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Evangelical Repentance 
 
 /ff' UNTO %&**€& 
 
 SALVATION 
 
 Not to be Repented of, 
 
 Id Upon 2 Cor. 7. 10. 'l/3*rAs 
 
 jMnd as moft Seafonable5/3, 
 
 Short Confiderations on that Great 
 Context Hebr. 12. 26. Tet once 
 more I /bake not only Earth , &rc. 
 
 Upon the Solemn Occafion of the Late Dreadful 
 Earthquake in Jamaica ; and the Later Monito 
 ry Motion ..of the, Earth io London, and other 
 Parts of the Nation, and beyond the Sea. 
 
 W hereunto is Adjoined a 
 DISCOURSE on 
 
 Deatl)-2i5eD Repentance, 
 
 On Luc. 12. ;?y. 
 
 Now God commandetb every one every -xhsre to 
 Repent. Ads xvii. 20. 
 
 T5l 
 
 By % ¥ IdtUKlty. 
 
 London : Printed by R. Smith, for IV. Miller at the Gilded 
 Acorn in Si. Paul's Church-yard, where Gentlemen and 
 others may be furnifhed with Bound Books of moil 
 Sorts, Ads or Parliament, ^Speeches, and other forts 
 of Difcourfes, and State-Matters; as alfo Books of Di- 
 vinity, Church-Government, Humanity, Sermons on 
 moil" Occaiions, &c. M DC XC III. 
 
licenfed and Entred 
 
 According to 
 
 ORDER- 
 
THE 
 
 Epiftle Dedicatory 
 
 TO THE 
 
 KING and ^VEEK 
 
 TO Their Majefties is mofi 
 Humbly prefented Tbefe 
 Difcourfes of Repentance, exten- 
 ding to National Reformation, 
 in order to the Kingdom of 
 Chrift. Into which are inserted 
 Confederations upon the late 
 Earthquake in Jamaica, and the 
 later Motion of the Earth in Lon- 
 don, and other Parts in the Nor 
 A 2 tion, 
 
The Epiltle Dedicatory. 
 
 tion, and beyond the Seas : And 
 all this on greatefl Right and 
 Due. For who, as Religious Prin- 
 ces, are fo concerned in Public^ 
 Reformation according to all 
 the Precedents of Serif ture ? Who, 
 as Protefiant Princes, are Intereft- 
 ed in the Kingdom of Chriit ? 
 of which the Proteftation againft 
 Papal and Antichriftian Abo- 
 minations, and Usurpations, 
 was a Preparation $ even for that 
 Kingdom of Chrifl: 5 tho at the 
 diftance 0/180 Tears, fly led in 
 Prophecy, Half Time,wew exp- 
 ring into the Succejfion of that 
 Kingdom 5 when Reformed 
 Princes, ' truly fo, Jhall not lofe, 
 hit highly gain in Glory 3 Who, 
 
 . 
 
 as 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory. 
 
 as Goocf y and, indeed Gracious 
 Princes, arefo deeply afefled in 
 public^ udgments, unhappy Re- 
 volutions 5 or general Mercies 
 and happy Revolutions -^foreboded 
 by Earthquakes or Gentle Moves 
 of the Earth ? For they tfreNur- 
 iing Fathers and Nurfing Mo- 
 thers of their People. And of 
 what Princes can we hope or 
 promife our felves better than of 
 their fo United Majefties, Two- 
 One in True Religion ? As there- 
 fore the Suprcam Majefty was 
 pleas d to give particular Dire- 
 ctions to Them/elves of thofe 
 Tremblings of Earth ; whether 
 for Judgment a?id Repentance 3 
 or for Mercy-, in their Port in 
 
 Jamaica 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory. 
 
 Jamaica ; ftyld Royal; and in 
 thk their Capital City ; and not 
 only fo , but peculiarly in the 
 Camp Royal in Flanders 5 So 
 All thefe Difcourfes upon All, are 
 moft Humbly and with profound 
 Obfyfance fir ft, laid at their Ma- 
 jelties Feetj as having the fir ft 
 National EpifcOpacy committed 
 to them from God in Succeffion 
 to Conftantine the fir ft Chriftian 
 Prince ; in much greater and tru- 
 er Right, than the Popes have 
 their Primacy from Peter; or his 
 Hicrarchv their Epifcopacy, 
 fom the Ape itles ; And, next it 
 is Prefented 10 the National 
 ■ifcopacy fo Conft'ruted by 
 their hte^Cvs^vena* an Ev an- 
 gelica! 
 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory.' 
 gelical Miniftry, is, / hope, more 
 immediately committed to them 
 by Chrijij wherein being near 
 to Chrift 5 as in their National 
 Epifcopacy to their M ajefties 5 
 they can, and I doubt not, will 
 Represent to them what is accor- 
 ding to his Gofpel by this Mi- 
 niftration. For wherein have we 
 in the Hifiory of Scripture found 
 a greater Configuration of the 
 happinefs and {lability of Times ? 
 than when David's, and Na- 
 than's 3 Jehofaphat's, Micaiah's, 
 and Jehaziel's 3 Joafh's and 
 Ichoiadah'sj Zerubbabel's, a?id 
 Jofhuah's 3 Nehemiah's and Ez- 
 ras have been conjoin d! And in 
 Church Hiftorv, than when 
 
 Conftan- 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory, 
 
 Conftantine's and Athanaflus's 3 
 Theodofe's and Ambrofes 5 the 
 Proteftant Princes and Luther's 
 &c* and in our Nation 5 than 
 when fuch as K. Edw. VI. and 
 Cranmer.,&v. or ^.Eliz.^ Jewel, 
 &c. have been United in Pub- 
 lick Reformation. And oh that 
 at fuch a time as this, General 
 Reformation by Both might be 
 tintlurd with the Knowledge of 
 the Kingdom of Chriit 5 when 
 {by the Sure Word of Prophecy 
 ( deeply to be fearch'd, ) it is fo 
 near 3 How great Honour would 
 be return d from hence I All 
 which is mofi Humbly Prayed by 
 
 Their Majelties molt Humble and Obedient 
 Subject and Servant in the Kingdom of 
 Chrilt, 
 
 T. BEVERLT. 
 
TO THE 
 
 R E ADER, 
 
 B Y A 
 
 Friend of the Authors. 
 
 WE live in an Age, where* 
 in lS[ames and fcrofefft- 
 ons ate many Ihoufands ; and ten 
 Thoufands are dijlinguijhed thereby, 
 every one faying Lo, here is 
 Chrift,<*wiLo,there - } that thou 
 haft a Name, that thou liveft, 
 may be [aid to the Rational Qhurch, 
 and to all the Diffenting Lhurchesa- 
 mong us j the Temple, the Tern* 
 pie, faith the owe, and faith the o- 
 ther j yet may it not be J "aid to the 
 mofl of theje Churches j But thou 
 J 3 ate 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 art dead, be watchful and 
 strengthen the things, that re- 
 main, that are ready to Dys, 
 (^ev. 5 2,3,4. God hath (lam per* 
 (waded) a few "Names in all, and 
 every the [aid Qmrcbes, who have 
 not defiled their Garments , but 
 do indeed repent* and turn to the 
 Lord ; who are bom not of Fleflh, 
 nor of Blood, nor of the will 
 of man, but of God ; fitch to 
 whom the kindnefs and love of 
 God ourSaviourn'ath appeared, 
 not by works of Righteoufnefs, 
 tehkbthey have done, but according 
 to his mercy he hath fwedthem 
 by the warning of -Regeneration, 
 and renewing of the Holy 
 Ghoft j and for others, let them be 
 of thelomft, or of the hi^efl form, 
 fuel? tint luye made the frfl flip to 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 fy formation, or higher andgreater 
 Jleps thereto j they are but the leaves 
 of the Fig Treee that is curfed 
 of Chrift, and fhall Toon wither a- 
 way : It is no matter what name you 
 have ( 1 would there were not any 
 JSfatne aniong us but Chriflian)- y It is 
 thelSLature and Tower of Chrijiiani' 
 ty : What is the Chaff to the Wheat S 
 It is f aid in the Throphefies o/Ifaiah 
 and Micah, that the Mountain of 
 the Lord's HoufeyM fo exalted 
 to the top of the Mountains, and 
 all NaticnsyM flow unto it - y 1 
 do not think by Mountain in theft 
 places is meant any one particular 
 Qmrch, by what ]S(ame joeVer they 
 be dignified or diflinguified : 'But 
 the true Living, Miftick and Qatbo- 
 lick Church -Juch,who having been in 
 the Jpojlacy, with others ? do <]{epent, 
 
 and 
 
I o the Keader. 
 
 and turn to the Lord • and that you 
 may the better know them,. you have 
 the) 'e following Vifcourfes to help you 
 in fo great a work ; fome Dejpije 
 this great Grace y and jlumble at this 
 mighty work of God upon the Heart, 
 as too high, too hard y and too difficult 
 a work ; hut God hath his Fire in 
 Zi >n y and his Furnace in Jerufa* 
 lem and he will throwly purge 
 his Floor : There muft he a cut" 
 ting off a right Hand, a pluck- 
 ing out a right Eye } and it is 
 letter going to Heaven with one 
 By e,<w d with one Hand, maimed 
 and Halt, than to go to Hell with 
 both. Others fay, Pvepentance is 
 n legal work y fit only for old Tefta* 
 t$ent Saints 5 There is indeed a for* 
 row , a rapentance that worketh 
 Death < 3 hut the Repentance here 
 
 called 
 
l o tne reader. 
 
 called for, and exhorted to , isfuch^ 
 that is never to be Repented of ; 
 That which bnngs the Soul poor and 
 naked, trembling, and melting to 
 Qmft,the Prince and Saviour, that 
 gtVes Repentance to Ifrael, and For- 
 givenefs of Sins 5 And bhffedyou : 
 For ever ileffed are they, whoje fins 
 are forgiven, and whofe Iniqui* 
 ties are pardoned ; here are the 
 Gtjvers of the Waters of Life, the 
 Tree in the midjl of the Paradice of 
 God ; Jejus Cbrifl thus %eyeakd y 
 and thus received, and heartily em* 
 braced, will put an end to all dijjferen* 
 cits, debates and controversies ; He 
 that hath this Anointing from a* 
 boVe j this well of Life fpringing 
 up in him unto EverlaftingLife -, 
 will not Blefs himfelf in an Idol , 
 nor be pleajed with any pompous Wor- 
 
To the Reader. 
 pip, knowing the King's Daught- 
 er is all glorious within, and Cir* 
 cumcifion is that of the Heart ; 
 lie knows not 3 nor acknowledges any y as 
 Lords, over God's Heritage • 
 lm is affured^that the Son of Man 
 cam not to be Minifter'd tg, but to 
 Minifter. The things contained 
 herein are the true fayings of God, 
 according to the Holy Scriptures, 
 making the man of God perfect, 
 throughly furnifhed to every 
 good work • Did all men that ha"Ve 
 the worthy JSfjime of Qmflian, 
 profefs^ and praclife, what is herein 
 preffed to, and called for, wefhould 
 fee Jerufalem a quiet Habitati- 
 on, a Cure Dwelling Place ; for 
 none p? all then indeed harm us, if ws 
 are followers of that which is good: 
 Here are plain Oof pel Truths, that 
 
 whofo- 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 who foeyer Rumbles thereat, it is,he~ 
 caufe Chnjl ts to him a {tumbling 
 ftone^«^ ro:k of offence^ and yet 
 mifterious and deep, that one canneVer 
 find the bottom ; a ^jver that win 
 may jwimin : Chrtjiian .' when- 
 ever thou art fo conyerfant in theft 
 things, let thy profiting appear to 
 all men • let the Dead bury the 
 Dead • but go thou and follow 
 Chri&,as joon as ever he callsthee- 
 ISleruergo to tlyy Father's Ho life, 
 and bid them there rarewel ; go to 
 Chrtft, whenfoe r ver in the Go/pel be 
 calls thee, or J peaks to thee by any 
 private irhi/pering-Goin all thy fSgi* 
 fay with the Prodigal, Tho I have 
 fpent all upon Harlots, and am 
 Starring, halving ftd upon Husks • 
 I know in my Father's Houfe, 
 there is Bread enough, and to 
 
 fpare 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 ipare, and here I perijh with bun* 
 ger ; I will arife, and go to my 
 Father, and will fay unto him, 
 Father I have finned againft 
 Heaven, and before thee^ yet 
 Take me into thy Family, tho 
 I be but as one of thy Hired 
 Servants : to whom the Father 
 will fay • Don't fland Doubting^ 
 come in , come in to my Houje y 
 bring forth the beft Robe and 
 put it on him, <?c. 1 think no- 
 thing too good for thee (my Son) 
 now thou art returned, not a word 
 what thou hajl been, now thou art 
 returned, 1 will receive thee ; tho 
 thou haft not a penny in thy Turfe, 
 nor any good quality in thee , but 
 this thy coming back to me • Thou 
 muji ftar\>e if thou keep wandring 
 from thy Father's Houfe ; If 1 
 
 dont 
 
 
To the Reader.' 
 
 don't feed thee, thou perifieft I 
 thou haft be-thought thy felf at laft, 
 and art come home -, ftand not at the 
 door any longer ftar<ving in the cold, 
 and for hunger - y Away, Away y 
 with th\ previous "Difpofitions, and 
 good qualifications before coming 
 Welcome, Welcome ,come in, come m, 
 do not ftand at the door, I am glad 
 thou art come ; Who e<ver thought to 
 have feen thes returning again * 
 'Bring hither the Fatted Calf, kiU 
 it, and eat, and be merry ; How 
 merry (ftnner) canjl thou be ? And 
 they now begin to be merry , yea y 
 and all the Angels ftand by, and re- 
 joyce: ! here is a Feaft indeed. 
 But this makes the Elder Bro» 
 ther, the proud Pharifee, to 
 ftand off powting and grum- 
 bling } And he will never more 
 \ come 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 come into his Father's Houfe j For 
 be was never fo kindly dealt with, 
 yet never Trafgreffeditf anytime, 
 he iv as qualified, and deferred En- 
 tertainment , he lyad done many 4 
 good Work, he had bore the Bur- 
 then and Heat of the Diy,and 
 therefore expelled to harve received 
 more than they that came at the 
 Eleventh Hqurej to whom God 
 willfay, Is thine Eye evil be- 
 eaufe mine is good . ? Let us 
 then all be deligent to lay up for our 
 felloes a Treafure in Heaven- 
 we fee f or may fee, Ml things here 
 (Perijb with the uiing. 1 his is a 
 fluking time, God in now flick- 
 ing all Nations, and it is, that 
 the defire of all Nations may 
 come. He that Bpifioli^s this, is 
 
 4 Friend 
 
To the Reader. 
 a friend to the Author, and well ac* 
 quainted with his endeavours to prefs 
 after j (a?id Witnejpng for him, <*? 
 well skilled in) the truth and the in fids 
 of (RjligionfTbat he is a man taught 
 of God, and wiping well to all 
 that are gone beyond him- t and hoping 
 theLord will not defpife the day o£ 
 (mail things \ knowing,the hum- 
 ble he will teach his way, and 
 the meek he will guide in Judg s 
 ment. J hatve preffed the Author 
 to permit thefe things to come to 
 light, which at laji is condescended 
 to : if God blefs it to they Edificati* 
 on, Conlterfion, deformation y fay, 
 It is not in him that willeth, nor 
 in him that runneth, but in 
 God that fhews mercy , ; for 
 neither is he that planteth any 
 
 thing, 
 
To the Reader^ 
 
 thing, nor he that watcreth Any 
 thing ; but God that giveththc 
 Increafe ; to him be glory, and 
 praifc for ever, and ever, 
 Amen, 
 
 A 
 
To the moft Reverend, 
 THE 
 
 EPISCOPACY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 Church of ENGLAND. 
 
 I Do not arrogate to my 
 felf (Moft Reverend in 
 our Lord ) in Preferr- 
 ing to your Hands this 
 following Diicourfe, to offer 
 you any thing but what you 
 have before received from the 
 moft Excellent JM after , and 
 Teacher, the Holy Sprit t ki the 
 i A Scriptures, 
 
The Epiflle Dedicatory. 
 
 Scriptures, and Word of God • 
 Given by the Great High Priejl, 
 aud Jpoflleof ourVrofejfionjhu 
 One Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, 
 and !BtJJ?op of our Souls, Chrifl 
 Jefus^ and what -youyour (el<ves 
 have often, I have greateft Rea* 
 fon to hope, and believe, Dif- 
 cours'd, with cleareft Evidence 
 to the Under [landings, and Conyi- 
 Bions upon the Confciences of them, 
 that heard you. 
 
 This notwithstanding I have 
 very great Reafons , for ma- 
 king this Hu?nbleft Offer ture to 
 you. 
 
 i. That by difcourfing and 
 arguing a point fo acknow* 
 ledgly Great, fo Fundamental 
 and Eflential,not only toChri* 
 
 ftiani- 
 
The Bpiftk Dedicatory. 
 
 ftianity, but to Natural Religi- 
 on, and ail Morality : If it fliall 
 
 be acceptable to you, as I can- 
 not but truft it will, becaufe 
 it is fo agreeable to Scripture j 
 I may reconcile my feir* to 
 your more, not only Favour- 
 able, but Deep Qon federation in 
 fo great T obits of the jure Word 
 of Prophecy, as I nfve hereto- 
 fore prefented to you ; and 
 have made Tome Reference 
 unto, in this very Doctrine of 
 Repentance, as mofl: Coriaatu* 
 ral to it. 
 
 For though I know there is 
 a Difference between Inch z 
 piairi, and uncontedable Truth 
 of Scripture, as Repentan 
 is 5 and what lie: in the darl 
 
 A 2 Folds 
 
The Bpijlle Dedicatory. 
 
 Folds and Plaits of Scripture, 
 in the ZZieroglypkick Figures, and 
 Prophetical ^timbers or it ; and 
 it may feem therefore impoffi- 
 He t or highly improbable, that 
 1 especially fhould attain the Cer- 
 tainty of the Words of Truth, to 
 anfwer and apologize the Words of 
 Truth , in the great dependencies of 
 Prophecy, to them that fend to me 
 for them- 
 
 But, as it is well urged a- 
 gainft the enemies of the Natu- 
 ral Religion, as well as (Revealed ; 
 that though there cannot be 
 ^Mathematical Demonjlration of 
 thofe Great Truths, as of Eu- 
 clid's Propofitions ; yet there 
 iiiay be as QonYittw Proofs, in 
 their kmd. and as fatisfatlory to 
 ■3 true 
 
The Mpiftle Dedicatory* 
 
 rue Underflanding : Even Co I 
 affirm, that the Prophetick Ima- 
 ges, and T^umberSy if they are 
 attently eyed y and compared^ may 
 be as certainly Afford . and In- 
 tellectual enquiries even fatia* 
 ted with the evidence of them ; 
 Though they are not under 
 fuch Proofs, as the plain Do- 
 ctrines and Precepts of Scrip- 
 f«re,yet by fuch a (probation's is 
 moft proper to them, they are 
 certain in their&iwhAs the proof 
 of fo plain a point in its kind, 
 as Repentance is, is as cer* 
 tain in its kind, as the proof of 
 Natural $eligion y in its Kjnd - 
 which is as certain, as a Mathe- 
 matick. (Proportion, in its kind : 
 So fnre is Trophecy v In the Good- 
 A 3 nefs 
 
the Epflle Dedicatory. 
 
 nefs of onr Creator ^ndMedidtor ^n 
 giving^ and fuflaining our Faculties 
 in the true u{$ or themfelves • 
 fo fure are each of theft ^ and each 
 of them, in their kind, as lure 
 the one, as the other ; even the 
 Word of Trophecy, lure as any. i 
 
 For as i have often faid, e- 
 ven theie ULnigmaikal parts of 
 Scripture y arc mod certainly, as 
 will be eafily. allowed, infallibly 
 tf ue in th e i r o w a (e n fe : They 
 are therefore to be under- 
 
 odj For fo is all Truth: 
 
 i»ey are Revealed ; and 
 therefore it is intended by 
 
 ,d, they fltoidd be unch flood. 
 % to be under flood, they may be 
 httymjlhey are truly under flood, by 
 x&Rr'Conjcmlnejs to ones ftlf of 
 
 the 
 
The Epiflle Dedicatory; 
 
 the evidence of thofe Critierions, 
 and Marks of Truth , mod Con* 
 natural to them j that All Tarts 
 anfwer one to another • that 
 they anfwer to what muit be 
 moft apparently the main Scope 
 and Intention ofc the whole ; and 
 that Hijlorical Matter of FaSl 
 anfwers all along j which 
 makes all certain ; As he that 
 hath a f\ey to a Cyphar, or to tii- 
 Jlory in <PiElure or Emblem, may 
 beajfur'dhe hath itphenhe Finds 
 all agree, one part with ano- 
 ther 5 and the whole with 
 what was reafonable to be 
 expected, and fuppofed to be 
 the Vefign. 
 
 And if any one fliould fay, 
 Why fhould this he Revealed to me 
 
 A4 f 9 
 
Tk Bpijlle Dedicatory. 
 
 jo unworthy • fo little prepared with 
 all the advantages of Learning 
 <nd 'Books. 
 
 I do moil humbly Achnoiv* 
 ledg the Dint of this Prejudice • 
 and can only Anfwer, as I have 
 
 done KtCiS iyiviro evjjteidtt I So 
 
 it pleafed him, and to humble 
 me to loweft Abajement (How* 
 ever I mod humbly Qonfefs 
 wholly by my own fin, and 
 guilt) as in a lolitary Patmos for 
 it - And 1 cannot but hope, 
 now I look upon my Tefli- 
 mony as near finijhed , and that 
 things are juft now upon 
 their Component, he may be 
 pleas'd alio to Vifconfine me 
 when Lis"'! Witneffes are fo 
 near , Camming out of their 
 
 Sack* 
 
The YLpijlle Dedicatory. 
 
 Sackcloth, and that I (hall in 
 their ^{wg, rife out of this 
 Civil Death : But not my will, 
 but his will be done. 
 
 I have therefore, I fay, up- 
 on the whole, prefented this 
 Difcourfe , as upon one ^ea- 
 jon j that by it you may look 
 upon my ether 1'reatifes, as 
 not the Performances of a Fana- 
 tick or (Pbantaflicki or one that 
 
 WOLlld *i; 0V£ ^ , 5 1n *? ° <*^M but lis TO C&- 
 
 <P%ov<ccj. Much IcCs^^oyly^onrnm^ 
 or what is Written j but to [peak 
 forth the words of Sobernejs and 
 Truth , as well in the one, as 
 the other. 
 
 2. That from the Cotijuncti* 
 m of the one part with the o- 
 ther, the Tropbettck with the 
 
 DotlrinaL 
 
The YLpiJlle Dedicatory. 
 
 TtoBrind^ you may be, (as 
 however I Hope } and am Ter* 
 f waded you are) more excited \ 
 and may move more Vtgorouf* 
 ly and Tjedmfy in the Promot> 
 ing TSfatimd Repentance and (Re- 
 formation • as I have alfo in the 
 Inferences of the difcourfe.p'ejs'd- y 
 ieeing therein is raoft certain* 
 ly the greateft Magnification of 
 your Rational Office , or Epijco- 
 pacy ; that as having greateft 
 nearnefs to the Ajfairs,znd Per- 
 fons, that are at the Top • and 
 who, as Springs, move what is 
 below them ; you do therein 
 *$*&& minifter in Offering them 
 up to God- f F-r not Worldly Gran- 
 dieur t nor any of the Cathedra- 
 lilies, of your State, nor an 
 
 Animal 
 
The Epiflle Dedicatory. 
 Animal or Senfitive , (however 
 not Senfual) Hofpitality will 
 fujlain you i but this is the 
 beft Account that can be given 
 of fuch. a Pre eminence ; when 
 it is indeed of National Super'u 
 ority in an Elijah Like Fervor, 
 and Influence for Rational 
 Reformation • feeing it is certain 
 in an Union in true Religion ; 
 a Rational Epifcopacy Devoted 
 to its true ends, tho in it felf 
 but Civil , may be fervice- 
 able to Rational Godlinefs. 
 
 He. n Ihavefet my Foot 
 in this Dedication to you, and 
 Acknowledgment of you j that it 
 you are indeed for,' and with 
 God in your ^relations - t you 
 will be ( Blejfedj not only with 
 
 Gocd 
 
The Bpiftle Dedicatory. 
 
 Good Withes , and Endeavours > 
 but with hapfy Succeffes ; not 
 only ia Wwd , but in Power, 
 in luch your Characler and Sta- 
 tion. For all Wife and Good 
 Mens Eye; are now upon you, to 
 know not yoxtftfams or Titles y 
 or Speech ,but your Power in £7o» 
 ifjf Influences upon the Ration 
 from you. 
 
 But the very «wtf of'Bleffing 
 from Heaven and Suctejs t herein , 
 andt o find that National Vices , 
 and Irre/Jgion furmount your Sphere 3 
 and grow up ahoy>e it to HeaVen ) is 
 red/on for great Humiliation, and 
 even Jealoufy over your Con[litu* 
 tion • tho without jtf«r £«*/f. 
 
 But this will bear you in fo 
 £>*£4t 4 Revolution t fonear, as 
 
 I 
 
The fyijlk Dedicatory. 
 
 I declare to you. For even as 
 that Building call'd ftm/s, that 
 is rifivgfo Sumptuous, e*re it aimo 
 to its top, fhall only ftand, if it 
 can be any way Serviceable in 
 that/^'wgdow'j Succefjion fo nigh, 
 fb it m^y £e fupported ; elie its 
 ^ood/j; Stone; and Building will 
 not, at kaft, to fuch an ufe, as 
 Cathedral only, be one Stow left up* 
 on another, with how magnificent 
 a Zeal foever it be carried on : 
 It is begun too late to fuch a p«r- 
 f o/e, if it be fo intended : Even 
 Jo a Rational Epifcopacy fuffer- 
 ing the Lofs of all that is but 
 Hay and Stubble in if, as byiiire, 
 may yet be SaVd, or Continue in 
 its 2{ational Preftdency , if it 
 can be found rs fuch. Service- 
 able 
 
the TLpiftle Dedicatory. 
 
 able for Offering up whole 2^- 
 tions more ipeedily to God, and 
 Cbrift ; elfe it will yanijb away 
 as Froth, and empty Bubbles • For 
 let us all be fure, the Kingdom 
 of God is coming upon us, which 
 is not Word but Power ; 
 Although therefore , you 
 do not J mite the menferVants, or 
 ^Maidservants, or eat and drink 
 with the Drunken 5 Yet I humbly 
 b'feech you to take heed t that as 
 Wife, a.nd good Stewards fet over 
 the ffloujkold, you <g\\t diligently 
 that portion of Meat in due Seafon, 
 all the moft efficacious Terfwa- 
 fions^and Influences for Repentance, 
 and even National Reformation, 
 And herein what can be Co 
 mighty to per/wade, as if with 
 
 Vnited 
 
The TLpifik Dtdicatory. 
 United applications to it, You 
 would fearchj and encourage all 
 that do fearcbj and hold out that 
 jure Word of (prophecy^ that hath 
 fhonefo long, and yet Jbines in the 
 Dark place of this Jftojlacy, till 
 the very day dawn, and the day 
 Star arife; Becaufe Imoft Hum- 
 bly Jjfure you in the Name of the 
 Great Matter of the Family, he will 
 no longer delay his Qnn'tng, but 
 he is 'Very near at hand. I hope 
 Providence hath introduced you 
 to fuch a purpofe. and as 1 humbly 
 hope, this Voflrine of (Repentance 
 is presented to your Hands, to- 
 gether with fo many Difcour- 
 les, that the Kingdom of Heaven is 
 nigh at Hand j that upon that 
 very Confederation you may be 
 • rnoft 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory. 
 
 moft Zealous in it : So I earned* 
 ly Pray, you may be 'Blejfed in 
 your Lord finding you fo doing : 
 Verily, I fay unto you, he [hall 
 make you greater Rulers in a truly 
 Evangelical Senfe, than nowyou 
 are : And as to the black and dark 
 fide I make no mention of it 5 be- 
 cause I am perfwaded better 
 things of you, andfuch as Ac- 
 company the Salvation, and 
 Glory of that Kingdom. 
 
 Herein I am 
 
 Your mojl Humble and 
 Ajfetlionate Orator^ 
 
 T. BEVERLEY. 
 
THE 
 
 INTROD UCTION 
 
 T THE 
 
 Following Pifcourfe. 
 
 TH E great Context of the Apoftlej 
 upon which the Firft of thefeDif- 
 courfes is Founded, arofe from the 
 fcandalous 5 and loud founding 
 Defilement foTtoc/'AWttTM.) 
 of the Church of Chrift, at Corinth by the E* 
 normous fin of the Jnceftuous perfon, that Mar 
 ried his Father's Wife % a Fornication not paraf- 
 eird,as the Apoftle faith, among the Heathen, i Cor. 
 
 This fin, the Perfon Guilty, and offending had 
 
 no Penitent itemorfe for, nor fenfe of, nor difc 
 
 a char 
 
The Introduftion. 
 
 that Church in general lie under fuch an Holy 
 forrow and Mourning for it, as they had fo great 
 obligation to do \ that fo grofs an Impurity, and 
 Scandal might be Caft out by their gathering toge- 
 ther in the hpoffotical Spirit, or Fowtr •, that fuch ati 
 evil might not ferment , but the very Flefhoi the 
 Offender might be purg'd off; or deftroy'd, and pro- 
 bably by fome Miraculous Bodily Infliction call'd 
 Delivery of him to Sathan, that the Spirit might 
 be faved in the Vnj of Chrrfl •, and all this was 
 to be performed in the Name of the Lord Jefus, 
 in the folemn Avouching his great Judica- 
 ture. 
 
 Upou this the Apoftle wrote fo feverely con- 
 cerning it in his former Epiftle, as we find ? and 
 ithadfo good Effect through the grace of God 5 
 that the particular Perfon, who had given the 
 Scandal, was fo deeply humbled , and Difiblv'd 
 into fo great a Penitential Sorrow, and Mourning 5 
 that the Apoftle in the fecond Epiftle takes 
 greateft care on the other fide ; that he might 
 not be (wallowed up of too much forrow, c. 2. 
 and the Church it kK gave thofe great Eviden- 
 ces of Repentance, the Apoftle Expreffes in this 
 chap. 7th, and appears in this Context. 
 
