3. The rule in this case is, Hos. vi. 3, " Then shall we know, if we follow on to know." Ai'e you in the way of knowing Christ in the use of means, hearing the word, and sincere endeavours in holy duties ? Though you cannot yet attain unto any evidence that you have received him, have closed with him, nothing can ruin you but giving over the way wherein you are; for then shall you know, if you follow on to know the Lord. Many can give you their experi- ences, that if they had been discouraged by present overwhelming difficulties, arising from their disappointments, breaking of vows, relapses into folly, they had been utterly ruined; whereas now they are at rest and peace in the bosom of Christ. On a great surprisal, Christ lost at once many disciples, and they lost their souls, John vi. 66, " They went back, and walked no more with him." Take heed of the like discouragements.
Thirdly, Some may say, yea, practically they do say, that these things indeed are necessary; they must come to Christ by believing, or they are undone ; but this is not the season of it, — there will be time enough to apply themselves unto it when other occasions are past. At present they have not leisure to enter upon and go through with this duty; wherefore they will abide in their present state for a while, hearing and doing many things, and when time serves, will apply themselves unto this duty also.
1. This is an uncontrollable evidence of that sottishness and folly which is come upon our nature by sin; — a depravation that the apostle places in the head of the evils of corrupted nature. Tit. iii. 1-3. Can any thing be more foolish, sottish, and stupid, than for men to put off the consideration of the eternal concernment of their souls for one hour, being altogether uncertain whether they shall live an- other or no ? — to prefer present trifles before the blessedness or misery of an immortal state ? For those who never heard of these things,
430 EXHOKTATION TO SUCH AS ARE
who never had any conviction of sin and judgment, to put the evil day far from them, is not much to be admired ; but for you who have Christ preached unto you, who own a necessity of coming unto him, to put it off from day to day upon such slight pretences, — it is an astonishing folly ! May you not be spoken unto in the language of the Wisdom of God? Prov. vi. 9-11. You come to hear the word, and when you go away, the language of your hearts is, " Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;" we will abide a little while in our present state, and afterward we will rouse up ourselves. Under this deceit do multitudes perisli every day. This is a dark shade, wherein cursed unbelief lies hid.
2. Consider that this is the greatest engine that Satan makes use of in the world among them that hear the word preached unto them, for the min of their souls. He hath other arts, and ways, and methods of dealing with other men, — as by sensual and worldly lusts ; but as unto them who, through their convictions, do attend unto the preaching of the word, this is his great and almost only engine for their ruin : There needs no haste in this matter, — another time Avill be more seasonable, — you may be sure not to fail of it before you die ; however, this present day and time is most unfit for it, — you have other things to do, — you cannot part with your present frame, — you may come again to hear the word the next opportunity. Know assuredly, if your minds are influenced unto delays of coming to Christ by such insinuations, you are under the power of Satan, and he is like enough to hold you fast unto destruction.
S. This is as evil and dangerous a posture or frame of mind as you can well fall under. If you have learned to put off God, and Christ, and the word for the present season, and yet relieve yourselves in this, that you do not intend, like others, always to reject them, but will have a time to hearken to their calls, you are secured and forti- fied against all convictions and persuasions, all fears ; one answer will serve for all, — within a little while you Avill do all that can be re- quired of you. This is that which ruins the souls of multitudes every day. It is better dealing with men openly profligate, than with such a trifling promiser. See Isa. v. 7, 10.
4. Remember that the Scripture confines you unto the present day, without the least intimation that you shall have either another day, or another tender of grace and mercy in any day, 2 Cor. vi. 2 ; Heb. iii. 7, 13, xii. 15. Take care lest you come short of the grace of God, miss of it by missing your opportunity. Redeem the time, or you are lost for ever.
5. As unto the pretence of your occasions and business, there is a ready way to disappoint the craft of Satan in that pretence, — namely, to mix thoughts of Christ and the renovation of your resolutions