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{Since the Heavenly Trade Is the Best Trade…
Exhortation to Those Who Began the Heavenly Trade But Have Backslidden
Search Out the Causes of Your Soul’s Decay and Get Them Removed
Cause: Great and Frequent Losses in the Heavenly Trade}
Great and frequent losses in people’s trades tend to cause bankruptcy, and so it is in Christianity. Christians, through their sloth, formality, and lack of watchfulness, sustain many and great losses of spiritual mercies, and this brings them low. It may be that in time past a Christian will have had flourishing graces, a warm heart, quick and lively affections, a tender and pure conscience, an obedient will, was fixed upon God and spiritual things, and his soul was in a solid condition throughout. But now, though lack of diligent care, all is lost again (Galatians 3:4).1321 At one time, he loses the favor and comfortable presence of God (Psalm 51:12).1322 At another time, he loses a sweet serenity of spirit and peace with God. Then light and convictions are gone. At another time, enjoyment and experience of God are gone. Then desire for God is lost. Then his strength is devoured. Now temptations prey on his soul, and then corruptions make a waste of his soul. He goes to ordinances, sermons, and sacraments, and after a great deal of prayer, care, and striving, a little grace and comfort is obtained, but for lack of watchfulness, all is lost again. It may be that before he stirs himself up or returns home to his habitation [in Christ], the next [bad] company, conversation, or occasion [of sin] takes away all.
At another time, God brings a soul into the fire of some great affliction such as sickness, suffering, or losses. By this means, He brings out holy ways, humility, faith, love, and obedience. He takes away some dross, puts on some beauty, and imparts some advantages to the soul. But immediately following a change in that person’s condition, such as new mercy or the return of health and comfort, all the good is lost again. Thus, through these many and great spiritual losses, which gracious souls sustain, they are brought very low and are soon poor and beggarly.
1321“Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?” (Galatians 3:4 ESV).
1322“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12 NASB).
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