00.01 Introduction
INTRODUCTION.
Andrew Fuller was, in my opinion, one of the greatest theologians, which modern times, or any times have produced, and his writings are an almost inexhaustible mine of doctrinal, practical, and experimental truth, which every Christian and especially every minister, would do well to explore. No man better understood the bible, or the human heart both in its unrenewed and its regenerate state. Among all his various practical treatises, there are few, if any, of greater value than that on backsliding. Like a most skillful physician, he explains, with singular ability, the nature of the disease, lays down the symptoms of it, and prescribes the method of recovery.
Backsliding among professing Christians, if we include, as we ought to do, in this term, the secret departure of the heart from God, as well as the open sins of the life, is a state fearfully common. How many are there in all our churches, who give evidence, not to be doubted, of having lost " their first love." Before they were received into fellowship, the salvation of their soul seemed to be indeed the only one thing needful with them, and it was followed with a solicitude, diligence, and earnestness, that permitted none to question their sincerity, or to hesitate on the propriety of admitting them to the church. For awhile they " ran well," and maintained their profession not only with external consistency, but as far as we could judge, with inward spirituality. Soon, however, the symptoms of declension were but too evident, in a diminished interest on the subject of religion, and in a less frequent attendance on its public ordinances, till at length, nothing but the form of godliness remained, and even that so mutilated or wasted, as to have lost all its symmetry as well as its vitality. This is the kind of backsliding which is most prevalent, and against which the Christians of the present day of easy and unmolested profession, need to be cautioned. Immoralities rarely occur in comparison with the predominance of a worldly spirit. Many are going forward unobserved by others, perhaps scarcely suspected by themselves, in the backslider’s path. Living in an age of commercial and political excitement, and acted upon by surrounding scenes, they have little time and less inclination for those exercises of devotion, self examination, and watchfulness, which at all times are necessary, and especially so in the present, for maintaining or regaining the vitality of religion; and thus they slide down into a lukewarm state, and settle at length in a confirmed departure from God. For such persons, as well as for those who have departed from God in life, as well as in heart, the treatise of Mr. Fuller is admirably adapted: it is faithful, searching, tender, and discriminating. The author handles his patient with a kind gentleness, yet probes the disease to the bottom; and with vigilant assiduity labours to restore him to sound health; carefully warning him, at the same time, against all deceptive indications of real cure. Nor is it only for him who is a backslider that this treatise is designed, or valuable, but for him who may become one. And who may not? " Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." They who are going, or are gone back, appeared once to be advancing. We live in a world of trials; and temptation, like the wind, comes to all, and from every quarter. The way not to backslide, is to be afraid of it. Self-confidence has proved, in innumerable cases, to be the forerunner of self-destruction. This little work may be read by all professors with great advantage, if perused in a spirit of prayer and holy jealousy. I am well pleased that it is republished in a separate form; most cordially recommend it, and shall be happy to know it has obtained a wide circulation.
J. A. JAMES.
Edgbaston near Birmingham
July, 1840.