On LuKE XIV. i+ do not forfake the foul Sins they lament, their Sorrow will go \vit!i them to Hell; :iod iettle in the Worm that foal/ never die. . Fifthly; The Tempter hinders Meh from Compliance with the prefent Invitation$ of Grace, by fuggeiling there will be time enough for accepting them hereafter, and a future Repentance will be fullicientto redrefs all their Mifcarriages. By this Deceit he trains them on to Ruin. By this he eludes the Force of prefent Convictions: that without Repentance they muil perilh for ever, and puts Men out of the Compafs of Converf1on. 'Tis clear by its own Light, and needs no other proof, that pref~nt 0- ~=~;!~~·j;,~~:S ~o~~; .~~~fr'~?~:h~fE~i~~~c~~fa?h:fJ~~~t:titt~:,,"~'n~·~f' ;;,~tt. cnce within, Satan fo ilrongly deceives Men, that they rebellioufly neglect their Duty · till their Time and Life are expiring. But how unbecoming, how difficult, ho~ hazardous is a late Repentance? How unbecoming is it to put off. God till hereafter 1 Such is his glorious Majeily, we lhould with the moil reverend Refpect, and humble Thankfulnefs obey his firil Call. If a Prince lhould invite a Subject to come to him forfome great Favour, would he fo break all the Rules of Decor•m, as to delay his coming, by faying, Hereafter will be time enough ? And what is the greateil Majeily on Earth to the God of Glory ? no more than a Mote to the Sun : and proportionably the Indignity arifes to neglect the Offers of his Grace. Befides, how incongruous is it to give the Flower of our Time and Strength to our Luils, and to referve the Bran for God ? To fpend the Age of our vital and vigorous Actions in the Vanities and Bufinefs of the World, and to allow only our languilhing Age for the obtaining of Heaven ? That Men lhould content themfelves with dead Affections in his Service who is their Life, that were fo lively in the Service of Sin that is their Death? How difficult is a late Repentance ? Can you repent and believe at your pleafure? Men think that in their Age, after the ebbin!'l and retiring of the carnal Affections, they lhall more eafily forfake their Sins: but tis a pernicious Deceit. The native Cor. ruption of Mens Hearts, alienates them from a dutiful return to God; and contracted Corruption by habitual Practice, failens them in Sin as their Centre. In Youth, when the Blood and Spirits are high and fierce, the Body has ;t corrupting Influence upon the Mind ; but by Cu(\om in Sin, the Mind is fo depraved, that it heats the frozen Blood and corrupts the Body. Suppofe the exciting Grace of the Spirit be not totally withdrawn, which has often been ineffectual; Can 1t be expected that after men have been hardened in the cornmillion and continuance of Sin, they lhould be more recep· tive of Heavenly Impreilions? ADlfeafe neglected at firil, that ilealingly flips into the Habit of the Body, and gradually weakens Nature, becomes at Jail uncontroulable and incurable. · How hazardous is it to neglect prefent Obedience to the Call · of Divine Mercy ? Our Days, in the Language of the PCalmifl, "e hut aJ an ha11d.hreadtb; and can men extend their Liv~ beyond their Span ? Avail Eternity follows without Dimenfions, an undtvtded Durauon. It lS no more 10 thetr Power to contmueTtme to come, than tci recal Time pail. How many are furpriz'd by hafly Death in their Security, and dieiu their unrepented Sins, and perifl1 for ever ? The wife Man alarms the Sluggard with approaching Poverty, and his Expreilions are very applicable to the Delayers of Repentance: Death comes like a Traveller, gradually by filent Steps; and as an armed Man, will irrefiilably arreil them: and Damnation follows, which they can neither repel nor difcover till they are feiz'd by it. 0 that deluded Sinners would confider; that nothing fo ripens them for Death, and accelerates Judgment, as the Prewmptiori that the Seafon of Grace will continue notwithilanding their lavifh and carelefs wail. ing it! But fuppofe that Life be extended to the utmoil Date, can you exped: that the holy Spirit lhould vifit you that have been fo long putrifying in the Grave, and breath a new Life into you ? 'Tis the moil fevere threatning, My Spirit foal/ not always j/rive wit/j Man, and then their Cafe is defperate.. There is. a fearful Example recorded in Scripture; the old World was firil drowned m Senfuahty, and refilled the holy Spirit till he was withdrawn; and then the Delugewafl{d away thpfe Swine in the Mire. Can you expect that at Jail when the World and your Sins leave you, God will accept and receive you? You are commanded to feek him in your early Spring, in the firil Dawnings of his Light and Favour, and is a poor Remnant of your Life fufficient for ob' raining his Mercy? The Harlots refpeded not the dead, but contended foJ the living Child: Satan and the World Strive to have the prime, and beil part of your Lives and will God be contented with the dying Remains? Or, do you expe.ct an eafy Corn: poC!tioil
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