neither determined nor certain.(a) It

(a) Ezek. 18:24. But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned in his trespass, that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. Ezek. 33:18. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. That this righteousness is not a "self-righteousness," or a "hypocritical profession," is inferred from the following reasons: 1. God declares that if the righteous man turns away from his righteousness and committeth iniquity, he shall surely die. He would not have said this, had he alluded to self-righteousness, or hypocrisy, unless he preferred such characters to those of honest men; for it could be no crime to turn away from selfrighteousness and hypocrisy. 2. As death was the consequence of turning away from this righteousness, it is clearly inferred that life was the consequence of continuing in it. Therefore, it could not be self-righteousness, unless we admit that a man can be saved by self-righteousness. But Christ says, Except your righteousness shall exceed the

is, however, their duty and privilege to be steadfast in the truth, to grow

righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. John 15:6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered. Heb. 6:4, 5, 6. 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, 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. 2 Pet. 2:20, 21. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy cominandment delivered unto them. Heb. 10:26. For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. 2 Pet. 1:10. If ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 1 Cor. 10:12. Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. 2 Pet. 1:9. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and can

in grace, persevere in holiness, and make their election sure. (b)

not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 1 Cor. 9:27. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Tim. 4:1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times soine shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Heb. 12:15. Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God. Heb. 4:1, 11. 12:15. 2 Pet. 3:14.

(b) 1 Cor. 15:58. Be ye steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 2 Pet. 3:18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Phil. 3:14. I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Mat. 24:13. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Rom. 2:7. To them, who, by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal life. 1 Cor. 9:24. So run that ye may obtain. 2 Pet. 1:10, 11. Give dili gence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things ye shall never fall. Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26. 3:5, 12, 21. 21:7.

REMARKS. Some have argued that the final per

CHAPTER XII.

The Sabbath.

This is a seventh part of time, which from the creation of the world, God has set apart for a day of sacred rest and holy service. It was included in the ten commandments

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severance of the saints is certain, because they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. But if we reflect that this power is only used to keep the saints through their faith, and that some have put away faith and a good conscience, and concerning faith made shipwreck," the argument loses all its apparent weight. Again, some have inferred that the final obedience of the regenerate is certain, because their souls are holy. But that this argument is not conclusive, appears evident from the fact that the Christian is no more holy than Adam was, who sinned while he was in the image of God.

written on tables of stone, and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. (a) Nature itself teaches the necessity of its observance. Its obligation is taught both in the Old and New Testaments, and is to continue with that of the other commandments till the end of time. As the law of the Sabbath was at first given to the whole world, it requires all men, on this day, to refrain from all servile labor, and devote themselves entire

(a) Gen. 2:3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Ex. 20:8-10. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work; thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy, cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.