'BAXTER'S FIFTY REASONS. 565 apace ; and yet those that are left behind will take no warning, but still delay ; we see that Satan delays not while you delay ; he is day and night at work against you ; if he seem to make a truce with you, it is that he may be doing secretly while you suspect him not: we see that sin delayeth not while you delay ! it is working like 'poison or infection in your bodies, and seizing upon your vital powers ; it is every day blinding you more and more, it is hardening your hearts more and' more, and searing your consciences to bring you pá §t all feeling and hope; and must we stand by and see this miserable work with our people's souls, and all be frustrated and rejected by themselves, that we do for their deliverance? I pray you deal but :fairly, with . us, and tell us whether ever you will turn or not : if you will not, but are resolved for sin and hell, say so, that we may know the worst; speak out your minds, that we may know what to trust to; for if we once knew you would not turn, we would soon have done with you, and leave you to the justice of God. But if still you say, you will turn, --, -when will you do it? You will do it, and you hope you shall: but when ? How long would you have us to wait yet? Have you not abused us enough? Nay, I must tell you, that you even weary God himself. It is his own expression, Mal. ii. 17. Isa. xliii. 24. ` Thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities,' Isa. i. 14. And I must say to you as the prophet, Isa. vii. 13, f Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but you will weary my -God also ?' Consider what it is that you do. 46. Consider also, that you are at a constant and un- speakable loss every day and hour that you delay your conversion. O little do you know what you deprive yourselves of every day. If a slave in the gallies, or pri -' son, might live at court as the favourite of the prince, in ,honour and delight, and ease, would he delay either years or hours? or would he not rather think within himself, Is it not better to be at ease, and in honour, than to be here ? As the prodigal said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough, and to spare, and I perish with hunger? All this while I might be -in
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