In the sixth chapter of the Hebrews, verses four to eight, the apostle speaks of such as have been partakers of the Holy Ghost, and were enlightened, etc., who, if they shall “fall away,” directly disinherit themselves of the privilege of being renewed unto repentance, and “crucify _to themselves_ the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” By so doing they virtually do violence to the Spirit’s convictions to such an extent that they blaspheme the Spirit. We are persuaded that Paul here had no reference to a person being overcome of the devil in some great temptation so as to commit sin, while at the same time the soul protests against sin. That would not be _falling away_ (as here meant) from the love, neither the faith of God. Indeed, it is the very love of God, as well as the Spirit’s convictions, that causes such a one to have immediate sorrow for the sin committed, and causes the soul to quickly flee to God again. But what the apostle meant by “falling away” was to forsake the Lord, give up the faith, walk no more in the truth or with God’s children, and be content to live in sin. But take notice of the standard which he gives, from which “falling away” may be considered. He says, “those who were once enlightened,” had “tasted of the heavenly gift,” were “partakers of the Holy Ghost,” had “tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come;” if such fall away—forsake the Lord and choose to live in sin—they soon become incapable of being affected by any manifestation of the Spirit or any inducement held out to them—a deplorable, lost condition! bearing only thorns and briers! whose end is to be burned! Now we ask, Who ever saw any one come back to God who was content to remain away from God, after having had the experience described in Heb. 6:4, 5? We have seen some who exactly correspond to the description Paul gives here, but we have never known any such to come back to the truth. May we use this, as the apostle intended it, as a warning against unfaithfulness to God.