SERMON L11. 125 that ctímet in oitr way, and give us the least hinderance, and we never perform with such accuracy or such success. Have we not sometimes learned these inconveniences by sad experience, and shall we ever be guilty of delays again ? Or if we consider ourselvesas christens, have we not found that byneedless delays we have lost theseason ofmorning prayer, and could never recover it again, but have past the morning without solemn addresses to the God of our lives ? And bath not many a siniser felethe dreadful consequences of his delays of repentance, when, day after day, and week after week, his own conscience and the voice of God in his word have called upon him to repent and return to God, and invited him to accept of pardon and peace, to receive the grace of Christ, and everlast- ing life ? What terrible agonies of soul, what reproaches of conscience on a dying bed, what horror of spirit in the review of his cursed delays ? And with what tormenting despair his soul hath been hurried out of this life, andbeen plunged into an eter- nal state, without hope, or at least at a terrible uncertainty ? Children can youhear this, and not enquire betimes, what must I do to be saved? Acts xvi. 30. Can youhear this in the clays of youth, and delay any longer to secure your immortal concerns, and provide for the approaching hour of death andjudgment ? It is a dangerous thingfor children in their younger years to learn the language of idleness, and to cry out on every occasion, " It is time enough yet." They generally grow up to feel thebitter fruits of delay. It is an excellent rule in the things of earth or of heaven, " Never leave that to be done the next hour, which may properly be done now, nor dare to put Whit to-morrow the " business which you may as well begin to-day." Who knowswhat adaymay bring forth? Prov. xxvii. L He that hath donehis work to-day is secure of peace, but to- morrow may be all disap- pointment. Let us who pretend to be christians, or to have are- gard to God and religion, let us upon the first notice of any duty, make haste to the practice of it. Upon the first conviction ofsin let us apply ourselves immediately to God for pardoning and sanctifying grace : Let us return to our duty with early diligence like David, As soon as thou saidest, Seek ye myface, my heart replied ; Thy,face will I seek. I made haste and delayed not to keep thycommandments ; Ps. xxvii. 8. and cxix. GO. 3. " Diligence implies activity and vigour, in opposition to sloth and laziness,languor and indifference." It is not lazy wishes that will perform work or obtain a blessing. The sluggard desireth and hath,nothing ç Prov. xiii. 4. therefore thewise man advises; EF. ix. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might : Then it is likely to be finished in proper season ; but the slothful wretch makes no riddance óf his work,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=