person, in such a state, to be worked upon by any consideration, that he describes it, in his strong language, as an actual impossibility: “it is impossible, (he says) for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;” {205b} and then he adds the reason, “seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame;” they maintain the horrid principles and character of those who “crucified the Lord of glory;” they deliberately renounce his friendship, and become “enemies to the cross of Christ;” they cast a shameful reproach upon Him, infinitely greater than it is possible for those enemies to do, who were never admitted into the privilege and happiness of His favour. Fain would we hope, that this is a case of rare occurrence; but it is possible, or why should the prophet and Apostle have represented it? “Therefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall;” {206a} “let him give all diligence to make his calling and election sure.” {206b} “The just shall live by his faith: but if _that man_, (however faithful and just he has been) draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him;” {206c} this is the proper translation of the passage. God Almighty of His infinite mercy grant, that the words which follow this text, addressed by the Apostle to the faithful disciples of old, may be realized by all of us here; “we, (says he,) are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Pray to God without ceasing for grace to persevere: His Holy Spirit, if sought and cherished and used, will enable us to be faithful and to overcome, will “make us more than conquerors, through Him that loved us.” {207a}