by Robert Barclay

“ For when they speak great swelling Words of Vanity, they allure through the Lusts of the Flesh, through much Wantonness; those that were clean escaped from them who live in Error: 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 ”

“ Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the Grace of God, lest any root of Bitterness springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled [Heb. 12:15] .
Q. Doth he speak this only by Supposition; or doth he assert it not only possible, but certain?
A. For the time will come, when they will not endure sound Doctrine; but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers, having itching Ears; and they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth, and shall be turned unto Fables [2 Tim. 4:3-4] . ”

“ 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 ”