 From thefe evil manners, and the fo bfefled 
 Repensmce^rii-s this admirable Ihftru&ion of the 
 Apoftles concerning rh* nature of true Repen- 
 tance ; and the forrow^ after God that wor\s it; 
 and the vehement Afte&ions, and Emotions^ of 
 thind towards God, and Holinefs , and againft 
 fin \ that always attend and accompany , and 
 
 Minifter 
 
lhe Introduction. 
 
 Minifter to Repentance, and Godly Sorrow 5 and 
 the Blefied iflue and eflecl: of it •, that it is to Sal- 
 vation, and fo never to be Repented of 
 
 This I have Difconrfed efpecially in the plain, 
 and univerfally acknowledged Doctrine, Grace, 
 and Duty of this Repentance ; but having a Dif- 
 penfation committed to me of Miniflry concerning 
 the Kingdom of Chrifi, and thefcvidenee of Scrip- 
 ture of its near approach? X& WES^&^kv, 
 I would not decline or back-Aide from the TefH- 
 mony of it; according to the vifftsoky the fo ge- 
 neral drawing back of Chriftians from the Declara- 
 tion of it j becaufe the Apoftafy Hovers with 
 
 its Darknds over them, and obfeures this Atto 50^ 
 or the ApoMical Dottrine concerning it ; but I have 
 given open Teftimony of this Kingdom > in this 
 Do&rineof Repentance. 
 
 And indeed the very whole cafe of the (inner, 
 and his fin , that was the occafion of 
 this Context ; the Apoftles fevere Reproof of the 
 Church of Corinth about it \ the wonderful grace 
 of God in this extraordinary Repentance^ and for- 
 row after God, in both the Particular Offender, 
 and the Church, confequent upon it ; may make 
 a very admirable Symbol or Reprefentation 
 of that Repentance, and Mourning that fhali 
 be at the Kingdom of Chrift, in preparation of 
 l its Appearance. 
 
 For that Foul Apoftafy of the Chriflian Church 
 i into Anticbriflianifm, fo often flyled ^Fornication, 
 a 2 Adultery , 
 
 I 
 
The Introduction. 
 
 Adultery, Whoredom, the great Whore) may very 
 much be likened to that unparalell'd Fornication 
 of the Incestuous Corrinthian. The infenfiblenefs of 
 not only the kritichrfflians themjelves, but of all the 
 Chriftian Churches, and not Mourning, that it 
 might be caft out j but having, and fuffering it in 
 the Churches of Pergamus, and Thyatyra, may be 
 much fhadowed, and Typed out by the Corinthi- 
 an Church not Mourning, that the Incefluous Perfon 
 might be caft out ; the little Leaven Leavening the 
 whole hump, was too much Full- filled in Ephefus, 
 or the very Primitive Church of the Ape files 
 times, leaving the firfl Love ; the Apoftafy becom- 
 ing a Synagogue , a Throne , an antient Kingdom 
 of Sathan having his Depths, in following Time ; 
 even throughout T; me, Times, and half Time. 
 
 But when God fhall pour out. a Spirit of Grace, 
 how great fhall be the Mourning ol Penitent offen- 
 ders ; even in that Remnant, affrighted, and giving 
 Glory to the God of Heaven, in whom the Flefo 
 is Dejiroyed by a Miracle of Grace, that the 
 Spirit may be faved in that day of Chrifl, Rev, 
 1 1. 1 3. How Univerfal a Repentance and cafiing ont 
 Antichrifiiantfm by the whole Church of Chrift 
 fhall then be, and a return to higheft Purities 5 and 
 to Salvation, in the Glory of Chrift** Kingdom, 
 I^eentance never to be Repented of I this fhall be in 
 his Name at his Comming, by the Apoftolic Spirit 
 and Power. 
 
 And how much this very Reprefentation might 
 fce Intended, as an Allegory by the Holy Spirit , 
 I will not dare to affirm ; but I know, Scripture 
 Siath defignations beyond what we are able to 
 
 Find s 
 
*the Introduftion. 
 
 Find, till particularly Revealed, or that day de- 
 clares them ; and fo this may be an Holy Difpofe 
 of God, that this Impurity fhouid be Permitted in 
 the Church of Corinth^ and the folemn Repentance 
 fhouid become an Emblem, as hath been now fee 
 out. 
 
 And fo I am very propenfe ta think, 
 the Cafe of Eating things offered to Idols with 
 €onfcience of the ldol\ under the obligation to con- 
 form to thofe, who pretended to do fo without 
 any fuch Conscience of the Idol; was given, as a 
 great Parable of the Cheat of Transforming 
 Heathen and Pagan Idolatry into Antichriftian Ido- 
 latry under the Difguife of Chnftian Liberty and 
 Honour to Martyrs ; and fo the Epiftlesto Pergamus 
 andThyatjra import concerning eating things Offered 
 to Idols, Rev. 2. compared with i Cor. 8. and 
 chap, i c. 
 
 Of the fame Kind are Viftinflion cf Meats, 
 and Days , that obtained fo n uch under the 
 Synagogue of Sathan , under gloffy pretences of 
 Valfe Jews, as fome way ferving the Honour of 
 Chriftianity j and that sre yet retained by thofe, 
 who in the Reformation are the They* or who 
 are on the fide of that Synagogue, as the Vene- 
 rators of Antiquity, for the three firft Centuries 
 at Ieaft ; not confidering, how early the Myflery 
 of Iniquity wrought even in the Apoflles days 
 Rev. 29. compared with Rom. 14. 
 
 And laftly, Thofe great Scriptures, 2 Pet. c.3. the 
 Epift.of Judejini fome paflages intheEpifiles of the 
 
 Apoftle 
 
'the Introduction* 
 
 ApofHe John, however their immediate occasi- 
 on, and ground were fome foul , and impure 
 Nerefies , whether of the Gmjlicl>s , or o:hers, 
 Herefies properly fo cilled *. yet they give the great 
 Types of the AntichriftUn Impurities, as is plain 
 by thofe Deeds and Dottrine of ihe Nicolations , 
 We meet with fo Branded ; Deeds, Canonized 
 into a Do8rine y Rev. 2. d, 1 $, 
 
 All this will , I hope % jnftify my joyning 
 the Do&rine of the Kingdom to the Dodrine 
 of Repentance* 
 
 How, even Providentially , I was fummoned 
 to the Publication of thefe two Treatifes, al- 
 thongh it is of great Remark, and Obfer- 
 vation to my felf *, yet I think not necellary 
 to give an open Account of*, but hope, this 
 Doftrine of Repentance, was, as I may mod 
 Humbly fay, called for by God in my, how- 
 ever mofl unworthy , Nlinittracion of it *, that 
 all might be moved to it at this very fea- 
 fon, when / declare the Kingdom of God fo 
 nigh at //and; and wherein / acknowledg, 
 / my felf ought to be the Principal Audi- 
 tor 9 Reader and Learner, and, as / may fay, 
 Chief Mourner* 
 
 And / cannot but hopej that through the 
 Grace of Chrift ; and his good Hand upon this 
 Difcourfe ; it will make that Prejudice againft 
 the DoSrine of the Kingdom^ and efpecially of 
 a Line of Time to it, in fo many good Perfons, 
 in fome m:afure to Abate 5 when they find 
 
 it 
 
*tht Introdu&ion* 
 
 it fo clofe conjoyned with the Dilcourfe o! 
 fo acknowledged a Point, as this of Repentance, 
 Treated with all ferioufflefs of Heart) and fober- 
 nefs of Judgment ; as / have good hope through 
 Grace, God hath herein Enabled me \ and fee- 
 ing fuch Commotion ef Nations , fuch Earth- 
 Shakes in Divers places, and So gentle an Admo- 
 nition in this very City, fo juft now agree with my 
 Line of Time-, and that the moving of the Earth is fo 
 cenftant an umbrage of Preparatories for the King- 
 dom of Chrifly I hope all this will perfwaae. 
 
 1 am as cautious, ss any one can defire, of laying 
 too much ftrefs on unufual Events: fuch may be tra- 
 ced back, pofiibly, to their Natural Canfes> by Great 
 Philofofhers. But as this does not leffen God, the 
 Supream Caufe * fo it does not leflen their Vreditlive- 
 tiefa or Fitnefs to Foretel Events. For he who had 
 the whole Scheme of all hii Works lying before 
 him, knew how to lay fuch Caufes, fuch Admo- 
 nitions by Prodigies, and the Great Events toge- 
 ther, into an admirable Harmonioufnefs to his 
 Ends. 
 
 1 know too, Thefe Prodigies have been in all 
 Times and Places: But feeing they are fcretold 
 near Chuffs Kingdom, and Coming ; and that by 
 the Sure Word of Prophecy, much furcr indeed Fore- 
 telling it, than fach Appearances ; the Kingdom of 
 Chrift is near ; Thit Warning-piece, fliould much a- 
 waken us to Repentance. 
 
 For how much better is it for us, that God 
 fliould be own'd, as the Supream Lord of All 9 
 than fuch a Foolifh impertinent Caufe as Chance 5 
 or fo fullen a one as Nature, who have no gra- 
 cious 
 
The IntroduStiQiil 
 
 rious End in what they do , nor are to be ap« 
 plied to by Prayer and Repentance, to prote&us 
 in the Danger, or give a good iflue. 
 
 Now feeing all this, / hope this Difcourfe of Re- 
 pentance , together with the great motive of it, 
 The Kingdom <f Chrifi at Hand, will move all to 
 Repentance, and Expe&ation of that Kingdom, 
 and make Acceptable the Difcourfe it felf, as in 
 itsSeafon ; for all which, I day ly bow my Knees to 
 the Father of Glory. 
 
 M. 7th, D. 12, 
 
 1692. 
 
 T. BEVERLEY. 
 
 Evange- 
 
A Difcourfe upon Evangelical Re- 
 pentance to Salvation^ not to be 
 Repented of, and the Godly Sor- 
 row working it. 
 
 2 Cor. 7. 10. For Godly Sorrow mrketb 
 Repentance to Salvation not to be Repented 
 0^ but the Sorrow of the World mrketh 
 Death. 
 
 TH E R E is no more Univerfal Noticn 
 in the Soul of Man in thofe Things, 
 wherein he hath to do with God, or 
 even with v. an, or with Himfelf, then 
 to Repent; that is, to be ibrry for what he hach 
 done Amifs, and wherein he harh Offended : and 
 to Refolve, and Profiife to Amend, and to do the 
 Evil he hath done, no more ; It is fitted as a 
 great Inftrument of Reconciliation, and a fecond 
 fiate of Innocency *, a Referve after the Ruin and 
 Shipwrack of cur Firft Innocency, a Remedy, a 
 Reparation after, the firffc Advantages of doing well, 
 are loft: And it is the infinite Grace of God in a 
 B Medi- 
 
% Of an Evangelical Repentance'. 
 
 Mediator, that there is fuch a Notion in the Worlds 
 It preferves it: from being a Hell in regard either of 
 the extremity, and utmoft Rages of Wickednefs; 
 or of the Horrors, and Fury of Defpair. It is the 
 infinite Grace of God in a Redeemer, That there 
 is a F lace of Repentance^ as the Apoftle calls it, Heb. 
 12. that is, place, and room for it in mans Heart, 
 and that there is place for it in the Acceptance of 
 God \ char God does not fcorn, and utterly reject 
 it, againft him, that hath once finned; That he is 
 not inexorable, and nor to be intre.ated concerning 
 it \ For how woful, and even Hellifliiy Miferable 
 would man be without it? That the Nature of 
 Man is inclin'd to offer, and accept fuch Repen- 
 tance, one towards another, and (o, that there are 
 mutual Forgiveness among men, and not unap- 
 pealable hatreds ; and ,that there is in a rnkteWn 
 Confciehce a prcpitrednefs to acquiefce, to be fatif- 
 fied, to Reft, and to te Appealed upon finding in 
 the Soul , and Adion, a farrow for fin, and Refor- 
 mation from it : All this keeps' the World from be- 
 ing, abiolutely Hell, 
 
 3 , ,For Sorrow. Diflike;,Tf Cubje, Remorfe, for what a 
 Man,, hath done evi ! , move ft man to review, to 
 acknowledgment , to bewailing, to confedion, to 
 chan£e;'anrf refo'rmatitfstyq a newcourfeof Life, and 
 Mtk>n. ■ I ....*.. 
 
 boiflg tlk&Mgn j$jfrfl>a -fallen, fuch a Peccant, 
 1 and:"jDtrending.Natufev;'U is infinite grzee in God, 
 -that tlirr£ is fuch a Nation, fuch Action in mans 
 • Soul, as Repentance ; and that UiCic is not an utter 
 'irreconcilablenefs, an iinpardonablenefs afrer Offenfe 
 committed: jneither; Jn Heaven nor on Ejrth ; not 
 In the Court gf Heaven, nor in she Court of Human 
 
 Nature 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance^. 3 
 
 Nature one towards another ; nor in the Court of 
 a mans Confcience within himfelf. If it were not 
 fo, every fin would be like the Elafpbemy ag.wift 
 the Holy Spirit , Matt, 12. Unpardonable; and be- 
 caufe Unpardonable, Impenitable, or not to be %- 
 pemed of; and that not only in this World, but in that 
 which it to come; the World would become a Theater 
 of fin, and damnation*, even a Hell, without any 
 Chsrncery, any Appeal to Grace, to Mercy; or 
 Helenrmg of Repentance from the hopes of Mercy, 
 the reverence and awes of Goodnefs, and Forgive- 
 , nefs 
 
 Now that which lies loofeand fcartered, or dif- 
 feminated, fowfl through the whole human Creati- 
 on ; That, the word of God, efpccially in the Gof- 
 S'ei, iftfac New Testament; that the Spirit of God 
 nth colle&ed into a more full, and folemn-Docl> 
 rine, and bpen'd the Foundarion 3 ind hid bare, and 
 in view die- root, or the greatpiace of it ; Howie 
 ,: hrath room, and reception ; what are the Sources, 
 fpriqgs of Efficacy, from which it Rifes:even iti 
 the Sacrifice, Blood, and Redemption of Chrifl; 
 and the mighly Efficacv, and Grace of the Divine 
 .Spirit j what is t\m godly forrcw, which is given tty 
 God, as the Elaboratory or the Inftrument of God 
 for the Operation of it; what are the Laws and 
 Rules of it; the true form and confiitution of ]r y 
 what are the motives, and inward con fide rat ions 
 mooving to it ; what are the figns, and evidences 
 of its Truth; what is the proper time, and fpace 
 tor it ; Icrefolves the Scruples or Cafes of Con- 
 fcience, that may arife in the ^oul Gf Man concern^ 
 ingit; itfhews the great' Fruir^ certain Benefit, 
 and Advantage of it. 
 
 B 2 And 
 
4 Of an Evangelical Repentanccl 
 
 And all thefe are either moil innately refidkig 
 or fome way reducible to this great, and excellent 
 Context of the Apoftle ; in which regard I have 
 chofenit, and fhall endeavour t3 bring Light ac- 
 cordingly to it ; and according to thefe 1 eads, I 
 will by the grace of God endeavour to Difcourfe 
 it, 
 
 i. In regard it is Repentance to Salvation, and that 
 Salvation k no ether, but in Chrifl alone, Ads 4. 12. 
 it plainly (hews, That the whole Redemption and 
 Salvation of Chrffi, is the proper Bafif, and Foun- 
 dation of it; the whole Area, Court, Space and 
 mod proper place of it ; and that the whole Notion 
 and Spirit of ir 5 as any way Commenfurate to, or 
 extended upon the whole human Nature, hath its 
 Rife, and Original*, flows from fome Communicati- 
 on to the human Nature from Jefus Chrift, the Re- 
 deemer; and that yet the word of God and his 
 Gofpel only Reveals it fully and genuimly 5 and his 
 fpirit is the fupreme Operator of it. 
 
 2. Here is plainly laid down to us the Elabora- 
 tory, or Inftrument God hath prepared in infinite 
 Wjfdcm, and Grace, and inlay d the Soul with, in 
 order to Repentance. Firit, as it is a Natural Af- 
 fe&ion fubfervient to it; and then as it is Sanctified 
 by God to fo great an end. Godly forrow, or forrow 
 after \ and accoraing to God worketh down Repentance, 
 or brings it forth ; a forrow oppofed to the forrow of 
 the W$rld 9 that wor^eth Death. 
 
 3. In that it is, 1. Repentance to Salvation, ef- 
 fectual to it. 
 
 2. Repentance not to be Repented of 
 
 u Not I 
 
Of an Evangelical Refentance* $ 
 r. Not as a falfe counterfeit Repentance to be 
 Repented of. 
 
 2. Always to be carried on, and promoted j and 
 not recall»d,repeard, or revers'd, but confirm'dby 
 progreflive 3 repeated A&s,and renewed after Falls. 
 
 3. In that it is, to, or lays held of Salvation. 
 
 4. In that it rifes not from an earthly fpring, or 
 anv farrow, not after God. 
 
 In all thefe Regards, ityeilds juft reafon toDif- 
 courfe the true Laws, and Rules j the Frame, and 
 true conftitution ; the motives, means and confede- 
 rations for-, tliefigns, and evidences of fincere Re- 
 pentance. 
 
 4. The admirable Fruit and Benefit of it is mofl 
 vifibly, and illuftrioufly fet forth before us in thofe 
 words, It k Repentance to Salvation^ not to be repented 
 of. 
 
 i. It is to Salvation', It is a great and certain fe« 
 curity againft Ruin, Damnation, Perifhing for ever. 
 
 2. It fhall not only be a fecurity from Damnati- 
 on, but an a.lurance of a ftate of Life, Glory, 
 Bleflednefs. 
 
 g. There fhall never bethe Ieaft caufe to Repent, 
 to look back wirh Sorrow, or Regret, that we have 
 Repented. For we fhall find, we have loft no good, 
 we have run upon no evil, in having Repented. 
 
 4. It fhall give us Reafon of everlaflin^ Joy, 
 Rejoycing, Triumph, Eleffing and Adoring God in 
 Chrift, we have fo by his grace Repented to Sal- 
 vation. 
 
 $. I will Reduce to the Do&rin of Repentance 
 the fjruplcs, and Cafes of Conference that may 
 ajrife concerning either thejtrue Dodrinal State of it, 
 or the grace of, or pradife it felf of repentance, 
 
 B 3 Thefe 
 
6 Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 Thefe are the heads, I Fropofe by Divine Grace? 
 and Affiftance, to Difcourfe the Do&rin,and grace of 
 Repentance upon j but I find it is in the firft place 
 necefiary to give fome fhorc defcriptions of the 
 thing, I$epentdnc>, according to the very impor- 
 tance of the word-, and of the General Importance, 
 and Narure of the Notion, or rhe thing it ftJf. 
 
 The word? us'd by the Spirit of God in rhe Old 
 Teffament, are either that ft rid word DP J, a 
 word tlut alfo (ignifies Confolating a mans felf y 
 (hewing, after fin, and oflFenfe reflected upon, vi%. 
 with Grief, and Trouble fuppofed j the greatefl con- 
 solation is recovery of a mans felf by Repentance: 
 Or elfc, it is 3 word, that fignifies Turning from what 
 a man has be en Turnd and Pofited, and fe\ himfelf 
 to before. On this Account we meet fo often with 
 the words of Turning in the Old Teftament, and 
 being Converted, and Turning in the New. 
 
 The moft proper and flrid words in the New 
 Teftament, are either an After Care, a Reflection 
 with farrow, and follicitoufnefs upon what a man 
 hath done, with Trouble , He did fo ; and a care, 
 a caution not to do fo any more for the time to 
 come ; or an after-mind, an after-wit, an after un- 
 (ierftandin*, a tranfmentatton, a new Mind, a new 
 Heart andSprit. 
 
 To fpeak of it therefore in the general 5 Repen- 
 tance -is given by Go 3, as a mighty Spiritual Inflru- 
 ir.enr., or Engine in the hand of his Grace, in rhe 
 Arm of God made Bare , by which the finful Ni- 
 rurc, in every true Penitent, is unhing'd, uncen- 
 tefd from fin, and corruption. It is a return of 
 rhe Soul home to it felf, after a Spiritual Phrenfy, 
 aadMtttaeiss The Prodigal isfaid to come to him- 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. ft 
 
 fclf: /c is a return to its Fathers Houfe, after a long 
 bevvildred State \ This my Son was lo]l, and is found. 
 But beyond all this, it is a Spiritual Refurreftion, 
 a return from Death to Life j This my Son was Dead y 
 and is A Live> Luke 1 5. 
 
 And indeed, as there is no notion of Scripure, 
 that is more fuited to expre/s\he corrupt Nature of 
 Man, than Death ; fo the firft Threat 
 Ran, In the day thm eatejl thereof Gen. 2. 17; 
 thou ft ah dye the Death . Death hy Jin 
 pajji'd urcn all. Dead in TrefpaJJes, Rom. 5.12. 
 and J ins. Vmverfal Death. And fo Ephef. 2, 1. 
 in the Lexituai Law y there was no 
 greater uncleannefs than the Touch of a Dead Body, 
 Accordingly when the Apoflle,/&£. d.names Repen- 
 tance among the grand Fundamentals.or^n/iop/er of 
 tie Dollrin of " Cbrffi , He calls it Repentance from 
 Dead Worlds, or Re-enPiating the Soul in Life after 
 tip, or Works, as Unclean , and Loa-hfome, as a 
 Dead Body removed from the fight of the Living, 
 Or as a Dead feoriy was in the Eye of God under 
 the Leiitical Law . 
 
 This is the general Notiou of Repentance \ buc 
 it may be further Explained in thefe three Particu- 
 lars, and yet in a general way. 
 
 1. Repentance is an inward, fincere, habkual 
 Change of the Heart, and of the def:gn, and pur- 
 pofe 5 and fo of the outward Action, and Courfe of 
 Life, and Conduct of a mans ways •, arifing from 
 an utter difiike of his, former Counfel, Purpofe 
 andDefign, arid the courfe of Corv/e nation, Life, 
 and A&ion proceeding from it \ fo that it becomes 
 wholly New : This is the g:nerel Nature of Re- 
 B 4 pentance 
 
# Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 pentance, as it looks to the government of a man 9 
 felf, and of his Actions : Now this in Scripture* 
 and Evangelical Repentance is the change from (in 
 to Holinefs, from a worldly flare, and conversion 
 to an Heavenly •, and from the Creature, to God, and 
 toChrift*, an utter diflike o-f, and trouble at the 
 former Regiment, and fleerage of a mans courfe, fo 
 ss utterly to forfake it; and with forrow, fhame, 
 2nd ailoniflimenr, to fay to his finful ways, fo con- 
 trary to the Rules of Holinefc, Righteoufnefs, and 
 Purity, Get ye her,ce % and what have 1 to do any more 
 with you * I will now guide my felf by the wordof 
 my God, and hate every falfe way, Pfah i ip.Thisis 
 that, 0/ which Scripture is full every where*, the 
 through amending tye ways, and doings^ which were 
 not gouty the wicked man forj al^eth his way, and 
 
 the unrighteous man his thoughts, and 
 Jcrem.7. 5. returns to the Lord ; Chrift bleffes in 
 £fay. 55. 7. Turning us every one from our Iniquities. 
 .Acts 3. 26. Cleanfeyour Hands , you fanners *, and 
 James 4,8. Purify your Hearts^ you double minded. 
 Rom. 6. 2 r . Wlxtt profit had you in thefe thingsjwhere- 
 
 of you are now afhamed ? For the end 
 I Cor. 6. 1 1. of thoje things is Death s fucb were 
 
 fome of you. But now ye are waflied. 
 &c. 
 
 2. Repentance, as it looks to an offended Perfon, 
 is full of forrow, that it hath offended 5 moves ear- 
 neftly to Pardon, ar.d Reconciliation j and is rea* 
 dy to make ufe of any powerful Mediator, in order 
 to Reconciliation ; end defires ever after to pleafe, 
 and to offend no more *, and herein the Affections 
 are all mov'd according to the degrees of obligation. 
 Now in Scripture and Gofpel Repentance, the of- 
 fending 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentanci. 9 
 
 fending perfon, the {inner, hath to do with God, 
 the offended perfon, in and through • .nriftj and fo 
 bewails offence* and move, carncti) to Pardon, 
 and Reconciliation with Go i by the "led uion of 
 Chrift, and with Cjbrift for his own Names fal?e f 
 I bed. ?ch thee, O Lord i Tabe away 
 the Iniquity of thy Servant. Takeaway Mof. 14. 3. 
 ail Iniquities; Receive us graciy^fly. 
 
 And here aifo rifes an ingenuous forrow, (hame, 
 and confuiion., that we jjave offended a God fo 
 Good, fo Holy, fo Wife, fo Tender, and Compaf- 
 fjonatea Father, and dcfpisU fo gracious av.d oblig- 
 ing a Redeemer. David's Heart (mote him ; and he 
 jaid to the Lord, I have filmed in that 1 have done ; / 
 have done very foolifhly, 2 Sam. 24. 10. I was a* 
 fijamedy yea, even confounded. I [mote 
 on my thigh, becaufe I did bear the i^e- Jerem. 3 u 
 f roach -f my youth. We are afljamed, 19. 
 andblufh to li\t up our* Facet. They Ezra.9^. 
 fhall under a Iprit of Grace, and melt- 
 ing fenje of God, looh^ upon him whom Zach.12. 
 they have peirced, and mourn. It is 10. 
 meet to be [aid to God, If I have offend- Job.34.3i; 
 ed, I will do fo no more. Oh foolifh pe> Deuteron. 
 pie, and unmfe, do you ihus requite the 31,6. 
 Lord our God. This is a faithful f^ing 1 Tim, 1,15, 
 and worthy of all Acceptation, that J e- 
 fus Chrisl came into the World to favefmners t rfwhom 
 I am chief. The deep and duly ^feeding confede- 
 ration of God, and of Chrift, the infinite excel- 
 lency of their Nature, their fo great Benefactions 
 and loving kicdnefs towards us * and that God pro- 
 fefles, He is Grieved, Vexed, Provoked, prejjed with 
 our fins, as a Cart with /waves 5 wearied, made to 
 
 ferve > 
 
10 Of an Evangelical Repentance* 
 
 fervc'i that he cries out, as one that would move 
 companion ', Oh ! do not that abominable thing that 
 I hate, Thefe (o enkindle allche Aflfe&ionsof (hame, 
 forrow, gratitude, holy defire, zeal, revenge upon 
 our felves, that there is fuch a change wrought, as 
 is always found in true Repentance. 
 
 3. In Repentance in general, there is found, as 
 motives and pcrfwafives of it; felf- prefervation -, a 
 defire of happinefs, and an avoidance of, and fly- 
 ing from mifery ; Men, dearly, as we fay, Repent 
 it, when the folly of their own ways is feeninthe 
 bitter Fruits', the lofs of their Health, 
 Prov. 5. 1 1% lofs of Eitate, lofs of Friends, of Re- 
 putation, and of all Enjoyment -, and 
 c. I. 24. when they fee all manner of diftrefs, 
 Marc, 9. anguifh, and mifery,come upon them ; 
 43- &c. then they mourn at the laft, when they 
 
 fee allconfumed, and fay, How have we 
 hated Inftrttfiion , and defpfid Reproof ! Thus in 
 Scripture, and Evangelical Repentance , there is a 
 fear of Hell, and an Eternity of Mifery *, A cutting 
 eff the right hand, and Fo3t, a pulling out the right 
 Eye, when any of them are underftood in Repen- 
 tance, to have offended, and to continue to offend \ 
 under the fenfe *, It is better to enter into Life, blind, 
 halt, than having two Hands, Eyes, Feet: maimed jather 
 than to be caji into Hell whole ; where their Worm 
 dyeth not, and their Fire is not quenched. There is a 
 jeelgng Honour, Glory and immortality , By ingagtng 
 in Repentance into a patient continuance in well doing;, 
 on tbe other Mc tribulation, and anguifb> indignation, 
 find .wrath, vehemently Agitate the Spirit, and 
 'Thoughts, againft a continued courfe of doirg evil. 
 What j}: all ir[rofit a Man if be gain the whole World, 
 
 a::d 
 
Of an Evangelical K epcritance* 1 1 
 
 and loofe his own Soul i or what frail a man give in ex- 
 change for his Soul I J fay unto you, my ^reinds , fear 
 not than that Kill the Body, and have no msre that 
 they can do ; but I will forewarn you, whom you (l)all 
 fear , fear him, who after hath killed, hath power to 
 caftinto Hell, yea, I fay unto ym, fer.r him: Ob ! that 
 they were wife, that they under (hod this, that they 
 would coufder their latter era : / jay unto you, repent^ 
 elfeycu fhall HJ(ewijeperiJfj 5 who hath forewarned you 
 to fly from the wrath to come; God hath commanded 
 al! men every where to Repent ; becaufe he hath ap- 
 pointed a day , in which he will Judg the World : Re- 
 pentance unto Life : Repent x and turn your felves, that 
 Iniquity may not be your ruin; Repent, andbeConvcrted % 
 that your 1ms may be blotted out, when the times of Re- 
 frefl)ingf\)all come forth from the prefence of the Lord ; 
 Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Thus 
 Scripture having thefe two handles of the Soul, 
 Fear of Evil, and defire of happinefs, mightily 
 moves it to Repentance by them ; it holds theie 
 two great Globes, the World of Happinefs, and 
 the World of Mifery, both prefent, and to come ; 
 and fo with a Scepter fo Forent, it fways the Spirits 
 of Men 'j as the Divine Spirit, that dwells in it, plea- 
 fes. 
 
 I have thus far given the Nature of Repentance in 
 general, that it maybe the better underflood, whac 
 we are now to Difcourfe : I begin therefore with 
 the firft Head: that Repentance, which is fo Com- 
 municated to the very inward fenfe of mankind, 
 fprings from, and hath its whole place in the Re- 
 demption of Chrift. The Apoftle fpeaks of Efau, 
 sbat he fund no place for Repentance > there is a pro- 
 per 
 
i% • Of an Evangelical Repentance^ 
 
 per place for Repentance. And this, I fay, is the Re- 
 demption of Chrift, that hath laid the Bafts, the 
 Foundation of Repentance ; that hath fpread over 
 Human Nature, the notion and fenfe of Repentance, 
 And where it is truly wrought, the Spirit of Chrift 
 takes it from Chrift, and gives it to the Soul, and 
 It is accepted qplyin, and through Chrift. 
 
