2. The work goeth on the more kindly when we speedily ooey the sanctifying motions of the Spirit, and the present influence and impul- sion of his grace. You have not such an advantage of a warm con- viction afterward : when the waters are stirred then Ave must put in for a cure, John v. 4. To adjourn and ])ut it off, as Felix did, Acts xxiv. 25, doth damp and cool the work — you quench this holy fire ; or
Luke IX. 57-62.] obeying of Christ's call. 129
to stand bucking with God, as Pharaoh did, the work dieth on your hand.
3. There is hazard in dielaying and putting off such a business of concernment as conversion to God. Certainly this is a business of the greatest concernment, and the greatest work should be first thought of : Mat. vi. 33, ' Seek first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof ; ' and most thought of : ' Ps. xxvii. 4, * One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord.' Now, if we delay, it is left upon great hazards. Life is uncertain, for you know not what a day may bring forth : Prov. xxvii. 1, ' Boast not thyself of to-morrow ; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.' If God had given leave (as princes sometimes in a proclamation, for all to come in within a certain day) ; so if God had said. Whosoever doth not repent till thirty or forty years be out, there were no great hazard till the time were expired, we might entertain sin a little while longer. But we know not the day of our death, therefore we should get God to bless us ere we die. A new call is uncertain, 2 Cor. vi. 1, 2. It may be he will treat with us no more in such a warm and affectionate manner. If he call, yet not vouchsafe such assistances of his grace, ' if, perad venture, God will give them repentance unto life,' 2 Tim. ii. 25. It is a hazard or un- certain if the Spirit of God will put another thought of turning into your hearts, when former grace is despised : Isa. Iv. 6, ' Call upon the Lord while he is near, and seek him while he may be found.'
4. Consider the mischiefs of delaying. Every day we contract a greater indisposition of embracing God's call. We complain now it is hard ; if it be hard to-day, it will be harder to-morrow, when God is more provoked, and sin more strengthened, Jer. xiii. 23. Yea, it may be, our natural faculties are decayed, the vigour of our youth exhausted. When the tackling is spoiled and the ship rotten, it is an ill time to put to sea : Eccles. xii. 1, ' Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth,' And besides, consider the suspicion that is upon a late repentance. The most profane would have God for their portion at last.
5. The reasons for delay are inconsiderable. Suppose it be our satisfaction in our present estate. The pleasures of sin are sweet, and we are loth to forego them ; but those pleasures must one day be re- nounced, or you are for ever miserable. Why not now ? Sin will be as sweet to the carnal appetite hereafter as now it is ; and salvation is dispensed upon the same terms. You cannot be saved hereafter with less ado, or bring down Christ and heaven to a lower rate. If this be a reason now, it will for ever lie as a reason against Christ, and against conversion. The laws of Christianity are unalterable, always the same, and your hearts not like to be better. Or is it that you are willing now, but you have no leisure ? when such encumbrances are over, you shall get your hearts into better posture. Oh no ; it is hypocrisy to think you are willing when you delay. Nothing now hindereth but a want of will ; and when God treateth with thee about thine eternal peace, it is the best time ; but God always cometh to the sinner un- seasonably in his own account. But consider, it was the devil that said, Mat. viii. 29, ' Art thou come hither to torment us before the time ? '
VOL. II. I
130 EVIL OF LOOKING BACK. [LUKE IX. 57-62.
The use is, to reprove that dallying with God in the work of conversion, which is so common and so natural to us. The causes of it are : —
1. Unbelief, or want of a due sense and sight of things to come. If men were persuaded of eternal life and eternal death, they would not stand hovering between heaven and hell, but presently engage their hearts to draw nigh to God. But we cannot see afar off: 2 Peter i. 9, ' He tliat lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off.'
2. Another cause is security. They do not take these things into their serious thoughts. Faith showeth it is sure, and consideration bringeth it near : Amos vi. 3, ' Ye put f^ir away the evil day.' Things at a distance do not move us. We should pray, and preach, and practise as if death were at our backs, and remember that all our security dependeth upon the slender thread of a frail life.