BAXTER'S FIFTY REA SONS. 563 and forfeit the benefit. And if you knew but what it is to give God a denial in such a case as this, and what a case you were in if he should turn away in wrath, and never come near you more; you would then be afraid of jesting with his hot displeasure, or dallying with_the Lord. 43. And methinks you should remember, that God doth not stay thus on all. as he doth on you. Thou- sands are under burning and despair, and past all reme- dy, while patience. is waiting yet on you. Can you forget that others are in hell at this very hour, for as small sins as those that you are yet entangled and lin- ger in? Good-Lord, what a thing is a senseless heart! That at the same time when millions are in misery for delaying or refusing to be converted, their successors should fearlessly venture in their steps. Surely if faith had but opened your ears to hear the cries of those damn- ed souls, you durst not imitate them by your delays. 44. And I must tell you, that God will not always .thus wait on you, and attend you by his patience, as hitherto he bath done. Patience bath his appointed time. And if you out -stay that time, you are mise- rable wretches. I can assure you, Sirs, the glass is turned upon you, and when it is run out, you shall never have an hour of patience more. Then God will no more entreat you to be converted. He will not always stand over you with salvation, and say, O that this sinner would repent and live! .O that he would take the mercies that I have provided for him ! Do not expect that God should do this always with you; for it will not be. 45. Your delays do weary the servants of Christ that are employed for your recovery. Ministers will grow weary of preaching to you, and persuading you : when we come to men that were never warned before, we come in hopes that they will hear and obey ; and this hope puts life and earnestness into our persuasions. But when we have persuaded men but a few times in vain, and leave them as we found them, our spirits begin to droop and flag : much more when we have preached and persuaded you many years, and still you are the
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