 It is therefore to be underftood, that there had 
 no Place been Found for Repentance, had it not 
 been for the undertaking of Chrift *, For Repen- 
 tance being a rational Aft, it muft have a Rational 
 Foundation, and Encouragement. If there were 
 then no Mercy, no Forgivenefs, no Salvation ; there 
 could be no Repentance but that of fruitlefs forrow, 
 Iiorror, and defpair: the Repentance of wailing and 
 Gnafhing the Teeth: that is, the Repentance that is in 
 Hell, a Repentance without being chang'd or made 
 better. Seeing then Salvation, Forgivenefs, Mercy 
 are all bound up in the Name of Chrift ; For they 
 are no where elfe 5 the Redemption of Chrift is the 
 only foundation of Repentance , fuch a Repentance 
 as hath in it a change from fin to Holinefs : David 
 gives us this great Inftru&ion, Pfal. 130. There is 
 forgivenefs with thee, that thou maifi be feared, that 
 thou maieft be feared with the Awes, with the Re- 
 verences of Repentance, there is Forgivenefs with 
 thee ; there had been no place for fuch Fear of thee, 
 if thou hadS been fo extreme to mar\what is done a- 
 mf, as that there had been no Forgvenefs with 
 thee. 
 
 And this isrnoft evident alfo in that Dodrinof 
 the Apoftle before mentioned, concerning the Re- 
 pentance in the cafe of Efau: When he had defpif 
 ed mdfold his Birth-right, anc| would after Inherit 
 
Of an Evangelical Kefentance. I£ 
 
 the Bkfling, he was Re)eUed, or Reprobated from it i 
 and he found no place of Repentance, tho he fought it, 
 that is, the blejjing carefully with Tear s' y Heb. 12.17, 
 He found no Place of Repentance, becau fe he was re- 
 jefled. Whether we underfland it of IfaacQs, or 
 of Efatfs Repentance, ic is much at one : If we un- 
 derhand it of Efaus Repentance, finding no place in 
 himfclf ; fo ic hath this fenfe; Thac Repentance 
 flies into Defpair, if it be not accepted, when we 
 tender it : Or if we underfland it of Ifaac not Re- 
 penting, when Efau wept to procure if, butftill 
 fixed the bleffing 00 Jacob, it is flill the fame thing 5 
 for if God did not pleafe to accept our Repentance, 
 or himfelf, to Repent in a fenfe worthy of him ; our 
 Repentance would be to no more purpofe, than Efaus 
 Tears , or than the weeping in Hell ; we fhould be 
 Re)efted, and Reprobated mour Repentance. 
 
 The Law, that fays, curfed is every one that hath 
 not continnedin all things, to do them, Gal. 3. and Dj 
 this in the firfl A&, and Live,Ieaves no room for Re~ 
 pentancefcut the bringing in a better hope even pardon 
 of Sin, Attonement,and Recottciliarion in the Blocd 
 of Chrift, does, by this we draw nigh 
 to God in Repentance, and are not, Re- Heb. 7. 'ill 
 jefled but Accepted. 
 
 Here then there is Rational Fonndation, and 
 Encouragement for Repentance; becaufe it fhall not 
 be thrown upon, and into Defpair ; there is Hope 
 concerning this thing in the Gq/prfj. lee us therefore 
 by Repentance prefs home, and return ro God in 
 Chrift. 
 
 2. Again, Repentance is the gift of God, a Grace 
 given by him j If God, peradventur*> will give Re- 
 pentance, and, then hath God granted unto thiGentiles 
 
 Re* 
 
14 Of m Evangelical Repentance* 
 
 Repentance unto Life ; Chrift is a Prince 
 zTim,2.2$. and Saviour raifed up by God to give 
 4&3 5.31. Repent ance ) and Remifjion of Sins. So 
 Repentance is a Gift or a Grace j ft 
 cannot be Educed, it cannot be drawn out by anv 
 Powers of Narure \ It is not of Man, or of the Will 
 cf Man, R is not of Bloods : It is not by Derivation, 
 or Dcfcent from Adam; It does not run in the Chan- 
 nel of Human Blood. God therefore does not give 
 fuch Grace in Vain \ but when he hath fettled a 
 Fund of Pardon, Reconcilement, and Salvition: 
 He firft fettled that ; elfc Repentance had been in 
 Vain, as the Eye would have been, if God had not 
 firft made Light ; Light is alone in Chrift : He dots 
 not .give Grace that. /hall be to no purpofe, he gives 
 no man the Repentance he will hot Accep: and Par- 
 don upon : Tie does not expofe Ins own Grace to 
 Damnation, or to ^he Fiames of Hell ; fior does he 
 give any Grace, but in the Mediator ,fn die Redeem- 
 er : So the /Redemption of Chrift muft needs be 
 the Foundation of Repent? ice ; there had never 
 been elfe the Motion the poffibility of Repentance ; 
 there had never been the found, or report of ir 
 heard in the World. 
 
 This then being the-Foundation, Jet us take the 
 true-degrees of the ftate of Repentance in two Fa? 
 fnims % 
 
 Po/rf. i; God hath written in the yefy Heart of 
 Man the excellency of this Grace, and Duty of Re- 
 pentance ; that it is not far from him, 
 Rom. 10. that he fhoMgo up into Heaven, or 
 down into the S>#£ or bzyond the Sea 
 fir it 5 It kin his Heart: So the Knowledg of it is 
 
 very 
 
Vf an evangelical heptntaxce* t$ 
 
 very near him: God hath alfo put aTefldernefK 
 towards it, a Flexiblcnefs , he hath made the Sau! 
 of Man, the Confcieoce, and AftecYions plyable to 
 it : And this, we fhall fee, is from the Mediator* 
 
 I confefs, this may feem hard to be undefftbtfd ; 
 Teeing Repentance is fitted and prepared foi" 4 fin- 
 Ful fallen Creature : Now in that man wasatfirft 
 Created upright, and perfect, and good ; attd what 
 vras mitten in mans Hearty w*s written ttere it* 
 his Creation ; what place could there be for Re- 
 pentance ? Adam was fo righteous a perfon he could 
 need no Repentance, why then fhould refentance . be 
 watt etiin his Heart ? 
 
 And yet norwitManditfg , we find by *Kpefi*» 
 ence, and univerfal Obfervation , It is a m$&h 
 very intimate to every mans Sou!, and even in- 
 dear'd to his Thoughts: Every man feemstobfc 
 glad, ttiefe is fuch a notion, fuch an Idfea in his 
 Soul ; and they that hear of it, and know it from 
 Scripture, acknowledg immediately tfte goddnefs 
 and reafbftablenefs of it, and rejbyce in it: And 
 thoa man do not fall down right upon the 'fcfcr&ife 
 of it, yet lie is pteaTed ! wirhthe promife to ifth- 
 felf, he .will at fome time repent, and reforra,anti 
 grow better 5 and there is proportionally a general 
 Faith, Repentance will be accepted, atattfte relent- 
 ing Offender Pardoned. If men are told, they muft 
 of neceffity change, repent and reform from their 
 finful courfes : If they are perfwaded to beeothe o« 
 thefrfieti, they are not fo apt to be 
 Angry, but rather fay, They will take Afis 24.35. 
 a convenient time jor it ; tho Temptati- 
 on carry them away, yet they heartily 'Embrace 
 'the -thing it felf, as to the aftnt, *nd Tttbmfffion, 
 
 and 
 
10 uj an jbvangeiicai txcfentancc: 
 
 and acknowledgment, chat nought to be fo. Men 
 are convinc'd, that while they defer to enter inco 
 the Pra&ife, that yet they ought to repent. 
 
 This I aiTert is through the Grace of the Redeem- 
 er 5 X would therefore endeavour to find our, how 
 this notion of repentance conies to be fo very inti- 
 mate and connatural to mans Soul j and with fuch a 
 Engraven, Engrafted Hope, and belief of Pardon 
 upon it ? How it comes to pafs, that the demands 
 of Natural Confcience do fo wonderfully lead to 
 Repentance^ and are like thofe of Natural juftice, 
 and common Honeftyj of Sober nefs, sndiTemper- 
 ance~of Trut^ Mercy, and Ccmpuffion, or what- 
 ever is accepted in the World as morally good and 
 excellent ; and even as the deep impreffions of 
 natural Religion, feifeof God, and obedience to 
 him ? All thefe give an honour to Repentance, 
 exert and urge the Soijl to it. By the fame fenti- 
 raents of Soul, we allow the one, we allow the other 
 alfo: If the remains of natural Confcience call a 
 man out to the one, they fummon him to the other 
 alfo .• And yet all this, I affirm, is from the Grace of 
 the Redeemer. And this I would make out by two 
 things. 
 
 I. The Lord Jefus Chrift, the one Mediator, be- 
 tween the one God, aH man \ who is 
 I Tim. 2.$. the Light thtf Lt&ltct eii/y Manthat 
 John i > p. cemmeth into the rr/ orld y h^th natural 
 Heb. i. 3. Confcience nderhis ha id, and uphold- 
 eth all things, even as Redeemer, by 
 the nor A of his Power: He then bears up that Law of 
 Hoiinefs, engraven on mans Heart in Creation ; he 
 holds up that rational Moral I'umc \ he keeps that 
 
 Light, 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 17 
 
 Light, that Candle or Taper of God in mans Spirit* 
 that it may not be a Lamp put out in obfcure Darknefs ; 
 Through him therefore, there are remains of that 
 excellent Image, wherein Man was firft Created , 
 even in that Knowledge Right eoufne ftj and true Ho/i- 
 nefs ; fo that Man does not fink, either inro thac 
 blacknefs of darknefs, an utter Ignorance of God, 
 and infenfiblenefs of him; or into an extreme ha- 
 tred, and enmity to God, and all Goodnefs , as 
 damned Spirits do: Here is the great Efficacy of 
 the Mediator, that he fhoresup, and ftaies this Law 
 of Original Goodnefs and Holinejs in Mans Heart % 
 that it does not Aide utrerly away, nor fink. 
 
 2. Through the Redeemer, there is yet fo graci- 
 ous an Adminiftration of the Government of the 
 World ; the Vengeance of God, his juft Indignati- 
 on and Fury againft a finful World, and againft 
 particular Sinners, is retrained ', God Refrains him- 
 felf in, and through Chrift ; and does not fpeedily 
 execute Judgment : He Exercifes an ad- 
 mirable Patience and long Suffering, and Jere. 9.24, 
 loving Ktndnefs in the Earth. The 
 Earth is full of his Goodnefs in rhe midft of much Pro- 
 vocation ; It is of his tender Mercy , 
 weare not Confumed, and becaufe hi* K a I J lcn ** * 2 * 
 Companions fail not. I am the Lord, J WJIiac • ? # 6# 
 change not \ therefore you the Children of Men <Lrk 
 not Confumed: t\ie Lord is gracious, 
 merciful, longfujfering, flow to rcrath, Exod.34.tf. 
 and of great mercy \ And all this is 
 very Vifible, exeiy Man may fee it, Job 2,5.2 $• 
 Man may behold it afar off. The Hea- 
 ven and the Earth, the Sun and the Moon, and the 
 Stars Proclaim it > every motion of Nature wichia 
 C and 
 
i& Of an Evangelical Repentance] 
 
 PfaJ. 135. and without us, tell us, that hk mercy 
 endurethfor ever. 
 Now thcfc two bid together, explain ro us how 
 Repentance is through the Grace of the Mediator, 
 written : even as all natural Religion, and Morality 
 in the very Heart of Man, and difcernable by that 
 Light : For when the firft Commands and Emoti- 
 ons of Natural Conference are to do the things that 
 are Holy, and Righteous, and Good j and wc find, 
 that tho we have violated and perverted the thing 
 t)m is rioht ; yet we retain a love to thofe Laws of 
 Eternal Right eoufne ft and Goocfneft; we have not loft 
 all fenfe of them , of defire of hkenefs to, and a- 
 greement with them $ thus we find a forrow in and 
 trouble within us, that we have offended ; and that 
 the wrath and juftice of the fupreme Ruler , and 
 Governor, and Judgof all the World is not fo fud- 
 den and immediate in his Revenges upon us $ but 
 that we have fpace and time for return to God, and 
 to Holinefs : There is by the very fame Authority 
 of natural Confcience, that requifd Holinefs in our 
 firft Acts, and thereby to pleafe God : a clofe obli- 
 gation to return to him by Repencance, and to a- 
 mend what we have done of evil againft him, and 
 to befeech Pardon and Reconciliation with offended 
 juftice : Afow when on the other fide, the Patience 
 \nd long- fiffemig of' God gives encouragement, and 
 even A durance, he will accept Repentance by his 
 giving fcope, fpace and opportunity for it : Here is 
 great ground for Repentance: For the Soul and Mind 
 if Man finding (till in it fdfthat Primitive Love to, 
 reverential fenfe of Righteoufnefs, and that it cannot 
 bid defiance to it, as loft Spirits do ; there imme- 
 diately rifes in it an earned endeavour to Self re- 
 
 flim- 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. ig 
 
 fiitution, to refiore, and recover ones felf by Repen* 
 tance, thus that Light given to a Man in his firft 
 Creation, and the (late of Tnnocency ('"the grace of 
 Chrift fuftaining it by an Ur.iverfal Grace to human 
 nature J does not Joofe it felf by fin; but as ir points 
 and directs it felf, firft to H linefs without finning 
 or falling from it ; fo it now points and direfts it felf 
 to Repentance , when it hath fallen by Iniquity 5 
 and, as firft, it mooves it felf to the Favour of God 
 by not offending, or finning againft him •, fo after- 
 iin finding him not presently executing wrath, 
 and taking vengeance , it befeeches 
 him to Receive it Grackufly % and to Hofea 14. 1. 
 talte way its Iniquities, tlu'.L may See, 
 not Die : For that God is a moft 
 good, and gracious, and merciful Being in himfelf 
 is a clear principle in the Law of Natural Religion ; 
 even where ever God hath not awaketvd that Na- 
 tural Confidence, to find it If in the Chains of 
 everlafiing Difpleafure, as the Devils and Damned 
 are j againft whom he bath in Anger ffjut up for 
 ever his Tender Mercies', when therefore a man finds, 
 notwithstanding the fo great degeneracy, and bold- 
 nefs in fin, thac every where Testify to our very 
 Faces, and that we fo well know , yet that God 
 leaves not himfelf without fo great 
 Witnefsot his goodnefs, giving fruit- Ads 14. £* 
 ful Times and feafms ; {Ming mens 
 Hearts with Food and Gladnefr, and that in Rela- 
 tion to himfelf in particular, he hacb fpared, and 
 fori orn, it draws out Natural Cmcience to rerurn 
 to him by Repentance ; For the tubes of Goodnefs, 
 the long Suffering and forbear mce of God lead to 
 Repentance, Rom. 2. 4. 
 
 C z Thus 
 
^0 Of -M Etfimgtlkd Rtfenun'ce] 
 
 "fhtfs the King vf Niwveh by Natural Light re£* 
 Yotfd, even when God had pofitively declared, 
 Ta forty Days, and Ninevfch {hall bedefireyed: Sure- 
 ly in iliac there are forty Days allowed, they are 
 -rzfiowed as a (Quarantine, as a time of Trial and 
 Probation whether t\\cy would ^ptenr, or not; 
 ■die whyrrotprcfemly Destroyed ? Why forty Day* 
 delay, if there were not Hope of Pardon in fuch 
 ■a -Repentance j fo they humbled themselves in that 
 extraordinary manner, and turned to God by ffc- 
 pevtta*.ice $ and God {aw it and Repented of the evH f 
 the bad {aid, he would d$ wnto them> and he did it 
 *wr, Jonah 3. $. Ifcc. 
 
 H)w much more have the generality of Man- 
 kind, 2gainft whom no fuch pofitive Denounci- 
 ation hath gone forth from God, and to whom 
 the time of Patience rs not fo limitted and de- 
 ia'd : How great reafon have they to look upon 
 the time of Gori^s forbearance, as a mod gracious 
 Call, and Opportunity and fpace for Repentance* 
 
 Thus we fee Repentance, in fome light and ibnfe 
 concerning it , runs through the whole World, 
 fb that the very Heathen, who have not had, nor 
 fo much as heard, many of them of Scripture, yet 
 have great fenfe of fome vray of expiating fin, and 
 turning from evil 3 and the very feeing, God hath 
 made Repentance and Forgivenefs a moft neceffary 
 and ufeful expedient of mutual Conversion of 
 Men one with another; without which Human So- 
 dety could not fupport it felf ; ic (hews very plainly 
 there is a Mediator between God and Man, a Re- 
 derner of loft Man, that hath for the great pur- 
 pofesof his Redemption inlay'd the Saai of Man 
 $ith the intimate and inward notices of Repen- 
 tance 
 
Of art EvangelicdReptntatzr* 21 
 tance*,and that men (hew the wor\ of it written inthep 
 Hearts, and that their Confidences accordingly, either 
 Accufe, or Excufe > to allude to /ty/w» cv 2. 14, &<U. 
 and hath given/ affurance from Providence, and the 
 manner of God's Government of the World v That 
 Repentance fliall be accepted > and therefore hath 
 given the feme motions of Natural Confcience to 
 Repentance, when a man hath finned, as taHolmeS 
 and Righteoufnefs before fin > and hath manifested! 
 them, both alike) within man y and hadifhewedt 
 to them ; and by the vifible things of Human Pre- 
 fervatton hath made clearly Jejtown the eternal Goed^ 
 nefs and Mercy y that pardons fin through the Re* 
 deemer> to allude again to -J^m* *. 20* 
 
 Thus we read in the Book of Job r a Book treat- 
 ing much of Natural Religion»afliftedl>y fuch mca~ 
 fures of Divine Revelation concerning Cbrift> as 
 God had vouchfafed to. /j&and to his Fmends^ 
 veiy high expreflions on this great point, c* 33* 27* 
 God loofah upon man, and if any fay, I have fumed* 
 and perverted, that which is right, and it. profited me 
 not \ he will deliver his. Scul from going down. yito> 
 the fit, for he will fay, I have found & ranfpmfor 
 bim, and his life Jhall fee the Light x A man, a&y of 
 mankind have >uft reafon to fay thus, have gpeac 
 occafion to &y fo j / have finned, and perverted 
 that which is tight, and do .find* it hath, not Profit- 
 ed* It is very near to any man to fay Co y and if 
 this take place in them > and they do from their 
 Hearts fay fo, and ratify it by Action ; Godloo^s- 
 Apori them, he beholds them with Acceptance^ D^U 
 vers, through the great Ranfom^ Jefxs {ChriS^ <&c. Ir 
 is repentance to Salvation; fo c. 34, : jf| 32, ferity 
 it h mm to be fmi to God, I haxt bomchaflife*. 
 € 5 siftt! 
 
22 Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 ment *, / xvill not offend any more ; That which I fee 
 not, teach thou me\ If I have done Iniquity , I mil do 
 tm more . Even according to the fenfe of Natural 
 Religion, and natural Cnnfcicnce, It is meet to be 
 jo fatdto God ; All this is meet to be done. This 
 is even the Drfctpline of Natural Conference, as God 
 is faid to open the Ear to Difciphne, and to fed In- 
 flruflim^c. 33, 16. c. g5. 10. 
 
 This is that earneft morion of Natural Conference ; 
 to take faft hold of Repentanee, to return all it can, 
 after it hath loft its Inocency, Purity and i:erfe£tion s 
 of Rlghteoufnefsand Obedience*, even as it fhould 
 have mov'd, firft powerfully and efFe&ually againfi: 
 fin, and to good : and the fame motion of Natural 
 Cor,fcience 9 that is to the one, is to the other alfo ; 
 when it is ftirrM up by further G*ace from the Spi- 
 rit of Gcd ; and there are generally fuch motions 
 as argue this work in the Heart, when the Confer- 
 ence is not deprivV! of fenfe, Feeling, Vigor, not 
 twice Dead, puli'd up by the roots, delivered up to a 
 reprobate ferfe ; and when God hath given Co 
 treat, and gracious Auflrance, that Repentance 
 mall find Place "for it felf*, That this ftate is not 
 Ddl, either in regard of the height of Wicked- 
 rYefs or unpardorjablenefs ; it is an eafy and very 
 le Declination of Confcience from the 
 fyttth, thr higheft point of Tnnocency to the 
 next point, Repentance: which by the righteouf- 
 nefs and obedience of the Redeemer (hall tranfeend 
 the very firft heighth ; But that indeed is known 
 by Revelation, and not by Natural Light: But take 
 Repentance, as it is the neceffary referve after fm, 
 and tha G d hath provided it a Place j fo it is near > 
 and even m^x to Natural Conference* 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance] 23 
 
 Toft. 2. The fecond poficion I lay down con- 
 cerning Repentance, and that gives the trueft de- 
 gree of its Elevation through the Redeemer, is i 
 That the word of God in the Old and New Tcfla- 
 ment gives the cleareft and fulleft knowledg of 
 Repentance, and of the Divine Spring of it j the 
 grace of God in Chrift, and the blefled operation 
 of the Holy Spirit through his Redemption ; Re- 
 pentance therefore is found to be one of the prin- 
 cipal Doctrines of Scripture, whein it is conveyed 
 unto us under all the variety , and complex of 
 Notions, that can exprefs fo great a point to us, viz, 
 remembring^beth'mking, turnings converting, renewing^ 
 amending, feaiching and Trying our way spurning to the 
 Lord, bringing forth fruits meet for Repentance* The 
 Revelation of the word of God beyond all expref- 
 fion excells Natural Knowledg concerning it: It 
 opens to us the great Frince, the Redeemer and Me' 
 diator, who gives it a place, a poflibility ; he is 
 the Prince, whom God hath raifed up 
 to make this fupreme Donation, Ye- Aftsc.$.3$« 
 pentance, and forgiveness of Sins, and c. 3. 26. 
 blefles in turning us away from every 
 one of our Iniquities : Scripture opens to us that great 
 and blefled Spring, and efficient of it, x^.the true 
 grace of God} and the blefled Spirit is the effici- 
 ent of if, It Jays before us the great motives of ir, 
 the fenfe of the favor and goodnefs 
 of God who will have mercy, and a- Efa. $$♦ 7, 
 bundantly Vardon ; fcal'd to us by fo Heb, c. 1 2. 
 great an Attornment, as the Blood of 24. v. 29, 
 J ejus [peaking better things than the 
 Mood of Abel ; and on the other fide, a dread of 
 him, whv ii a con faming fire ; the living Gd> into 
 C 4 
 
54 Of an Evangelical Refentance. 
 
 whofe hands in his wrath and difpleafure , It is a 
 dreadful thing to fall', the wrath that 
 iThef.i. 10 it to come, and ever to come; it 
 gives us all the qualifications of it, 
 Repentance with the whole Heart, turning from all 
 our evil ways y and all the evil in our evil ways •, it 
 moves us with all manner of Applications, that 
 may ftir us up to it ; commands, exhortariors, 
 counfek, Threats ; it never leaves 
 Ezek. 18,30 fpeaking, and crying out to us, Re- 
 pent -, it fays to us, Repent, and turn 
 Matt.4. 1 7. your felves ; fo Iniquity (hall not be your 
 Ruin: It preaches, Repent, for the 
 Ezek.18.3c Kingdom of Heaven is at hand \ ic 
 even weeps over us, that we would 
 Luke 19.42. doit ; Turnyou, turn you, for why will 
 ye Die ? It weeps, when we have not 
 known,ft/^» we 9 in our day the things of our peace ; It 
 offers it as the only remedy againft Eternal Mife- 
 ry ', Repentance is advifed exprefly to five of the 
 [even Churches, Revel, c. 2. c. 3. to (hew the univer- 
 fality and neceflity of its ufe : It js one of the great 
 principles of the Dotfrine of Chritt, Heb. 6. 1. 
 and thus Repentance is the moft Native, Domeftick 
 Docttin of the Word of God, and of theGofpelof 
 Jefus ChriS } fo that what is found in the Light of 
 Nature, ferves to thefelower purpofes only . 
 
 1. It ferves to the purpofe of Human Order, Go- 
 vernment, and prefervation of the World from 
 falling into a perfect Hell ; for were there not 
 fome fentiments of God, of his Mercy, and reacji- 
 hefs to forgive, tending to make men better -, 
 were there not a fenfe of the goodnefs of Righteouf- 
 aefs , Temperance , Mercy, and of all Virtue ; 
 
 not 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 'i$ 
 
 not only as what wefhould firft be, but alfo, what 
 we fhould endeavour to return to, when we have 
 Fallen ; were there not (uch a thing, as Vicious 
 Men being reftrain'd from running into utmoft ex- 
 cefs and extremity \ and as, being reclaimld, cor- 
 rected, reform 'd, moderated, and culrivated by- 
 precepts of Natural Religion, Wtfdorr, add Morali- 
 ty ; all which flow from, and are fptcimensof the 
 Scripture Doclrin and grace of Repentance ; the 
 World would be a ftye of fenfualifls and im- 
 pure CreaturcSjWallowing in bruitifh,and worfethan 
 Swinifh Lufts '. And did not this Notion fwceten 
 men cne to another, the World would be a Defer t 
 or Wildernefs of Savage, and Wild Beafls, rear- 
 ing in peices one another ; and both wa\s a Hell of 
 a World. 
 
 2. Hereby God will juftify himfelf in the con- 
 demnation of the Pagan World', that they have not 
 only the Law Written in their Hearts, but fo much 
 of the Gofpel alfo, as this great notion of Repen- 
 tance Teaches \ For when the Refpit of forty "Days 
 imported it to the King, and City of Nineveh,\\hy 
 fhould not that Patience, wherewirh God governs 
 even the Pagan World , Preach Repentance to it •? 
 Why fiiould they not be led to Repentance by the Wit- 
 nefs they have of God, and of his goodntfs in giv- 
 ing them* fruitful times andfeafons, and fil Imp. their 
 H rarts with food and gladnefs*, which he would not 
 leave himfelf without in his great Wifdom, and 
 Righteoufnefs, as well as Mercy and Grace ? How 
 does this riches of Goodnefs, Long- 
 {offering, and Forbearance, if not lead Rom, 2.5.4. 
 them tj Repentance^ juftify their Con- 
 demnation', who after their hardnefs andlmpemter: 
 
 -Hearts 
 
%6 Of an Evangelical Repentance* 
 
 Hearts Treafure up to themjelves wrath, again!} the 
 da) of wrath ? So that as Niniveh (hall rije up in 
 Judgment with thofe, who repented not at the Preach- 
 ing of Chrifl, the greater than Jonah; fo it fhal! 
 rife up in Judgment with other Heathen Nations, 
 Cities and People, who might by the fame propor- 
 tion have been argued to Repentance ', fo that tho 
 God hath in his fupreme Dominion and Juftice, 
 thought fit to deny them, what Ciirift fays, They 
 would have repented in Sackcloth and Afhes upon ; 
 yet even by the ftandard of Nineveh's Repentance, 
 theyV not Repenting by that Light they have, will 
 be Condemned at the manifeflation of that righteous 
 Judgment of Gd the Apoftle fpeaks of in that fore- 
 nam^Rom. 2. 
 
 5. The great Goodnefs of God, in Chrift, giving 
 the Notion of Repentance into the Heart of Man ; 
 (feeing the Original of whatever is worthy, or Ex- 
 cellent in Matty is but a tranfcripty or Copy taken 
 from ihe fjp:eme Excellency and G)odnefs ) 
 hath thereby dlfpos'd the Hem of M n to a 
 I(zadinefs to forgive ^ one man to forgive amther, and 
 thereby to be engaged to an Acknowledgment of Of 
 fences one againJ: ano:her: todefire Pardon^md 
 to offend no more: Wherein much of the Peace 
 and Happinefs of Humane Nature, in this pvefent 
 . is fupported and preferv»d; And herein, and 
 by thefe very mutual Repentances toward, and For- 
 ces one of another, is there a greater Illuflrati- 
 oa of the Grace aad Goodnefs of God, in Fardon 
 and Forgivenefs upon Repentance^ and thereby an 
 Invitation, Encouragement, and hading to Repentance 
 towards God. For in that rhe Gofpel-Command, to 
 
 l$ve themy who having tvefpajfed againft ur> tho 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 27 
 
 [even times a day, turn again, and fa\, 1 repent: and 
 chat if we forgive not men their trefpajjl'*. neither 
 will our Heavenly Father forgive us : Our Lord 
 both appeals to the Senfe oj Mankind, and excites 
 and encourages unto Repentance toward God, in 
 hope of Korgivenefs ; as well ab to mutual Repent an- 
 ces, and Forgivenefs for the Perfce and Good of /Han- 
 Qnd\ to which our Lord had great Regard in all he 
 faid, and did. 
 
 4. The Natural Light God hath given concern- 
 ing Repentance, and the Scnfe in Man's Soul con- 
 cerning the Goodnefs and Reafonablenefs of that Grace 
 and Duty ; upon which the Redeemer hath pointed 
 the Law written in the Heart ', is as a Ground, and 
 Rude Draught, that the Knowledge of Repentance, by 
 the Word of God, and Divine Revelathn, ace m« 
 pliflies, and fills up ; and that the Spirit of God 
 plants his Supreme Operations upon ', even as San- 
 ttification is engrafted into that Senfe of Good and 
 Evil that is fonnd in the Soul of Man ; and thofe 
 Irritations, and Provokingsof Natural Confcience, 
 to do the Good, and fly from the Evil. 
 
