Essex Remembrancer Revelation 2:1-7 To the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things said he that holds the seven stars in his right hand… I. ITS NATURE. 1. Some backslide in heart. This consists in the withdrawment of the affections from God. 2. Some backslide in life. When a person becomes careless of God in his heart, he will probably soon manifest the defect in his conduct. 3. There are others who backslide in doctrinal sentiment. II. ITS SYMPTOMS. 1. Love of the world. 2. A cold formal spirit in the exercises of devotion. 3. When the heart has lost all delight in spiritual things, we have another evidence of being in a backsliding state. 4. Association with men of the world is another evidence of a backsliding state. By this we mean, all that association which is uncalled for by the business or relationships of life. 5. A state of backsliding is testified by negligence in attending the means of grace. III. ITS EVILS. 1. It dishonours God. 2. It deprives us of happiness. The pleasures of religion are suspended where there is inconsistency of conduct, and where the spirit of the world reigns. 3. It gives our enemies advantage over us. 4. It prepares us for terrible darkness in a dying hour. IV. ITS CURE. We must take heed of that disposition which would lead us to suppose that the case is incurable. This is the greatest obstacle in the way of recovery. We must remember that against such reasoning the testimony of the word of God is directed. The facts of Scripture prove it. David, Peter, and others fell far from God; and they verified the word, "the' a just man fall seven times, he shall rise again." 1. Come back with fervent prayer. 2. If we would have this state rectified, we must begin where we began at first: we must repent and do our first works. And in doing this, let us be sure that we rest on the right foundation. 3. We must call to mind former days, and compare them with the present. (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; |
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