The sinners last sentence to eternal punishment, for sins of omission

CHAP. XLV. Another excuse for sins of Omission (which is a cause of them) that they would be unseasonable, and so are deferred to that time which never comes, with the answer to it.

2. A Second excuse that men have for their Omissions, is the unseasonableness of the performance of their Duties. They grant, that they ought to perform them, that God requires it of them, and they must be done; but the present time is very inconvenient, other affairs now call for their presence, and an another time they may be done with more advantage. So the Jews served God about building his House, Hag. 1.2. They acknowledged it was very fit that Gods House should be re-edified, and very sad that his House should lie wast, whilst their own ⟨p. 448⟩were ceiled, but the time was not yet come, it was unseasonable at present; they being amongst wicked Neighbours, who would possibly scoff at them, and oppose them, if they should go about it; it was best to defer it till another season. Thus Felix, when Paul's discourse of Judgment to come, had convinced him so far, that he trembled, most unhappily denieth him leave to proceed; but defers him to a more convenient season, which never came that we hear of. Many persons put off in a Morning Closet-Prayer, and Family-Duties, pretending they shall be better at leisure before Noon, and thereby come to neglect them wholly for that part of the day. As Saul forbade the Priest to ask Counsel of God, for want of leisure, 1 Sam. 14.19. Others, when Alms are desired of them, by fit Objects of Charity, will not deny them positively, but do it really, by deferring it till another season, which the poor Creatures never see. Thus the Devil destroyeth many Souls, by prevailing with them to delay their Faith and Repentance upon pretence; hereafter will be ⟨p. 449⟩time enough, and then such and such affairs will be over, and then they will be more at leisure to mind them. If he can thus gain time of men, he doubts not but to make them lose thereby an happy eternity; he is pleased well enough to hear men say, they must and will repent, they must and will believe, knowing there are few in Hell who enjoyed the Gospel, but sometime or other said as much; but as long as it is in the future Tense, I will, and I will, and he can persuade them that they are unseasonable Duties at present; he fears nothing, as knowing himself sure enough of his prey.