Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift… I. FOUR FALLS OF THE GODLY. 1. The first and lightest fall of the godly is that in their daily combat between flesh and spirit (Romans 7; Galatians 5:17). Our duties are imperfect, graces defective, our gold and silver drossy, "our wine mixed with water." Sin deceiveth, surpriseth, capri. vateth, slayeth, yet reigneth not. These falls or slips are unavoidable and involuntary. There is no saint but complains of them, no duty but is stained with them. In our clearest sunshine we see a world of such motes, which yet hinder not the light and comfort of our justification, avid destroy not sanctification. True grace consists with these; yea, is not separated from the assaults and indwelling of such motions. "Will we, will we," said Bernard, "we are pestered with swarms of these Egyptian flies, and have these frogs in our inmost chambers." This first fall is but like the fall of a mist in a winter morning: the sun gets up, and it is a fair day after. This is the first fall: the second is worse, which is — 2. An actual and visible stumble as to offence of others, yet occasioned by some surreptitious surprise of temptation, for want of that due consideration which we should always have: this the apostle calls " a man's being overtaken with a fault," who is "to be restored with a spirit of meekness, considering we also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). Such falls (or slips rather) all or most are subject to (James 3:2). We sometimes trip, or slip, or "miss our hold," and so down we come, but not out of choice. Thus did Peter slip or halt, when he did Judaise out of too much compliance with the Jews; whom therefore Paul did rebuke and rest-re (Galatians 2:11, 14). 3. The third fall is much worse, "a fall from the third loft," whence, like Eutychus, they are "taken up dead" for the present; but they come to themselves again. These are falls into grosser and more scandalous sins which do "set the stacks or corn-fields of conscience on fire"; whereas the other two forenamed, especially the former, are such as calls "of daily incursion." These are very dangerous, and befall, not all professors: (they had not need!) but, now and then, one falls into some scandalous sin; but they not usually again into the same sin after sense and repentance of it. Thus fell David and Peter into foul flagitiousness, but not deliberately, nor totally, nor finally, nor reiteratedly. This fall is like the fall of the leaf in autumn. Life remains safe; a spring in due time follows, though many a cold blast first. 4. There is yet one worse fail than the former, incident to a child of God too — to be of the decaying kind, and to remit and lose his former fervour and liveliness. And it may be he never comes (as the second temple) up to the former pitch and glory (Ezra 3:12). Thus Solomon's zeal and love were abated in his old age. This is like the fall of the hair in aged persons. Life yet remains; but strength, native beat, and radical moistness decay, and the hair never grows alike thick again. II. THE FOUR FALLS OF THE UNREGENERATE. 1. The first whereof is a final fall, but not a total at first, but insensible, by degrees, "gradually and without perceiving it," grow worse and worse; as the thorny ground, choked with cares, or drowned with the pleasures of the world. 2. Some fall totally and finally, but not premeditately and voluntarily at first; but are driven back by the lion of persecution, and tribulation in the way, and they retreat (Mark 4:17; 1 Chronicles 28:9). This is like the fall of Sisera at the feet of Jael (Judges 5:27). 3. Some. more fearfully, totally, finally, voluntarily, deliberately, but not yet maliciously. Thus Demas is supposed to fall, who, of a forward disciple or teacher, is said to have become after an idol priest at Thessalonica. Thus fell Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). 4. The fourth and last fall follows, which is like the opening of the fourth seal, and the fourth horse appears (Revelation 6:8): when men fall totally, finally, voluntarily, and maliciously. Thus Simon Magus, Julian the apostate, Hymenaeus, and Alexander, whose names are in God's black book. Here the gulf is fixed, and there is "no retracing of the steps" hence. These are not to be renewed by repentance. This fall is like that of Jericho's walls: they fell down flat with a curse annexed (Joshua 6:26); or as Babylon's walls, with a vengeance (Jeremiah 2:58); both without hope of repairing: or like the fall of Lucifer the first apostate, without offer, or hope of offer, of grace any more for ever: or like the fall of Judas, who, "fading headlong, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out" (Acts 1:18). III. THE MIXED FALL. There is also another kind of fall, of a mixed or middle nature; and to which side of the two (godly or reprobate) I should cast it, is not so easy to determine. Relapses into sin are like relapses into a disease after hopes and beginning of recovery. 