And what shall we think of the words of our Lord Luke 6.21 Blessed are you that Weep and you that Mourn and woe to you that Laugh Now it is not to be supposed that so Good and so Merciful and so Gracious a Saviour as our Lord Jesus Christ is should envy to man any thing that could be to the Good and Welfare of his Nature But he knew how much the Carnal Joy and Mirth that is so common and so much valued among Men lavishes out those Thoughts and Spirits and that Time that should be laid out upon so serious and great things as Reconciliation to God Pardon of Sin Newness of Heart and Life and that Sorrow and Mourning and Weeping are prepared by God as fitted in their Nature to make us more Grave and Pondering of Things and that being Sanctified and in the Hand of his Grace are made use of to bring us home to himself For when men are under sadness finding the prints of the Wrath Justice and Displeasure of God upon them they enquire after the Reason Their sins as to Joseph's Brethren come to their Remembrance They are provoked to move to God by Humiliation Confession of Sin Prayer for Pardon Desire of his Grace and Spirit to enable them to Reform they enquire into his word how they may cleanse their way order their Conversation aright to please him they are moved to consider by these drops and Touches of Sorrow what that state of sorrow without Banks or Bounds or Bottom is where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth They are taken off from that Pride and Self-Conceit they find so little in all things here below and in this present State that they enquire for those better and greater Things that are Above and in Eternity When sorrow that disposes to strong and serious enquiries becomes sorrow after and according to God Oh! how excellently does it work How do men search Lam. 3.40 and try their ways that they may turn to God Now because of the Order that God hath plac'd sorrow in to all these great Effects therefore our Lord pronounc'd a Blessing upon Weeping and Mourning For else he loves our Joy when it is Spiritual he commands to Rejoyce in the Lord all way and again he says Rejoyce He spoke many great things John 15.11 that our Joy might be full that he might fill our Mouths with Laughter and our Tongues with Singing But our carnal our sensual Joys he knows are our Death and Destruction he knows we are in no better case in our prophane foolish sinful Laughter than they who are stung with the Tarantula and Dye Laughing Thus we have greatest reason in the midst of such Laughter to be Sorrowful and the end of that Mirth will be heaviness Thus it will be bitterness in the latter end therefore he warns us of it before and in greatest Love to us declares a Woe on such Laughter But now to conclude this particular The sorrow of the World How different a thing is it For tho it causes Thoughts and Enquiries yet it is only how to be rid of the Worldly Causes of Sorrow and it turns only to Worldly Remedies And it is very often in a rage at the causes it finds and when either the Remedies are not to be found or fail in their Success it is in a Rage and flies out too often against God and Providence and so it works Death It begins that Hatred of God that Blasphemy and Rage that is in Hell or if it does not thus it is a sullen despondent unactive state of Mind that shuts and seals up all Activity like the Night wherein no Man can Work John 9.4 and so goes down into utter Darkness It either sayâ— This evil is of the Lord 1 Kings 6.33 why should I wait any longer Or like Cain My Iniquities are greater than can be Forgiven and so hastens out from the Presence of God or it recoyls upon it self as Saul Achilophel Judas or the Heart under the Power of it Dies as a stone within it self as Nabals Heart died within him 1 Sam. 25.27 Thus it every way works Death because it hath nothing to do with him who is the Fountain of Life For the Being of God is infinitely happy and blessed and all light and lustre and in him is no Darkness at all of sorrow as not of Sin he therefore when sorrow is after him springs a Light into it that whereas the Dark and Black part arises from sin and the sinful Creature yet because it is after him it shall never set in the darkness of Death and Hâ—ll It receives from him as a Tincture of Holiness so a Tincture of Life a Ray and Beam of it It works Repentance unto Life and to Salvation and so it springs up aftâ—r into Joâ— in his Favour in the Light of his Countenance in the assurance of his Love But the Sorrow of the World is like a Night that no kind of Light at all Enlightens Like the Night Job Cursed it does not turn to the Light because it is not turn'd to God and so is a