Use 1

USE I.

For Caution. Let none from hence presume to delay their returning to God. There is an evil spirit in men naturally, that leads them to abuse the most precious truths of the Word of God, and to turn the richest cordials into the most deadly poison. It may be there are some who hearing this truth, do thereupon say in their hearts, if it be so, we will then allow ourselves a while longer in our sinful courses, we will take a little more pleasure in the ways of our hearts, there is no such danger: if at last we bear fruit, we shall do well enough. If there be any that do nourish such an evil root of bitterness in them, I warn you in the name of God to beware to yourselves, lest it prove your utter destruction. I am sure such inferences lead to desperate conclusions; and if men once come to settle upon them, their condition is next to hopeless; let me therefore urge these two considerations upon such.

1. Though if you do bear fruit there is no danger of your final miscarrying, yet there is great danger whether you shall bear or no; if you were as sure of true repentance at last, as you may be that God will certainly accept of you, if you do indeed turn to him, the hazard would be taken off: but the Devil cheats you, by persuading you to draw unwarrantable conclusions from uncertain premises: be then advised to balance this consideration with these two on the other hand.

1. God only can work this change in you. If it were in your power there were the more to be pleaded: if the sinner could turn himself when he pleased, he might be the more bold, but converting grace is the gift of God, if he does not work it in you, you can never do it for yourselves: you can as easily create a world, as put grace into your own hearts, whereby you may live to God's glory. Now God offers this grace to you, and now pleads with you about it, he says, today, if you will hear his voice; but he has given you no assurances that he will take your time, or wait your leisure to do this work in and for you.

2. That God's day of grace is limited. It is true, he has not told us how long he will lengthen it out to this or that sinner; but in general we are assured that it has its fixed bounds beyond which it shall not pass, and that it is to some longer, to others shorter, as it pleases him: he has said (Genesis 6:3), My Spirit shall not always strive; and therefore has given that advice to men (Isaiah 55:6), Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. And this is a solemn consideration, which every unprofitable soul under the ordinances ought often to entertain his thoughts withal: and particularly in the end of every Sabbath; here is one day more of my season past and gone, I am one Sabbath nearer to the end of my day of grace, which if once it comes to be past, and God's time be over, I am then beyond all hopes of recovery, and there will be no more possibility for ever of my returning to God: and now say, what comfort can you gather from your presumed supposition, when the assumption must be, but I am not like to return for ever.

2. If ever this work do truly pass upon you, it will then bitterly repent you of your delays; however you indulge a carnal mind, and corrupt heart with such presumptions for the present; if once the grace of God comes to be put into you, and you be indeed made fruitful, this will embitter the reflection to your thoughts. Then will you wish that you had come in to God before, complain of yourselves, lament all the lost time that cannot be recovered, cry out of yourselves for fools and madmen that had such a price in your hands, and had so wofully neglected it: then will you see that all your former time was lost time, and say, Oh that I had been wise; how much might I have done for God? What treasures might I have laid up to myself for eternity, while I [illegible] my carnal lusts, and spent many for what is not bread? There is nothing that grieves a soul more, than that he has lost his youth, and strength, and vigor from the service of God. You have laid in enough for this repentance already, beware that you do not by your delaying provide more for it.