ON THE GLORY' OF CHRIST. 87 call and invitation, you know not what success he may give unto you. 2. Consider that it is not failing in this or that at- tempt of coming to Christ, but a giving over your en- deavours that will be your ruin. The woman of Ca- naan, in her great outcry to Christ for mercy (Matt. xv. 22.) had many a repulse. First it is said, he answered her not a word; then his disciples desired that he would send her away, that she might not trouble himany more; whereon he gives a reason why he would not regard her, or whyhe could justly pass her by, she was not an Israelite, unto whom he was sent; yet-she gives not ov- er, but pressing into his presence, cries out for mercy, ver. 25. But come to that issue, to try and draw out her faith to the utmost, which was his design from the beginning, he reckons her among dogs, that were not to have children's bread given unto them. Had she now at last given over upon this severe rebuke, she had never obtained mercy; but persisting in her request she at last prevailed, ver. 27, 28. It may be you have pray- ed and cried, and resolved and vowed, but all without success, as you suppose; sin path broken through all. However, if you give not over, you shall prevail at last; you know not at what time God will come in with his grace, and Christ will manifest his love unto you, as un- to the poor woman, after many a rebuke. It may be, after all, he will do it this day, and if not, he may do it another, do not despond. Take that word of Christ himself for your encouragement, Prov. viii. 34.. " Bles- sed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at theposts ofmy doors." If you hear him, and wait, though you have not yet admission, but are kept at the gates and posts of the doors, yet in the issue you shall be blessed. 3. The rule in this case is, Hos. vi. 3. Then shall we know, ifwefollow on to know. Are you in the way of knowing Christ, in the use of means, hearing the word, and sincere endeavours in holy duties? though you cannot yet attain unto any evidence that you have received him, have closed with him, nothing can ruin youbut giving over the way wherein you are; for then shall you know if you follow on to know the Lord. Many can give you their experiences, that if they had been discouraged by present overwhelming difficulties, arising from their disappointments, breaking of vows, relapses into folly, they had been utterly ruined, where- as now they are at rest and peace in the bosomof Christ. On a great surprisal Christ lost at once many disciples, and they lost their souls, John vi. 66. They went back and walked no snore with him: take heed ofthe like dis- couragements. III. Some may say, yea, practically they do say, that these things indeed are necessary: they must come to Christ by believing, or they are undone; but this is not the seasonof it, there will be time enough to apply them- selves unto it when other occasions are past; at present they havenot leisure to enter upon, and go through with this duty, wherefore they will abide in their pre- sent state for a while, hearing and doing many things, and when time serves will apply themselves unto this duty also. 1. This is an uncontrollable evidence of that sottish- ness and folly which is come upon our nature by sin. Adepravation that the apostleplaces in the head of the evils of corrupted nature, Tit. iii. 3. Can any thing be more foolish, sottish, and stupid, than for men to put off the considerationof the eternal concernment oftheir souls for one hour, being altogether uncertain whether- they shall live another or no? to prefer present trifles before the blessedness or misery of an immortal state? For those who never heard of these things, who never had any conviction of sin and judgment, to put the evil day far from them, is not much to be admired; but for you who have Christ preached unto you, who own a necessity ofcoming unto him, to put it off from day to day, upon such slightpretences, it is an astonishing folly. May you not be spoken unto in the language of the wisdom of God, Prov. vi. 9. "How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out ofthy sleep?" You come to hear the word,and when you go away the language of your hearts is, " Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;" we will abide a little while in our present state, and afterwards we will rouse up ourselves. Underthis deceit do multi- tudes perish every day. This is a dark shade, wherein cursed unbelief lies hid. 2. Consider that this is the greatest engine that Sa- tan makes use of in the world, among them that hear the word preached unto them, for the ruin of their souls. He hath other arts and ways, and methods of dealing with other men, as by sensual andworldly lusts: but as unto them who through their convictions do attend un-.
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