shade of Hell â—efore Hell it self a valley of the shaddow of Death and the horrors of it are the beginnings of the horrors of Hell As therefore Carnal Joys are sparks of our own kindling Esay 50. notwithstanding which we shall lye down in sorrow even so is sorrow not after God as a black shade of our own 4. The service of sorrow after God to Repentance unto Salvation is that it breaks and forces asunder that sinful Frame in our Hearts of sin and contrariety to God and to Holyness The very Natural Affection of sorrow loosens and Divides the Heart from that which is the Cause and occasion of such sorrow Because that great Self-love the force of that Law of Self-preservation is so strong upon us that seeing sorrow is an Affection that stands in an enmity to our Peace Comfort and Enjoyment and to our Life it self if it be extreme or too long continuing we therefore come off from what is the occasion or that gives reason to our sorrow though we had exceedingly lov'd it before This we find in all Cases and through the whole Nature of Things when therefore sin and loss of the favour of God because of it is made by the grace of God the just Reason and most sensible and prevailing reason of our sorrow It dissolves the Frame of sin in our Heart that had been before compact as the Adamant and as the neither Mill-stone Now this sorrow dividing and separating between sin and the Soul it brings forth that broken and contrite Heart that God will not despise Again This sorrow is a spiritual melting softning and dissolving Thing It separates the Soul every particle as it were from other so that it is supple soft and ready to tâ—ke any figure thaâ— God would have it take It brings the Soul to quick and lively sense which
improve so remarkable a Providence upon the English Plantation in Jamaica which is therefore to be reputed a part of England it self and the so gentle and tender Admonition of that Motion of the Earth among our Selves as also on other Parts I would discourse them first as an Argument to Repentance and then that they are a Prediction of a great Change on the World 1. I first consider that of Jamaica which we must needs acknowledge a part of our Selves and therefore it is to be looked upon as England though beyond the Sea and so we are all equally therein concerned particularly that many of us had Interests and Relations that suffered in it we are therefore nearly concern'd and so are strongly called upon to Repentance by it and the more that it fell so particularly upon that Town or Port that bore the Ensigns of Sovereignty and Government called Port Royal that was the Key of the Island and Plantation the Port and Harbor the Seat of the Kings House and of the Houses of the most considerable Merchants and Traders and of the Defence and Strength of the Place by its Bastions and Fortifications 2. I consider that the Judgment bears a very great Resemblance to the Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah For the Thunder and Lightning and Balls of Fire that came down from Heaven according to the most credible Accounts of Eye-witnesses though the Town was not that I have heard touched by the Fire carry the Signatures of Sodom's Judgment after a serene Rising of the Sun which must be by an Earthquake and Inundation for the Earthquake and Inundation was in the Suddenness and dreadful Desolation and Destruction that it made How like to that which turn'd Sodom into a Lake or Dead Sea to this day And herein what was short of Sodom's Judgment in the Fire was made up in the Dread of the Earthquake and so many about 2000 Persons perished as by that newly sober published Account before nam'd appears A Shade of the Place and of the Parts on which the Earthquake had greatest Power is given in it From hence then I argue 1. That it is not to be ascrib'd to natural Causes any other way than as the supreme Counsel and Being hath all Causes in his Hand and at his Dispose If it had been only an Earthquake and Inundation there had appeared less of God and of his Supream Dominion But when there was a Correspondence and as it were Intelligence between Heaven and Earth and Sea above and below It leads us to consider Him Who does whatever he pleases in Heaven and in Earth and in all Deep Places He causeth the Vapors to ascend from the Earth He maketh Lightnings for the Rain He bringeth the Wind out of his Treasures Psal 135.6 7. Were not Men resolved as Pharaoh to stand up like Rock against God they must needs acknowledge Him in this The Works of God his Judgment on Sodom of old is an Ensample to all After Ages How much more This so upon our own Times on whom the Ends of the World are come though we had no