 For thus JefusChrift hath, as our Creator and 
 Redeemer, our Preferver and Mediator in one, ta- 
 ken Care to feenre a Remnant, and Remainder, of 
 whatever was excellent in his firft Creation; thatie 
 may be taken hold of, and beapplied to in Redemp- 
 tion* 
 
 And thus \ have endeavoured to difcourfe the 
 
 Ground-voor^ and Foundation of this Grace, Duty and 
 Dottrine of Repentance; That it is all fetled in the 
 Grace and Mercy of God in the Redeemer, without 
 which it had been an utter Impoflibility , and there 
 
 had 
 
aS Of m Evangelical Repentance* 
 had been no more, nor any other Repentanoe,thm 
 what is ia HelL, I come therefore to the Second 
 i£ad a 
 
 Head 2. Here is plainly laid down to us the great- 
 Elaboratorj, or Inftritment God hath prepared in in- 
 feme Wifdom, and Grace, and in-laid the Soul with 
 in-order to Repentance*. Godly Sorrow, or Sorrow af 
 UT, and according to God, worketh down, or brings 
 into Effcd this Repentance : This God hath prepared 
 as a Natural Affection of it felf, and in its own Ge* 
 s&eraland Original Form, fit tofuch a purpofe ; and 
 
 then God fan&ifks k to rhis Great 
 &£ts 4. 12- Purpofe, to worl^ thk Repentance: t* 
 
 Salvation, not to be repented of It is - 
 am immediate Instrument in the Hand of God, to ope- 
 rate under his Spirit, to fo great an Effect: Qf diia 
 1 ffcali difcoufffe m Three Generals : 
 
 General 1. I begin therefore with a Defcription of 
 Sorrow, firft, as it is a Natural A&ftion, or Paffion 
 of the Humane Nature; and then as it is faja&ifted 
 by God , or as it becomes a Sorrow after God, and is 
 feted ta fo great an End and Purpofe; and as it 
 is fo,k is counterdiftinguifbM to worldly Sorrow, that 
 •motketfe Death. 
 
 General. 2. I will confider the excellent life and 
 Service of godly Swore, to fo great an End and Puj- 
 pofe, as the wiring Repentance to Salvation. 
 
 General 3* I will open the Wifdorra of God, and 
 $h£ Reafonabfeneft of his making ufe of Sorrow, actd 
 gktingu as after himfelf or according tohimfelf to fa 
 $?z& an End and Purpofe ; ani that according to 
 lbs very Reafyn and Nature of TjMiJi it could n^t 
 
Df an Evangelical Refentancel 29 
 
 be otherwife, but that gedly fomwmaft be fo made 
 yfe of above, and before any other Affeflion s and 
 thatit becomes him, by whom, and for whom aw ail 
 things fo to make ufe of it. 
 
 General r. For the Defcription of this Affetihn of 
 godly Sorrow : Firft, as it is a Natural Affe£lie*y or 
 Paffion of the Humane Nature ; and then as it is 
 fan&ified by <jod, or becomes Sorrow o ft er God >sm& 
 is -counter-diftinguifh'd to the forrow pf the World, 
 that werlgth Death. 
 
 Sorrow theft, as it is an AffeZlim, or Vajjion of the 
 Humane Nature, muft be confidered Two ways $ 
 and each of them muft be applied to the Sorrow 
 that worlds Hepentance^ or to Sorrow according to Go&j 
 and fo a different and oppofite Sorrow to the forrow 
 of ibis World. 
 
 i . Sorrow, that is a Humane PafTton, or Affedioo, 
 ntufl either begin in the Body, and fo paffeth from 
 the Soul,|and afcends up to the Spirit of a Man} or 
 it begins in the higher Region, the Spirit, and de- 
 fcends by the Soul iHto the Body, and makes \m* 
 preffiens fuitable to its own Nature there •, and the 
 Body is govern'd according to this A ffedion, and to 
 its Place, Eftimation, Power with, and Intereft is 
 the Spirit. 
 
 Now indeed all AffeBion^nd even F.t///(m,tofpeak 
 mod ftri&Iy and properly, is in the Spirit ; For it 
 is4ll one to matter, how it be ufed ; cr into what 
 Form it is made to pafs : or out of what, or in di£ 
 ^ira&ion from what Form it is fore'd to move • So 
 that AH we feel, by way of fuffering, or Enjoyment, 
 isbythe Spirit's having a Pleafing, or an Affii&iqg 
 Scofe of Things : But this I ware, as notfo irtceffa- 
 
30 Oj an Evaugelkal Repentance** 
 
 ry to the Praftical Difcourfeof Repentance I intend. 
 It is plain and certain, the fenfe of fome things be- 
 gins in the Spirit ; vi^. thofe things which are pro- 
 per to the Narureof a Spirit, and which are (^pro- 
 per to a Spirit, whether it dwelt in a Body or not: 
 But yet when the Spirit isaffe&ed with them, be- 
 caufe it inhabits a Body, the Affe&ion of the Spirit, 
 even whether the Spirit will or not, works upon the 
 Matter and Frame of that Body ; and thereby the 
 Truth, and Reality of the Spirit's being aftcded, is 
 difcovered to it felf-, and it may alfo be thereby dif- 
 covered to others : On the other fide, there are Paf- 
 fions, or AfTe&ions, that the Spirit is affefted with,as 
 finding it felf mov'd and concerned ; as that Frame 
 of Body, wherein it dwells, is either more or lefs fit- 
 ed for its Enjoyment of it felf in that Body; or put, 
 quite out of Order ; or is in pain, and afflicted fo, 
 as to afflift 'he Spirit : And both, and each of thefe 
 is in fome D-gree tev\ctib\e to godly forrow, though 
 the hrft is the Chief and Principal in godly }or~ 
 row. 
 
 i. The Spirit of Man afte&ed with the confidera- 
 tion of fin, as it hath all the Reafons §f for row in it, as 
 it is a foul, and impure, and (liameful thing ; and 
 as it is an Offence agaimi the Holy, and only Wife 
 and gracious Majefty of God s and as it brings 
 Wrath, and Ruine, and Condemnation upon it 5 
 contemplates, confiders, and weighs thofe Reafons* 
 and therebv finds it felf affedied with forrow and af- 
 flillttm, as if it were after the manner of a broken 
 Bone 9 or brut fed Flefh : Thus we read of a broken and 
 antrite Spirit'-, and of thofe who are bruifed in Spi- 
 rit, and grieved in Spirit; and of a wounded and a 
 troubled Spirit j and of a forrowful Spirit : And this 
 
 when 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 3 1 
 
 when it eyes God, as a Father in Chrift, Gracious, 
 and Good, and ready ro be Reconciled, and to for- 
 give, is a true godly Sorrow, or a Sorrow after God: 
 For it is in the True Region of godly forrow, theSpi- 
 ric ; and it hath the Right Stnfe and Affeftion, even 
 fuch an apprehenfion of God: And fuch a Sorrow the 
 Spirit communicates to the Body in which it dwells, 
 fo as to make the Appearance of it Solemn, Hum* 
 ble, and Lowly : It denies it thofe Ornaments or 
 Refreftments, that it feJf at other Times defires for 
 it ; it bridles, and curbs if* own appetites and dejares 
 of pleafure and faxisfntlion in it ; it humbles ic by 
 Fafjing, it lays it in the Duft, it keeps it waking, ic 
 difiblves it into Tears j and if it be very great, as 
 fome times, it dries up the Benign Juices of it y and 
 it carries ^11 the Marks of the Spirit foafttded. And 
 becaufe thefe arife from a forrow within, after God, 
 God is pleafed with them, and accepts them 9 asfgns 
 of fuch forrow, and calls for them. 
 
 2. The Sic^neffes, or Wants, or Pains, or Notes of 
 Difgrace, that the Wife, and Holy Providence of 
 God fends fometimes upon the Body, that make ic 
 an uneafie, or a di (honour able Habitation of the Spirit: 
 Thefe the Spirit takes Notice of with troublesome and 
 unquiet thoughts j the thoughts being in a Motion^ a 
 Conflict, and Agony, if by the Grace of God, diey 
 are guided to fearch the Caufes of thefe Strops on the 
 Body \ and finds them to be an offended Juslice^ afro* 
 voiced and difpleafed Holinefs, upon the account of 
 Sin and Iniquity ; and that it apprehends Thefe are 
 but the Beginnings of Sorrows ; and that they are 
 Indications and Fore- bodes of Wrath to come 9 aod of 
 further Judgments from Heaven, even at the prelent, 
 upon both Body and Spirit, if there be not that courfe 
 
 taken 
 
ji vj an tLvangeiicaL Repentance; 
 
 taken, of feekjng Pardon and Reconcilement in Chrifl, 
 and turning from Iniquity : Thcfe thoughts fanftified, 
 and conduced by God upon himfelf thus, upon the oc- 
 cafion of outward affliction, become that forrow after 
 God, of which the Apoftlefpeaks, and often works 
 that Repentance to falvation, never to be Repented 
 of. 
 
 Thus Scripture very often (peaks of Outward Af- 
 flictions, made ferviceable to Converfion^ to returns to 
 God: Famine, and Peftilence, and War, and Capti- 
 vity in the Land of Enemies, are Reprefented in the 
 Prayer of Solomon, as great Motives, and even procu- 
 ring, and exciting Caufes of Humiliation , Bethinking 
 our felves, turning to the Lord, Tbe Afflictions of 
 Men are often fpoken of by God, and ufed as Argu- 
 ments to fuch Refentments as call to Selfjudging, 
 3nd fo to reforming : Even often not only in the Old 
 but in the New Testament : We are Chatterid of the 
 Lord, that we might not be condemned with the World j 
 Affliction yieldeth the peaceable Fruit of Righteoufnefs 
 rothem, who are exercifed thereby y i Cor. u. 31; 
 Hcb. 12. 11. 
 
 Both thefe Operations of godly forrow, feem to 
 be Reprefented with a great Ele- 
 
 V. 14. gancv, and Holy Eloquence, Job 33. 
 the firft , when this Sorrow begins 
 in the Spirit of a Man, and Thoughts arifing therein. 
 God fpeaks once, and twice ; in a Dream, in a V't- 
 fion of the Night ; He opens the Ears of Men, and 
 fealeth their Uflrutfion •, That he may withdraw Man 
 from hkpurpofe, and hide Vride from \Aan : He brings 
 him to fuch Humiliation, as keeps him from going on 
 in his former purpose. 
 
 Again 
 
uj an tLvangeatai i\ef>eniance+ 3$ 
 
 Again when for row begins in the Body, v. 19. 
 He, a man, any man upon whom the methods of 
 God for Repentance are fo laid ; is chaflen'd with 
 ■pain upon his Bed, ana the multitude of his Bones mth 
 ftrong Pain ; fo that hit Life abhorreth Breads and hk 
 Soul dainty meat -, hk Fleflj is confumed away, that it 
 cannot be feen t and hk bones that were notjeenfticl^ out ; 
 yea hk Soul draweth near unto the Grave, and hk 
 Life to the Deftroyers'} if there be a MeJJenger with 
 him, an Interpreter one among athoufandytofhew to 
 man hk uprightnefs, then he k gracious unto him, and 
 faith, d eliver him from going down to the Pit j I have 
 found a Ranfom 5 hk Flefl) (halt be frefier than a 
 Cbilds; He (hall pray unto Gtd, and he will be fa- 
 vourable unto him j and hefliallfee hk Face with Joy 9 
 he will Render unto man hk Righteoufrejs. 
 
 Aud now thk forrow, thus after God, fan&ified 
 thus, to have Refpeft to God, and carried out after 
 him, is Counter diftinguiflffd ; it is mod different 
 from the forrow of the Wtrld, that worfceth Death. 
 The forrow, that hath no higher fpring, than this 
 World, workj Death ; that is, however the Mind, 
 or the Body be Aftefted j when it does not mount 
 up to a confideration of Gxl, offended for fin y 
 when it does not feek pardon of him, and Recon- 
 ciliation to him in Chrift j when it only pores upon 
 the things of this World, and agitates it felf about 
 them ; it runs down into the dead Sea of Sorrow, 
 that weeping, and wailing , and gnaffring of Teeth 
 tha: is in Hell, It is an Idolatrous Sorrow , arifing 
 from an Heart deeply fet on this World, and glew- 
 cd to it ; and fo goes down into the Vault and Pit 
 of eternal Sorrow : It tends to the Death of the 
 Body 3 it brings down the Head u the Grave : Tc 
 D tends 
 
3 s- Uf an Evangelical Repentance, 
 
 tends to wear, and grind bodily Nature to the 
 Drift *, every fuch forrow not after God, that hath 
 tio rin&ure from him on it ; IF it be not Antidoted 
 by forrow after God, and by Repentance to Salvati- 
 on, It tends to eternal Death , and is the Inlet un- 
 to it ; For it is certain, all forrow here, that comes 
 from Heaven, afcends up to Heaven, as Water af- 
 cends as high as its Spring; But that which is of a 
 terrene, earthly Nature, fmks down to the Center, 
 which is the neathermoft Hell. 
 
 I come now to the fecond Hea:I, to (hew the ex- 
 cellent ufe and fervice,forrow after God,yei Ids in this 
 wife, and holy preparation of it by God to that Re- 
 pentance to falvation, not to be Repented of. 
 
 i, In that, fo great, and principal an Affection of 
 the Soul is given up to God ; It hath an ufe, and a 
 fervice to fleer the Soul to God ; For rhe Affecti- 
 ons are, as the Rudder of the Soul, as the Helm 
 of it, guided by the judgment, as by a Pilot : And 
 thefe affections are all in a Linck, and in a chain: 
 If any one of the principal Affections are mov'd , 
 that mighty Yeffel of the whole Soul isturn'd this 
 way, or that way by a very fmall thing, as it may 
 feem; even by one Affe&ion, becaufe all are joyn'd 
 and united with it; F:>r where Sorrow goes, Love 
 goes, becaufe forrow is for the wantof fome good, 
 the Souls defires ; If then forrow be after God, 
 and for Holinefs ; It aflures, the Soul hath a fpring- 
 ing Love for God and Holinefs, and in thediftance 
 it apprehends it felf from thefe, itlaments. Where 
 forrow goes, there hatred alfo goes : For forrow 
 arifes from fome evil that the Soul hates and abhors, 
 
 that ! 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 35 
 
 that prefks in upon it : In forrow after God, fin, 
 and the wrath, and difpleafure of God, is, what 
 the Soul hates ; and it finding thefe near, and 
 clofing upon it, if forrows and laments that they may 
 be caji out and removed. And how do thefe, the 
 Love of God, and hatred of fin rvorl^to Repentance ? 
 And thus alfo it might be fhewn, How Fear 9 Hope, 
 Joy, Delight move as forrow moves. The Apoftle 
 knowing with what a ftrength, and force, and pre- 
 fence the Affe&ions move, writes to the Coloflians % 
 c. 2, To fet their Affeftions on things above : For if 
 the Affections are fo fet, the Spirit and Soul will 
 be fo fet, and therefore the whole man will be fo ftn. 
 O i the contrary, the forrow of the If or Id carries the 
 ftrength of the Soul, the Affections on the World; 
 which not able to fuflain and bear up an Immortal 
 Spirit, it often deftroysthe Body by Violence -, and 
 leaves the Soul to fink alfo , the Spirit to fall 
 down from God, which is the Death of it. 
 
 2. The Affedion of forrow, is the Affection that 
 is mod properly converfant about fin, and the con- 
 (equences of it ; the wrath, and difpleafure of God, 
 the curfe, and evil. Now then, as fin is a depar- 
 ture from God the fountain of Life, and happinefs, 
 the fupreme good, and fo ufhers in, and introduces 
 all unhappinefs : fo forrow that is after Cfod, begins 
 in the apprehenfion of God, and of his Law j and 
 fo defcendson all the evil confequential, or follow- 
 ing on the lofs of God : But the forrow of the World, 
 not beginning with God, fetters it felf with the 
 Evils which prefs upon k, with relation to the pre- 
 sent World*, which can never be well removed with- 
 out removing the principal caufe, fin, and the dif- 
 D 2 pleafure 
 
36 Of an Evangelical Repentance ; 
 
 difpleafureof God fork: But to this thcjorrow ofthk 
 World hath no regard, and fo is never cured, but 
 becomes of a peice with the forrows of the fecond 
 Death : For fo all forrow here not Healed by the 
 repentance to Salvatim, mt to be repented of, (which 
 Heals the forrow after God) becomes one with the 
 forrows of Hell, and everlasting wailing : Bv god- 
 ly forrow therefore , forrow is made to be its own 
 Death, and Plagues. For wording repentance to Sal- 
 vation, never to be repented of] when it is forrow cjter 
 God, it U the Dejlruttion of all forrow. For it can 
 be no longer , but, as Scripture fpcaks, forrow and 
 ftghing fhall fee away, and there (hall be no more jor- 
 row. As it came in by fin, fo by fin Repented of, 
 and Pardoned, it for ever ceafes, and vanishes a- 
 way : So forrow is converfant about its proper ob- 
 ject, and caufe, and it hath the great efteci of re- 
 moving it felfi and of it felf loofing it felf in that Joy, 
 that follows upon the Salvation of that Repentance 
 it felf hath wrought} which mud needs make an 
 end of Sorrow, or Perfects it info it felf never to be 
 Repented of 
 
 3. T&fc ferviceablenefs of godly forrow to Repen- 
 tance, is, that this Aflfe&ion of all the Affections, 
 or Pafliotfs of the human Sou!, is that which makes 
 it wife, and confiderative j feeing Repentance then^ 
 that is to Salvation, is a molt Wife, and prudent 
 grace ; This Affection of forrow is mofl prepara- 
 tory, and contributary to it. The forrow after 
 God is no Ignorant, or unreafonable Paflion, or 
 Aftedionj caird Attrition ; no fuperftitious Pen- 
 nance, or ceremony of| Sorrow , not a mere foft- 
 nefs, and diflbiving into Tears ; not any defultory 
 Paffion, that falls into fome morning Dew, or as it 
 
 were 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 37 
 
 were, heat Drop ; but a deep inward trouble, that 
 we have offended God, and (inn'd againft him, 
 and endangered our (lives to Eternity by our fins : 
 And however, there may be at flrft Tome fudden 
 ftroke, or Impreflion, and a Paffion upon ir, that 
 may gooff; vet 1: is indeed a fpring that dif-em- 
 bogues it felf through the whole ccurfe of a Chri- 
 ftuns Life : There is a forrow. and a relenting of 
 Soul, that is a foftDew, or Diftillation from the 
 Soul upon it felf, that makes it very tender, hum- 
 ble, and Apprehenfweof the Evil of Sin j of the 
 Ingratitude, and unrhankfulncfs of having finned 
 againft God, and given Offence to the Eyes of 
 his Holinefs, and of hisGIory. And as this arifes 
 from underftanding, fo ic begets underftauding, 
 and clofe Confideration j h is obferv'd in Niture, 
 that forrow and fadnefs encline to Wifdom, and 
 attentnefs of Mind ; fixation gives underftanding, 
 is a faying : And hereuuro the 
 wife King Solomon agrees, forrt» x Ecclef. 7, 
 better than laughter. \c is better to go to 3. fyc. 
 the houfe of Mourning , than to the 
 houfe of Feafiing * for the Living will lay it to Heart. 
 And by the fadnefs of the Countenance, the Heart is 
 made better. In the day of Adverfity confider, thar 
 is the proper feafon of ir;Gcner2lly,our Mirth and 
 Rejoycing is to: lighr and rWliv ; it fcjtters, and 
 fets the Spirits in wandring 5 I fiid of Laughter y it 
 it Mad, and of Mirth, v hat does it? As the crack- 
 ing «f Thorns under a Pot, fo the Laughter of Fools is 
 Vanity. Sbrtow is like a fbade that ongregate?, 
 rhvrs up the Spirits to think, 2nd weigh, 
 and p )iz: filings, borrow loves folitude, and fo 
 the Repenting Ferfon is defcribed - y he fittetb ahne y 
 D 3 and 
 
38 Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 and keeper!) (lence , becaufe he hath 
 Lam. 2. born it upon him. Vanity, and folly, 
 
 28. the pleaftres offm, that are but for 
 
 a(ea(on, cannot endure the tediouf- 
 nefSj and melancholly of an Hour alone : And 
 this is the unhappinefs of mankind, they cannot 
 endure to be alone, and to fpeak with themfelves ; 
 
 I ht.tr ken d and heard, but no man 
 Jerem.8.6. (pake aright, or (aid , What have I 
 
 done? We are fo naturally for Diver- 
 fion, They that are not fo mad, as to to be for. the 
 roar, and madnefs of Company; yet they cannot 
 be content, without what, we call Divertifement 
 and Merryment, and cannot endure forrow and fad- 
 nefs. 
 
 Let us now but ask our felves, whether we think 
 Sohmon was a Wife Man, or not ; and whether he 
 was not incircumftances of greateft advantages to 
 rejoyce in all the Pleafure, Mirth, and Enjoyment 
 
 of this World? which he calls, Laying 
 Ecclef.2. 1. hid 'on folly ; while yet he acquaint- 
 t&c* ed hit Heart with Wtfdom to under- 
 
 ftand, what was the utmoft amount, 
 or to be had from all the Entertainments of thac 
 kind: And when he afiiires us, as he does, that 
 Mirth is but Madnefs and the Laughter of this 
 World fo unrcafonable j that no Man can tell, what 
 it ferves for, or to what purpofe it is ; and that 
 he io much commends forrow to us ', let us then 
 take Counfel with our felves, whether he fpake 
 wifely, or not? And what (hall we think of the 
 words of our Lord, Luke 6. 21. Slefcd are you that 
 Weep, and you that Mourn ; and, woe to you that 
 Laugh. Now i? is not to be fuppofed thatfp 
 
 Good 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentanci. 59 
 
 Good, and fo Merciful, and fo Gracious a Saviour, 
 as our Lord Jefus Chrift is , fhould envy to man 
 any thing, that could be to the Good, and Wel- 
 fare of his Nature. But he knew how much the 
 Carnal Joy, and Mirth, that is fo common, and fo 
 much valued among Men, lavifhes out thofe 
 Thoughts, and Spirits , and that Time, that fhould 
 be laid out upon fo ferious, and great things, as 
 Reconciliation to God, Pardon of Sin 9 Newnefs of 
 Heart, and Life', and that Sorrow, and Mourning, 
 and Weeping are prepared by God, as fitted ia 
 their Nature to make us more Grave, and Pon- 
 dering of Things ; and that being Sanctified, and 
 in the Hand of his Grace, are made ufeof to bring 
 us home to himfelf : For when men are under 
 (Sdncfs, finding the prinrs of the Wrath, Juftice, 
 and Difpleafure of God upon them, they enquire 
 after the Reafon; Their fins, as to Jofepfrs Brethren, 
 come to their Remembrance ; They are provoked 
 to move to God by Humiliation, Confejfion of Sin? 
 Prayer for Pardon, Defre of hk Grace, and Spirit ta 
 enable them to Reform', they enquire into his word, 
 how they may cleanfe their way, order their Convey- 
 fation aright to pleafe him ', they are moved to con- 
 fid er. by thefe drops , and Touches of Sorrow, 
 what that flate of forrow without Banks or Bounds 
 or Bottom is, where there is weeping, and wailing, 
 and gnafhing of Teeth : They are taken off from 
 that Pride, and Self- Conceit; they find fo little in 
 all things here below, and in rhi? prefent State, 
 that they enquire for thofe better, and greater 
 Things that are Above, and in Eternity: When 
 farrow, ttardiff>ofes toftrong, and fcrious enqui- 
 ries beccm^ j'jrrow after, and according to God; Oh ! 
 D 4 how 
 
40 Of an Evangelical Refentance. 
 
 how excellently does it work ? How 
 lam. 3. 40. do men (earcb, and try their ways that 
 
 they may turn to God. 
 Now becaufe of the Order, that God hathplac'd 
 forrow in to all thefe great Eftefts ; therefore our 
 Lord pronoune'd a Biefling upon Weeping* and 
 Mourning, For elfe he loves our Joy, when it is 
 Spiritual ', he command* to Repycc in the Lord all 
 
 way, and again he fays, I{ejoyce: He 
 Johm5.11. fpoke many great things, that our 
 
 Joy might be full', that he might fill 
 our Mouths with Laughter, and our Tongues with 
 Singing. But our carnal, our fenfual joys, he knows, 
 are our Death, and Deilru&ion *, he knows we are 
 in no better cafe in our prophane, foolifh, finful 
 Laughter, than they who are flung with the Tar an* 
 tula, and Dye Laughing : Thus we have §reateft 
 reafon in the midfi of fuck Laughter to be Sorrowful^ 
 and the end of that Mirth will be heavinefs: 
 Thus it will be bitternefs'm the latter end> therefore 
 he warns us of it before , and in greateft Love to 
 us, declares a Woe on fuch Laughter. 
 
 But now to conclude this particular, The forrow 
 of the World, How different a thing is it ? For tho 
 it caufes Thoughts and Enquiries, yet it is only 
 how to be rid of the Worldly Caufes of Sorrow^ 
 and it turns only to Worldly Remedies; And it is 
 very often in a rage at the caufes it finds *, and 
 when either the Remedies are not to be found, or 
 fail in their Succefs, ic is in a Rage, and flies out 
 too often againft God , and Providence , and fo 
 it wor\s Death : It begins that Hatred of God, that 
 Blafphemy, and Rage, that is in Hell ; or if ic 
 does net thus, it is a fallen, defpondent 3 unadive 
 
 itate 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 4 1 
 
 (late of Mind, that (huts, and fealsupall A&i\ 
 
 like the Night wherein no Man can 
 
 Worl>j and fo goes down into utter John p. 4. 
 
 Darlyieff . Tt eirher fay , ihticLilu 
 
 of the Lord, why flmdd I )vait any i Kings 6. 
 
 longer? Or like Cain, My Iniquities 33. 
 
 are greater,, than can be Forgiven ; 
 
 and fohattehs out from the FrefenccfGnd -, or it 
 
 recoyls upon it felf, as Saul, Achilophel, Judas -, or 
 
 the Heart under the Power of it Dies as a ftone 
 
 within k felf, as Nabals Heart <>ied 
 
 within him* Thus it every way worlds 1 5am. 25. 
 
 Death, becaufe it hath nothing to do 27. 
 
 with him, who is the fountain of 
 
 Life: 
 
 For the Being of God is infinitely happy, and 
 blefled , and all lighr, and luftre 5 and in him is 
 no Darfyiefs at all of forrow as not of Sin ; he 
 therefore when forrow is after him , fprings a 
 Light into it * that whereas , the Dark and 
 Black part arifes from fin , and the finful 
 Creature j yet becaufe it is after him, it fhall ne- 
 ver fet in the darkuefs of Death, and Hell; It 
 receives from him as a Tin&ureof Holinefs, fo a 
 Tinciureof Life, a Ray and Beam of it j It works 
 Repentance unto Life and to Salvation, and fo ic 
 fprings up after into Joy in his Favour,in the Light 
 of his Countenance, in the aflurance of his|Love. 
 
 But the Sorrow of the World is like a Night, that 
 no kind of Light at ail Enlightens- Like the Night 
 Job Curfed, it does nor turn to the Light, becaufe ic 
 is not turn'd to God ; and fo is a (hade of Hell, be- 
 fore Hell it feU"> a valley of the fhaddow of Death : 
 and the horrors of it arc the beginnings of the hor- 
 rors 
 
42 Of an Evaugelical Kepentancel 
 
 rorsof Hell; As therefore Car nal^ Joys ixe [parks of 
 curwn kindling, Efay. 50/ notwithftanding which 
 we fhall lye down in forrow, even (6 is for row not 
 after God y as a black fhade of our own. 
 
 4. The fervice of (orrow after God to Repentance 
 unto Salvation, is, that it breaks, and forces a- 
 iunder that finful Frame in our Hearts, of fin, and 
 contrariety to God, and to Holynefs: The very 
 Natural Affc&ion of forrovv Ioofens, and Divides 
 the Heart, from that which is the Caufe and occa- 
 fion of fuch forrow : Becaufe that great Self-love, 
 the force of that Law of Self- prefer vation is fo 
 firong upon us ; that feeing forrow is an Affedion 3 
 that (lands in an enmity to our Peace, Comfort, 
 and Enjoyment, and to our Life it felf \ if it be 
 extreme, or too long continuing \ we therefore 
 come off from what is the occafion, or that gives 
 reafon to our forrow ; though we had exceedingly 
 lov'd it before. This we find in all Cafes, and 
 through the whole Nature of Things*, when there- 
 fore fin, and lofs of the favour of God .becaufe of 
 it, is made by the grace of God the jufl Reafon, 
 and moftfenfible, and prevailing reafon of our for- 
 row ; h diflblves the Frame of fin in our Heart, 
 that had been before compaft, as the Adamant, and 
 as the neither Mill-ftone ; Now this forrow divi- 
 ding, and feparating between fin, and the ioul \ 
 it brings forth that broken and contrite Heart, that 
 QoimU riat dejpife. 
 
 Again, This forrow is a fpiritual melting, fofr- 
 ning and dillblving Thing. It feparatesthe Sou! 
 every particle as it were from other; (6 that it is 
 fofr, and ready to t< k * **rW figm^tha 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 43 
 
 would have it take *, Ic brings the Joul to quick, 
 and lively fenfe, which is as it were taking the fionc 
 out of the Vlejh, and giving a Heart ofFlefii It is 
 that Spirit of Grace, ot Ingenuous fen(e of our In- 
 gratitude , and unworthy carriage towards God 9 
 mentioned before out of Zech. i 2. ai.d £?e£. 36. 
 
 Hereupon the Apoftle James pre Iks to a grf at 
 Mourning after God, or exercife cf Godly jonon\ 
 •James 4. 2. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw 
 nigh to you ; clean \e your hands you finners, purify your 
 hearts you double minded : How fhould this great 
 Self- Purification be ErTeded ? By being Afflifad, 
 by mourning and weeping *, by having the Laughter 
 turned to Mourning *, and the Joy to Heavinefs; This 
 Godly Sorrow, like warning and rubbing the Hands 
 with Water, and the clofe Application of k, 
 foftens and loofens the Filth that cleaves fo clofe, 
 adheres and (ticks fo faft to the Hands. And it 
 arifes from that Love, and Compaflion, that is 
 feated towards our felves in our own Natures, 
 which, when it is by the Hand of Grace pointed 
 aright*, Ic is made a mighty Inflrument, a mighty 
 Efficacy for Converfion, and Repentance ; becauie 
 when our great Difguft, our Sorrow and Self- Af- 
 fliction is pitch 'd upon fin, wecaft it off, as that, 
 which is the reafon of our farrow, and that fiands 
 in our Eye, as iiareful, Joathfome filth, and impu- 
 rity, that we can by no means endure ; and 
 therefore we fay to it, get ye hence, Oh / you Foul 
 and abominable Lufis, what have I any more to do 
 with you ? 
 
