A question of importance
This is a question of no small importance. For how many of those who fear God, yea and love him, perhaps with all their heart, have been greatly distressed on this account? How many, by not understanding it rightly, have not only been distressed but greatly hurt in their souls? Cast into unprofitable, yea, mischievous reasonings, such as slackened their motion toward God, and weakened them in running the race set before them (Hebrews 12:1). Nay, many, through misapprehensions of this very thing, have cast away the precious gift of God (Hebrews 10:35)? They have been induced first to doubt of, and then to deny the work God had wrought in their souls; and hereby have grieved the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30), till he withdrew and left them in utter darkness (Matthew 25:30).
1771 text
2. This is a question of no small importance. For how many of those who fear God, yea and love him, perhaps with all their heart, have been greatly distrest on this account? How many, by not understanding it right, have not only been distrest, but greatly hurt in their souls? Cast into unprofitable, yea, mischievous reasonings, such as slackened their motion towards God, and weakened them in running the race set before them. Nay many, thro’ misapprehensions of this very thing, have cast away the precious gift of God? They have been induced first to doubt of, and then to deny the work God had wrought in their souls; and hereby have grieved the Spirit of God, ’till he withdrew and left them in utter darkness.