share in it but it was upon another People How much more when so upon our Selves though in another Climate 2. I consider as a further Argument to Repentance herein that great Scripture Amos 4.6 That it comes upon this Nation in a Train and Connexion of Judgments all within less than half the Age of a Man at Moses's Computation Or 70 Years Psal 90.10 The Pestilence and Dreadful Plague in the Year 1665. The Fire on this City in 1666. The several Intestine Commotions and Wars abroad And now it is come to this Judgment though but on some of us yet it was but so upon Israel v. 11. I have overthrown some of you as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah And this is the last till God come to a Judgment so great he would not name Therefore will I do Thus or this unto thee Therefore prepare to meet thy God Oh Israel in his severest Judgment if thou return not And so according to the general course of the Word and Dealings of God especially with a People under such a clearness of Divine Revelation as we are It must needs be whether Men will Hear or Forbear It must end in utter Destruction if upon this we do not Return to God according I say to the General Rules and Standards of his Word 3. That great Admonition of our Saviour's is an utter Prohibition of our sheltring our selves under such an Imagination that they were greater Sinners than we are for he hath solemnly denounced That whoever does not Repent shall not only Perish but shall Perish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in like manner with those who have Perish'd by extraordinary and most eminent and remarkable Judgments Luc. 13.3 5. So that without Repentance we are always under the Impendency the hanging over of so great Judgments upon us as came indeed upon the Jews in the Roman Desolations soon after and must upon this Nation according to ordinary Rules and Standards of the Word and Providence of God as I have said But if not seeing that Word of Christ shall be true that we shall likewise perish if we do not Repent We must be raised to that Greatest Earthquake Thunder and Lightning and the Dreadful Tempest the Snares Fire and Brimstone God will then Rain and the Horrible Tempest that shall be the Portion of every wicked and impenitent Person 's Cup Psal 11.6 at that Time that Day that shall burn as an Oven and consume the Wicked Root and Branch at that Battel of the Great Day of God Almighty in the Valley of Jehosaphat and Armageddon when he will go through and burn up all together What Cause have we therefore to look diligently we may be found of him in Peace at that Day and not in a State of War of that War that is a War in Righteousness or a War of Just and Righteous Judgment in the Day of Judgment 4. I observe from so many Persons taken away so suddenly in Jamaica How great an Argument it makes against Trust to a Death-Bed-Repentance when the very Possibilities of a Death-Bed to Repent upon may be so snatch'd from us and therefore with how great Force and Evidence and with what a just Timousness the Observations on these Providences There and Here are to be adjusted to these Discourses on the general necessity of Repentance and the great Hazard of committing our selves to the Adventure of a Death-Bed-Repentance when so suddenly Providence that is as in a Course of Earthquakes and hath given us such Warnings may take us away living and if we Repent not in his Wrath. 5. As between those two Dispensations of Providence the Dreadful Earthquake in Jamaica and that here I consider with what a Goodness and yet with a Faithfulness to move to Repentance God hath shewn us both the Tenderness and the Skill of his Hand in the Motion of the Earth we were
is Supernaturally and in the same manner to set Bars to or hinder their Motions Ezek. 1.19.20 Now that there are such Supernatural Agents the very Evidences of rational and even sensible Experiments compel the stoutest Gainsayers to confess but as they bid defiance to all Things for the sake of their Atheistic Sentiments Answ 2. He that Knows all his Works from the very Foundation of the World and foresees All Causes and Effects could with the same Ease ballance them for their just Time both as to particular Persons and Nations with their Sins filling up their measure and so that All should roll down to their highest Effects at that time when he will once more shake not only Earth but Heaven also even at that Time of Trouble and Day of Battel and War as it is most Prophetically call'd Job 38.22.23 compar'd with Dan. 12.1 Mat. 24.21 and Revel 16.14 the same Spirit that dictated All Fitting the very Words one to another in these Scriptures Object 2. But still If this