 Bui more particularly, two ways this Godly for- 
 row works to Converfion, Repentance, Self-Purifi- 
 cation. 
 
 i c By 
 
44 Of An Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 r. By being fo prevailing upon the Soul, as to 
 drink up all the impure, and unholy Affe&ions in 
 our Hearts. God giving it therefore by that his Spi- 
 rit of Grace y and ingenuous fenfe, an afcendency, a 
 fuperionty over all other Affe&ions in the Heart, 
 at this time, he is working Repentance ; it drinks 
 up all thepleafurable fenfual Affeftions in a Man : 
 vihcnaman k in bitternefs, as one k in bitternefsfot 
 bisfirfl Born y and for an only Begotten Child; He 
 hath no more Appetite nor Emotion of his Spirits 
 toLufl, and Stenfuality, and finful Pleafures, than 
 fuch a one hath to do the ufual Encertainments, 
 and Pleafures of life; when God therefore calls 
 for this farrow, he looks upon it as a great Of- 
 fence ; when there is flaying of Oxen, 
 Efay.2i.15, and drinQng of Wine, lying upon beds 
 Amos 6. 3. of Ivory , C haunting to the found of 
 &c. Viols, Inventing Inftruments of Maficl^ 
 
 like David ; when there is putting 
 on Xpparel, and the Furniture of Pride : Por then 
 he commands us, as he did the Children of Ifrael 
 cfcer the fin of the Golden Calf to put 
 Exod. 3 3. £ off their Ornaments , that he might know 
 what to do to them, whether they 
 fhould, as true Penitents, be fpar'd, or deftroyed in 
 their Impenitency, And indeed when any are un- 
 der the power of thxsGidly Sorrow, in fuch a po- 
 ilure to Repent ancefcll fuch Ornaments are nothing; 
 All fuch pleafures are quite out of Taft. The Soul 
 hath no relifli*of them. 
 
 2: Godlv farrow thus made an Infirumentin the 
 H md <*f Grace for working Repentance, hath by 
 that its afcendency and foperiority 5 an engagement 
 
 upon 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 4 5 
 
 upon all the other Affections withitfelf, to the 
 wording Repentance Mo \ this the Apoftle fhews in 
 the very next words to thefe, we are Difcourfng 
 upon, 2 Cor. 7. 11. For this ve>y jelf fame things 
 that ye for f owed after a Godly fort ; what c are f nine fs it 
 imitght inyouf\o\v great is the care and fcllicitude it 
 works in all, that fo forrow, to get out of their 
 Sins, and to return home to God ? What Apology 
 for flolpefs, for God, andagainft Sin ? what Judg- 
 ment againfl fin ? What Fear and Awe of God 
 finking to the very Heart of fin ? what vehement 
 defire after God, after true Grace, and perfect He- 
 formation i and this boyling up to Zeal, or the 
 heigth of Defire ; that Powerful Religious Affe&i- 
 on, under the Operation of which a Man cannot 
 bear Evil, no, noc for a moment. And laflly, there 
 is an holy Revenge upon fin, Sathan, luft, even a 
 man's finful feif; by which the Irreconcilable Hatred 
 to every fia is Difcovered, and a Monument of that 
 Hatred fet up in the Soul. 
 
 Thus works godly forrow to Repentance ; but the 
 forrow of the World having nothing to do with God, 
 withfenfeof his |Difpleafure for fin, with fin, asfo 
 great a reafon of forrow and trouble ; the Spirit re- 
 mains in all irs former Frame of union to the 
 world, and to fin ; and fo with the whole flare of 
 fm, and of die World, and of forrow, it finks dowa 
 to the center, to the place of forrow for ever ; 
 For when forrow that is the Infirument cf God in 
 working Aepeoidnce, does not prevail to that God's 
 end \ it more certainly finks down to its Center* 
 and that with great Violence ^ as we fee in thofc 
 fore-nam'd Examples of Cain, Efau y Saul, A^tfo- 
 phel, Jada^ who not fmming to Repentance went 
 
 down 
 
46 Of an Evangelical Repentance* 
 
 «fown with greater violence to the Chambers of 
 J>eath aud Sorrow, even everlafting farrow. 
 
 $. The efficacy of godly for row to ^epnntance, is, 
 tint it makes the So*d very humble before God ; 
 the natural effect of forrow is to meeken, and 
 bow the Spirit ; heavinefs in the Heart of Manmal^ef 
 it tfoop, Prov. 1 2.25 the guife and mein,or Pofture of 
 forrow* is to bow down the head like a Bullruflu 
 The Hipocritkal mourner does fo, to imitate true 
 forrow, Efay. 58. 5. Now this indeed , excepc 
 it turn to God, and have Relation to him, is tha 
 meannefs and pufilanimity of a Man ; but it is the 
 true greatnefs^of Mind to lye down before God,and 
 Tremble in his Prefence, as the melted Metal trem- 
 bles and quivers before the Founder : This dif- 
 folving, melting Efficacy of godly forrow is that, 
 which turning to God nukes the Heart fubmit it 
 felf as the Apoftle James fpeaks in the fame Con- 
 text, c. 4. 10. Under the mighty hand 
 A<Xsc. 9. 6. of God, that he may lift it up', it fays 
 c-i5. 30. to God, Lord what wilt thou have me 
 to do* It fays, what fhall I do to b: 
 feud ? What fhall I do, what fhall I do in obedi- 
 ence to God ? It treads foftly before God, as if it 
 faid to him , Lord, which way wilt thou have me 
 ro go ? Which khab doing, tho not with a per- 
 fect H-art, received fome degree of Favour by, 
 X Kings 21. 27, 29. 
 
 Now this Humility, how acceptable is it to God! 
 How yeilding to his Command ! God 
 Efay. 66. 2. gives grace to if, God looks off from 
 G <7t 1 5. Heaven and Earth to loo\ to that man 
 that is of a contrite Spirit, and trem- 
 bles 
 
Uf an zvangeuccu neyemance* <\j 
 
 ties at his word ; He that is the high and lofty one, 
 that dwells in the high and holy P lac t^nd Inhabits E- 
 temtyjNlW Dwell alio with the hum- 
 ble fph it to revive the Spirit of the Job 33. 17, 
 Humble. This jorro^v hides Pride 
 frtmman, as the expreffion is in Job, and fo firsk 
 to all holy returns to God by Repentance : It with- 
 draws man from his purptfe : It chan- 
 ges the purpofe of Man ; that which Ads u.12. 
 was the full purpofe of the Heart be- 
 fore, was to cleave to fin, and the world, now the 
 heart cleaves to God with us full purpofe. 
 
 This humble broken Spirit is the Sacrifice of God* 
 the Sacrifice he will not defpi]e,bec<iufe 
 it is ready to jeild up it felf in all Pfal. 51.17- 
 obedience to him. 
 
 But the jorrow of the World, not eying God, nor 
 having regard to him, never changes the Heart, 
 nor Life into obedience to him s and fo leaves a 
 man in the fameloft undone ftatej and fo becomes 
 defperate Sorrow and Anguiff), as the Scripture calls 
 it y Efay 8.22. and may be moft fitly defcribed by Jer. 
 c. 4. 28. They are all greivous Revolt er s ; they an 
 Brafs and Iron, they are all Corrupter s -, the Bellows 
 are burnt, the Lead is confumed of the Fire ; the 
 Founder melteth in vain', for the Evil of the Heart h 
 mt pulled away *, reprobate fdver fhall men call them^ 
 becaufe the Lord hath rejetted them. When God 
 therefore, as the great Founder, Cafting men as in- 
 to the Furnaceoi forrow, they are not purged horn 
 Evil* the Melting is in vain, and they are therefore 
 Hejefled by God, as Reprobate Silver. When Sor- 
 row and Affliction, which are as the Qhirurgery^ 
 or Blood- Letting of the gracious Hand of God, 
 
 Effect 
 
45 uj an Evangelical Repentance: 
 
 Efifeds nothing of Good •, it is as the Corruption 
 of the whole Mafs of Blood, and is certainly to 
 Death. 
 
 <5. When forrow is placed upon offence againfl 
 d Pcrfon, and upon unthankful, and difingenuous 
 Treaty of him, there arifes a Love and Compaf- 
 iion to thatPerfon, a fliame to offend further -, a 
 refolution ro make him a 1 the reparations we are 
 able, and the greater the Bitternefs, the greater 
 the Effetf : And though thefe cannot be properly 
 placed, as ififuing from the Creature towards the 
 Creator^ yet Scripture reprefenting God, as hath 
 been faid, Grieved, Peirced, prefs'd with Sin, it 
 reprefents the grieved forrowing, relenting finner, 
 fo Affecled, as if there were an Ingenuous, even 
 Companion and Love towards God the Creator ; 
 and unwillingnefs fo to grieve, and provo'c any 
 further ; It reprefents therefore the higheft degrees 
 of fiitternefs, and a forrow as for a 
 Zech. 12. Firft Born, and for an only begotten 
 io. Child) or Son ; or like that mod com- 
 
 paflionate Lamentation for the excel- 
 2 Chron.25. ' ent ^ince Joiiah, (l«in at Megiddo, 
 25. that was fo continued a forrow, as 
 
 to be fpoken of in Lamentation to that 
 day m as Scripture ufes to fpeak , now feeing Re- 
 pentance it felf, as hath been (hewn in the general 
 Nature of it,hath fo muchof this-, The forrow, rhar is 
 Affected likeir^is mod fitted, and prepard to work 
 k \ and it isfo blefled by God to work it 5 whereas 
 the forrow of the World is like Clouds wirhouf this 
 Rain of Heaven, and Wells without thh Water of Sal- 
 vation, and therefore fettles, as into the La^e of the 
 
 fecond 
 
Of art Evangelical Repentance* 4$* 
 
 fecond Death , and fmells of its Brimttone. 
 
 And thus far 7 have proceeded, to make out the 
 ferviceablenefs of godly forrow, or forrow after God f 
 that worlds Repentance to Salvation never to be i^e- 
 pentcd of 
 
 General 3d. I come now to the third General, 
 concerning forrow for Sin, vt%* To (hew the 
 Wifdom of God, and the Reafonablenefs of his 
 making ufe of forrow ; and fitting it, as off- »m- 
 felf, or according to himfelf, to fo great an en nd 
 purpofe •> and that according to the very He . ^n, 
 and Nature of Things, it could not be other <*;{> 3 
 but that godly forrow mud be fo made ufe of a- 
 bove, and before any orher AffcSion j and that ic 
 becomes him, by whom are all things, and for whom 
 are allthings, Co to make uf< of it, 
 
 1. There can be, according to what the Apoftle 
 fays, no other objeft of Rational, Intellectual Sor- 
 row, but only thelofs of che Favour of GH« or 
 his difpleafure for fin, or fubordinjred ro k 5 
 which makes it frrow after dd. For if on one 
 fide the forrow fo plac'd. and fix'd , harb fo blefled 
 Eflfe&s, that he that fofoi rows, receives noiniury 
 by it, bur fo great good, at Repentance toSalvatu 
 6n, never to be Repented of \ that iris nor fo much 
 Loft, as chang'd into Fulnefs of Joy, and fo per- 
 fe&ed ; and on the other fide, that forrow hid ouc 
 on any other objeft, ("which is forrow after the 
 World) mr^s Death: Then it muft needs oecqme 
 the wife, and gracious God, of whom, by whom are 
 all things in bringing many Sons to Glory, to bring 
 them tfi Jfcrfeflion, by fiich a forrow as this, 
 
 E For 
 
5° Of an Evangelical Repentance'. 
 
 For if God was pleas'd to make fuch a Rational, 
 Intellectual Nature, as man, that might, though 
 made Holy, fall inro fin*, It mud needs be, thac 
 it muft have a fitnefs to turn it felf with forrow up- 
 on fuch an evil, and reafon of forrow, as God of- 
 fended and difpleas'd for fin ; fuppoiing a man, by 
 that fin had not loft either the ufe of his Uader- 
 ftanding, or not loft the fenfeof God, Holinefs, 
 and Goodnefs ; feeing if it did not lye Dead, and 
 Benummed, or ftrongly diverted and turned off 
 from itsObjed-or that God does not appear an Irre- 
 concileable Judg, and Revenger, and give up man 
 to the wickednefs and rage of Death.lt muft fo turn. 
 Whenever therefore God by his grace in Chrift, 
 and by his Spirit, turns any finner to himfelf, and 
 ftirs up thofe Powers of underftanding, and Ccn- 
 fcience after himfelf ; The very order of the Cre- 
 ation of God Requires, that the underftanding and 
 Natural Confcience, and Afte&ion of Man fhonld 
 be turn'd upon him, difpleas'd by Sin, by this hum- 
 ble forrow of Love; even as upon his wrath, and 
 Vengeance, with a forrow of Pain, Fear, and Ter- 
 ror; fo that both the Bondage of 
 Heb. 2. 15. Fear of Death, and the Reverence of 
 godly Fear, and Love move to this 
 forrow , and the wife order of Things fettled by 
 God, cannot allow it otherwife. 
 
 On the other fide, if the turn of the Rational 
 Nature, and Affe&ion, be drawn out upon the 
 fenfe of any evil with trouble, and diflike, and re- 
 lie&ion on its difagreeablenefs and inconveniency, 
 and vet its preflure upon ir, which is forrow, grief, 
 and fadnefs ; it mnft either be turn'd upon God of- 
 fended, and difpleas'd by fin; or ic is to no pur- 
 
 pofe 
 
Of an Evangelical 'Repentance*. 5* 
 
 pofe of good, that there is fuch a Paffion or Af* 
 fe&ion in man : For if it be plac'd on any other 
 objeft, it is but forrow of tbis World, how juft 
 fo ever, in regard of any evil of fuffr ring, it may 
 feem to be: It is but forrow to Death, and fo of no 
 good at all to us, but evil , till it be deriv'd into 
 a higher and more excellent Channel : So that ic 
 may be faid of this forrow , as Solomon fays of 
 Laughter. It is madnefs, and what doth it? And ia 
 place of Thorns crackling under a Fot 5 
 It is as the flow Fire, of too near a- Ecclef. 7. 
 greement with that of BrimHone of 2. fyc. 
 the Lal^e : It is not of any merciful 
 or gracious ufe, but for the manifeftation of the 
 wrath, and difpleafure of God againft fin. 
 
 2. Let us conf der ferioufly,what Jefus Chrifl ouf 
 Lord fuffered under the fcnfe of fin j and then 
 think vvhether it be re_Xonable* that the whole 
 fhould fall on him, and none of the drops, and 
 end of ic, come to us, and fo be 
 fiWd up by us * We fhould never Col. T. 24. 
 read that part of Sacred Hiftory t f 
 the Agony of Chrifl) but we fhould deeply take it 
 to Heart, Luke 22.44. He being in an Agony \Prayed 
 more earneftly, and hisfweat was as it were drops of 
 Blood : Chrift was not at this time feiz'd upon, and 
 in the hands of thofe that Crucified him, but was 
 in perfect Meditation, in an entire folitude of 
 Thoughts : He was in Contemplation of the great 
 evil of fin, and of the wrath and juf rice of God 
 upon it : 
 
 We may then fay, Dyed Chrifl as a Fool ? Or wa$ 
 
 ChriSl in an Agony, as a Fool, or as a weakperfon? 
 
 E * Did 
 
54 Of an Evangelical Refentancel 
 
 Did he not purfue the true Reafon of Things ? Did 
 he nor follow fin by his holy and wife confideration 
 of it from its beginning to its end ? Did he not fee 
 it, as God looks upon ir, and as the Nature of fin 
 requires, it fhould be looked upon ? Did he not 
 behold it in the ruin, and damnation of mankind, 
 in the everlafting horror of Confcience in Hell i 
 Jf nor, vvhy this Agony ? Did he not behold our 
 fins in all the aggravations of them ? Elfe why was 
 our Lord under a forrow, that no ones forrow was 
 like to it : He might juftly fay, to all that Read of 
 it, behold, was any mans forrow like to mine ? 
 Ought we not therefore, though we cannot fuffer, 
 as he did , nor to fuch an effect of Suffering ? 
 Yet ought we not to be Conformed to our Head? 
 If thefe things were done in the green Tree, ought 
 there not to be a Conformable Senfe of them, upon us, 
 who are as the dry Tree, and much more reafon- 
 bly to be foaifeded7 
 
 g. The great difadvantages that come upon the 
 profeffionof Chriftianity, in the want of this godly 
 forrow >prefs for it. 
 
 i. Either Men reft and center in afalfe Repen- 
 tance : The fallow ground of the 
 Jerem. 4: 3: Heart is not truly broken up, fo that 
 they forv on the Ityck, or among Thorns, 
 and build in the Sand\ and their Repentance is not 
 this Repentance, the Apoftle fpeaks of; they do 
 Rot go down to the bottom of the Heart , nor 
 dig deep to find the Springs of true Repen- 
 tance: 
 ■ 
 
 2: Or, 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 53 
 
 2. Or, 2dly, Suppofe the Repentance not Falfe ; 
 fuchareyetin Danger of Falls after Conversion; 
 for no man is fo truly, and continually afraid of 
 fin, as he that hath found the fmart and evil in pro- 
 founded forrow for it. 
 
 2,. There is Danger, when godly forrow hath not 
 had its perfeft worl^ , there fhould arife after per- 
 plexities of Confcience, either upon the furprifal 
 of outward Afflictions, or on the Death Bed, and 
 fometimes with great Agonies, becaufe we have 
 not gone through the exa& courfe of Repentance 
 in forrow for Cm> and after God. 
 
 4. Oftentimes God leads through outward Cha- 
 ftifements, to bring us through a more folemn 
 fenfe of fin, and the evil of it *, and to clofer a&s of 
 felf Judging^ and more exacl: Reformation of our 
 Hearts and ways, 
 
 4. That we may be under the full efficacy of 
 godly forrow, God hath made that gracious promifc, 
 EZ e k* 3$* 2 5* That he will tal^e away the Heart of 
 Stone, and give the f/ea*t of Flefh: Thus that Ada- 
 mantine <md nether Millfione Temper is removed, 
 ani a fofc tender Heart, that fears the firft ap- 
 proach of fin, is JnrroducM. 
 
 It may feem an objection againft this Doftrine 
 cf forrow for fin, as if the prefhng of it is a De- 
 rogation from the Blood of Chrif}, and the fuinefs 
 of his Redemption; as if his j uffe rings , fa en fee, and 
 fat isfaclim were not enough, without our forrow, 
 as a kind of Penance. 
 
 E 3 But 
 
54 Of an Evangelical Repentancel 
 
 But this I fhall endeavour fully to remove here- 
 after, as the fame ODjecYion may feern to lye againft 
 the whole Doftrine of Repentance. 
 
 I will therefore conclude this part of the Dif- 
 courfe, vi^. concerning forrow for fin by giving 
 fame pra&kal inferences by way of Application from 
 it. 
 
 Infer, r. Let us be content to fuffer in the Fie fa 
 as the Apoftk Peter fpeaks, i Feter 4. 4. by deep 
 forrow tpr fin and after God, as it were the Death of 
 the Flefh, and of the corrupt part ; that we may 
 Liv° according to God in the Spirit \ arm your f "elves 
 with the fame mind^ that was in Chrijl : Be willing 
 to &e as Condemned, and put to Death in the fenfe 
 of fin*, deiire to know Hell, and everlafling Mife- 
 ry s as he did, in your own fenfe of v ; he wene 
 down to Hell in the Contemplation of it, though 
 not Locally : Let us be in the Y.otvmicty in 
 the Communion in the Fellowship of hi* 
 
 Phil. $.10. Sufferings: It is better to know it 
 now, and here, while it may be ef- 
 
 cap'd, than to know it hereafter; when there will 
 
 be a gulf between it, and the ftate of Life, that 
 
 cannot bepaffed. 
 
 Infer. 2: Let us pofTefs our felves with the 
 mighty Reafons and Arguments of godly jorrow*, 
 the Motives, and inward operative Influences of 
 it j the ferious consideration of the great evil of fin, 
 the foulnefs of it, the difhonour, the neglect, the 
 contempt of God, that is found in it; the unrea- 
 fonable ingratieude, and unkindnefs of it to the Lord 
 our God> and to Jefus Chrijl the Saviour, and Re- 
 deemer j 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance". 55 
 
 deemer; but efpecially let us earneftly beg that 
 Spirit of Grace, and Ingenuous fenfe, that may 
 caufe us to be in bitternefs, as he that is in bitternefs 
 for his Fir si Born; that we may thus forrow after 
 God. 
 
 Infer, 3. Let us fweeten to our felves , that 
 which may feem very harfh, and contrary to Fkfh 
 and Blood ; this forrow after God; with the confi# 
 deration of this ; that Chrift hath eftablifhed a 
 BlefTing upon it, the bleffing of an everlafling 
 Confutation, Luke 6. 21, 25. Blefed are you that 
 Mourn, and that Weep j for you fl;all be Comforted: 
 And on the other fide, there is a Woe on them that 
 Laugh now ; Confider \ Chrift the Captain of our Sal- 
 vation, and all the Saints of God h.ve pafled 
 through the Vally of Baca, this Valley of weeping, 
 the way to the Heavenly Jerujalem, while the mad 
 roaring merry World are going that broad way 
 down to Deiiru&ion: This works that Repentance 
 to Salvation never to be Repented of 
 
 Head 3d. I come now to the Third Head in the 
 Dottrin of Repentance, and that is to Difcourfe the 
 true Laws and Rules of Repentance, the Frame, 
 aid the true conftitution of Repentance ; the Mo- 
 tives , and confiderarions for it j the figns and 
 evidences of true Repemarce; all which muft 
 n^eds be very great \ in that, ic is Repentance to Sal- 
 vation, not a falfe, or counterfeit Repentance,or but 
 to be Repented of ; not to be recalFd, revers'd, or re- 
 pented, but to be coufirm'd by progreflive, repeated 
 Ads, and renewals after Falls, even till it lays hold 
 of Salvation* 
 
 E 4 Genera 
 
5^ Of an Evangelical Repentar.ce. 
 
 General i. Iu the opening the grand Doftrin of 
 Repentance, as on this head, I (lull endeavour to 
 guide the Difcourfe of it, by keeping to the Oriel:, 
 proper and precife Nature, and notion of Repen- 
 tance ; For I know it does not really, and fub- 
 flantially differ from other grand Evangelical No- 
 tions of a through change of Heart, and Life *, as 
 Regeneration, tbenewCteation; a new Heart, anew 
 
 Spirit ; the Laws of God pit into our 
 Jerem. 31. Hearts, and writ in our minds, that 
 Ezek. 56, we way never depart from him \ the 
 
 Heart of Stone tal^en out of our Flefb^ 
 and having Hearts of Fk(h\ a being cau^d to wall^ 
 in his ftatutes and judgments, and to do them : Uif 
 
 fear put into cur hearts and his (j/Sr/f; 
 rial. 19.12. within us; It is Mortification, and 
 19. Sanctification; Ic is Converfion, ard 
 
 turning to the Lord ; a being cieans'd 
 from fecret fms and Ice-pt bacl^from prefumptuousfms, 
 acleanfing cur way y by ta\ing heed thereto according 
 )e word of God ; the ordering our 
 Ffal. lie. ftcps in his word^ that no Iniquity may 
 133. have dominion over lis i Nay, It dif- 
 
 fers nor from Fairh in the Blood of 
 Ghrift by any Effential Difference; from feeking 
 Pardon and Reconciliation by Fairh in that great 
 Attonemenr, and Sacrifice ; nor from the Love of 
 Chrift) constraining all thofe, who Lives that is, have 
 their Lives given to them, through his Death, to 
 Live to him, who dyect for them\ All thefe are, as 
 I havefaid, Eflemially, and fubftanrially the fame: 
 Gut yet there is a very Diftind, and even Critical 
 confideration of Repentance, that I fhall apply to 
 la the prefent Treaty, under thefe three heads. 
 
 Fartu 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 57 
 
 Particular ift » Repentance carries always a 
 Notion of fevere, and rigorous Afte in relation to 
 our felves upon account of our Sins, and high Of- 
 fences agai nil God : 
 
 PaAticular 2. Repentance imports very clofe, 
 and particular Ngotpnons, and TranfacYions with 
 God in Relation to F.rgivenefs; and fuch, asex- 
 prefs our particular ihame, and forrow, that we 
 have offended him *, and earned defrres, that he 
 would fhewto us, that he is at Peace with us, and 
 hath Pardon'd ail, that is part in Chrift: 
 
 Pantcular 5. Repentance is a hearty an univer- 
 fal Change of our inward Thoughts, Ccunfel, Pur- 
 pofe, and Defign 5 and of our outward Convei ra- 
 tion, out of a true, and real Hatred, and difiike 
 of what we have been, done, and chofen ; and a 
 Love, Choice, and Delight in what we have not 
 been, and have not done, nor delighted in. 
 
 Particular r. Repentance confifts of many 
 great, and fevere Acts in Relation to our ftlves •, up- 
 on Account of our fins, and High Offences againft 
 God ; under uhich [ will in every one of them, 
 fhew the great excellency, and ufefulnefscf this 
 duty, and the acceptablenefs of it to God. 
 
 1. The feriou ft, and moft dec^> exa- 
 
 mination of our Hears, and Thoughts, and Lives, 
 fo as :o know them, and to fit in Judgment upon 
 them, is found in true Repentance . This is a won- 
 derful Power, and grace tha: G^d gives, when he 
 gives Repentance ; that a Man (hall be made to fit 
 upon himfelf, and to dall himieif to an Account, 
 
 to 
 
58 Of an Evangelical Repent ancel 
 
 to fearch himfelf as it were, with Candles^nd to fay, 
 what have I done ? To fearch, and to try his ways, and 
 to turn to the Lord, ro think of his ways, and to turn 
 hit Feet to God's Teftimonies$ to declare hit ways in 
 God's hearing j and becaufe his own fearch cannot 
 be clofe, and exaft ; to cry oat to God, 
 Pfalm 139. to fearch, and to try him, and to lead 
 23,24. him into the way everlasting: And 
 
 this is performed by laying a mans 
 Actions to the Line and F^ule of the Law of God, 
 and entring into the particulars of every Com- 
 mand 5 of every Age, and, as much as may be, 
 every great and remarkable Action. 
 
 Now this is evidently a very fapernatural effi- 
 cacy j for we fee how afraid we are all of it j 3 
 Man in this way of Inquifition, and Vifuation of 
 himfelf, is in a manner v as afraid of himfelf, as 
 he is of God; and hides himfelf from himfelf, 
 even as from the Eyes of God ; it is true, when 
 men are in the cariere of fin, they are bold enough 
 with themfelves % they devife mifchief upon their 
 Bed, the fecret Thought and Heart of every one of us 
 is very deep in fin $ and we know it, and are willing 
 enough to know, we know it , when all is of a 
 Peice i to go on in fin ; But when a Man finds him- 
 felf coming, as a Judg upon himfelf; he is pre- 
 sently aware of himfelf, and defirousto hide him- 
 felf from himfelf, and toftartaway from himfelf ; 
 when any therefore come to fay to themfelves, I 
 will find out all the fecret ways of my own fin- 
 ful Heart, of my Pride, of my Luft, of my Hi- 
 pocrify, of my Deceit , of my Formality, and 
 vain (hews in Religion, and the worfhip of God ; 
 that I may Reform all, and caft out all that is 
 
 evil 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 59 
 
 evil : I will be known ro nr (elf, even the worft 
 of mv felf I will make known to my felf, to nace 
 and to loarh ir j we may certainly fay, Ic is very 
 hopeful, God is giving Repentance to Life : For 
 I would not walk in Difguife , under a Vizor^ 
 and 3 Mask to my felf ; we hear therefore fo often 
 this Vc ice of Scripture, Examin 
 your feltes. prove yovr own fell es&norv ye 2 Cor. 
 not your own Jelves ? except we are in 
 a ftate that as to its prefent, is reprobated by God> 
 So let a man Examin himfelf let him prove his owp» 
 work. Gal 6, 
 
 Tht rr are certainly many Truths of God, and 
 parrs cf Beligion, and of the Action, and Duty 
 of k, that a>e more fmooth and agreeable ro 
 Men of Reafon. and ingenious Temper 5 that do 
 not, though feemingly complyed with, fearch the 
 carnal unre generate Heart to the bottom: Thefe 
 therefore will not give fuch Evidence of the Truth 
 of Grace, and of the mighty Operation of the 
 Pivine Spirit : But this Durv of Selt-examination, 
 itcanferve no Carnal Interefr; fo far as a man is 
 led in it, he is led by rhe mighty Hand and Power 
 of God: For in this Poinr, he is elfe ready to be 
 Merciful to him r elf to (pare himfelf. 
 
 When God caufes a man to fearch himfelf, that 
 what is loweil, and at the bottom in him, may 
 rife up; when he makes a Man purfue himfelf, and 
 all his fins, till he can find none that he hath not 
 had his Eye and his Search upon; furely, there is 
 nothing that more allures a fincere work of God 
 upon a mans Heart, nor nothing, more than the 
 want of this, Difcovers Infinceriry, 
 
 2. lu 
 
So Of art Evangelical Repentance! 
 
 2. Id true Repentance there is an Authoritative 
 and down right Self-Judgding, a Condemnation of 
 what is Evil, and contrary to the Word of God, 
 and the Laws of Holinefs, and Rules of the Gofpel 
 of Chrift y In Repentance, a man muft plainly 
 fay with, and in the Authority of 
 2 Sam. 12. God upon himfelf, Thm art the Man, 
 i.fyc. Thou art fuch a finner, fuch an un- 
 
 clean, fenfual , voluptuous Perfon : 
 Thou art fuch a Covetous, Worldly, Griping, Ex- 
 torting Perfon: Thou art fuch a deceitful, unjufc 
 Cheat, or Lyar : Thou art fuch a Hipocrite, that 
 arc more afraid of the Eye, of the judgment of 
 the cenfure of Man, than of God : Thou art he, 
 that choofeft any, or fuch, and fuch a Sin, rather 
 than Affliction : This plainly, and in the Name of 
 God, and of Confcience, that is made a Judg with- 
 in a Man, and the Soul hearing it with Terror, and 
 Awe upon it, is the true Work of Repentance: 
 This is a fever e Difcipline, a day of Terror in? 
 deed u;»cn the Sou 1 , when it is carried home by 
 the Hand, and Finger of God. 
 
