given, if they remain true to the end, what the Lord Jesus has promised them. (John x, 27, 28.)
But as the number of these is very small, and there are probably a great many who with Demas have learned to love the world, obedient to the flesh in its desires; for these, unless they do not repent this side of the grave, God's word in Holy Scripture may be found in many places referring to the non-repentant, and it remains forever for all such carnal ones as it is written in Romans viii, 6, 7, 8; Romans vi, 20, 21; Gal. v, 19, 20; Gal. vi, 7, 8, 9; Ephes. v, 3, 4, 5, 6; Colos. iii, 5, 6, 7, 8, and in many other places. From these references it may be seen what sort of vine is this love of the world, with the lusts of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and an arrogant life. It bears no fruit of eternal life, for it is the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter, their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. Deut. xxxii, 32.
And although it has not gone so far as Holy Writ describes, yet the time spent in pursuit of worldly desires is not spent for the good of our souls, and it is high time to awake from sinful slumber, and be entered into the vine of Christ Jesus in sincere love, according to his command; to become a fruitful vine that bears the fruit of eternal life. For thou, Lord Jesus, art our bridegroom and hast promised this in Thy redeeming word and so kindly invited us and said:
O that such union in love might come to us. Then knock at the door of all of our hearts, dearest