be allowed that such natural Causes and Effects are adjusted for the Purposes of Divine Judgment and even for that Dissolution of this present Frame Why at this Time Answ 1. Such a Time according to all Scripture and Reason must be at some Time and why may it not be now so near Answ 2. The very Time since the Coming of Christ first in the Flesh being almost 1700 Years ago was call'd the Fulness of Time what then can be after it but the Ends of the World the Last Day the Last Hour running apace to the Fulness of all Times Gal. 4.4 and Ephes 1.10 Answ 3. Mens Heats in all the Business of this World Buying Selling Planting Building the Little Faith on Earth it is near are no Arguments it is not near for these are foretold to be even at the nearest Approaches of that Day Answ 4. But in sum The Sure Word of Prophecy and Line of Time according to Scripture in full Agreement with History as I have so often affirm'd is my Grand Assurance Object 3. But those Words of our Lord's Marc. 13.32 Of that Day and Hour knoweth none c. contradict any such Calculation making known that Time Answ I affirm upon greatest Evidences of Scripture Reason The Son having all Judgment committed to him and the Spirit resting upon him without measure did know of that Day and of that Hour but in that Parâ—bolical Speech Christ acknowledges the Supreme Dominion of the Divine Being which is so often said to have the Panto-Cratorate the Almighty Ordination of that Day and the so unfathomable stupendious Process of it As the Revelation or Bringing All Things to pass in order to it is said to be given by God to Jesus Christ to shew to his Servants and the Conduct of them originally in God is given to him even so the Knowledge of the Time and the Administration of that Day Object 5. But the contrary Prevalencies of that French Prince the so great Enemy of the Witnesses who keeps them now from Rising shews That Time is not so near Answ As God gives in all Ages such Dominion and Greatness to some Princes that no Confederacies can withstand it as to Nebuchadnezzar Alexander Caesar Mahomet so hath he given much Greatness to that Monarch but when such Time of those Princes came and so of this Prince that they must have End At that very Time as they so he must end and none shall help it nor any precedent Greatness stay him up Answ 2. An Universal Monarchy is Embarrassed to him He shall never be more than one of the Ten Kings till he or his Successors with the Rest shall hate the Whore As Prophecy so Providence hath Embarrassed him as with a Band of Iron and so far the Confederacy or some other certain Interposal shall prevail till then Answ 3. We are not earnest enough in Prayer we curtail the Time of Humiliation and seeking God especially in that strongest Argument of his Kingdom Oh that this Counsel might be acceptable to the King and to the Counsels of the Nation and the Ministry of all Names that we might by earnestest and loudest Prayers of a Winters Humiliation and seeking him by Fasting and Supplication prepare for a Summers Action and not grutch God the Time Answ 4. He hath had the usual Space allowed to such notorious Enemies of the People of God And give me leave to use it as an Emblem tho not as a Forebode As Divine Providence commanded so great a Leviathan or Whale which he calls King over the Children of Pride from Playing in the Ocean where he had room enough in the pursuit of his Prey to come and strand himself and dye on the Shore of Scotâ—and the Twin Island of our Great Britain even so he will shortly work his Signs and Wonders in Heaven and Earth that he may abase such Tyrannick Leviathans walking in Pride For the Time is near and All however it seems otherwise shall be ready A King shall Reign in Righteousness and Persons compar'd to the Basest Vilest shall no more be called Most Christian most Serene Magnificent Beneficent But there shall be a Breaking out of the Glory of the Gospel The Tongue of the Stammerers shall speak plain The Lame shall leap as an Hart. The Ears of the Deaf shall hear The Esay 29. c. 32 c. 35. Eyes of the Blind shall see out of obscurity The very Ears of the Deaf shall hear the Words of that Book of Prophocy which the Learned will not now meddle with because say they It is Sealed nor the Vnlearned because they are not Learned Abundance of Converts shall be brought in Foolish Virgins shall be made Wise and not Err in the way called the way of Holiness and no ravenous Beast shall be there any more for ever Let us then to sum up all Seek him who made the Seven Stars and Orion Amos 5.8 who makes the Day dark with Night and yet turns the shadow of Death into Morning who calls for the Waters of