 Now this Scripture calls a Judging our Selves, 
 and this Self examination, and Self-judging are re- 
 commended to us, as what would fave Gods Judg- 
 ing us : If we would judg our [elver, 
 I Cor. 1 1. 3 1 we fhoulJ not be Judged of the 
 Lord', and furely if it be done to 
 the purpofe, and fo as ftronglv to afTeft the Heart ; 
 icisa very grea the Spi it of God, and 
 
 .rilt, convincing of Sin t and 
 John 1 6. of Right eoufnefs, and of Judgment ; 
 8, &c 4 And I fhould rather crtoofe it, as ar* 
 
 Evidence of the Grace of God, chap 
 
 fotae 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 61 
 
 fome fair appearances, that corrupt Nature can bet- 
 ter bear. 
 
 3. In Repentance there is a real Trembling, and 
 Affli&ing, and Grieving , and Shaming a Mans 
 felf j a fmicing on a Mans Thigh, a being Afmrrid 
 and Confoundedly bearing the Reproach of our trays. ; 
 a loathing our [elves, an abhorring our [elves in duftand 
 ajhes ; a not opening of $ur Mouths \n any [elf Apology * 
 or Jujiification , but a fmiting on our Bretitt, as fo 
 great Jinners, as the chief of /inner s. This is the true, 
 and real work of Repentance in this part of it: 
 This is a truly Spiritual Penance, in comparifonof 
 which all impofed Bodily hardfhips are nothing; 
 and yet if God lays Affliction upon us, though it be 
 very fevere j there is an Accep- 
 tance of the Fmmflithent of our Ini- Lev. 26.41. 
 quities. 
 
 Oh ! that God would enable us to thefe fecret 
 Afts upon our corrupt felves, to rend our Hearts, 
 and not our Garments, to Sacrifice to Gxd broken 
 Hearts, and contrite Spirits, to Tremble at his word, 
 to humble our [elves, and to lye down before him, 
 with our very Souls and Spirits as well as to roll 
 our Bodies in the Duft. Oh \ that God would 
 give us thefe proofs of true unfejgn d Repentance. 
 
 4. There follows in a true Repentance, a real ex~ 
 ecucion upon our corrupt, impure 
 felves, a cutting off the Right Hand, Mark 9. 43, 
 and the Rjght Foot, a pulling out the 
 Right Eye , a true Spiritual being put to Death, a flay- 
 ing, a crucifying our jelves in the Flefh, that we may 
 live to God in the Spirit \ a fuffering the Spirit of 
 
 Judgment 
 
6% Of an Evangelical Repentance* 
 
 Judgment , and of Burning, a faking the Saorifice, not 
 only with Salt, but with Fire. 
 
 Now All thefe Things are of great ufe, as they 
 arc Acknowledgments of the Righteous Judgment 
 «f God, due to us in our Eternal Condemnation, 
 as they are Judging our felves to the very Fire of 
 Hell ; As they declare the exceeding Evil of Sin, 
 and the Foulnefi of it *, as they fhew us the ahfo- 
 late Neceffiry of a Redeemer , as they lay a Foun- 
 dation of feparatittg our felves from fin, and of the 
 fitter Hatred of iu And laflly, They are fuch , as 
 rm.fi needs refult from Rarional Nature, endued 
 with molt powerful Principles of the Law of Righ- 
 teoufttefs, Knowledge of God, and of his Righte« 
 <©us judgment, written in the We arts and the 
 Thoughts he hath made % the Confcienee he hath 
 created, eirher for Accufing or Excufing ; and efpe- 
 ciaily all thefe mightily fet home by the power of 
 the Spirit of God ; that fo he may have," though 
 toozReal Satkfdlion from the Sinner \ for that is *- 
 tone from Chrtft, Yet fuch an Honorary fatisfaUhn % 
 and Acknowledgment ; as is due from a finner, even 
 is his very Soul, and from the bottom of his Heart ; 
 in the Daft wherein rhe Lord is pacified towards 
 bhm, that files for Refuge to the hope fet before 
 him* 
 
 Particular 2. The jecond Particular in this Head, 
 concerning Repentance, in the SriS confider ation of 
 It, is> That it imports very clofe and particular Negoti- 
 ation, and Tranfattions with God, in relation to For- 
 givenefs\ and fuch, as exprefs our particular fhame 9 
 and forrow> that we have offended him *•> and earneji 
 Defires, that he muld fftew U4> that he is at peace 
 
 with 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 6$ 
 
 with us % and hath pardon! d all that is pafs'd in 
 Cbri8. 
 
 Under this I willDifcourfe thefe following Parti- 
 culars . 
 
 I. In Repentance : The Humble, Repenting Soul 
 cafts it felf down in the moil lowly, and SeJf-aba- 
 iing Acknowledgment of fin, and confdlion of it. 
 Scripture therefore points fo much at Confejjion : He 
 that confejjeth, and firfa\eth : He mud firft confefs y 
 and then for fake his fins, and he (hall find mercy 9 
 Prov. 28. 13. And David defcribes a Penitent, as 
 one , in whofe Spirit there is no guile : that is, he makes 
 an open, fmcere, hearty Confeflion. This is one 
 Branch of the Defcription of the Blefled Man, 
 whofe Iniquities are forgiven, and whofe fins or? co- 
 vered; and to whom the Lord mil not impute Iniqui- 
 ty: And after, it follows, I acknowledged my Iniqui- 
 ty unto thee, and my fm have I not hid: I [aid, I will 
 vonfefs my tranfgreffion unto the Lord, and thou forga- 
 vefl the Iniquity rf my fn. But before I did this, 
 and while / kept filence, thy hand was heavy upon 
 me 5 fo that my moifture was turned inio the drought 
 offummer, Pfalm 32. 1, &c. I acknowledge my tnanf- 
 grefjion, and my fin is ever before me, Pfalm $ i.^E^ra 
 thus made confejjion, c. 9. So Kehemiah, c. 9. So 
 Daniel, c. 9, And the Apoftle, John^ Ep. 1. c. 
 1. 0. fays, If we confefs our fins, he is faithftl and 
 }ufl to forgive us our fins, and to clean fe us from all un- 
 righteoufneft. Thus we fee how much Scripture puts 
 upon Confejjion throughout. 
 
 Now Confejjion of fm is not accepted of God for 
 it felf: For what can we fuppofe, the Relation of 
 
 our 
 
6f Of an Evangelical Repentance^ 
 
 our fins can be to God, the Eyes of wfiofe Holinefs % 
 and Glory, are foprovol£d by our fins ? But he hath 
 only Regard ro us, that we fhould in hatred of our 
 fins, and of our rinful felves, expofe them with ha- 
 tred, and abhorrence of our felves ; and becaufe we 
 are refolved co have rm more to do with them, we 
 difcover and dered them, without any thing of 
 Guile, without any Referve: For, as the Expref- 
 fion is in Job, when we [pare our fins* weroiltkem 
 under our Tongues. The more therefore we con- 
 fefs them with trouble of Mind, and in bitternefs 
 of Spiric, and with Refolutions of having no 
 more to do with them, the more acceptable is our 
 Confeffion to God ; becaufe thereby our Confeffion 
 the more attains God's Ends, and what he is mod 
 pleas'd with in our Confeffion. For therein is our 
 iiicerky, when weconfefs fin, becaufe it is Reafon- 
 able to expect we will not be reconcil'd to the fins 
 we confefs : For that is for the Dog to return to his 
 Vomit. Confeffion of our fins, with Loathing and 
 Abhorrence, is vomiting themout of our mouths. And 
 sherefore to return to them again, is to return to our 
 V'vmt : and Confeffion is like Wafhing and Purify- 
 ing our felves : To retturn therefore to the fins we 
 have confefs'd is wallowing our [elves in the mire, af- 
 ter wafhing. This feems fo Reafonable, and ev^n 
 NeceiTary, that when it is firft (aid, He that hideth 
 and cover eth his fins, (hall not profper : Then, he that 
 eonfejjeth, and forfa^eth, (liall find mercy. It is fup- 
 pofed, if any Man does not confefs, he will not for- 
 p%; but if he confefles,, he does it in order to for- 
 JaJ^ing. But yet becaufe Men are fo apt to deceive 
 themfelves with Formality, and to think, God may 
 be fa put off, and pleased, he adds) lie that not on- 
 ly 
 
Of an 'Evangelical Repentance* 6$ 
 
 Iy confefl.'th, but does that which is fo neceflary with 
 Confeflion ftrfa1>es *, {hall find mercy. 
 
 Thus Solomon, all along his Pray- i Kings 8. 
 ei\ joyns manv Expreilions, that 
 are the undoubted Afts of fincere Repentance, to- 
 gether with the Confeffion of fin And if Confeflion 
 be thus joyn'd with Sorrow, Shame, Trouble, Ha- 
 tred of (ins and urtcr reparation from them *, ic 
 couJd not defervedly fall under that Ridicule, and 
 Contempt, that prophane men put upon it; as if 
 it were the telling God only the Story of our wick„ 
 ed Hearts, or Lives : But without other fincere, 
 effective Powers of Repentance, i: too juftly falls 
 under that Reproach *, but any fuch Reproach, our Lord 
 will return upon us, and our Confeflion. 
 
 2. Fn Repentance there is an earned and moft ve- 
 hement, butalfo mod humble Application to the 
 Throne of Grace, in Jefus Chri t, for Pjrdon and Re- 
 conciliation*, and with fuch a Continuance and Per- 
 feverance, as till there be fome Anfwer, that God is 
 our Gracious Father in Chrift ; that we hear the 
 Joyful found, that our fins are forgiven us. It is not 
 only that common and formal way of asking Pardon, 
 whether we mind it or not; but to make it our Bu- 
 finefs, the Aim and D^fign of our Souls, till we re- 
 ceive fome gracious aiTurance, that our Defires are 
 anfwered, and our Pravers heard. The truly Re- 
 penting finner fitteth alone, and Igepeth fi/ence ; that 
 is, he is in a waiting* and earnefUy expelling poflure ; 
 He pntteth his mouth in the dufi, if there may be hope} 
 He faith of God, He is my portion ; he hath pro- 
 mifed pardon, therefore will I hope in him : For in- 
 deed the Lord \s good to all that thus wait for him , 
 te the foul that thus fee^eth him : It is good therefore 
 F fir 
 
00 Of an Evangelical Repentance! 
 
 fir a man, that he both hope, and quietly wait for the 
 falvation of the Lord ', It it good for a man to bear the 
 T l>e in hti youth : Till G d is pleas'd to fay to him, 
 Be of good cheer , J am thy falvation : Fear not, I have 
 blotted out thy Tranf/reffions as a cloudy and thy fins 
 as a thicl^ chui : Wnen they are fought for, there 
 (hill be mne\ and though they are fearch'd fir>they 
 fl) all not be found. For thus the truly repenting (in- 
 ner follows hard after God : Repentance is a Grace 
 on purpofe for the Cuing out Pardon and Reconci- 
 liation. \ni bccauie it is moved and a&ed by 
 Faith, it feeks this Pardon in Chrift, and through 
 the Mediator , by whom alone [(epzntance bath 
 place, and from whom alone the Notion of it fprings, as 
 hath been fhewn : Thus David in his Repentance 
 renewed, through the whole Pfalm 51. repeats and 
 redoubles hi* prayer for pardon \ as if he would not 
 ceafe, nor be quiet, rill he had the ajurance of it: 
 He turns himfelf therefore everyway to God, and 
 all the Efficacies of his Grace for Pardon, and with 
 a Refpect to the Blood of Chrift, under the Hy- 
 fop. 
 
 Particular 5, In true Repentance, the Soul makes 
 Full and Firm Refolutions of New Obedience, and j4- 
 mtndment of Life ; and fuch as are ready to ifTue 
 out into A&ion; and this through the Grace, 
 and Power, and affiftance of the Divine Jpi- 
 rir. 
 
 And herein, indeed, is the very great Point of 
 Repentance, and that gives Evidence to the Truth 
 of all that goes before ; When there is fuch a 
 HlToc{Aihei0Ci fuch an after jollicitkde } itid feriou s 
 
 afflu 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance^ 6y 
 
 affli&ive Qoncernednefs for the fmfulnefs and unholi- 
 fiefs of our former Aclions and Uf\ that we can no 
 longer endure that Scare, or Courfe, in regard of 
 the very anguifh, and trouble of Thoughts upon us^ as 
 it alfo iflues into a drift Care and Government over 
 all our Future Aftions, to keep them within the 
 Holy Rule and Government of the Word of God 
 the Laws of Holinefs, and of Obedience to him: 
 And herewith is joyned a \|c T ^;oi a . fuch an Af 
 
 ter-mind, fuch an After -counfeU fuch 
 Second Thoughts as change the whole Matt. 3. £• 
 Purpfe and Manner of Life : fuch an 
 engaging the Heart to approach to God, Jere.30.2 r. 
 So that the True Penitent is prepared, 
 and actually brings forth Fruits meet Ads 26.20. 
 for Repentance, and amendment of life. 
 There is a turning from Dar^nejs ; that is, from the 
 whole Night of Ignorance, Injudicious Mind, Un- 
 holinefsof AcYion, Sinfulnefsof Life, under a con- 
 tinued Night, and Dunknef>\ to Light $ that is, to 
 a true found Judgment and Mind, even the Spirit of 
 a \ound Mind, and rightlv Informed Vnderftanding', 
 to an high and perfefl fenje of things, and to an«- 
 mverfal Holinefs, Purity and < leanjednefs from allfil- 
 thinefs of Fit 'fh and Spirit, and fo a 
 perfecting of Holinefs in the fear of 2 Cor. 7. 
 God: a juft Account of the Time 1. 
 pajt, as that which may have much 
 more than fufficed, to have wrought the Will of the 
 Gentiles, and to have fpent in the Lufls of onr lg« 
 mrance 3 and now we are wholly Dedicated to 
 God. 
 
 F 2 This 
 
68 Of an Evangelical Refentancel 
 
 This is the Noble Grace of Repentance, that is, 
 indeed, to falvation, and never to be repented of: So 
 wonderful and admirable a Contrivance of the 
 Grace of God, and fuch an liluitftration thereof, 
 that Angels, even the whole Heaven, Reioyceth over 
 one pinner that repents, more than over Ninety Nine 
 jufl perfons that need no Repentance : That is, there 
 is a greater Refplendency, and fhining out cf the 
 Glory of the Divine Companion, and Efficacious 
 Power of hisSpirit in Repentance, than even in an 
 innocent State. It is the joyful Aftonifhment of 
 Angels and Saints : They adore, and throw their 
 Crowns before God, even the Crowns of 
 Luke 1 5. Angelical Perfetlion -, and adore the 
 io. Infinite and Incomprehenfible My fie- 
 
 ry of the Divine will ', that when the 
 ilnning Angels had no allowance of after, or fecond 
 thoughts; of after-care-, or judging better, of an af- 
 ter-mind, but are under Final Impenitency, and in 
 Chains of Darfyiefs, to the Judgment of the Great 
 Day, when Repentance to Life is grant ed to men. 
 
 The Lord hath been pleas'd to 
 Jerem.&go. bring out of that Reprobate Silver in 
 it felf fuch Veffels of Mercy, which 
 2 Tim. 2.2 1 he had before Prepared to Glory ; mak- 
 ing them by- Repentance Veffels meet 
 for the matters ufe, prepared to every good TVorl& 
 and who herein yeild this great Glory to Righ- 
 teoufnefs, and Holynefs, that upon full Judgment 
 and Experiment made $ They imcomparably pre- 
 fer Holynefs to alkthe Pleafuresof Sw* that are but 
 for zfeafon-, and choofe even the bitter Draught, 
 it I may fo fpeak, the bitter Waters of Repen- 
 tance, 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance \ 69 
 
 tance, before the Intoxicating Cup of the Vleafnrc s 
 of Sin that are but for a feafon; and ftand for ever 
 obliged and deeplyeft indebted to true Grace, that 
 not only their after thoughts, and Judgment in 
 Repentance are accepted ; but that they are Re- 
 trieve by the Er. carious Operations of it to New- 
 nefs of Life. 
 
 General 2d, I have thus far open'd the Nature 
 of Repentance, by confidering the ft rift, and pre - 
 cife Notion of ir, and (hewing how excellent, ad- 
 mirable, and even noble aGrace, this Evangelical 
 Grace is, even in that ftrift and preciie Notion : 
 I will now go on to confider it in the excellent 
 motives, and Incentives to it; that will further 
 (hew the excellency of its Nature, and then the 
 fignesof irs Truth, that it i; Repentance of the 
 true Allov •, the truly excellent Nacure under that 
 great fign, It U Repentance to Salvation, and that is 
 never to be Repented of, which is the Second Gene- 
 ral under this Third Head in the Do&rin of Re- 
 pentance. 
 
 Particular 1. I begin with Motives to this true 
 Repentance, wherein I Record thefe following, 
 of which I will but briefly fpeak, having already 
 comprehended much of them : And as they are 
 motives , fo they are to be Iook'd upon as the 
 highefr means, arid inflru&ion?, fitted by God for 
 Repentance } and the Soul accordingly is to apply 
 and ftretch forth it felf in the ufe of them. 
 
 r. The principal, not Motive, but Mover is the 
 
 Supreme Grace and Operation of the Divine Spi- 
 
 S F 3 ric, 
 
lo Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 rit, who firs as a Refiners Fire, and 
 Mabc. 4, 2. Fullers $ddp within the Temple of the 
 Zcch.i 2.10 Siul'j is a 5/>/r*f of Grace, and of Sup- 
 Efay 4. 4. plication, a Spirit of Judgment and 
 Burning, wafting away the Vilthinefs 
 of the Flefi, and of the Spirit ; The divine Spirit 
 is the great Superintendent of the Grace , and 
 Work of Repenrance, by his inward Morives, and 
 Ovcrfhaddo wings of the Soul -, For 
 Afts ir. 18. feeing Repentance is the Gift and 
 2Tim.2.2$. Grant of God y the Divine Spirit, that 
 Luke 1 1.20. is the Power and Finger of God, muft 
 needs be the Supreme Operator : 
 What the Love of God is the Fountain of in the 
 Divine Operation^ that the Spirit of God,by whom, 
 the laft Operarion, and Irfed is in every thing 
 perfe£Ud, is the immediate Hand and Finger that 
 brings i; to pafi; and fo what Jefus Chrift is a 
 Prince to Give; that which is his, the Riches, the 
 Purchafe of his Redemption, his Spirit 
 John 1 6. 15* is fent, he fends him in the Fathers 
 Name, to ta\e of it, and to give it to 
 his ^deemed. Repentance therefore being the 
 Purchafe of the Redemption of Chrift, he gives 
 it as the Fruit of that Redemption , and whence 
 elfe fhould Repentance arife <* For except by ver- 
 tue of the Redemption of Chrift, it were Created 
 and Born with us , It is not in any Created Power 
 co raife, or to bring it forth ; That belongs to the 
 all Creating Power : That Chrift hath fhored up 
 the Moral Faculties fo far, as to preferve the 
 polTibilitks of Repentance is Evident; and to his 
 Glory be it declared-, That by him the fame mo- 
 tions and endeavours^ that Natural Conscience hath 
 
 to 
 
Of an Evangelical Refentanctl 71 
 
 to Holynefs , and Righteoufnefs before fin ; the 
 fame it hath to Repentance after fin ; and fo even 
 as in finning, fo in not Repenting the Impenitent 
 .Sinner is moft righteofly Condemned. 
 
 But even as a Man cannot exert, nor put forth 
 his Faculties to Holinefs, and Righteoufnefs be- 
 fore fin without a Regeneration, and new Creati- 
 on j even fo can he not afccr fin, either, as it is 
 habitual in his Nature, or as he is fallen by innu- 
 merable Actual Sins, return by Repentance, except 
 by the fpecial Afliftances of Divine Grace, and 
 Almighty Power. 
 
 For furely, as nothing lies for ever in a ftate cf 
 nothing, except an almighty moover gives Being 
 from himfelf j fo Impenitency lies for ever in a 
 ftate of Impenitency, except an infinire Spirit 
 of Grace give Repentance to Life; which fhcws, 
 that mankind Hands in no other ftate for Repen- 
 rance, than it does to Holinefs, and Righteoufnefs; 
 There is that preferv'd in him , that fhews the 
 goodnefs of both, and moves him to both; but 
 how to Perform in either he finds not, but as he 
 is Affifted by Infinite Grace, and by an Infinite 
 Spirit : And this fhews Supremacy of Grace, di- 
 ftinguifhing between thofe, to whom it gives Re- 
 pentance unto Life, and to whom it does not give ; 
 evenasir dtftinguifhr's between thofe, to whom it 
 gives Regent ration, Renovation, new Creation to 
 Holinefs, and Righteoufnefs and to whom it does 
 not give. 
 
 For except thefe, even, Repentance, new Crea- 
 
 rti, Regeneration, were (o by Chrift communicated 
 
 to our very Natures; that every man had them by 
 
 the very Grace of continuing Creation ; except he 
 
 1 4 toft 
 
J i Of an 'Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 Loft it for himfelf (as Adam did Original Righre- 
 oufuefs for himfelf, and his Pofterltv) which no 
 man will daretoatiert \ ic is fo evident to the con- 
 trary ; elfe what is not, never will be; and whatis 
 at Reft will never move, except an Almighty 
 Mover give it Motion. 
 
 For though, ic is true ; the Engrafted Notions 
 ot Righteoufnefs, and Hoiinefs, firft; and then cf 
 Repentance in cafe of f<n,or Fall have a Reildcnce 
 in the very Spiricof Man, or Human Nature; ex-, 
 cept utterly quencrfd by a Malice even Diabolical 
 as in the fin againft the Dhine Spirit ; yet they can- 
 not rife beyond themfelves to true Repentance, 
 without a new Donation from God and Chrift by 
 the Holy Spirit *, and only fhew the exceeding 
 firft Corruption, and Degeneracy of Human Na- 
 ture and aggravate Condemnation, in that they 
 reach not that end, they mould reach to, nor in- 
 deed to their own utmoft poffibilityj but men are 
 condemn'd, and depriv'd of further Grace by noc 
 improving the T^nt given to them, fo far as they 
 inJeed might. 
 
 But from all this it arifes, that the Supreme 
 Mover in true Repeatance, is tht Holy Spirit of 
 Grace j and if there be any appeai jnce of Repen- 
 tance, that is not a Repentance given from the 
 Divine Spirit ; it is not the Repentance to Salvation, 
 not to be Repented of, but a fernblance and Counter- 
 kit only of ic. 
 
 Now in this point, I have been the larger, be 
 eaufe I had not before fpoken to it; I fhaii but 
 juft name thefc following, becaufe I have before 
 comprehended them in former Particulars,, 
 
 2. The 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 73 
 
 2. The ferife of our own loft condition without 
 Repentance is generally the firit motive to Re- 
 pentance ; in which regard our Lord pronounces 
 once, and again j except ye Repent , you frail all 
 ferilby Luke 1 3. 3. 5« Repent, and turn your felves> 
 fo iniquity (hall not be your ruin: Caj\ away your Tr<,nf- 
 greffionSy triage you a new Heart and a new Spirit ; 
 for why will you Die ? Implying this as the great 
 motive to Repentance ; that without it we mutt 
 needs Die, Lzek. 18. 5c. Ads 17.gr. Gcd com- 
 mands all Men every where to Repent ; because he 
 hath appointed a day, wherein he will Judg the 
 World : The confederation of a Judgment, to wit, 
 of Condemnation upon an Impenitent Perfon is 
 one great motive to Repentance. 
 
 God is pleas'd therefore generally to ufher in 
 Repentance by a fhaking, an Earthquake in the 
 Soul, fhewing' it the Honors of Wrath and erer- 
 nal Punifhment , which is call'd the Spirit of Bon- 
 dage, Rom. 8. 15. For that Law of Self-prefervati- 
 on being feated fo deep in Man j the fear of an 
 evil fo Defiruftive to our Beings, as wrath to come y 
 and the eternal Difpleafure of the Supreme Being 5 
 Nothing moves (a Itrongly and powerfully, nothing 
 makes fo violent concuflions in the Heart of Man, 
 as thefe deep apprehenfions, or tears up the very 
 Roots of that old finful Frame , and make it fly 
 every way, to change its Scituation, and Pofture 
 for the avoiding of that Difpleafure : Thus Nine- 
 veh a$rightned with that preient dreadful Denuncia- 
 tion of Judgmentjturn'd it feif every way to Attorn- 
 ment with God j although the Judgment then De- 
 nounc'd did not reach to Everla fling Punnifhment ; 
 how much mote do the Apprdienfions of Wrath 
 
 70 
 
74 Of an Evaugelical Repentance*. 
 
 tocome^ and ever to come, as was before obferved 
 of it, move ? And though this is not the high- 
 eft, and nobleft Kind of Motive ; yet it is fuch as 
 our Lord earneftiy , and doubly recommends 
 to his Friends. I fay unto you my Freinds, fear 
 
 not them that l>jll the Body, and have 
 Luke 12. no more that they can do ; but I will 
 1 4. forewarn you whom you (hall fear ; fear 
 
 him that after he hath kjWd , hath 
 power to ca§t into Hell, yea, I fay unto you> fear 
 him. 
 
 3. The fo great Affiirance God hath given in 
 Jefus Chrift the Mediator, and Redeemer, that 
 our fins fhall be Pardoned upon our Repentance, , 
 is a mofl excellent motive to Repentance, and 
 follows the former; as that dill Voice^ wherein God 
 is,didthe Earthquake.,! Kings c 19a 2.ThisAfTurance 
 is that, which gives Life, and Spirit to Repentance, 
 and alfo the true Evangelical Sweetnefs, and Di- 
 vine Temper to it ; which elfe would turn into 
 the Horrors of Cain and Efau, which afterwards 
 relaps'd into a Wordly fecurity, fenfelefnefs, and 
 fenfuality ; for Cain went Ohtfrom the 
 Gen* 4. 1 5. Vrefenee of the Lord, and dwelt in the 
 c.56. 15. Land of Nod, and fell to Building : 
 Efau became a great Earthly Prince, 
 and Father to many Du^es, without any further 
 thought of the Birthright, or Blejjing, or elfe the 
 horrors arifing from the fenfe of fio, and Divine 
 Difpieafure turn into the Dcfpair of Saul , and 
 Judas , that are but the forecafts of Hell, and 
 e'verlafting reparation from the prefence of God, 
 and the light of his Countenance. This fenfe of the 
 
 Love, 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 75 
 
 Love, and Favor of God in Chrift, is that which 
 draws the Soul, by the melting , and diflblving 
 that Stony Heart, and making that Slijf Neckj, ind 
 Iron Svmew to be ready, and pliant to all Holy 
 Rules, and Heavenly Motions ; and fweetens fear, 
 forrow , and horror into Love, and Reverence , 
 and filial difpofirions to Obedience; while there 
 are any beginnings of foedding abroad the Love of 
 God in the Heart, and when the Love of Chrift begins 
 to Conftrain us: This' glance of the Eye of Chrift 
 on Peter with Love, and Grace, made him go out 
 and weep bitter!} ; this fenfe of Mercy humbled 
 David, and Diftilfd into all thofe Heavenly Peni- 
 tential Expreflions, we have Pfal. 51. 
 
 4. When, by the grace of God, the Heart is 
 deeply Affefted with the fight of the great Evil, 
 abominable Foulnefs, and Harefulnefs of fin ; and 
 wirh the Beauty of Holineji j this is a »~? oft efle&ive 
 motive to Repentance; when we are ftruck with 
 the fenfe of the Intrinf ck fhamefulnefs of every 
 evil way, the falfenefs of thofe appearances of 
 good, that are found upon fin, but wen an Inheri- 
 tance of Lies ; it makes us hate every falfe way, and 
 caft away the Things, that can yeild no true good 
 or profit •, and of which we have reafon for ever 
 to be afl)amcdy the end of which is Death, Rom. 6\ 
 Through the word of thy Lips I keep my felf 
 from the Paths of the Deflroyer. Pfal. 17.4. Through 
 thy Precepts I get underft anding , therefore J hate 
 every falfe way. Thy word is very pure, therefore thy 
 fen ant hveth it. lhave found thy precepts concerning 
 all things to be right* and I hate every falfe way. 
 The righteo^fnefs of thy Teflimomes is everlaSiing, 
 
 give 
 
y6 Of an Evangelical Repentance! 
 
 give me understanding, and I (hall live, Pfalm 1 1 pi 
 The Ltw of the Lord it right, converting the foul \ the 
 testimony of the Lord U fure, making wife the fimple^ 
 the Statutes of the Lord are right, re)oycing the heart. 
 How fweet are thy words to my tafte 7 . fweet er than ho- 
 ney to my mouth. Moreover, by them u thy fervant 
 warned, and in the peeping of them there U great re- 
 ward, Pfalm 19, All thefe are Expreflions of the 
 mighty Power of Holinefs moving to Repentance; 
 from the Beauty and Amtablenefs of it lelf, and the 
 Odioufnefs of Contrary Sin and Evil. 
 
 ?. The Word of God, throughout all thefe, is 
 the Inftrument of the Holy Spirit ; and with the 
 Variety of its Divine Reprefentations, Collects, and . 
 BirTufcs into the Soul, and Univerfal Spirit of a 
 Man, being fuiced to every Faculty and \ffeftion, 
 the fteafons and mighty Efficacies both of Fear 
 and Hope ; vi^ the Wrath and Indignation a- 
 gainft fin; of Grace and Mercy in Chri it to the tru- 
 ly Repenting (inner, and together with them, the 
 Beauty of Holiuefs, and the Hatefulnefs of Sin. For 
 the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit, execu- 
 ting Vengeance on fin, and yet fparing the Humble 
 Returning finner, and effectually movinghim by it to 
 Repentance. 
 
