3. The usual excuses wliich sinners may, and usually do allege, are these four: — The difficulty of religion, the danger that attendeth it, want of time, and that they have no power or strength to do good.
[1.] For the first. It is troublesome and tedious to flesh and blood to be held to so much duty, and to wean our hearts from things we so dearly love ; and the world thinketh that we are too nice and precise to luge men to such a strict and holy and heavenly life, and less ado will serve the turn. To this I answer : —
(1.) Diligence is certainly necessary to all that will be saved : rhil. ii. 12, ' Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling ; ' 2 Peter iii. 14, 'Be diligent, that ye may be found of him in j)eace, with- out spot and blameless.' And, therefore, if you cannot deny the ease and sloth of the flesh, you are wholly unfit for the work of godliness.
(2.) This diligence is no more than needeth, whatever the carnal world thinketh, who leave the boat to the stream, and hope to be ac- cepted with God for a few cold and drowsy devotions, or some super- ficial righteousness. A painter-stainer will think a i)ainter-limner too curious, because his own work is but a little daubing. The broad way l)leaseth the world best, but the narrow way leadeth to life.
(3.) This diligence may be well afforded, considering that eternal life and death is in the case. Life! will you stop a journey for your lives because it is a little tedious, or there is dirt in the way, or the wind bloweth on you, and the like? Since it is for God and heaven, we
Luke IX. 57-62.] obeying of Christ's call. 125
should not grudge at a little labour : 1 Cor. xv. 58, ' Therefore he ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord/ There is also death in the case. Now, which is better, to take a little profitable pains in godliness, or to endure everlasting torments ? To save a little labour or diligence in the holy life, and run the hazard of being miserable forever. Which is worst ? The trouble of physic, or the danger of a mortal disease ?
[2.] Another excuse is the danger which attendeth it. It may expose you to great troubles to own God and religion heartily ; and if there be peace abroad, and magistrates countenance religion, yet many times at home a man's greatest foes may be those of his own household, Mat. x. 3G. But for the pleasing or displeasing of your relations you must not neglect your duty to God; as Jerom to Heliodorus, per calcatum perge patrem — if thy father lie in the way, tread upon his bowels rather than not come unto Christ. Our Lord hath expressly told us, Mat. x. 37, ' He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me.' Neither favour nor disfiivour of our friends is a just let or impediment to our duty. The advantages we can or are likely to re- ceive from parents are not worthy to be compared with those we expect from God, nor is their authority over us so great as God's is : Luke xiv, 26, ' If any man come to me, and hate not his ftxther or mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.' Though Christianity doth not dis- charge us from obedience to parents, yet the higher duty must be pre- ferred, namely, obedience to Christ, and loving less is hating.
[3.] Another excuse is, I have no time to mind soul affairs. My dis- tractions in the world are so great, and my course of life is such, that I have no leisure. I answer — Will you neglect God and salvation be- cause you have worldly things to mind ? Whatever your business be, you have a time to eat, and drink, and sleep ; and have you no time to be saved ? Better encroach upon other things than that religion should be cast to the walls or jostled out of your thoughts. David was a king, and he had more distracting cares than most of us have or can have, yet he saith, Ps. cxix. 147, 148, 'I prevented the dawning of the morning; and cried ; I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night-watches, that 1 may meditate in thy word ; ' and ver. 164, ' Seven times a day do I praise thee, because of thy righteous judgments.' Do you spend no time in idleness, vain talking, and carnal sports? and might not this be better employed about heavenly things ? Eph. v. 15, 16, ' See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.' Vitam non accepimus hrevem, sed fecimus, nee inopes temporis, sed prodigi siimu,s. God hath not set you about work that he alloweth you no time for, but we waste our time, and then God is straitened. Many poorer than you have time, because they have a heart and will to improve it.