the Sea commands them out and pours them on the face of the Earth who rends the Rocks with his mighty Winds and shakes the Earth out of its place 1 Sam. chap. 2. and Thunders down with his Fire upon the wicked 1 Kings 19.11 and comes himself in the Still Voice of his Kingdom And hereof he hath given notice as he saw good with dread of Wrath on Jamaica as an Emblem of the Day of Judgment on the World of Vngodly which as it should stir up the Remnant that are there escaped even as our Selves to deep Repentance so it should excite us to all Acts of Mercy to them and Prayers for them To us he hath sent as it were the Still Voice to let us know he is coming himself to which the Earth mov'd it self in token of Obeisance FINIS THE GENERAL INEFFICACY AND INSINCERITY Of a Late Or Death-Bed Repentance WITH Earnestest Dissuasives from committing our
his own Immensity the whole latitude of our Nature without contracting it into the narrowness of a human Person by the great care he took That this Nature should not be dishonoured abused and torn by it self through that bitter Censoriousness Revenge and Contempt Men exercise upon one another even there where Christ is professed So would our Christianity that is now evil spoken of appear as it is in it self Acceptable to God and approved of Men if we could unite in those comprehensive Interests of Righteousness Peace Joy in the Holy-Ghost that substantial Christianity Those healing Wings of the Sun of Righteousness in the Rays of which our little differences about Meat and Drink would play up and down as smallest Motes of Human Frailty easily obtaining a mutual Pardon and that black and most abhorred Vapor of Irreligion be forced to dislodge at so Illustrious a Presence If there be any Interest to keep afoot these Divisions it is an Interest of Dishonour that dares not name it self it is not only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is not barely to serve an Opinion much less the Lord Jesus but the Belly 3. But to return from whence I have digressed upon so great a Cause Lastly we may find in the very Notion of a Death-Bed Repentance enough to defend the seasonableness of this Discourse notwithstanding spreading Irreligion For it imports a design to Dye well and we see very Few and those Few deprived of the common Modesty and Sobriety of Mankind and who thereupon become an horrid Story but dye at least in a fair and calm Temper towards Religion Now if we join to this that of many Millions for one every one dies as he lives not only as the Tree falls so it lies but as it hath inclined along its growth so it falls How great is the necessity then of living well that we may dye well For this Death-Bed Repentance that rises and sets at the same time generally proves but a falling Star That Repentance only wheels orderly into a higher Orb that hath given proof it was a true Light by shining here for some considerable space A good Death receives Being from a holy Life else there is not such a thing in Nature no not in Grace except by Miracle of Grace Thus far I have made Apology for the Seasonableness of this Discourse In the Discourse it self I am not conscious of having wandred from the Vniversal Doctrin of Divines in this Point except it should seem too high a strain to place this Repentance when true among Miracles To justifie that I have the warrant of Sacred Story the Dying Convert which being the only Example of such a one in Holy Writ was in the days of the Messias that great Period of Miracles singled out upon that greatest occasion viz. To display the power of the dying Mediator to forgive Sins not only upon Earth but in his lowest Humiliation his very descent into Hell which argues it a very great Miracle Yet I have not trusted the weight of the Discourse to any thing that looks like a private Opinion but to most avowed Principles and have therefore reserved my particular Sense as the Conclusion of the whole I have only to add there is a National late Repentance as appears by the Vnsuccesfulness of that unparallell'd †2 Kings 23.26 and 24.3 4. Reformation of Josiah sincere indeed in him and of full Effect but not in the Body of the Jewish Nation as appeared by their Relapses under the following Kings and therefore notwithstanding that seeming Return the Lord turned not from the Fierceness of his Wrath wherewith his Anger was kindled against Judah for its guilt in the Sins of Manasseh which the Lord would not Pardon and therefore would not give a true Repentance of those Evils they had so long continued in against all the early Admonitions of the Prophets This is the just Parallel of a Death-Bed Repentance The due Application of all these