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happiness_n propose_v shall_v one_o will_v think_v not_o find_v it_o any_o great_a dissiculty_n to_o leave_v this_o world_n to_o enter_v upon_o one_o far_o better_a under_o this_o happy_a and_o most_o desirable_a composure_n of_o mind_n be_v this_o admirable_a man_n and_o sincere_a christian_a at_o the_o approach_n of_o death_n which_o he_o have_v see_v advance_v towards_o he_o for_o some_o time_n and_o sensible_o feel_v it_o draw_v near_o he_o by_o degree_n the_o seven_o of_o february_n 1696_o be_v the_o last_o time_n of_o his_o appear_v in_o the_o pulpit_n he_o then_o find_v himself_o very_o ill_o and_o that_o the_o sentence_n of_o death_n be_v upon_o he_o for_o that_o reason_n he_o choose_v to_o venture_v abroad_o to_o take_v his_o final_a leave_n of_o his_o people_n in_o the_o solemne_v manner_n and_o to_o close_v up_o his_o ministry_n by_o administer_a to_o they_o and_o partake_v with_o they_o of_o the_o bless_a sacrament_n of_o our_o saviour_n body_n and_o blood_n which_o he_o 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reverend_n mr._n m._n the_o worthy_a lecturer_n of_o that_o parish_n as_o he_o come_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o his_o good_a friend_n mr._n s._n with_o who_o he_o dine_v that_o day_n he_o be_v so_o far_o spend_v in_o preach_v that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o desire_v his_o assiststance_n to_o consecrate_v the_o element_n and_o only_o give_v the_o cup_n himself_o on_o the_o 17_o i_o providential_o come_v to_o he_o and_o have_v the_o happiness_n to_o attend_v he_o to_o his_o last_o moment_n he_o have_v be_v that_o day_n ride_v abroad_o to_o try_v if_o he_o can_v find_v any_o relief_n from_o the_o air_n and_o come_v home_o soon_o after_o i_o be_v get_v to_o his_o lodging_n which_o be_v then_o at_o islington_n his_o first_o salutation_n be_v after_o this_o manner_n my_o friend_n i_o have_v be_v in_o expectation_n of_o see_v thou_o these_o two_o day_n and_o glad_a i_o be_o that_o thou_o be_v now_o come_v for_o it_o be_v to_o see_v i_o die_v and_o assist_v i_o in_o die_v which_o be_v a_o 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need_v it_o or_o make_v use_n of_o it_o for_o though_o the_o goodness_n of_o it_o be_v never_o so_o great_a yet_o it_o be_v but_o in_o order_n to_o a_o end_n which_o be_v to_o recover_v health_n that_o be_v lose_v and_o to_o restore_v we_o to_o that_o soundness_n that_o we_o want_v it_o be_v the_o great_a mercy_n of_o god_n and_o the_o great_a grace_n and_o favour_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o great_a purchase_n of_o christ_n blood_n to_o have_v the_o privilege_n of_o repentance_n grant_v to_o sinner_n in_o so_o large_a and_o full_a a_o manner_n so_o as_o to_o be_v restore_v to_o god_n favour_n and_o reconcile_v to_o he_o upon_o their_o return_n as_o if_o they_o have_v never_o offend_v he_o to_o have_v all_o the_o guilt_n and_o punishment_n of_o their_o past_a sin_n whole_o take_v off_o as_o if_o they_o have_v never_o commit_v they_o to_o be_v recti_fw-la in_o curia_fw-la pardon_v and_o in_o as_o good_a state_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v always_o innocent_a this_o shall_v mighty_o encourage_v and_o prevail_v upon_o sinner_n to_o repent_v and_o leave_v their_o sin_n when_o they_o be_v sure_a of_o this_o as_o they_o be_v by_o the_o gospel_n when_o though_o their_o sin_n be_v as_o scarlet_n they_o shall_v be_v white_a as_o snow_n though_o they_o be_v red_a like_o crimson_n they_o shall_v be_v as_o wool_n as_o the_o evangelical_n prophet_n speak_v isai_n 1.18_o i_o e._n though_o they_o be_v sin_n of_o the_o deep_a die_n or_o high_a nature_n yet_o they_o shall_v be_v whole_o do_v away_o and_o forgive_v upon_o true_a repentance_n from_o which_o no_o person_n be_v exclude_v how_o must_v this_o encourage_v the_o great_a sinner_n if_o they_o have_v any_o sense_n of_o religion_n