Consider 3. In other matters men are unwilling either to delay, or to be delayed. There is many a poor foolish sinner, that if he does but hear of a Play to be acted, or any thing which is a matter of sport and pastime, he'll be early at it: He will not let slip the time, but rather be too soon than too late. But when he is called upon to look after the Salvation of his own soul, he puts that off from day to day, as if that could never be too late. In worldly matters, especially if they be of moment, men have so much wisdom as to dispatch them out of hand. It was said of Boaz when an affair that did greatly concern him was to be issued, The man will not be at rest until he hath finished the thing this day. Ruth. 3.18. And yet as to the work of Repentance, and making their peace with God, than which nothing can be of greater Concernment, Sinners can be at rest from day to day; nay, from year to year, tho that work be not finished, nor so much as begun: How sad is it to consider! You cannot bear Delays from others, yet must the great God bear Delays ⟨p. 51⟩from you? If any of you should command his servant to do such a work presently, but he says he'll take his own time and not yours, how would you bear it! But when God commands you to turn now, will you take your own time and not God's to do it? You cannot bear delays from God himself: If men be in any distress, they are ready to say, Lord make hast to our help! Hear us speedily! Make no tarrying; Why then when God calls to you to turn from your evil way, make hast and make no tarrying. If any amongst you should be in grievous tormenting pain, and should cry unto God for help, but he should put you off, and say, Twenty or thirty years I'll consider about the matter; how impatient would you be! And will you then say to God, I'll turn from my evil ways 20 or 30 years hence, whenas the Lord saith, Do it NOW.
Consider 3. In other matters men are unwilling either to delay, or to be delayed. There is many a poor foolish sinner, that if he does but hear of a Play to be acted, or any thing which is a matter of sport and pastime, he'll be early at it: He will not let slip the time, but rather be too soon than too late. But when he is called upon to look after the Salvation of his own soul, he puts that off from day to day, as if that could never be too late. In worldly matters, especially if they be of moment, men have so much wisdome as to dispatch them out of hand. It was said of Boaz when an affair that did greatly concern him was to be issued, The man will not be at rest until he hath finished the thing this day. Ruth. 3.18. And yet as to the work of Repentance, and making their peace with God, than which nothing can be of greater Concernment, Sinners can be at rest from day to day; nay, from year to year, tho that work be not finished, nor so much as begun: How sad is it to consider! You cannot bear Delayes from others, yet must the great God bear Delayes ⟨p. 51⟩from you? If any of you should command his servant to do such a work presently, but he sayes hee'l take his own time and not yours, how would you bear it! But when God commands you to turn now, will you take your own time and not God's to doe it? You cannot bear delayes from God himself: If men be in any distress, they are ready to say, Lord make hast to our help! Hear us speedily! Make no tarrying; Why then when God calls to you to turn from your evil way, make hast and make no tarrying. If any amongst you should be in grievous tormenting pain, and should cry unto God for help, but he should put you off, and say, Twenty or thirty years I'le consider about the matter; how impatient would you be! And will you then say to God, I'le turn from my evil wayes 20 or 30 years hence, whenas the Lord saith, Do it NOW.
