SERM. adapted the Practice is to his own Nature III. and prefent Condition in this World; how

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unworthy, abfurd, and ruinous the Neglect. He acknowledges the infinite Power of his Creator and Preferver; the full Authority of his Creator and Law-giver; and the perfect Juftice and Holiness of his Judge and eternal Rewarder or Avenger. And, above all, he knows the aggravating Load which must be added to his Difobedience and Damnation, by Ingratitude to the incomprehenfible Love and Goodness of his Redeemer. Whilst a Man is under thefe Impreffions, the Tempter is too fubtle to plead directly against what is thus incontestable, but turns off the prefent Effect and Conclufion of fuch invincible Arguments by an oblique Stroke. He dares not fay even to the Heart much prepared for his Deceivings, that the Laws of Almighty God, who hath made and redeemed, who preferves and governs, and who will reward or punish Mankind, are not to be obeyed. That were too grofs and infupportable. What then is the Suggeftion, and where the Artifice, to decline the Force of religious Truth, and Persua

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fion arm'd from Heaven ? Why, it is no SERM more than this Whisper, You fhall obey, III. but not just now: You will confider, repent, and reform, though not this Day or this Week: This evil Practice you are refolved to break off, and that good Work to take in Hand; but either at a more convenient Opportunity.

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This at the very firft View is wretchedly poor and weak, and childish. They that act or forbear on no better Excufe, will be ashamed to avow it: And to argue against it seriously, may appear shameful too, like the labouring with much Force and Preparation to push that down which of itself cannot ftand. But what is to be done? Altho' the Devil with all his Craft, aided by our own Lufts, has nothing but this very forry Shift to offer to a Man perfuaded of religious Truth; yet it prevails, with the general Succefs of a good Argument. Through our monftrous Partiality it ferves the Turn; and that with the great and experienced, and wife Men of this World, as well as the mean, the young, and the fimple.

The

SERM. The great Felix, Governor of Judea, III. gives but an Example of common Practice.

His Education and Bufinefs in the greatest

Court upon Earth; his Dexterity and perpetual Dealing in high Affairs; all his Craft, Industry, and Greatnefs, could furnish no wifer Answer to the Apoftle's powerful Reasonings concerning Righteouf nefs, Temperance, and Judgment to come; (nor to his own trembling Heart and Con Science) than that fenfelefs Put-off, Go thy Way for this Time; when I have a convenient Seafon, I will call for thee. Since then fo many People have no better! Rea+ fonings for their Continuance in an impenitent State, we must combat fuch as they have. If, perhaps, I may fo awaken any from their Acquiefcence in a Delay of their Duty, will endeavour to represent the Nature and Effects of fuch Delay how abfurd, how criminal, how fatally pernicious it is to our everlasting Intereft.

As to the Nature of it the least Reflection will fhew it to be a direct Difobe dience. No doubt but they that suffer themselves to think only on one Side, fanthat Putting-off for a Time is not a flat

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Refufal

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Refufal and Rejection of their Duty to SERM. God; but a Kind of Temper or Middleway between Obedience and Disobedience, But the Divine Commandments, it is plain, fpeak to every Man for his present Compliance, and require the Service of that very Hour they reach his Ears; and he that now delays it, is now disobedient and rebellious, now therefore immediately obnoxious to the Divine Wrath and Indignation. If there is any Part of our Life, any Moment, wherein we are our own; can fubfift without the Bleffings of the Almighty, or not inftantly perifh under his Displeasure; then may there alfo be fo much Time, in which the Delay of keeping his Commandments fhould not be an ungrateful and defperate Provocation of his Majesty. But the State of Mankind is, (and a happy State for them) that in him they live and move and have their Being Their Life is originally his Gift. The Continuance of it depends minutely on his preferving Power, and every Enjoyment of it on his bountiful Hand. We are also purchased by his gracious Redemption before our Birth, and from our Birth

SERM. vow'd and dedicated in Baptifm to his III. holy Service. By fo many Bonds do we

ftand accountable for every Particle of our whole Age; and in the Behaviour of every Day are furnishing the Matter for our Salvation or our Damnation in the laft. Evident therefore is the Impiety of delaying our Reformation, and shutting our Ears against that Call from Heaven, To Day, if you will hear his Voice.

Secondly, Let us confider a juft Aggravation of this Sin; that it is perfectly wilful, acted in Despight of Confcience and Conviction. The Man that adjourns his Repentance, or the performing any prefent Duty, to a further Time, has thereby acknowledged his Obligation, and stands without Shelter from Doubt or Ignorance, being condemned within his own Breast ; where no Question remains, but whether he shall obey his God, or Satan; which hê determines on the Side of the Enemy of his Soul and everlasting Peace.

But further, it is to be remember'd ; fince the Sinner, in this Cafe, by the Nature of his Action, must be understood to offend against better Light; that such