or_o another_o world_n leave_v upon_o they_o to_o come_v off_o from_o their_o sin_n how_o comfortable_a must_v it_o be_v to_o a_o poor_a wretch_n lie_v under_o the_o sense_n of_o his_o own_o guilt_n and_o the_o fear_n and_o horror_n of_o his_o own_o conscience_n and_o the_o dread_n of_o 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disobedient_a and_o have_v no_o check_n or_o control_v upon_o they_o it_o be_v the_o utmost_a a_o good_a god_n can_v grant_v or_o a_o wicked_a man_n can_v desire_v to_o be_v pardon_v upon_o his_o repentance_n and_o amendment_n but_o his_o repent_v and_o amend_v be_v with_o sorrow_n for_o what_o be_v past_a do_v his_o duty_n for_o the_o future_a as_o he_o ought_v always_o to_o have_v do_v it_o perform_v that_o obedience_n which_o he_o ought_v always_o to_o have_v perform_v and_o now_o this_o be_v the_o best_a thing_n next_o to_o the_o have_v do_v it_o and_o perform_v it_o always_o but_o it_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v think_v to_o be_v so_o good_a as_o that_o repent_v be_v like_o a_o man_n set_v up_o again_o that_o be_v once_o break_v and_o compound_v with_o his_o creditor_n and_o pay_v a_o part_n he_o owe_v they_o instead_o of_o the_o whole_a god_n be_v please_v to_o accept_v of_o the_o break_a and_o after-obedience_n of_o a_o sinner_n for_o some_o part_n of_o his_o life_n instead_o 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when_o we_o have_v be_v faulty_a and_o defective_a in_o these_o before_o it_o be_v not_o to_o encourage_v we_o in_o our_o sin_n or_o give_v we_o any_o licence_n or_o dispensation_n to_o commit_v they_o because_o we_o may_v repent_v of_o they_o this_o be_v a_o horrid_a abuse_n and_o pervert_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o turn_v it_o into_o wantonness_n and_o looseness_n but_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o all_o this_o be_v to_o make_v those_o good_a man_n who_o have_v be_v sinner_n to_o make_v those_o obedient_a who_o have_v be_v disobedient_a either_o in_o general_a or_o any_o instance_n now_o therefore_o it_o be_v much_o better_a to_o have_v be_v always_o thus_o to_o have_v be_v always_o good_a and_o always_o obedient_a through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n this_o be_v the_o best_a thing_n and_o the_o very_a same_o end_n more_o full_o and_o perfect_o attain_v this_o be_v design_v by_o repentance_n as_o health_n be_v the_o design_n of_o take_v physic_n and_o to_o be_v well_o and_o sound_n of_o use_v remedy_n and_o medicine_n and_o those_o who_o be_v always_o healthful_a and_o always_o sound_a and_o always_o well_o be_v in_o a_o much_o better_a condition_n than_o those_o who_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o a_o cure_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o certain_a and_o infallible_a 2._o i_o speak_v this_o all_o the_o while_n of_o repentance_n from_o great_a and_o wilful_a sin_n from_o a_o habit_n of_o they_o in_o our_o life_n or_o at_o least_o a_o voluntary_a practice_n of_o they_o at_o some_o time_n or_o other_o and_o this_o repentance_n i_o hope_v there_o be_v many_o that_o need_v not_o who_o be_v never_o ill_a person_n all_o their_o life_n nor_o ever_o guilty_a of_o any_o such_o one_o great_a and_o mortal_a sin_n as_o shall_v put_v they_o into_o a_o ill_a and_o damnable_a state_n and_o exclude_v they_o out_o of_o heaven_n have_v they_o die_v i_o speak_v not_o now_o of_o the_o ill_a state_n of_o all_o mankind_n by_o the_o fall_n or_o by_o our_o original_a corruption_n and_o depravation_n for_o that_o be_v take_v off_o by_o christ_n the_o second_o adam_n and_o we_o be_v put_v into_o a_o good_a state_n by_o the_o gospel_n and_o by_o our_o baptism_n so_o that_o no_o man_n be_v in_o any_o danger_n of_o damnation_n but_o upon_o his_o commit_v some_o wilful_a and_o know_v sin_n such_o as_o the_o scripture_n declare_v be_v damnable_a and_o exclude_v from_o heaven_n he_o therefore_o that_o