Considerations to every one into whose hands they may fall is the earnest and affectionate Prayer of T. B. THE GENERAL INEFFICACY AND INSINCERITY OF A Death-bed Repentance c. Luk. 23.39 40 41 42 43. And one of the Malefactors that were hanged with him railed on him saying if thou be the Christ save thy self and us But the other answering said dost thou not fear God Seeing that thou art in the same condemnation And we indeed justly for we receive the due reward of our deeds but this Man hath done nothing amiss And he said unto Jesus Lord remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom And Jesus said unto him verily I say unto thee this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise THE generality of Men that have been at all acquainted with the name of Repentance and understood in any Measure the importance and signification of the thing acknowledge it beyond all dispute necessary Yet they allow themselves a leisure for the Performance of it and such a leisure as swallows the whole time of Life and leaves only the last and lowest part of it for the discharge of so great a Business so that their Repentance if any at all falls out to be a Death-bed Repentance The inconveniencies of which are unexpressibly great because the lives of Men are left naked of that Holiness and Purity that should adorn them and all over blotted with Sin and Vanity Their Conversation wants that light of good Works that should shine before Men and glorifie God in Heaven Their Life is without form and void and darkness is upon the face of it And in the end they are cast upon the great Sea of Eternity as in a Vessel of Paper a thin and superficial Repentance It is therefore most necessary to use all means to shew the Insufficiency of this Refuge which most of those that live in common under the Profession of Christianity design while they live to fly to when betimes they dye To demolish this House upon the Sand that Men may not by hopes of shelter at it conceived long before hand be kept off from laying their Foundation upon a Rock which possibly they would do if these hopes were cut off And because this piece of Sacred Story hath been generally taken as an Instance of great Favour to a late Conversion not that it is indeed so but that it seems to be so let it be the Ground of the present Discourse For I observe Divines in their Doctrin concerning the danger of a Dying Repentance are careful to wrest out of the hand of presuming Imagination this Example and to allay the vain Confidence built upon it Indeed the Mistake of it is very fatal seeing if it be duly considered there is nothing more forcible against what it is pretended for than it It is true it is a Relation of a dying Man returning from great Sins to God but so circumstantiated so defended on all hands against Boldness upon it that
our Saviour speaks in these Cases The things impossible with Men with God are possible Objection 3. But according to this state of the Case What should a Dying Man do that hath not yet repented Should he expect a Miracle or do nothing through despair Answer Have ye not read what David did when he was an hungry and had need He adventured over Laws and was blameless If any Man feel the necessities of a Soul perishing let him lay hold upon Mercy and Grace to help There is a Faith in this Case like the Faith of Miracles that removes Mountains and divides Seas He that can receive it let him receive it Mat. 19.12 But let every Man take heed how he falls into these Necessities For multitudes not having the right Faith like the Egyptians Essay this and are drowned Heb. 11.29 It is a very hard thing to distinguish between mirum and miraculum a Wonder and a Miracle so is it between a saving Faith and Repentance that may have wonderful effects through the Conviction of a Death-Bed and this true saving Faith this Faith of Miracles and for any thing I know Eternity only can make a Man safe concerning it and sure that he had it Doubtless many like Joab perish catching hold of the Horns of the Altar Objection 4. But what If Men having made a Profession of Religion have done many things religiously and soberly and yet through the prevalency of some Lusts it appears they have not truly repented May not the Conversation they have had with Religion so prepare things that their Repentance may be dispatched in the Instants of Death Answer 1. It is dreadful to consider how the unhappy pleas of some upon such kind of accounts recited by Christ are also rejected by him Many shall say in that day Lord Lord have we not eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets Luk. 13.26 c. In thy Name have we cast out Devils and in thy Name