Venning's remains, or, Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians, I. babes, II.…

2. Consider, how many times God hath been knocking at thy door, and how long waiting to be gracious unto thee: How many times hast thou been smitten at a Sermon, and trembled like Felix; how often thou hast been almost persuaded (as Agrippa) to be a Christian; how many times thou hast purposed and promised to sin no more; and yet after all this thou hast given up thy self to sin, and even like another Ahab, sold thy self to work wickedness: How thou hast eaten, drunk, played and slept away the convictions that have been upon thee: How thou hast forgotten, or smothered and put off these things thus; 'tis true sin is an ugly thing, but it hath its pleasure for the present; 'tis time enough and I intend to repent hereafter; others are as bad as I and yet we scape well enough; only a qualm and gripe comes over us now and then, but it goes off again; Ministers must have leave (because 'tis their place) to reprove sin; but God is merciful, &c. Thus do many put off all convictions, and though they have been gashed and wounded, ⟨p. 91⟩yet (like Dogs) they lick themselves whole again, as they think. Yet after all this it pleaseth God to take more pains with thee, this day he calls on thee once more, to hear his voice lest thou be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, and by thy impenitency and hardness of heart shouldst heap up wrath against the day of wrath. Oh what goodness is this! despise it not at thy peril, see Rom. 2.4, 5. For,

2. Confider, how many times God hath been knocking at thy door, and how long waiting to be gracious unto thee: How many times hast thou been smitten at a Sermon, and trembled like Felix; how often thou hast been almost perswaded (as Agrippa) to be a Christian; how many times thou hast purposed and promised to sin no more; and yet after all this thou hast given up thy self to sin, and even like another Ahab, sold thy self to work wickedness: How thou hast eaten, drunk, played and slept away the convictions that have been upon thee: How thou hast forgotten, or smothered and put off these things thus; 'tis true sin is an ugly thing, but it hath its pleasure for the present; 'tis time enough and I intend to repent hereafter; others are as bad as I and yet we scape well enough; only a qualm and gripe comes over us now and then, but it goes off again; Ministers must have leave (because 'tis their place) to reprove sin; but God is merciful, &c. Thus do many put off all convictions, and though they have been gashed and wounded,