336 of SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. you : and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.' Add thereto this blessed promise, Hos. xiv. 14. ' I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely : for mine anger is turned away from them.' If you design to live and not die, it must beby yielding obedience to this call, and pleading this promise before God, mixing it with faith. Your return must be by the word, lsa. lvii. 18, 19. Here lies your great encouragement and direc- tion; herein lieth your only relief. As you value your souls, defer not the duty you are called to one mo- ment. You know not how soon you may be without the reach of calls and promises. And he that can hear them without stirring up himself in sincerity to comply with them, hath made alreadya great progress towards that length. (3.) As to those who, on these and the like consid- erations, do not only desire, but will endeavor also to retrieve themselves from this condition, I shall give no advice at present but this : be in good earnest. As the prophet speaks in another case ; if you will re- turn, return and come, make thorough work of it. You must do so at one time or another, or you will perish. Why not now 2 Why is not this the best season l Whoknows but it may be the only time you will have for it i It were easy to multiply all sorts of arguments to this purpose. Trifling endeavors, occa- sional resolutions and attempts, like the early cloud, and morning dew, shifting with warnings and convic- tions by renewed duties, until their impressions are worn out, will ruin your souls. Unless there be uni- versal diligence and permanency in your endeavors, you are undone. Then shall ye know the Lord, if you follow on to know him.
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