done many wonderful Works Mat. 7.22 Yet he shall profess unto them I never knew you Depart from me ye workers of iniquity Besides all the Doubts already insisted upon such Men have made a Custom of deluding Religion and have great cause to fear they should do so at last God also is so provoked by such as have long tempted him proved him and seen his works and yet err from him in their hearts and do not know his ways that he comes to his oath against them Heb. 3.9 10. Answ 2. But lest this should discourage and suffocate all motions after God either in Life or at Death and they seem in as good condition that never mind Religion as those that do I add Any good thing found in Men either in their Life or Death though it have not the worthiness of Repentance to Salvation yet shall certainly have its reward in mitigations of Punishment which Consideration fully explained at the Day of Judgment will assoyl many of this sort of Doubts concerning the ways of God I believe those very early seekings of God notwithstanding which he is said to laugh at the Destruction of those from whom they come when they have first served the gloryings of Justice obtain lessenings of Pain as conquered Enemies after they have been led in Triumph to wait on the Conqueror's Glory may have even that Service recompensed with a more compassionate Captivity Answer 3. If there have been solidity and sincerity in any religious Exercises in the time of Life whereby the Heart by the Grace of God is prepared for further Grace as very often Conversion is by degrees It is hopeful God may use Death as a Season of compleating his Work yet this is to be registred among the seldomer disposes of God and both those Preparations and the Complement of them is under the caution of our Saviour Strive to enter in at the strait gate for many I say unto you shall seek to enter and shall not be able Luke 13.24 Objection 5. Is it not at all times a great Folly to promise a to morrow to Repentance how long soever we may live after that to morrow because we daily harden through the deceitfulness of sin Is it not also always a curious Point and that requires a great jealousie over it whether our Hearts are at any time sincere in returns to God Is it not lastly always to be feared lest our to day the time of Grace slip from us Why then are the dangers placed so industriously upon this Repentance at Death Answer 1. First as concerning the time of Repentance It is to be acknowledged Every Man that is come to the strength and fixedness of his Understanding to the poize and inclination of his Will and Affections to the habit and custom of his Life and Actions and hath not determined for God hath great reason to fear lest as there is a deep print of the high hand of Nature upon his unconverted state so there should be a Seal of Justice also and this Doubt increases every day Notwithstanding this All Doubts and Scruples that have an appearance of insnaring and intangling the minds of Men with fears they begin too late are to be avoided if it be not so late that it is just now dark and their feet stumbling upon the dark mountains Jer. 13.16 And these things being written especially for the living Isa 38.19 who have in ordinary probability time to lose the danger is best placed here where it takes them every way By the way of Encouragement that the time is not yet past while they have the spaces of Life and of the Patience of God which is not a slackness of Justice but a designed Salvation By the way of Caution because they know not how soon they may be cast upon a Death-Bed and this Patience be at an end With Dying Men the case is otherwise who are already in the thickest of the Danger and must work themselves out in that moment or perish for ever without any Injury therefore to them the living are thus to be warned Isa 38.19 Further It is evident all delays of Repentance roll down hither however Men propose a stop yet hither the generality come at last So that in effect it is all one whether Men are disswaded from trusting to a Dying Repentance or from delaying their Repentance For if they are given to delay It comes to this They repent and die together But if a Man be afraid to venture Eternity upon his last Breath he will repent presently 2. For the difficulty of being sincere in Repentance I place it here because though every Man should by drawing the parallel lines of Delusion and mistake upon himself try his Repentance when ever it is yet these Errors fall in greatest numbers upon that point of Extremity and with least possibility of rectifying them But seeing there are at all times such deceits in this Case there is nothing so necessary as to repent