ON HOSEA XIV. -- VERSE S. 255 Now there are two things more to be observed from this expression, " What have I to do any more with idols ?" 1. That in true conversion God maketh our special sin to be the object of our greatest de- testation, which point hath been opened before. 2. From those words " any more," that the nature of true repentance is to break sin off, as the expression is, Dan. iv. 27. and not to suffer a man to continue any longer in it, Rom. vi. 1, 2. It makes a man esteem the time past sufficient to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, 1 Pet. iv. 2, 3. and is exceeding thrifty of the time to come, so to redeem it, as that God may have all; doth not linger, nor delay, nor make objections, or stick at inconveniences, or raise doubts whether it be seasonable to go out of Egypt and Sodom or not. It is not at the sluggard's lan- guage, " A littlemore sleep, a little more slumber :" nor at Agrippa's language, " Almost thou persuadest me :" nor at Felix's language, " When I have a convenient season I will send for thee ;" but immediately resolves with Paul not to confer with flesh and blood, Gal. i. 16. and makes haste to fly from the wrath to come, while it is yet to come, before it overtakes us, Luke iii. 7. Doth not make anxious or cavilling questions, What shall I do for the hundred talents ? How shall I maintain my life, my credit, my family ? how shall I keep my friends ? how shall I preserve my in- terests, or support my estate ? but ventures the loss of all for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, Matt. xiii. 46. Phil. iii. 7, S. is contented to part with a sky full of stars for one Sun of righteousness. The converts that return to Christ, come like dromedaries, like doves, like ships ; no wings, no sails can carry them fast enough from their former courses unto him, Isa. lx. 6-9. Abraham is up betimes in the v2
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