FIFTY REASO:NS. can be presently entertained without delay. But when God comes, when -Christ calleth, when the Spirit moveth, when the minister persuadeth, when conscie;1ce is convinced, we can have nothing but wishes, and purposes, and promises, with delays. Nay:, more than this: so eager are they on their sin, that we are not able to entreat them to delay it. When the passionate man is but provoked, we cannot persuade him to delay his railing language, so long as to consider first of the issue. We cannot entreat the drunkard to put off his drunkenness but for one twelvemonth, while he trieth another course. All the ministers in the country cannot persuade the worldling to forbear his. worldliness, and the proud persons their pride, and the ungodly person his ungodliness, for the space of one month, or week, or day. And yet when God hath a command and a request to them, to turn to him and be saved, here they can delay, without our entreaty. 36. Consider also, that it is not possible for you to turn too soon: nor will you ever have cause to repent of your speediness. Delay may undo you; but speedy turning can do you no harm. Should there be any delay, where it is not possible to be too hasty? Do you think that there is ever a saint in heaven, yea or on earth, that is sorry he continued not longer unconverted? No: you shall never hear of such a repentance from the mouth of any that is indeed converted. 37. But I must tell you on the contrary, that if ever you be so happy as to be converted, you will repent it, and a hundred times repent it, that you delayed so long before you yielded. 0, how it will grieve you, when your hearts are melted with the love of God, and are overcome with the infinite kindness of his pardoning, saving grace, that ever you had the hearts to abuse such a God, and deal so unkindly with him, and stand out so long against that compassion that was seeking your salvation! · 0, how it will grieve your hearts, to consider that
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