1. This informs us that possible it is for men (yea, too ordinary) to fall from grace. We wonder not. to see a house built on the send to fall, or seed not having root wither, or trees in the parched wilderness decay (Jeremiah 17:6), or meteors vanish, or blazing stars fall, or clouds without rain blown about, or wells without springs dried up. So, for hypocrites to prove apostates is no strange thing, and utterly to fall away. 2. Even godly and gracious persons are subject to fall, and therefore must not be secure: they must " work out their salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). They are bidden to "fear lest they should fall short" (Hebrews 4:1): "stand fast" (1 Corinthians 16:13): "take heed lest they fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12): "look diligently lest any fail of," or "fall from" (so is the other reading) "the grace of God" (Hebrews 12:15): " take the whole armour of God, that they may he able to stand" (Ephesians 6:13). 3. Yet a truly regenerate soul, a plant of God s planting by the waterside, a plant or graft grafted into Christ, and rooted in Christ, can never fall away totally or finally: Peter could not, when Christ prayed for him: the elect cannot (Matthew 24:24). 1. This text is thunder and lightning against apostales. — Awake, you drowsy professors! There is no sin like apostasy: adulteries, manslaughter, theft, idolatries, &c., nothing to this. 2. This speaks terror to professors fallen, or lying in scandalous sins. — You cannot sin at so easy a rate as others. You know your Master's will, and do it not, therefore ye "shall be beaten with more stripes" (Luke 11:47). You are as a city set on a hill. Your fault cannot be hid, no more than an eclipse of the sun. 3. Terror to such as, after conviction and engagements under affliction and distress, after some prayers, vows, and a begun or resolved reformation, return to former courses. — As they, after what they promised in their distress, returned when delivered, and started aside like a broken bow (Jeremiah 34:15, 16). The new broom of affliction swept the house clean for the present; but afterwards the unclean spirit returns, and this washed sow is wallowing in the mire again. 4. Terror to such as lapse and relapse into the same sin again. — As Pharaoh, Jeroboam, and those antichristian brood which repented not (Revelation 9:20. 21). Notwithstanding all judgments, convictions, confessions, promises, they go from evil to worse, from affliction to sin; from sin to duty, and from duty to sin; repent and sin, sin and repent (Jeremiah 9:3); and from repenting of sin in distress, go to repent of their repentance when delivered.Discrimination. 1. There are some who have fallen into foul sins; and they think their case desperate, because of the greatness of their sins. But their sin is not the sin against the Holy Ghost, because not committed after light, taste, partaking of the Holy Ghost. &c., but in the days of their ignorance, as Paul mice. Some fall foully after conversion, as Peter, but not deliberately, maliciously; and both these may be the spots of children: they see "the plague" in their heart (1 Kings 8:38), feel the smart. These have foul scabs; hut they go to Jordan and wash, go to " the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness"; and then "though their sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though red like crimson, they shall be as white as wool" (Isaiah 1:18). 2. There be some relapses through human infirmity, which are truly bewailed. This is not the sin against the Holy Ghost neither. 3. But there are others that make a trade of sin, "drink up iniquity like water," that "add drunkenness to thirst," and fall and rise, and rise and fall: they lapse and relapse, and slide away as waterShall I say such shall have peace? Not What peace to such so long as their sins remain? I shall, to conclude, give a few short directions, to prevent falls and relapses, but cannot now enlarge upon them. 1. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation (Matthew 26:41). — Watch in prayer, watch after, watch when alone, watch when in company, especially against ill company and all occasions of sin. 2. Keep conscience lender, and shun the first motions and occasions of sin. — "If thou find thyself given to appetite, put a knife to thy throat", is the wise man's counsel; if to wine, "hook not on the glass"; if to wantonness, "come not near her corner." 3. Take heed Of having slight thoughts of sin. — As to say, "As long as it is no worse"; "It is the first time"; "It is but now and then a great chance, when I meet with such company"; and many have such foolish pleas, and so play at the mouth of the cockatrice's den till they are stung to death. 4. Take heed of having light thoughts of God's mercy. — "When sin abounds, grace superabounds," &c. The Lord saith, He "will not spare" such, nor be merciful to them. 5. Take heed of reasoning from God's temporal forbearance, to eternal forgiveness. 6. Take heed of presuming of thy own strength: "I can, and I mean to repent; I can when I will, and I will when time serves. I trust I am not so bad, that God hath not given me over. Many have gone further than I: why may I not repent at my last hour?" 7. Take heed of a mock repentance, saying, "I cry God-mercy, God forgive met I sin daily, and repent daily. When I have sworn or been drunk, I am heartily sorry. Is not this repentance?" I answer, No! Repentance is quite another thing. "The burnt child," we say, "dreads the fire." (John Sheffield, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, |
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