Grace Once Gotten is to be Preserved
J. Barlow, D. D. 2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed to you keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us. Because, if grace grow weak, the pattern will not be practised. When all the parts of the natural body be in a consumption, can we walk and work in the duties of our particular callings? And if the new man wax pale, and pine away, the paths of God's commands will not be run or trodden. For, as all natural actions proceed from the body's strength, and the purest spirit, so do all spiritual from the vigour of grace and the new man. When men have got some competency of wealth, they lie long in bed, and will not up to work, and so their riches waste. In like manner it falleth out with God's children; for when they have attained to some competency of gifts, they are highly conceited, grow idle, neglect the means, and so are over. taken with spiritual poverty, than the which what greater loss? We must then learn here, not only to get grace, but to keep it. We will mourn if we lose our money, grieve if we be deprived of our corn, natural strength and earthly commodities. And shall the loss of grace never pinch us, pierce us? Shall Jonah be so dejected for his gourd, and we never be moved when grace is withered, ready to perish? Shall the earthworm sigh at the loss of goods, and we never shrink at the shipwreck of heavenly gilts? No greater damage than this, none less regarded, more insensible. Let our plants begin to pine, our hair wax grey or fall, it will make some impression. But grace may decay, the spirit faint, and few be wounded in heart. Yet to such a time shall come of great mourning. Then get grace, keep grace; so shall corruption be expelled, extenuated, and the pattern of sound words observed, practised. (J. Barlow, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. WEB: That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.