The Delay of Repentance Dangerous.
There be many to-morrow Christians, that set their day with God; at such a day they will repent, and not before; as if they had the lordship of time, and the monopoly of grace; whereas time and grace are only at God's disposing. God hath promised pardon to the penitent, but he hath not promised to-morrow to the negligent. He that gives pardon to the penitent, doth not always give repentance to the sinner. If I put God off to-day, he may put me off to-morrow; if I put off this hour of grace, I may never have another gracious hour; to-day if I put by his hands of mercy, to-morrow he may stretch out his hands of justice. It is true, would I have time I may come in; but it is also true, when I would come in, I may not have time. This is certain, when I repent, I shall have mercy; but this is as certain, when I would have mercy, I may not find repentance. O Lord thou hast given me this hour of grace to repent in, give me grace in this hour to repent with.—Sel.