fea of religion, but that they may fafely return to shore. They are too fenfible to be zealous, too wife to burn: having more of the ferpent than of the dove. They wade in fenfuality, instead of holding fast the profeffion of their faith without wavering. They halt as between two opinions. If their merchandise, or their farm profper, they give themfelves no pain concerning the ark of God, no; not though it should be among the hands of infidels. If the former go well, their hearts rejoice; but the utmost danger of the latter never makes them tremble. They can dwell in their ceiled houses, while the temple is in ruins. They are at eafe in Zion; and are not grieved for the afflictions of Jofeph, Amos vi. 1,-6. Such a temper prevailing, is an infallible indication, that the enemy is come in like a flood.-Nothing is more hateful in the eyes of a holy and a jealous God. If a church, leaving her firft love, be threatened with the removal of her candlestick, what can a lukewarm Laodicea expect? Let the careless read and tremble: Becaufe thou art neither cold nor hot, F will fpue thee out of my mouth, faith the Lord, Rev. iii. 16. As neutrals can be relied on by no set of |