THE TRUE PENITENT. 479 and resolutions of turning to God by and by, when thou .shalt have a convenient season. Neither give place to desponding thoughts, as if there was no appeal from the tribunal of justice to the throne of grace. Run not for ease to vain company, bodily indul- gence, entangling affections, immoderate sleep, ex- cessive drinking, or hurry of business. Cain built a city to divert his trouble of mind, and multitudes like ,him, by the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, or the desire of other things, daily choke the good seed, the precious word of conviction, Mark iv. 19. Be not satisfied with flint desires of living the life of the righteous, or idle wishes of dying their death. Remember, that the desire of the slothful kills him : and if thou hast experienced some drawings of grace, meltings of heart, or breathings after God, sit not down at last as the Laodiceans, in a careless state, neither hot nor cold. It is far better to go on thy way weeping, and seeking the pearl of great price till thou really find it, than to rest contented with a hasty con- ceit that thou art possessed of it, when thou art not. Stop not in an outward reformation, and a form of godliness, like many, who mistake the means or doctrines of grace for grace itself; and because they say their heartless prayers both in publick and private, or go far and often to hear the gospel preached in its purity, fondly hope that they are the favourites of God, and in the high way to heaven. Under pretence of encreasing thy convictions, do not bury them in heaps of religious books. Some read till their heads are confused, or their hearts past feeling. Thus, though ever learning, they are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Hear then, as well as read the word of life; but think not thyself converted when thou hast ,received it with joy : the stony - ground hearers went as far as this ; Herod himself heard John gladly, honoured him, did many things, ltt left the most important undone; for he
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=