really to apostatize—backslide in heart and conduct they do, _but_ apostatize they never shall, they never can; they may fall into _sin_, as the most eminent saints have, which has caused them many a heart-break; they may fall into spiritual distress, even after they have been sweetly led along, as David, Job, and Hezekiah did—they may fall into some _temptations_, from which scarcely any of the children of God are exempt; they may fall from their _first_ love, which the Saviour complains of one of the Churches, they may fall into gross errors for a time, as Peter and others have, through an accommodating spirit to the manners of the times. They may fall into _persecution_ as Daniel predicted. Many among them shall fall by the sword, by fire, by spoil, and by captivity many days: but they shall be holpen with a little help. But they may fall into _trouble_, as was the case with the Church, to which the text refers. These may be sent by the hand of God in a sovereign way. These may befal a Believer, from the world and from false brethren—they may be brought very low, into deep poverty, sore affliction, and great embarrasments; to these things, the brightest saints upon earth are liable, and the Lord may bring upon them sore and great troubles when they need it; and I believe the Lord never does it without a reason—for he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. There is, doubtless, a need for every cross and for every enemy; but the fall the Church alludes to in the text, is not a fall into sin, but a fall into trouble; and while we lament their miseries, may we not exclaim, _Is there not a cause_? And perhaps, if we were deeply to investigate the trouble of God’s children, we might be able to trace a cause. The Church of Jerusalem was in deep tribulation, but was not their Sins the sad cause? Had they not been negligent of the daily sacrifices, of the Sabbath day, and of many other duties, which pointed out the only possible method of Salvation, by the doing and dying of Jesus?—therefore, while these were forsaken, Christ was despised; and how has the great Apostle applied this subject—_How shall we escape if we neglect so great a Salvation_? And am I not speaking to some this morning who are highly culpable of sad neglect of the dear Saviour? All backsliding begins here—secret neglect of Jesus! then all the sad consequences follow—love of the world, an inordinate love of the creature, levity of manners, indulgence of secret sin, with a sad train of evils beside; for these things sake the rod is sent, trials fall heavy; the hand of God is seen in his disapprobation of a sinful conduct, but woe, woe unto that people where this is the case and the hand of God does not fall on them; better be under his chastening hand, learning wisdom and receiving instruction from all we meet with, than be left to receive the dreadful sentence, _He is joined to idols_, _let him alone_!