 6. The fixth, and laft Motive I fhall ufe, is the 
 true Consideration of the Gofpel ftate, both as it 
 is now, and as it fhall be in its Glorious Manifefta- 
 tion : For that being a flare fo New, and fo diffe- 
 rent from theprefent ftate of Sin, and Flefti, and 
 Corruption, we can never be fuued toitbutbyihis 
 great Change, by Repentance for it : the pmting off 
 ■ the 
 
Uf an Evangelical Repentance, . >/ 
 
 the Old Man % which it corrupt, accord- 
 ing to it j deceitful Lufls, and put tin? on Ephef. 4. 
 the New Km, which is renewed after 22, 23. 
 God, in Knowledge, Righteoujnefs, and 
 true Holinefs , is mod abfolutely necefTary to enjoy 
 this Kingdom: And this is the Truth of Repen- 
 tance ; It is the having fuch an Eve 
 upon him, who is Rifen from the 2 Cor. $. 
 Dead, and to the Refurreflion of the 15. 
 Dead it felf, as to know neither Per- 
 fons, nor Things, as we knew them before, after 
 the Fief}). On this account our Lord fent John as 
 an Herald before him, preachings and faying, /^e- 
 pent, for the Kingdom of Heaven k at hand. And as 
 foon as John had finifh'd his Miniftry of Repen- 
 tance, to (hew it was not only the MeJJage of the 
 Forerunner, but of the Lord himfelf, whofe way he 
 was to prepare, Jefus himfelf from that time, be- 
 gan to preach, and to fay, Repent ; for the Kingdom 
 of Heaven U at tam/,Matth. 3. 1. c. 4. 17. he (hewed 
 to us, this New ftate requires New Perfons, New 
 Hearts and Spirits, New Lives and Actions, to lay 
 the Foundations and Beginnings of it here, and 
 now ; and that it may breakout into Salvation, and 
 Glory, at the Glory of that Kingdom : That it may 
 be fo tryed now, as to be found unto Honour , Fraije, 
 and Glory, at the appearance of Jefm Chrift. 
 
 I come now to the fecond part of this Genera), 
 vi^ to difcourfe the fignsof the fincericy of this 
 Repentance, under that great Note, and rnoft fig- 
 nal Character of it, That it is Repentance to falvati- 
 on, never to be repented of Which gives thefe Four 
 great Characters as flgns of it. 
 
 1. Re- 
 
78 Of an Evangelical Repentance* 
 
 1. Repentance th.it is not to be Repented of, muft 
 Seave no known evil or fin unrepenred of: For then 
 that fin fo ears into the very heart of fuch Repen- 
 tance, that it needs to be begun a -new, and to be 
 entred upon a-frelh, being not through, and fin- 
 cere, and therefore falfe and counterfeit : This 
 makes Scripture to often infifl upon the through a- 
 mending our ways and dungs ; and re- 
 Jerera. 7. turning to God, not fignerfly, but with 
 5. the whole heart. And Chrift bleffes 
 
 Ads 5. 25. in turning away from every one of our L 
 Pfal. 65. 1 8 « niquities. If I regard Iniquity, viz. z- 
 ny Iniquity, in my heart, the Lord md 
 n& hear me. The. leaving of one fin unrepented 
 of, makes a man double -mm Jed, and 
 James 1.8 fo unft able in all his ways, who can ob- 
 tain nothing of the Lord, He mifles 
 that Great Wifdom, that after-mind, or Wifdm of 
 True Repentance: David in the fenfe of this fo 
 earneftlv prays ; Search me, Oh God, 
 Pfal. 139. Try my Reins, and my Thoughts ; and 
 fee if there b? any evil way in me, and 
 lead me in the way everlasting : And to (hew his fin- 
 cerity, he fiys, All my ways are before 
 thee: As he therefore that breaketh 
 one Command, is Guilty of all ; fo 
 he that repents not of all, truly re- 
 pents of none : He that breads one of 
 thefe leafl, Commands, and teacheth 
 men fo, fljall be caWd leafl in the King* 
 dem of Heaven. I was upright b?jore 
 him, and Jt>ept my J elf from my Iniqui- 
 ty. By all thus ^nxi many more fuch like 5crip- 
 tures> it is molt evident, a, Repentance not to be Re* 
 
 pented 
 
 James 
 
 2. 
 
 xo. 
 
 
 Matrh. 
 
 5- 
 
 19- 
 
 Pfalm 
 
 18. 
 
 23. 
 
 
vj m Hvangeucai Kepentance* 79 
 
 pentedof, requires Vniverjality: For willfully mif- 
 fing in one fin, or Duty, it betrays it felf infincere 
 throughout, every way *, it hath forgotten it felf, if 
 it negleft any one known Grace. Such a Repen- 
 rance is blind, and cant lool^ affar off and fee every 
 way. 
 
 2. It is a perfevering continuing Repentance, 
 that is never to be repented of It mud go on j it 
 Renews and repeats it felf* but never is fo tobe re- 
 pented of, as to be revers'd, repented, orrecaird. 
 It goes on even till it touches, and even enters in- 
 to falvation it felf: For it u better not 
 tohxvekpsvonthewaysof Right eottfne fs , 2 Peter 2. 
 than having knmn them, to depart from 21, 22. 
 the holy Commandment given to m. For 
 tofuch it happens, according to the true Proverb: The 
 Dog it returned to hit Vomit, and the Swine that was 
 wafhed, to her wallowing again in the mire. 
 
 He that hath truly repented, finds fnch fatisfa&i- 
 on in his Repentance, that as the up- 
 right man, he holds on hit way, and grows Job 1 7. 9* 
 fironger and ftronger in it. And in cafe 
 of any Falls or Returns to former fins, there is 
 both a daily Renewal, and perfe&tng of Repen- 
 tance for lefrer Failings, and fecret Faults-, and 
 more folemn for greater Sins and Falls, The true 
 Repenting Soul is as the Light that 
 flnnes more and more to the perfeft Day. Prov,4. 1 o„ 
 But the falfe Penitent walketh in 
 Darl^nefs, and knows not at what he Humbles. 
 
 Thus true Repentance knows nor, finds not any 
 Reafon of calling tack, or Repenting of it felf, ei- 
 ther as if there had not been Reafon, or greateft 
 advantage in Repenting in General ; or as if it had 
 
 not 
 
So Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 nor been true, of the right kind, /% precious Re- 
 pentance <pis the Apoitle fpeaks of Faith J with that 
 of all Saints. 
 
 Th:re nny be indeed in the fincere Servants of 
 God, fome Fears, Mifgivings, Sufpicions arifmg 
 from Godly Jeakufies but in fuch Tryals fincere Re- 
 pemmce, afrer foirfe time, comes for:h, as Silver 
 oat of the Furnace, more pure and refined. Or 
 thefe Doubts may arife from Temptation, or Gods 
 feemingforfaktng, or Defertion, or from the Weak- 
 nefs of Repentance in irs Beginnings. But this is 
 but as thc\fmoalejng Flax, or the Brwfed Reed, 
 which Chrif} will not quench, nor brea\, but will fend 
 forth Judgment to Vi&ory, in the behalf of fuch his 
 Servants. 
 
 So this Repentance is not to be begun again,and 
 tobe repented r/,as a falfe, infincere Repentance is ; 
 but to be vindicated and cleared, as the Sun covered 
 with a Cloud, that is yet the true Light of the 
 World ; however it have been fhaded, or obfeu- 
 red; and as the true Fire, that mail never be put 
 out, or reputed Falfe, as a Glow-worm Light, or 
 Foohfli Fire, however it may be hidden fomeumes 
 as under the fmoik- 
 
 3. Repentance not to be repented of, is effective, and 
 produces that great Change * that as heretofore men 
 yeilded ud their Members, as Instruments of Vn- 
 rigbtewfntfs to unbolinefs, and unclean- 
 ttefs, and to Iniquity un>o Iniquity; fo Rom. 6.16. 
 mwthev yeild their Members, as Inifru- 
 m?nts cf Holiness unto Right eoufnefs : and as hereto- 
 fore they were Free from fyghtebufnefs , as being tbe 
 Servants of Sin 5 fo now they are free from fin, and 
 
 be- 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 8r 
 
 fecome the Servants of Highteoufnejs: Such an effe- 
 ctual Repentance, of which, net the Speech, and 
 Word, and Profeffion, but the Power is known \ 
 needs not to be begun, but to be proceeded in, to 
 beconfummated. But a Repentance that can do 
 nothing, that cannot change a man's Way, nor 
 Courfe, but he remains under the fame fins j fo that 
 he hath forgotten (hecan/orgent,)chat 
 he was purg'd from his old fins: fuch 2 Peter 1. 
 Repentance needs indeed to have the 9. 
 Foundations laid anew : and as a great Heb. 6. u 
 Error, a great fin in Repentance, to 
 be repented of indeed ', as moft Ruinow, Pfalm 7 $« 
 as well as moft Falfe and Deceitful, and 57. 
 fiarting from its End, as a broken Bow 
 from the Mark. 
 
 4* The Repentance not to be repented of, gives 
 fome of the F ^retafts, and happy Dawns of falva- 
 tion it felf; frilling the Soul with the Joy unfpeak* 
 able, and full of Glory. 
 
 F}r when tie Apoftle defcribes Repentance unto 
 Salvations it does not only fhew thebleficd Fruic, 
 and confequence of Repentance -, but it alfo de- 
 fines and diftinguifhes Repentance, that is true, 
 I and fincere, from what is Falfe and Counterfeit: 
 Now feeing Repentance, tho it be to Salvation* 
 cannot be known to be fo, till it lay a&ual hold of 
 Salvation ; except it have fome what of the Joy 
 of Salvation 5 except there be a Life in the Hope it 
 gives-, except there be a Witnefs riling from it: 
 Therefore herein there muft needs be a diftiniuifhr* 
 ing Character of true Repenrance, and a fign of 
 it, that contrary to the forrow of ' tbeJVwld, that 
 G worJ^eth 
 
8x Of m Rvsngzlxtd KepenUm^ 
 
 s8$$#i Tmtk, md cafts a fhade of Death s &?- 
 femunce m Salvation liath fome Precursory, or 
 gift Hand-Rayes, and Dawns of that Salvation?, 
 rite Ef.zU of the Right eoufnefs ofRc- 
 i%y32. t7« pemance is that particular Fruit of 
 }.a.n, Hightetttfnefc f even Fr^e drtrf /*]}*<- 
 rance for ever. There is forne For- 
 troa of the hidden Muma,im& caft of the white Stone, 
 forne of the #rrrff of ifte Tree of Zi/e in the midfi ef 
 Paradife (f'God^ and even in any of thefad- 
 *3elles tsf the Servants of God, by reafon of Af- 
 fiidion% Temptations, any Agonies of Confcience, 
 Defertions^ there is Light m the midft of that 
 Dtrfyefii whereas in thetalfe Joys of counterfeit 
 Repentance , there are fudi either prefumptuous 
 feafua'Hmei mixtures, orfuch a want of true Spi- 
 ritual Lights-hat the midft if that Joy is Heavineft. 
 But the Fruk of this Repentance is 
 Will. 4. 7* that Peace of God that fajjeth all un- 
 derstanding 1 guarding the Heart and 
 Mmdthrwgh Jefus Chrijl. 
 
 5, To all tliefe, both Motives, Means, and 
 Signs-of Repentance, irmft be always added, Grayer* 
 «ven, aU Prayer^ and Supplication with Perfeverance, 
 &rJ continuance therein^ even to extraordinary Watch- 
 ings and F aft ings, as occafion requires, Ephef. 6 V 
 18. Colof. 4. 2, Liik? 1 r. 9 For 2s the Soul in 
 Wrayer and Implication feels the ftrong motions, 
 and excitations of Repentance by *, fecting before 
 vm fdves, and making clofc Applications of our 
 ft- Ires to*, the great confiderations of God, of 
 thrift, of Sin, of Holinefs, -of Eternal Hippinefs, 
 «rd Ni&ry? fv'htczm istheearnefinefsef Suppli- 
 cation 
 
Of an hvangelJcal Repentance; 8 j| 
 
 cation, asking, feekjng, and knocking, for the Holy 
 Spirit, engaged, and employ *d •-> as knowing him the 
 fupreme Mover, Principle, and efficient of Re- 
 pentance ; and the Divine Spirit, coming down 
 ta-Dwell in the Spirit of the true Penitent, and 
 fhedding its efficacies, and operations irt it, as a 
 Spirit of Grace , and Supplication , feab to the Soul 
 the truth of Repentance , and becomes a fpiritual 
 vifiblefign, and evidence of the Truth of it 5 as 
 Chrift fays of Vaul upon Repentance, behold he 
 Prayetb, Afts 9. ir. 
 
 6. Some Great, and Heroick Ads, and Effefts 
 of Repentance according to the Ability, and Op- 
 portunity of Pcrfons ; and according to the Sins, 
 pcrfons have been guilty of, before Repentance, 
 are fometimes abfolutely neceflary Evidences of 
 the Truth of Repentance; and fometimes Uluftri- 
 ous, and extraordinary Signals of the mighty 
 Power, and Force , and largenefs of Efficacy in 
 this grace of Repentance ; where it meets with 
 Sub je&s, . whom God by outward enablements of 
 Providence, as well as inward Grace, and Power 
 hath fitted hereunto. Such are in cafes of great 
 Scandal, and publick Offence publick and open 
 Confeflions of fin *, endeavours, and elofe Applica- 
 tions upan ; Perfons, that have been of the knor, 
 and feiiowfhip of our fins, or private Parties, and 
 confederates in them, moving them by all the Sen- 
 timents of our Minds, and the Affc&icns of our 
 Hearts to Repentance j follemn Faftmgs and Humi- 
 liations , with ufual Thatchings, not only for the 
 Taming, bringing Down, and Abafmgof our fe Ives , 
 and by the acknowledgment of onr own unwortbi- 
 G 2 B*f* 
 
84 Of an Evangelical Repentance! 
 
 nefs of the leaftof Mercies ; and that we are wor- 
 thy of Wrath , and Judgment only , and to be 
 ftrip'd of all Enjoyments •, but becaufe the Heart 
 is fo taken up, and engag'd , that it can mind, 
 nor attend , nor be at leifure for the mod ne- 
 ceflary Refrefhing of Bodily Nature; which is 
 made, and taught, and difciplin'd ? as heretofore 
 to ferve fin } fo now to cry out fcr Mercy, and 
 Pardon, and to undergo the feverities of Repen- 
 tance j and to be brought under to them in extra- 
 ordinary Weepings according to the moll Affe&i- 
 onate Emotions of the Soul, and fuitable Tem- 
 per of Body. 
 
 And fuch as thefe are alfo the A&s of juft Re- 
 ftitution to perfons injured according to our ut- 
 moft Abilities*, or great Alms-givings and afts of 
 Mercy ; of which Zaccheus> Luke 19. is a great 
 Example. Great Ads of Service to Jefus Chrftin 
 the Salvation of Souls, either by our own perfonal 
 
 Miniftry, as Vaul jo qeahufly Preach- 
 Gal. 1. 25. ing the Faith, he once destroyed ; or 
 Pfal.66. 1 5. private endeavours, by Holy Dif- 
 
 courfes , and Declaring* , what God 
 hath done for our Souls \ by Exhortations and good 
 Counfels , by Holy Examples, by great Liberali- 
 ties for the promotion of Chriftianity, and the 
 Powers of it in Repentance, and general Reformati- 
 on, and bringing in Souls to the moft publick, 
 open, and notorious renunciations of former fins, 
 and the very inftruments of them \ of which we 
 have a great example in the burning their Magical 
 Boo\s of fo great valew, Ails 19. 19. ]ob. 34. 
 
 Thefe 
 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* g j 
 
 Thefe are not to be Bound, as heavy Burdens to 
 the entanglement, and enchralment of Confidence, 
 upon All ; but according to the opportunicies, and 
 advantages Perfons have, their flare of Body, tem- 
 per of Mind, freedom of Time, abilities of E~ 
 ftate* and leaving to fupreme Grace, the giving of 
 various degrees of Grace, and making among the 
 Pleiades, the watry Weeping Stars of Repentance, 
 one Star to differ from another in Glory. But when 
 there is a meeting , and concurrence of all thefe, 
 or an eminency in any, they who can (hew forth the 
 truth of Repentance in thefe Fruits, job 28, '4.1. 
 purchafe to xhemfelves good Degrees, in j Tim. 2 12* 
 the Academy, or School of Repen- ". 
 
 ranee, and bring great Honour to Chrift, and to it; 
 and according to our Talents recciv'd, fmcerityin 
 each of them is eflential to the truth of our i^e- 
 pentance ' y and if they are in us , and abound, they 
 make us to be neither Barren, nor Vnfruitful in 
 this great Gofpel Grace, given from the Lord 
 Jefus j but without any trurh of them we are as a 
 Well without Water , Clouds without Rain, frothy 
 Waves, driven of fome Imaginary, 
 or Earthly Winds and Vapors, and Epift. Jude 
 tolled ; and in great danger of v. 12. 
 prooving falling Stars , for whom 
 is refervd the blankpefs of darknefsfor ever t 
 
 4th, I come now to the Fourth Head in this 
 Head of the Djftrine of Repentance, vt% 9 The 
 great faving benefit, the bleffing of this Grace, 
 and Gift of Repentance 5 which hath 
 the upper , and the neither Spings ; Jofli. 1 5. 
 from the neither Springs all gracious 19. 
 Aflfr&ions, and Fruits of a follemn, 
 
 G 3 2nd 
 
S£ to Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 and fcrious Refipifcency, or growing Wife upon 
 fad Afflicting Remembrances, and reviews of fin- 
 ful ways; and the upper Springs of Joy, Peace, 
 Happinefs, and Bieffednefs for ever , and etenul 
 ikjoyc'rogs, we have fo Sorrowed, fo Repented : 
 Of this I will give but a very fhort Reprefentati- 
 OR, becaufe the enlargement upon it more pro- 
 perly belongs to another grand principle in the 
 Doctrine of Chrift * and yet what I do fay, I will 
 <£t?deavor diftinguifhingly to Difcourfe it to the 
 Doctrine of Repentance, and with a peculiarity to 
 it. 
 
 i. In that it is Repentance to Salvation, wrought 
 by 4 (arrow after God ; it is ordain' d by God, as a 
 fecurity, and prefer vative by his efpecial Grace in 
 Chrift from everlafting Weeping , Wailing, and 
 gnajhing of Teeth : a Repentance without any 
 Fruit, or Effect but a continual Circulation of 
 Ic felf in Horrors, and fruitlefs renewals, without 
 cafe, or remedy, without poflibility of Amend- 
 ment, of recovery to God, and Holinefs ; For in 
 Hell there is no fuch : Woe therefore to you that 
 Laugh nm, without this true Repentance ; For 
 you (hall weep, and weep for ever ; it is the ft ate 
 of utter Darbnefs, extremity of Darlgiefs , and to 
 extremity of Duration , even Eternal Duration : 
 But true Repentance hath had its Proportion here 
 in this World, of forrow that God Accepts in 
 Chrift and through his Agonies for fin. 
 
 2. Ic is not only a fecurity from Damnation, 
 but an affurance. of a ftate of Life, Glory, and 
 Ekfledaefi j For apoa this very reafoo, becaufe 
 
 God 
 
Uf an nj/cmgeitcauxe^m&zce* 
 
 God hath ^an&ifted Repentance to- Diner. 
 and feparate his Servants by, from ai'ltiielon. 
 perifhing, Repentance is Co eminently caiTd i£?~ 
 pemance unto Salvation ; and Repentance' znto Liy- ; 
 For when the miferable, and undone matt tern - 
 plain , and endeavour to Impeach i\\t V: ■ 
 juftice, with the Salvarion of Sinners^ as great, 
 or greater than themfelves, Publicans and Hus, 
 luch as the Apoftle fpeaks of, i Cor. 6, 
 
 When many fobes moral Men, both Heathens, 
 Jews, and Chriftians are fhut out 
 from Heaven , Salvation, Life, and Matt* £. t ? . 
 H.mpinefs ; and fall into the Condem- 
 nation of Hell; God justifies and Vindicates him* 
 feif by'the vaft Diftance between the one, and the 
 other, Repentance hath made , which, as ir fhonid 
 engage our Thoughts in deep fearcb, what kind oi 
 Repenrance we have, whether it can make fticha 
 Difference ; fo it afiures us, there is a great excel- 
 lency and Dignity in true Repentance ; ivhen it 
 fhall be feen in the Glory of the Righteoufnefs of 
 Chrift, wherein it fhall bedifplay'd, as in its chief 
 Light, Life, and Luftre, 
 
 3. There fhaJI never be any caufe, the Jeaft eaafe 
 to look back with forrow, cr regret, that we hti 
 any of the pleafures of Senfe, or of this World * 
 or that we pafs'd through the Severities, or Ri- 
 gors or Sadnefs of Repentance, or thai forrow after 
 God, by which it was wrought! And which ex- 
 preffes the EtefTednefs and Grace of this Repen- 
 tance much more ; we fhall nor look back upon 
 any of the [roperfe&ions, and impure Allays of it % 
 the Vacuities > and Empnnefes of ir, ih-as mttt 
 
88 ' Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 nor fiird up now. For it (hall, in every regard be 
 filled up to the Hjgheft Complement of Perfection, 
 becaufe it is (unrounded with the Righteoufnefs of 
 Jefus Chrift, and AdornM with its Rays, and Per- 
 fections 5 and the mighty Operations of the Spirit of 
 Chrift,holds them faft in that very moment wherein 
 his fervants go out of this World; He apprehends them, 
 he holds them in his mighty Hand, and Arm, to 
 perfect them to the Mark, both in their Repen- 
 tance, and in all other Graces. 
 
 4. There (hall be Everiafling Joy, Rejoycing 
 and Triumph in the Acceptance of our Repen^ 
 tance by Chrift : So that all truly Repenting Su- 
 pers fhall fay with everiafling Hatlalujahs ; blef- 
 fed be God, who hath given us P^epentance to the , 
 Acknowledging of the Truth *, whereby we recovered 
 our felves from the fnare of the Devil, when we were 
 taken Captive by him at his Will. 
 sTim.2.26. Bleffed be God, who hath granted us 
 Repentance unto Life, Bleffed be the 
 Lamb, who hath loved and wajhed us from our fins % 
 and even our Repentance from fin in his own Bloody 
 that it might, how ere Imperfect, be accepted be- 
 fore him, why fits on the Throne: Blefl'ed be he 
 who as a Prince and Saviour hath given us Repen* 
 tance and j^emiffion of fins, Revel. 5.6. Bleded be 
 the Erernal Spirit, who as [even Spirits before the 
 Throne hath DirYus'd his Graces, and among them 
 this Grace of Repentance, as the Spirit of Gr^ce 9 
 md Supplicatim \ Bleffed be the word of his Grace, 
 ehat held out Repentance in its whole Circumfer- 
 ence and Center: Blefled be God for all the 
 Vreachers and Miniftersof Repentance ; andB!ef r 
 
 P fed 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 89 
 
 fed of God are our Spirits, and all the Faculties 
 God hath given them, that Miniftred each in 
 their courfes to this great Grace, and exercife of 
 Repentance*, Hallelujah, for ever, and ever. 
 
 Head $th, I come now to the Fifth, and lafl 
 Head in the Do&rine of Repentance , that is, 
 to reduce the Difcourfe of the Scruples, and Cafes 
 of Confcience, concerning Repentance \ that have 
 not yet fallen under any proper refolution ; to this 
 great Do&rine, as I have now laid it down : 
 
 Herein I fhall prcpofe only thefe three as necef- 
 fary to be more fully Debated , any other, that 
 have Reprefented themfelves to my thoughts I 
 heve already laid in Provision for the fatisfying 
 them, in the plain Doctrine of Repentance \ eafing 
 the fciup!es, without exprefs naming them. 
 
 Quer m 1. Whether Repentance, wrought by for- 
 ror? after God, be not either unneceffary •, feeing 
 there is full fatisfacYion for fin, and Redemption for 
 it in the I bod of Chrift : Or, 2dly, If it muft 
 be acknowledged neceflary, whether it does not 
 derogate from the Freenefs of Grace, and the Ful- 
 nefs and Perfection of Redemption m that Blood; 
 and fo entrench upon Faith alone in it. 
 
 Quer. 2. Whether our Repentance is not made 
 jubjefl; to Human Judgment in two Cafes? 
 
 1. To the Judgment of Minifters, or (as men 
 
 fpeak of the Church) feeing (o many expreflions of 
 thrift feem to fufpend it there > whofe fins fo 
 
 eier 
 
<go Of cm Bvavgelkal Repentatice* 
 
 Mativi&ip* ever yon remit, they are remitted 
 €. 1 8. 18* and whofe fins you retain , they are 
 John 20*25 retained* 
 
 2. When our fins are Trefpajjes, and Injuries n- 
 gainft .\ en, whether, if they do not forgive us, ic 
 be not a prejudice, and Bar to Divfne Forgivenefn 
 yea though we have bur grieved , fcandali^d ; or 
 f ipectally drawn them into fin by our example ^ 
 or even follickation, and temptation to fin, feeing 
 fbme Scriptures command us to Agree with our Ad- 
 vevfarkt, &c. To leave our gift before the Altar ,Matr. 
 5* 25, 24, c* i8» 15. &c. 
 
 Anfwer i„ Sorrow for fin, and Repentance are 
 by no means to be look'd upon as feparate from 
 the Blood and Redemption of the Lord Jefus *, but 
 as Sowing from it, and Ordain d by God, in the hand 
 9§ the Mediatory who truly gives it, n>a(hes it in hk 
 vmt Blood, and as the great High Priefly Offers ic 
 with the Incenje^ Optments, zn&rich Perfumes of his 
 own; Holinefs, Righteoufnefs , and Purity. He 
 Promotes, Advances, and gives Grace of a conti- 
 nual Renewing of it. And this is the true account 
 of the room and place all Graces have in the Co- 
 venant of Grace ; fo that though they are required 
 oi us, as indifprr/fable Duties, and even, as it 
 were, Conditions of the Covenant of Grace on our 
 parts j and we are fpoken to in a way of Rational 
 and Intelledual manner of Exhortations, Counfels, 
 Reproofs Promifes, Threatnings, yet the(e are a# 
 but inftrumental Conveyances of the Efficacies of 
 the Spirit of our great Melchifedec, who blejjes hi? 
 People in turning them every one from their 'Iniquities. 
 
 Even 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 9 l 
 
 Even from every one of their own Iniquities- and 
 makes up, whatever is wanting in tte feverities, 
 or Powers of Holinefs in Repentance, by his own 
 Sufferings and Obedience. And thus the weight of 
 the Covenant, that fhall never be found fault wit b % 
 becaufe the Covenantees brake it, is fufpended 
 upon him, that is mighty -, the Nail fattened in a 
 place fo fur e, that the weight of not only Cups, but 
 Flagons, Veffels^ of all Quantities, both the Jffue, 
 zwdthe Off-firing, reft fecure upon him, even to 
 Eternity, Ejfay 22. 23. And thus Difcourfmg of Re- 
 pentance, it can be no derogation , either in the 
 forrowing, nor the Reforming Parts of it. 
 
 Anfw. 2. The Adminiflration of the Church, or 
 of the Patter, or Elders (who are alfo the Evan- 
 gelical Bifhops,) hath no other Power but of Mi- 
 niftry in the Declaring, and Applying, as they 
 find juft occafion, all the Prcmifes to the True 
 and fincere Repenters; and the Denunciations, 
 and threatnings to the Obdurate, Obftinate and 
 Impenitent Sinners, and on Infincere Repentance ; 
 and if they do this Errame Clave, not according to 
 the Truth of the GoipeJ, it neither Binds on Earth, 
 nor in Heaven ; elfe the Power of the Church, or 
 the Minifters were Defpotic , and Lordly ; they 
 would Exercife Authority to purpofe, which Chrift 
 fays, They fhall not ; nor be accounted Everget& 
 Indulgers of a Repentance, however but Counter- 
 feit, or Infincere 3 or on the other fide Dominate 
 over trne Repenranc, Lu\e 22.25. They have no 
 Dominion ever their Faith, no more have they over 
 their Repentance ; but are helpers of their Joy, or 
 Godly forrow ; and the Fublifhers of the Wrath to 
 
 come 
 
92 Of an Evangelical Repentance! 
 
 come on all obSinate Sinners, or Hypocritical Re- 
 peaters, 2 Cor. i. 24. c. io. 6. 
 
 Anfw. 3. Although it is indeed the Duty of a 
 fincere Penitent to Ask Forgivenefs of thofe, whom 
 they have offended, either by Injury, or Scandal *, 
 and to make ali the Spiritual Reparations, they can 
 in cafe of Scandal ; and in and by thk Worlds goods, 
 as they are able, in cafe of that Kind^of Injuries ', 
 Yet it is alfo the Duty of thofe, who are, orhave 
 been fo Trefpafs'd upon either way, to Forgive and 
 under that higheft Obligaiion ; that except they 
 fo forgive, as They are Commanded, their Heaven- 
 ly Father ml? not forgive them their Trefpajfes. 
 
 But whether they do according to their Duty, or 
 do not ; God retains thofe fupreme Keys of Par- 
 don of fin, and Abfolution of ihe Penitent in his 
 own Hand ; and he hath the right, and juft Title 
 fotodo j For he is the nDt only Law-Giver Pa- 
 ramount, and if there be no Law of his broken, 
 there is no Tranfgreffion -, but if he Pardon^, and 
 Juftifies* none can condemn ; Tranjgrejjion is 
 Covered, and taken away, whether men forgive, or 
 not; dfe they could not be Blejfed, to whom he 
 imputes not fin, if men had power flill to Impure it: 
 And hftly he is the Sovereign Proprietor s the Of- 
 fender, and the Ofended are alike his : They 
 are both not only his VaiFals, but have Forfeited 
 themfelves and their All, to his Juftice ; upon all 
 
 thefe Accounts, David faid, againfl 
 JPfaJ. $*. 4. thee, thee only have I fmned, and not 
 
 againfl Uriah ; but in fuchan Inferi- 
 ority, as that my offence againft him is Bound or 
 
 Loofed 
 
Uf an hvangdical Kefentdncc. 93 
 
 Lcofed, as thon Pardoneft ; fo then if God Pardon?, 
 though Vriah\ Family, or Pofterity, or himfelf 
 (if he could >have furviv'd) had not Pardon'd ; 
 yet God wculd be Justified in Speakjrg, cr de- 
 daring, David a Pardon'd Sinner ; arid clear in 
 Judging him fo, in fo taking awaj hU Iniquity, that 
 he fhould not Dye for ir. And this is the true 
 fenfeof that great Penetential acknowledgment of 
 David, and not any intention of fetting himfelf up 
 in his Royal Dignity, as above the general, and or- 
 dinary Rank of Sinners , or Offenders. He had 
 fomething elfe to do, when he was thus humbling 
 himfelf before God, and befeeching mercy, than to 
 Magnify himfelf above his fellow Creatures : He was 
 laying fail hold of Infinite Power, and Grace, and 
 Pardon 5 and from which there was no Appeal : 
 For unto thee Lord, beUngs Mercy uncontrollable, 
 who haft the Ultimate Judicature of t{endring to 
 the 2refpaJJor 9 and Trefcajjed according to their 
 Works. 
 
