BAXTER'S FIFTY REASONS. 545 never end : and in the honest self- denying course that leadeth to that blessedness. A godly life is nothing else but a sowing the seed of heaven on earth ; and a learning in the school of Christ, the songs of praise which we must use before the throne of God ; and by steering, a learning how to triumph and reign with Christ. Can you delay to come into your Father's family ; into the vineyard of the Lord; into the kingdom of God on earth; to be "fellow- citizens of the saints, and of the household of God ;" to have the pardon of all your sins, and the sealed promise of everlasting glory ? Why, sirs, when you are calle' -n to turn, you are called to the porch of heaven, in ) the beginning of salvation : and will you delay to accept everlasting life? 3. Consider also, from what you are called to turn and then judge whether there be any reason of delay. It is from the devil your enemy : from the love of a deceitful world ; from the seducement of corrupted brutish flesh ; it is from sin the greatest evil; what is there in sin that you should delay to part with it? Is there any good in it? Or what bath it ever done for you, that you should love it? Did it ever do you good? Or did it ever do any man good? It is the deadly enemy of Christ and you, that caused his death, and will cause yours, and is working for your damna- tion, if converting and pardoning grace prevent it not: and are you loth to leave it? It is the cause of all the miseries of the world, of all the sorrow that ever did befal you, and the cause of the damnation of them that perish: and do you delay to part with it ? 4. Your delaying shews that you love not God, and that you prefer your sin before him, and that you would never part with it if you might have your will. For if you loved God, you would long to be restored to his favour, and to be near him, and employed in his service and his family. Love is quick and diligent, and will not draw back. And it is a sign also that you are in love with sin : for else why should you be 18 3 Z
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