6556 BAXTER'S FIFTY REASONS. forth nothing but thorns and thistles; and while you have snarled at his children, and his flock, and done the worst you could against him. And would you indeed put God to wait on you thus, while you serve the Devil yet one day more? Must God as it were hold the drunkard the candle while he reels about? Must he draw the curtain, while the filthy creature Both once more please his carnal, affections ? Marvel" not, if he withdraw his supporting mercy, and let such wretches drop into hell! And it is not God only, but his servants, and crea- tures, and ordinances, that are all waiting on you. The angels stay for the joy that is due to them upon your conversion. Ministers are studying, and preaching, and praying for you ; godly neighbours are praying, and longing for your change. The springs, and rivers are flowing for you ; the winds blow for you ; the sun shines for you ; the clouds rain for you ; the earth bears _ fruit for you ; the beasts must labour,, and suffer, and die for you : all things are doing, and would you stand still, or else do worse. What haste makes the sun about the world, to return in its time to give you light? 'hat, haste makes other creatures in your service? And yet must you delay? Must God stay, and Christ and the Spirit stay ? Must angels stay, must ministers stay, must the godly stay, and the ordinances stay, and all the creatures stay your leisure, while you are abusing God, and your 'souls, and others, and while you delay, as if it were too soon to turn ? 27. Consider, that when you were lost, the Son of God did not delay the work of your redemption. He presently undertook it, and turned by the stroke of condemning justice. In the fulness of time he came and performed what he undertoòk : he failed not one day of his appointed time. And will you now delay to accept the benefit, and turn to him ? Must he make such haste to save you at so dear a rate, and now will you delay to be saved? 28. Moreover, God loth not delay to do you good : you have the day and night in their proper seasons: the sun doth not fail to rise upon you at the appointed
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