have_v be_v free_a from_o those_o though_o not_o free_a from_o all_o sin_n which_o no_o man_n be_v or_o can_v be_v all_o his_o life_n no_o not_o in_o his_o best_a state_n but_o some_o infirmity_n some_o imperfection_n some_o sin_n of_o frailty_n or_o ignorance_n or_o surprise_n will_v beset_v he_o he_o i_o say_v that_o have_v live_v free_a from_o all_o wilful_a know_a sin_n and_o not_o allow_v himself_o in_o any_o voluntary_a breach_n of_o god_n law_n though_o he_o have_v not_o keep_v they_o so_o perfect_o and_o exact_o as_o he_o ought_v to_o do_v 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and_o blemish_v his_o baptismal_a purity_n nor_o fall_v into_o nor_o wallow_v in_o any_o great_a sin_n and_o so_o need_v not_o to_o be_v wash_v and_o cleanse_v and_o purisied_a as_o a_o sinner_n in_o a_o high_a sense_n need_v and_o this_o be_v the_o happy_a the_o bless_a person_n who_o i_o prefer_v to_o the_o best_a penitent_n and_o the_o true_a convert_n as_o the_o parable_n here_o do_v 3._o this_o show_v the_o good_a of_o early_a obedience_n and_o the_o great_a happiness_n and_o advantage_n of_o a_o virtuous_a and_o religious_a education_n and_o the_o great_a obligation_n there_o be_v for_o parent_n to_o take_v care_n of_o this_o and_o the_o great_a thankfulness_n which_o those_o owe_v to_o god_n and_o their_o parent_n who_o have_v have_v the_o benefit_n of_o it_o for_o nothing_o make_v virtue_n and_o religion_n so_o easy_a or_o so_o acceptable_a to_o we_o as_o to_o have_v they_o teach_v and_o instill_a into_o we_o in_o our_o tender_a yearâ—_n when_o like_o soft_a wax_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o any_o impression_n and_o yet_o grow_v hard_a and_o retain_v they_o afterward_o when_o the_o seed_n of_o virtue_n be_v early_o plant_v in_o our_o heart_n before_o vicious_a habit_n or_o inclination_n be_v grow_v up_o in_o they_o and_o a_o sense_n of_o religion_n take_v the_o first_o possession_n of_o we_o and_o anticipate_v and_o prevent_v the_o power_n of_o our_o own_o lust_n or_o of_o evil_a example_n then_o virtue_n become_v natural_a to_o we_o and_o custom_n make_v it_o both_o very_a easy_a to_o be_v practise_v and_o hard_a to_o be_v overcome_v for_o let_v the_o habit_n and_o custom_n be_v equal_a and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o there_o be_v as_o much_o difficulty_n for_o a_o virtuous_a person_n to_o become_v vicious_a as_o for_o a_o vicious_a person_n to_o be_v make_v virtuous_a it_o must_v be_v with_o great_a violence_n and_o reluctancy_n that_o such_o a_o one_o be_v bring_v to_o commit_v a_o wilful_a sin_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o to_o forsake_v it_o and_o therefore_o scripture_n represent_v both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o as_o if_o they_o be_v moral_o impossible_a as_o they_o who_o be_v accustom_v to_o do_v evil_a can_v as_o hardly_o learn_v to_o do_v good_a as_o the_o aethiopian_a can_v change_v his_o skin_n or_o the_o leopard_n his_o spot_n so_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n can_v sin_n 1_o john_n 3.9_o i_o doubt_v not_o therefore_o but_o most_o of_o the_o good_a man_n that_o be_v or_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n be_v such_o as_o have_v be_v virtuous_o and_o religious_o educate_v and_o bring_v up_o and_o but_o few_o of_o those_o in_o proportion_n who_o have_v be_v otherwise_o have_v be_v reclaim_v and_o bring_v off_o from_o the_o lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n they_o contract_v when_o they_o be_v young_a it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a and_o difficult_a thing_n to_o make_v a_o bad_a man_n a_o good_a one_o the_o hard_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n what_o the_o powerful_a operation_n of_o god_n grace_n be_v necessary_a to_o and_o what_o it_o often_o can_v effect_v through_o the_o stubbornness_n of_o the_o will_n and_o indisposition_n of_o the_o subject_a hence_o