[ CXXXVIII] The time of Repentance not to be deferred.
THe Charriot-wheeles when they run, the second runs near the first all the day long,* 1.1 but never overtakes it. In a Clock, the second minute followes the first, but never reacheth it. So it is with all ••uncta••ors in Religion, such as defer the time of Repentance, as the doing of it now and now; and to morrow, and to morrow:* 1.2 Now these lit••le distances deceive us, and delude us; we think to do it i•• a short ••im••, and by reason of the neernesse and vicinity of the time, we think we shall do it easily, that we can take hold of that time: But it is not so; we are served just as Grashoppers and Butterflies deceive children, when they think to lay their ••and upon them, they hop a little further, and a little further, that at last they take them not at all. And thus do we cozen our selves, we lose our life, we lose our op••ortu••ity of grace, thinking that we may take it when we please.