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SERMON VIII.

ΜΑΤΤ. χχίν. 13.

"But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved."

WHEN Our Lord was departing from the temple, his disciples pointed out to him the beauty of that magnificent structure, and this was the occasion of his prophetical observations concerning the destruction of the temple. They then anxiously inquired of him when that event would take place. In answer, he set before them some circumstances which would occur previous to the fulfilment of his prophecy; and among them, foretold the afflictions and persecutions, even unto death, which would befall his disciples; and the departure of

some from the faith, as among the indications of the time in which the temple would be overthrown. The prediction that some would forsake the cause of Christ, and the idea that any who thus heard it might be among the number, would be likely to create uneasiness in their minds. Our Lord, therefore, for the comfort of every sincere follower, added, in the words of our text, "But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved."

In applying this subject to our own times and circumstances, it may perhaps be imagined that we are not likely to meet with the same temptations as the early converts, or indeed with any equal to them in duration or severity; and it is true that there were peculiar dangers and difficulties attending the first planting of Christianity. But we are, perhaps, over-confident in the security of our institutions, if we suppose ourselves beyond the reach of many of a similar nature. If, however, a kind Providence spares us such sufferings, still the

christian life is at the best but a warfare. With whatever seeming tranquillity we may be permitted to pursue our course, there will not be wanting much to try our faith, to tend to divert us from the narrow path, to tempt us to make shipwreck of a good conscience. The text is one of those passages of holy scripture that warn us of our danger. It implies that there is a possibility of a christian profession being cast off, and that notwithstanding persons may for a time "run well," yet that afterwards they may fall away, and finally sink into apostacy. Our own hearts do indeed. confirm this testimony of scripture, and there will sometimes be in the mind of every Christian, an apprehension lest such should be his case. Who is there that is not conscious of occasional declensions? who is there that never yields to sin or unbelief? It is true that there is a great difference between these departures and open apostacy, but yet the one may lead to the other, and indeed, but for the grace of God

they will do so. The one is the bud of the same bitter tree of which the other is the fatal and ripened fruit. A man may for a season depart from the right way and be brought back like David or Peter; but it is also possible that he may not be arrested in a career once begun, and that he may continue to wander farther and farther, so that he may be at last involved in a maze of error from which there is no return. So was it with Demas and with Judas.

The only safety is to be on our guard against the small beginnings, the slight deviations which are too often unnoticed, and often even unsuspected. The first step in any course is generally that which decides its final direction. That we may be the more alive to our danger, let us on the present occasion advert to a very few of such circumstances as are known to have too frequently a fatal influence.

One to which our Saviour in this place

particularly alludes is persecution. In the context he foretells that in such a season many would be offended, would betray one another, and would hate one another. History too abundantly proves that numbers who made a profession when no evil was at hand, immediately when persecution threatened denied the faith. Some, as we know, afterwards repented of their sin, yet the majority died in their apostacy. Daily experience no less proves the same thing; there have been not a few who have made a profession of religion, but who when assaulted by jeers or menaces, forsake the truth as it is in Jesus, and are willing to fall into opinions which may appear likely to further their present advantage, but which involve their souls in danger, and perhaps ultimately in ruin.

There are also some who are not driven by persecution to adopt erroneous doctrine, but who are deceived by the error itself. A part of our Lord's prediction in the very chapter before us is, that false prophets