FIFTY RE.~SONS. 215 25. Moreover, It is an exceeding advantage to you to come to God betimes; and an exceeding loss, that you will suffer by delay, if you were sure · to be converted at the last. If you speedily come in, you may have time to learn, and get more understanding in the matters of God, than otherwise can be expected. For knowledge will not be had but by time and study. You may also have time to get strength of grace, when beginners can expect no more than infant strength. You may grow to be men of parts and abilities, to be useful in the church, and profitable to those about you, when others cannot go or stand, unless they lean on the stronger for support. If you come in betimes, you may do God service; which, in the evening of the day, you will neither have strength nor time to do. You may . have time to get assurance of salvation, and to be ready with comfort, when death shall call; when a weakling is like to .be perplexed with doubts and fears, and death is like to be terrible, because of their unreadiness. 26. And did you ever consider, who and how many stay for you while you delay? Do you know who it is that you make to wait your leisure? God himself stands over you with the offers of his mercy, as if he thought it long till you return, saying, " 0 that there were such a heart in them! " anll " when will it once be!" " How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity, ancl scorners delight in scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn ye at my reproof." And do you think it wise, or safe, for you to make the God of heaven wait on you, while you are serving his enemy? Can you offer God a baser indignity, than to expect he should support your lives, and feed you, and preserve you, and patiently forbear while you abuse him to his face, and drudge for the flesh, the world, and the devil? Should a worm thus use the Lord that made him? Marvel noh if he withdraw his supporting mercy, and let such wretches drop into hell!
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