those_o complaint_n and_o expostulation_n i_o will_v have_v heal_v they_o but_o they_o will_v not_o be_v heal_v jerem._n 51.9_o turn_v you_o turn_v you_o why_o will_v you_o die_v oh_o that_o my_o people_n will_v have_v hearken_v unto_o i_o and_o of_o sinner_n resist_v grieve_v and_o quench_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o that_o god_n spirit_n shall_v not_o always_o strive_v with_o they_o and_o the_o like_a which_o show_v the_o strength_n and_o power_n of_o ill_a habit_n and_o how_o hard_o it_o be_v even_o by_o all_o mean_n to_o get_v rid_v of_o they_o and_o how_o much_o happy_a it_o be_v to_o be_v engage_v in_o a_o early_a obedience_n and_o determine_v by_o a_o virtuous_a education_n than_o to_o be_v afterward_o struggle_v with_o they_o 4._o this_o prevent_v the_o common_a and_o dangerous_a mistake_n about_o repentance_n whereby_o man_n make_v it_o a_o reserve_n to_o themselves_o to_o excuse_v they_o from_o a_o religious_a and_o virtuous_a and_o holy_a life_n and_o think_v that_o by_o mean_n of_o that_o they_o shall_v avoid_v all_o the_o mischief_n of_o their_o sin_n at_o last_o and_o be_v as_o safe_a and_o as_o secure_v of_o heaven_n and_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n though_o they_o live_v never_o so_o loose_o and_o careless_o as_o if_o their_o whole_a life_n have_v be_v spend_v in_o a_o course_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n it_o be_v but_o repent_v before_o they_o die_v and_o that_o as_o little_a before_o as_o they_o can_v if_o they_o can_v nick_v it_o right_n and_o be_v not_o cut_v off_o sudden_o and_o unexpected_o which_o be_v but_o a_o accident_n that_o happen_v only_o to_o few_o and_o the_o great_a work_n and_o business_n be_v do_v by_o a_o true_a sorrow_n and_o some_o sincere_a resolution_n and_o a_o instantaneous_a change_n of_o mind_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o most_o entire_a virtue_n and_o constant_a obedience_n of_o a_o man_n whole_a life_n if_o so_o most_o man_n sin_n and_o lust_n will_v persuade_v they_o to_o indulge_v and_o gratify_v they_o the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o life_n if_o they_o can_v whole_o bring_v they_o off_o from_o a_o sense_n and_o belief_n of_o religion_n they_o will_v thus_o corrupt_v religion_n and_o make_v it_o thereby_o comply_v with_o they_o and_o by_o these_o false_a notion_n of_o repentance_n raise_v hope_n to_o themselves_o of_o escape_v all_o the_o mischief_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o their_o ill_a life_n and_o save_v themselves_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o repentance_n at_o the_o last_o without_o lead_v a_o good_a life_n which_o they_o will_v therefore_o be_v glad_a to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o as_o not_o absolute_o necessary_a and_o so_o whole_o trust_v and_o depend_v and_o venture_v upon_o the_o other_o way_n now_o this_o be_v put_v a_o trick_n upon_o god_n and_o religion_n and_o be_v too_o hard_o for_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o term_n as_o they_o 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when_o they_o repent_v and_o turn_v to_o their_o duty_n and_o obedience_n and_o will_v accept_v and_o reward_v their_o break_a and_o imperfect_a obedience_n but_o not_o in_o so_o high_a a_o degree_n as_o the_o constant_a and_o unbroken_a and_o early_a and_o entire_a obedience_n of_o virtuous_a and_o good_a man_n all_o their_o life_n last_o this_o notion_n of_o a_o early_a virtue_n and_o constant_a obedience_n be_v prefertable_a to_o the_o true_a repentance_n stand_v upon_o the_o plain_a principle_n of_o religion_n and_o secure_v those_o evident_a doctrine_n upon_o which_o all_o practical_a religion_n and_o the_o obligation_n of_o it_o be_v build_v such_o as_o these_o that_o god_n will_v reward_v every_o one_o at_o the_o last_o day_n according_a to_o their_o work_n and_o therefore_o in_o proportion_n to_o they_o and_o