[2.] Those that do aliud agere, that is, do somewhat, but not what they should do, spend their whole time in hunting after the profits of the world, or in making provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. No ; there are better things to mind. Everytliing is lost that helpeth us not towards heaven, much more that which hindereth our progress thither. That is our first care, the glorifying God and saving our souls: Prov. iv. 7, ' Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom ; * that is, heavenly wisdom.
[3.] 3Iale agendo, in doing evil, or serving the lusts of the flesh. That time is lost indeed, for then you lose your souls and your time too, and do the devil's work in God's time : 1 Peter iv. 3, ' For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.'
2. It reproveth them that delay their conversion and return to God; as those invited to the marriage-supper did not deny, but delay, Mat. xxii. They do not say, Non placet, sed non vacat — I am not at leisure. Oh, it is dangerous to neglect the season. If you did thoroughly see the danger, you would see you cannot make too much haste. This great necessity that is upon us admitteth no deliberation, and therefore we should take the next opportunity. To promise ourselves a more convenient season hereafter is to be liberal at another's cost, which yet you are not sure of. The holy and heavenly life is compared to a journey ; he is a foolish traveller that sets forth at night, and beginneth
VeR. 16.] SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. 377
his journey when the sim is setting. It is set forth by a race often ; who ever heard of a race that was but a stride long ? By a warfare ; now who wouhi expect to conquer when himself is weakest and his enemy strongest ? Yet nothing more usual tlian delays and put oflfs ; one is full of business, and when he hath a little mastered it, then ho will be for a devout retirement, and will think of saving his soul : ' Suffer me first to go and bury my father,' said he in the Gospel, Luke ix. 59. Alas ! when you are more leavened with a worldly spirit, religion will find little entrance. Some their youthful heats are not yet over and spent, and they think something is to be allowed to them ;. but when those youthful lusts and sensual inclinations are confirmed by long custom, how will you break the force of them ? The misery is, God always cometh out of season to a carnal heart, or in the sinner's reckoning. We even say to him, as the devil did to Christ, ' Art thou come to torment us before the time ? ' Mat. viii. 29.
3. Eeproof to fallen believers, who do not take the next advantage of recovering themselves by repentance. The longer sin continueth un- mortifled or unpardoned, the more dangerous is your case. A candle, as soon as the flame is blown out, sucketh light and is re-enkindled ; but when it is grown cold and stiff", it requireth more ado. Peter's repentance presently overtook his sin : Mat. xxvi. 75, ' He went out and wept bitterly.' ' Let not the sun go down upon thy wrath, neither give place to the devil,' Eph, iv. 26, 27. It is true of reconciliation with God. If a man were unclean, he was to wash his clothes before evening. God would not let Adam sleep in his sins, but came to him in the cool of the day. If we are fallen, we should not lie in the dirt : Jer. viii. 4, ' Thus saith the Lord, Shall they fall, and not arise ? Shall he turn away, and not return ? ' Let not your commerce and traffic with heaven lie dead. Sin maketh you fly from God, and we hang off from him. A backward heart must be urged and pricked forward.
4. It reproveth those that withstand the special seasons of grace, when God's arms are most open to receive us. Some scriptures seem to assert a special season, that may not be had at other times : Isa. Iv. 6, ' Seek the Lord while he may be found ; call ye upon him while he is near ; ' Ps. xxxii. 6, ' For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found ; ' Isa. xlix. 8, ' In an acceptable time have I heard thee ; in the day of salvation I have helped thee ; ' Luke xix. 42, ' If thou hadst known, in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace ; but now they are hid from thine eyes.' When this day is past, we are in danger of eternal ruin.
But to state this matter.
(1.) The time in which God will pardon and accept those that repent is as long as life ; for whenever men repent, iniquity shall not be their ruin. Turn and live, sin and die, are truths that will always hold good.