Divers practical cases of conscience satisfactorily resolved ... to which are added some counsels…

Direct. 5. Take the first opportunity when God gives a fit season for any duty: Let not Satan beguile you, by telling you of another or a better time. It may be thou hast a purpose to reprove thy brother for his sin, but how long wilt thou be a purposing? Now God gives thee an opportunity, it may be thy backward heart saith, [not now, but another time.] And so it is put off, till he or thy self are removed, or he is hardened, or at least thou art guilty of the sin that he commits in the mean while: because thou hast not done thy duty to prevent it. It is in thine heart to deal with thine unconverted friend or neighbour about his spiritual estate, but it may be while thou art delaying, death comes and snatches him away in his sins, or takes thee off, and so farewell for ever to any opportunity for doing the soul of thy Brother any good. How often are our closet-duties hindered, or miserably disturbed for want of care to lay hold on the first opportunity? we think another hour in the ⟨p. 51⟩day may do as well: but then one thing or another unexpectedly falls in, that nothing in done, or nothing to purpose. Therefore beware of this cheat. A man can scarce peep into the world but one brier and thorn or another will catch him. Therefore take opportunity by the fore-top. Our Saviour would take his season for prayer before day, when his other work was pressing, Mark 1. 35.

Direct. 5. Take the first opportunity when God gives a fit season for any duty: Let not Satan beguile you, by telling you of another or a better time. It may be thou hast a purpose to reprove thy brother for his sin, but how long wilt thou be a purposing? Now God gives thee an opportuity, it may be thy backward heart saith, [not now, but another time.] And so it is put off, till he or thy self are removed, or he is hardned, or at least thou art guilty of the sin that he commits in the mean while: because thou hast not done thy duty to prevent it. It is in thine heart to deal with thine unconverted friend or neighbour about his spiritual estate, but it may be while thou art delaying, death comes and snatches him away in his sins, or takes thee off, and so farewel for ever to any opportunity for doing the soul of thy Brother any good. How often are our closet-duties hindred, or miserably disturbed for want of care to lay hold on the first opportunity? we think another hour in the ⟨p. 51⟩