 Now, Seeing the generality of Chriftians,truft to 
 Death-Bed'Repentance, I fhould give a Refolution to 
 that great, and concernful Queftion ; whether 
 there be a poffibility of a Sinner, and faving Death- 
 Bed-Repentance. But in anfwer to that there is 
 added unto this Treatife of Repentance a Dif- 
 courfe Printed feveral years ago of the fame fen fe 
 and Spirit with this Doctrine of Repentance, and 
 is therefore under review, and as in fecond Editi- 
 on prefented wkh it ; I will therefore conclude 
 this with feme few and fhort Pra&ical Inferences, 
 the whole being compos'd to life and Praftife. 
 
 Infer, 
 
94 Of an Evaugelkal Repentance* 
 
 Infer, r. How admirably Wife, and Holy is God 
 irthis Grace, Mercy, and Pardoning Goodnefs! He 
 is not Loofe, or Prodigal in his Forgivenefs, but 
 hath provided this Admirable Grace, and Duty of 
 Repentance, to (hew ; that as he does no; cat off 
 Awes of him, and Reverential Returns to him, 
 by offering no Mercy, but giving up to Defpair 5 
 fo he does not turn Wild the Hearts, and Con- 
 fciences of them, whom he Pardons, by Licentious 
 Forgivenefs, but fo fiated, and bounded that his 
 Grace may not he turned to JVantcnnefs. 
 
 And this is the Name of God in the Redeemer, 
 he is a Holy, and wife Redeemer ; he does not 
 Redeem without Repentance, he hath upon him 
 the Spirit of IVifdom, and Vnderftanding, and of the 
 Fear of the Lord ; he is quicl^ of Vnderftanding in 
 the Fear of the Lords he does not judg after the fight 
 of the Eyes-, nor Reprove after the hearing of the Ears. 
 But right eoufnefs is the girdle of his Loyns , and 
 Faithfulness the girdle of hk Reines, Efay 11. 2. 
 Let us then aright undemanding this Wife Grace 
 of the Gofpel, as not take Sacritegioufly out of 
 it thefe Richeft Jewels of its Wifdom, and Holy- 
 nefs; denying Repentance in eirher our DocTrine^ 
 and Principles, or in onr Lives and Pra&ife. 
 
 Infer. 2. 5eeing God hath not only in his Gof- 
 pel, but by the very Law, and, as 1 may call ir, 
 Gofpel of Natural Confcience, Commanded all Men 
 every where to Repent; and Bccaufe, that is, not 
 full enough, clear enough to lead to true fav'mg 
 Repentance 5 he hath therefore written it to us 
 with the Sun-beam of his Gofpel j let us therefore 
 
 think 
 
Cf sn EvangelkaiBjQetiamx* 9* 
 
 thank, If it be Inferable for Tyremd fj^ 
 Vagans, and Indies, in the Vay of 3^™™\ 
 How much more *iH k be for ™™^^ 
 For if thev are Condemned, who have not Com- 
 ported wi?h fo dear, fo abfolutely *f*g*g 
 Wife, fo Holy, fo every way *«™/V^2 
 Inviting Doarine, made known to be fo, by a much 
 dimmer Light, what will be done tc > us, who 
 have not been drmn' and led to it by fo Gknm 
 Rayes of the S»n of Righteous ;i *«»» ' fucn 
 Riches of Gocdnefs have not kd to Aqen- 
 Jvmce ? 
 
 7/i/er. a How A&m&fe is the Grace ofGodm 
 JefusChrill .who hath not only given us the DoSrm 
 of Repentance, but by his Sprirgws the very 
 GrJit felf/ He hath put no Trf m our w« 
 Fwer* of Vnderftanding, Will, ^elhon^mMtal 
 Conkier.ce, Reafon, or Morality, but only > w i rns 
 own Stirir, and Grace in his 'Sob -5 nor , doth te 
 
 Accept our I{ep™ tance "P 011 . "\ W ° r T 9 P V S 
 perfection 5 but wraps it up hi Ae wfcAofcJ-a 
 the RighteoufnefsofJeSusCbrifl, and fo it isipha- 
 fing in hisfight ; fo he does not leflen, nor ^ 
 rogate from the gracioufnefs of his Off?/ by to 
 poling fuch a Duty 5 But he magnifies it by .giv- 
 ing fohigh, and admirable a &m and Bra* 
 Fobw within us. 
 
 Infer, 4. Seeing TfcpoiMna is a Gwcof focte 
 truly Evangelical Excellencies ; fo agreeaole 10 -mt. 
 
 A/fetf; W#m, and Hofine/*. as wdl aS ?^'£2 
 Cmtafmoi theSftfemer* let us trie <his Go/am 
 «he f ke of fevereft fcaidi, and caaiainauon by gp 
 
$5 Of an Evangelical Repentance^ 
 
 Gofpel Light, that we may not be pleafed, and 
 contented with a Counterfeit , with any other 
 Repentance, than that unto Salvation, not to be Re- 
 pentedof\ Lead we for ever Repent of our Re- 
 pentance, in H-ll, where there is no place of Evan- 
 gelical, faving Repentance $ but of that only, which 
 is a barren Fiery Horror, and Defpaire fcorching 
 
 the Confcience for ever, and not al- 
 Luke 16.24. laying it with a Drop of Water to 
 
 Cooll outragious Tongue ; Blafphem- 
 ing at the fame time God, and Chrift ; and our 
 impenitent felves, who would not Repent, while 
 we had fpace, and place for our Repentance. 
 
 Infer. $. Let us by all the mod moving Confide- 
 rationsof the Evil of fin, the hatefulnefs and un- 
 reafonablenefs of it; the fenfe of the Goodnefs, 
 and Grace of God in Chrift ; all his Judgments, 
 all his Mercies; the fenfe of an Eternal Mifery,and 
 Punnifhment from his Prefence ; be ftrongly mov'd, 
 excited, ftirr'd, and led to Repentance. 
 
 Infer. 6. Let us rejoyce in the fweet Repofes of 
 Confcience, when we have truly Repented ; in the 
 infinite Power, Authority, and Supreme right of 
 God to Pardon upon Repentance ; not dependent 
 upon, Man, nor upon the Will of Man ; Who is a 
 God like unto him, who Pardons Iniquity, Tranf- 
 grejjiin, aad Sin, and catfs it into the depth of the 
 Sea; who ma\es by his Pardon , fins, as Scarlet, 
 and Crimfon to be White as Snow y and Wooll, that 
 blots out Iniquity as a Cloud , and a thic\ Cloud 
 with the fame Potency, and Eafe, that the Sun 
 does off a Cloud ; and with infinitely greater. 
 
 Let 
 
vj an jivangeucai wjieniance+ 97 
 
 Lee us Rcjoyce in the great Efficacies of the 
 Redeemer, Pardoning fm upon Earthy as the great 
 High Pried of our Profejjion, and the Bifhop of our 
 Souls; Abfolving rruly Repenting Sinners, by the 
 Witnefs of his Blood , [printing the Heart from an 
 evil Conference, and jpealgng better things than the 
 Blood of Abel j The Blood as of a Lamb without fpot y 
 Offered by the Eternal Spirit, Purging the Conference 
 from dead worlds, together with, and even as the 
 Author^ndFiniffjer of faith and repettarci f oai dead 
 TvorleSyto ferve the Living God> H;b. 9. c. 10. c» 12. 
 Lee us rejoyce in the Witnefs of the Divine Spi- 
 rit, Sealing, and Witnejjing to us by Repentance^ 
 vpaflnng the Body, che whole Gonverfaticnjas with 
 pure water. 
 
 Let us rejoyce in ail the BLefled Promifes, and 
 Aflurances of the Word of God, made by it to 
 fincere Penitents , which are yea and Amen in 
 ChrifL „ v .r 
 
 For all thefe are o!" far greater Authority, Truth, 
 Certainty, than All Bindings •> or Loofxtgs on Earthy 
 whether by the Ecclefaftical, as we call it , Ad- 
 miniftrarion of the Kcyes\ or by Men forghing oye 
 Another^ however necetfary theTe may be in their 
 place. 
 
 ^Jnfen, nth. Seeing the Kingdom of God y andcf 
 Heaven is the greac Motive to Repentance! as hath 
 been before on great Reafon made out j The high 
 Reafon we have, to believe, chat by the Apoftlcs 
 calling, it the LaVt timi x jhe laft hoary the ends of 
 the Woddy fo many Hundreds of Years ago j we 
 muft needs be now uoon the very la ft iQue, and 
 determination of that Time •, when the Kingdom 
 (hall appear in Glorv, and all other kind cr tine 
 H 
 
So Vf -an twang elical KejentanQe. 
 
 Jbali be no more } How great a Cloud does therefore 
 Eucompafs us, that we fliould, by no means, be 
 
 willing or able, to Rend* to Engage, 
 Heb. 12. r. us to run with Patience the Race of 
 
 Repentance fet before us$ and to that 
 End, to lay a fide every weight, and the fin that doth 
 fo eajlly be fet us j looking unto J ejus, the Author and 
 Finfjfber of our Repent ance,thzt it may be to Salvation, 
 and -never to be Repented rfy Hearing him who in 
 the days of his Flejh, becaufe the offers, and firft 
 appearances, and Firji Fruits of his Kingdom,™ txc 
 then begun, Preached faying, I^epent, for the King- 
 dom of Heaven is at hand: fo the full Harvefi of that 
 Kingdo w,being now. ready to appear, he does by the 
 Voices of all his Vrophets in the Old, and New Tene- 
 ment, inftantly Preach to us ; Repent for the King- 
 dom of Heaven is at Hand. 
 
 And of how^ftrong, and tlofe Connexion the 
 Kingdom of God , and of Chrift, and Repent- 
 ance, are, I fhall more fully, and largely- .at this 
 time Reprefent, as a mod folemn Conchifion of 
 this Difcourfe. 
 
 There is a fixed fpace given, and a peculiar 
 Interval Appointed : Lying between the time of 
 the Apoflacy, call'd, the Time , Times , and Half 
 
 ■Time, or the 1260 Days, and the Time of the 
 Viak And iris 30 years making the 136c, 1290 
 Years, Dan. ri. if. even as the 45 Years of the 
 Vials to the Abfolutely blejjedflate of the Kingdom 
 i)f 'Chrift in Gkry, when the Saints fhall allftand 
 
 ■in, cheir tots, fill up to that very Fulnefs of 
 
 -Times, 
 
 Now 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance! y$ 
 
 Now at rhisfpace of the Thirty Tears, the Spirit 
 fhaU be powred oat from on Wigh : The Song of the 
 Lamb, which hath been Co long out of ufe, thac 
 it becomes, as it were, a new Song , and can be ac 
 fitft learnt only by the 144000 fhall be Taught by 
 them immediately, and the Ever lading Gofpelfh^l 
 be without delay upon tq Preacfrd to every Nation^ 
 Tongue^ and Feople under Heavens and then there 
 fhall be as in preparation to the Glory of the King- 
 dom of Chrtjl, but under the Influence of that 
 Kingdom in' Succefion, a mighty Spirk of Godly 
 Sorrow wording Repentance to Salvation, never then 
 indeed to be Repented of poured oat upon all 
 Flejh 
 
 Now becaufe this is a point of great moment 
 to the Doctrine of Repentance, and fees forth much 
 of the Excellency of Repentance : I fhall give 
 very great Scriptures, ztid argue upon them for the 
 truth of ir. ♦ ■ • 
 
 Scripture 1. The firft Scripture I would infrfl 
 upon, fhall be from a consideration of thac great 
 Ordinance of God concerning the Day of Attone- 
 ment among the Children of Ifrael: This Ordinance 
 lie fir.d, Levr. 22. 27. In the tenth day ef the (e- 
 venthy the Sabbat tkal Month, there fhall be a day 
 cf attonement : It frail be an Holy Convocation to yon : 
 find you (ball a ffii II- your Souls : And you (hall do ni 
 worl^in that fame day: For it is a day of Atwement 
 to mahj bttonement for you before the Lord yrnr God: 
 for what joever Soul it be, that fl)all not be ajylt:fedin 
 that fame Day, he fbali be cut off from among his 
 Veople: And wharf -ever Soul it be that doth anywor\ 
 ■t fame day, the jams Soul mil I deilroy from 
 H 2 among 
 
10O Of an Evangelical Repentances 
 
 6mong his People : It (fjall be a flame for ever through- 
 Out your Generations in all your Dwellings : It fljatt 
 be to you a Sabbath of Reft, andyoufhall Afflittyour 
 Souls. And on that day there were the great rites 
 of Sacrifice *, the Bullocl^, the fin Offering *, the 
 Blood of which was carried into the Holy of Ho- 
 lies, to make an attonement for the Vncleannejjes 
 of the Triers and People, and to reconcile the 
 Holy of Holies, and the Mercy Seat, and the Ta- 
 bernacle of the Congregation , and the Goat that 
 was to be Iiili'ed in the fame Manner *, and the 
 fcape-Goat, throughout c< i6 t 
 
 Now that which I lay in the Foundation, is, 
 That God never appointed any of thefe great 
 Rites, but they had a Solemn fignification; a fig- 
 nifieation, as follemn, as the Type was: So that 
 there muft be fome great fenfe of rhis day of attone- 
 ment , I know it had a great fulfilling in Chrift; 
 and in him, as an Offering once for all, that imme- 
 diately Entred into the Holy of Holies, with his own 
 Blood to appear in Heaven for us , It had very great 
 parts of its accomplifhment : But there are other 
 great Parts that are to be fulfill'd in his Saints and 
 for them, as in themfelves : And efpecially in this 
 folemn Afflitlion : So that as if any did not afflitf 
 their Souls, they were to be cut off fo now. 
 
 And in thefe things, this day had many very 
 remarkable Lines of the follemn afflitfion and attorn- 
 ment, that fhall be in the very lart parts of Time , 
 and near the ftate of the Kingdom of Chrift. 
 
 I. It was an Ordinance throughout the Generations 
 of both Natural, and Adopted Jjrael. A Statute 
 for ever, that is,until the ver} Kingdom of Chrift. 
 
 2. It 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 101 
 
 2. Ic was in all parts of it Sabbattical -, prepaid 
 for the great Sabbatifm of the Kingdom of 
 ChriSt. 
 
 3. ft was when the Holieft of all, and the Taber- 
 nacle of the Congregation, and even the Mercy feat , 
 and Altar, were Purified and ^cconcWd', not in 
 themfelves ; for they were feparate and pure, 
 efpecially the Holy of Holies; much more the Hea- 
 venly Antitypes: But in regard of theVncleannefsot 
 the Children of 1 jrael: For with relation to all the 
 Saints, and Servants of Chrift, even to the very 
 laft of them in this corrupt World of the Firjl 
 Adam, they muft be Purified and Reconciled; that 
 fo God aud the Lamb coming down with the Holy 
 of Holies * and Tabernacle to bz with Men, and to 
 dwell among them,mzy appear in vifible Glory. 
 
 4. That peculiar Sacrifical Rite of the Scape 
 Goat on this day fent away into the TVildernefs, was 
 a mod lively fignification of the final aft of Obli- 
 vion, and acl: of Amnefty upon all fin, and the Curfe 
 for it born away into the Land of Forgetfnlnefs % 
 and fo perfeel: attonement made, and all former 
 Evils of the Curfe Forgotten, Efay6 $. 16, 17. 
 
 $. It was followed immediately by the Feafl of 
 Tabernacles 5 So great a Type of the Kingdom of 
 Chrift, in the Trees of Paradije, and the Paradifiac 
 Branches^ when the Tabernacle of God is with Men^ 
 as before. 
 
 When thus the Glory of the Attonement and Re- 
 demption of Chnft fhall come into open View, and 
 the Holy State fully purified from all Vncleanneffes 
 of the Saints, and perfectly reconciled, above, ma- 
 uiktt, and reveal it felf'. Eefore chat, there (hall be 
 H 3 
 
loi Of an EvangelicalRelpentdn 
 
 a geverzyAffliZtitigths Soul, the mod folcmn, Peni- 
 tential, chat ever was in the world. 
 
 -Script, 2. The Second Scripture r urge to this 
 purpofe, is-, Pfalm 84. & Who faffing through the Val- 
 ley of Baca, or weeping maty; it a Well. The P s am 
 d\o filleth the Pool* : They go' from Jhengrh to ftfttogth : 
 every one' of them in Zhn afpsareth befre God. So 
 Jenni. 50. 4, 5. Tn tkofc Days, faith the Lord, the 
 Children of lyael foal! come, they and the Children cf 
 together : Gehg, and Weeping •, theffhil! g^ 
 ecli the Lord their God ; they fljall at\the way 
 ^n : with their Faces thitherward. This fpeaksa 
 solemn weeping and mourning Aramed\nc\y before the 
 up to Zion: as if the Rivers overflowed in this 
 Day of Mowrni:.i with He Tears of the Servants of 
 God, as after fome great (laughter, with Blood ; or 
 Che Battel of Armageddon ftull come 
 up to the ffirfe-Bridlesofchrift', and of hu SV.* 
 .-, their Vl r hite Horfes of Triuvvh: So be 
 tfefey th't Pools and Wells fhsll be fllFd titift tne 
 Tears of feints in their Day of Great Mourning and 
 Repsntafosi 
 
 ; 3. A Third Great Scripture I infiftupon 9 
 1 1- ii. In that Day there fh all he a great 
 ■-■ling in Jerufalem y as the mourning of Hadadrim- 
 ram, in the Valley of Megiddo : And the Land (hall 
 Ttiyrrfrnl every Family apart , and tbe Families thai re* 
 apzrt. This Prophecy is molt apparently, by 
 :e.fore, and follows atrer, a Frofkeey 
 Rrn'gfiohi of Chrift *, and for that king dm 4? 
 : K rhere is fo great a mourning, as in prepira ti- 
 ra Chill be a ityim 0/ Gfrfofe *frd[< $*jH 
 ■ 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance. 103 
 
 plication j an admirable univerfal Grace of Repent- 
 ing, in all parts of Repentance, poured out upon the 
 Ifraelof God in Jerusalem, looking on him whom thef 
 have peircd, and fo long Rejected ; and a joyn* 
 mourning of Convert- Gentiles, reprelented by the 
 Mourning of Hadad-Rimmon, or of the very glory of 
 Affyria-, known by the name of their God ^rmmon, 
 and their Dedication to hh Glory ; this Mourning 
 of the Gentiles -fhall be in Megiddo, as in Ifrael 
 for all their Idolatries,andCrta7#/w£V 1 f Chrift in his 
 Witneffes flain in Spiritual Egypt , of which that 
 excellent Prince Jtfiak flain in the Caufe of 
 Affyria, by Vharoah King of Egypt was a Type, and 
 fo lamented by both Ifrael, and Affyria'. Ifraelites 
 by Nature, and Adoptive Jf)\d, in that great day 
 fhall mourn > and it fhall -be lb deep,, and fineere 
 that all families fhall Mourn, not only together, 
 but apart: They fhall not Mourn for fhew, form, 
 and Company, or need that Natural Excitation of 
 Mourning, the feeing one another Mourn ; but they 
 fhall Mourn apart. The Royal family, fignified by 
 the Houfe of David -, the Prophetic^ Families, figni- 
 fied by the Houfe of Nathan', the Prieflly Family 
 fignified by the Houfe cf Levi, and Scribal Families 
 fignified by the Uonfeof Shimei ; and the converted 
 Gentiles, fignified by the Families that remain ', the 
 ufual Character for the Heathen Nations : Becaufe 
 Ifrael, in God's account, is the? principal -, The 
 Remnant, whom the Lord our God flmU call, Joel c 
 1. 51, and theRefidue of Men, even all the Gen- 
 tiles, as the Apoftle James, Ads 15. 17. interprets, 
 Amosy. ir. 
 
 Nc*w in this Day of the great mourning, and ajfli- 
 
 cling the Soul, this Day of attonement, there fhall be 
 
 H 4 an 
 
IQ4 Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 an opening the Fountain for S?w, and for Vncleannejs 5 
 for the wafbing of the Robes of all Saints , and ma* 
 Ming them white tn the' Blood of the Lamb : that as k 
 !5 granted to them y they may be arrayed in Linen 
 white and clean \ which is the Right eou fnefs of tbe 
 Sarpts y Rev. 7. 14. c. 1 c. 8. 
 
 4. The lafl Scripture, wherein I will draw up, 
 and fum this Point, is Revelations 14. 6, 1 faiv 
 another Angel fly in the midji of heaven , having the 
 tverhfitng Gofpel to preach to all , &c. fa}> 
 mg? Fear God, and give glooyto him, by Confctiicn, 
 Humiliation, and Repentance. At which time the 
 Gentihs fh all come from the ends of the Earthy and fay, 
 Our Fathei s have inherited Lies, and things, wherein 
 there it no profit : Shall a man make bimjelf Gods of 
 them who are noGods ; who have not made the Hea- 
 vens, nor the Earth, the Sea, nor the Fountains of Wa- 
 ter. This fhall be when God this once ^that once, 
 when he is jufr ready to foal^e Heaven and. Earth J 
 and thU otfcefignifies the doing it fo, that it ihali ne- 
 ver need to be done any more ', and thev (hall know 
 that his Name is Jehovah \ that he U the true God. 
 and all other Gods flmll perifl) from the Earth, and 
 frcmvnderthefe Heavens, Jcrem. io 8 11. c. id. 19, 
 2 c, 21. 
 
 Tnus, as at the firil preaching of the GofpeJ 5 
 there were fo great Conversions* pricings in the 
 ). \irt, and Repentances, Afls 2, (&c. Becaufc that 
 was the jullnefs of time : So there fhall be much 
 greater, when the folinefs of times , even of All 
 Time fhall be : For whatever was done by way of 
 Inehoation, and Beginning, in the fulkefs of time, 
 ill be much more done at the fullness of times, or 
 
 of 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* I0£ 
 
 qS all time: For That Gofpel , that was alway- 
 the everlafting Gofpel, fhall then appear in that 
 ftile, and be known by it. The everlafting Gofpel, 
 and therefore its Force, Effeft, and Succefs, fhall 
 be much greater than ever. 
 
 And it immediately follows upon this Preaching 
 the Everlasting Gofpel, another Angel proclaim "d with 
 a loud Voice ; Babilon U fallen, is fallen *, before this 
 jc could not be done. The Church of Perga- 
 mus was blarrui for having them, that held the 
 Dofirine of Balam ; and who taught to eat things 
 Sacrificed to Idols -, and Thyatyrafor Juffering them ; 
 They had not Mourned, that they might be caU out^ 
 as the Apoftle fpeaks, i Cor. 5. 2. and therefore 
 they were Commanded to Repent, and draw to 
 Repentance all fuch among them, that belonged to 
 the Election of Grace, Rev. c. 2. and here is that 
 great Repentance, by which Babylon is utterly caS 
 out, and fallen, as it follows in the nextThimder, 
 or Voice from Weaven,to that of the euerlaftingGof- 
 pel: And then, as it was in that Apoftolic time, 
 phey brought out their Books of curious arts, and 
 burnt them publickly, even to the value of 50000 
 Peices of Silver, fo fhall the curious arts of Ido- 
 latry, Sorcery and Impurity be expos'd and for ever 
 devoted at that time to the Flames, hfts 19. 
 19. 
 
 Now how does this Recommend to us the 
 Doctrine of Repentance throughout all our Genera- 
 tions, and through the whole courfe of our Lives , 
 feeing the World of the Savd fhall be thus Bap- 
 ilfeclmth the Baptifmoi Repentance for the Remrf- 
 non of S'msy juft before Salvation. 
 
 And 
 
10$ Of art Evangelical Repentance* 
 
 And into rhis Treafury, all ages of Saints in the 
 World, before this time, have cart by Mourning,God~ 
 ly Sorrow, and Repentance: For have not their Tears 
 been put into God y s Bottle , and are they not in his 
 Boo^s? And at what time are they more likely to 
 be Produced to their Etternal Account, and Ad- 
 vantage, ihaq in fuch a day of Attonement, and 
 Reconciliation ? When the days of P^efrcjlnn?, that 
 Bkjjed, and Happy Age fljall come forth from the 
 prefence of the Lord, his immediate Appearance, 
 even the fame Appearance that fhall utterly abarifi) 
 the man of fin, 2 Thef. 2.8. and I re- 
 
 enliventhe Saints, that have Dyed and ; i in Je- 
 ftts, into the Fir]} Refurreclion, upon '-(Ted' 
 
 nefs is then Proclaimed ; when 'all fins/hall be perfeff- 
 ly blotted out, and their holy Worlds alone ttia}\ fellow - 
 them (among which Repentance is one of rhe Prin- 
 ch nj in the Day of the Reftitution *f ail things, 
 in the day of Salvation when it fhall >opear, 'rue 
 Evangelical Repentance is never to be Repented of 
 Ads 5. 19, 2io Rev. 14. 13. 
 
 And io move us therefore all, and to provoke 
 us to either the fir ft Repentance, if we have not 
 
 yet Repented; or to Renewed and 
 Rom. 13. 1 2. advanced Rep:nnnce *, let us con- 
 
 nder, how far the Night of the 
 Apofiafy is pafsYf, and the Day of Salvation is at 
 
 hand ? How very near it grows ;£ 
 Heb, 10. How much more we fee the Day ap- 
 24, 25. proaching ? For we. are now in the 
 
 1255th day of the Witncffes \i.6^> 
 days of Tears , of their Mourning and Sackcloth ; 
 and upon the 25th day of the Laft Month of the 42 
 Moons of hpoflacy : and when rhey end, the Kingdom 
 
 of 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 107 
 
 cf Chritt (hall be immediately Proclaim'd : How 
 near then is the Kingdom of Heaven at Hand 1* 
 
 Infer. 8. Becaufc, I know, there is fo great an 
 unwillingnefs to believe fuch an Approach of 
 the Kingdom of Chrift 5 Let us rake, as we ftand 
 in the National Community, whereof we are, this 
 great Doctrine of Repentance into deepefl and 
 clofeft cormdera tion. For we find Scripture,whcn- 
 ever it fpeaks to a Community, as to the Kingdom 
 of Judah, and Ifrael> in the Prophets it ftill fpeaks 
 to them, as fuch Communities, as in the Language, 
 and Doclrine of Repentance j and when it fpeaks 
 to the Churches, as in the fecond and third Chap- 
 ters of the Revelation, it fpeaks to them as fuch 
 Communities, and commands them to Repent^ as 
 was before obferv'd. 
 
 How necellarv therefore to the National Body is 
 the Doctrine of Repentance , taken as relating to a 
 Community^ How' neceffary muft it needs be to 
 every one of us, not only as for our own Immor- 
 tal Souls, but as Farts and Members of the Nati- 
 onal Community 3 and to the Church, or Church- 
 es of thisNavon ; that of the Church of England, 
 cr the National Church, as fo, many love to fpeak '* 
 or to rfcc Churches , that are in England , or 
 Churches of England, as others agreeably enough 
 with Scripture, fpeak as of the Churches of fa- 
 de* $ of Qalatia', and thus undoubtedly ther£ 
 is a tmth in both ways of fpeaking. 
 
 For when God hath given a Nation an iiniver- 
 
 fal confent in the Profeflion of the Name of God, 
 
 of Chrift, and of the Gofpel , they do in many 
 
 ac Regards, and Accounts of Scripture, come 
 
 under 
 
io8 Of an Evangelical Repentance. 
 
 under fuch ao Obligatory reprefentation, as a Na- 
 tional Cburch\ zbjudah and Ifrael in the times of 
 the Old Teftament came under. And all particu- 
 lar ChwrcheSy wherein fo ever they differ in many 
 particulars, and make diflind Affociationsof them- 
 felves, may be iook'd upon, as particular Churches ; 
 and fo Scripture vouches for them ; becaufe they 
 dp in a Particular Union give them felves to the 
 Lord , and to one another ; yet notwithftanding, 
 they cannot, what ever thev may think, put off 
 their Relation to the whole Nation, whereto they 
 are United as pares ; nor to it, as United with 
 them, in the futftantial Effential Points of Chrifti- 
 anity, not fo Adulterated , bnc that fuch Church 
 is look'd upon as a true Church, by God, and by 
 Chrift. 
 
 Nor can the more general or National Church 
 Dif-intereft ic felf in any of the more particula r 
 and DiJJenting Churches j feeing in God's account 
 they are within ie; even thofe that are pureft, 
 and have molt of the Spirit, and Power of Chri- 
 ftianity, and truly Purer than it felf, as in the ge- 
 neral 5 as the more general Church oj Sardls had 
 within it (elf, the few purer Names 
 Rev. 3. i. that had not Defiled their Garments, 
 t&c. This is when a more general Church 
 
 is pure in fuSfiantials.of Doctrine, 
 Worfhip, a n d Laws of Holy Converfation ; it is 
 other wife when what is calFd a Church * is Antu 
 christian and Idolatrous in its fubflancials j as in 
 thofe of the Papacy i and have no more Right 
 to the Name of a Churchy than that Idolatrous 
 affembly, that cried up Diana of the Eohefians, 
 Ms iQ.though it be there caifd by the farae Name 
 
 of 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance, log 
 
 of a Churchy or Ecclefia, that the Churches of the 
 Saints are. v. 32. 41. 
 
 Now this I have Premif'd, to (hew, how 
 neceflary the Do&rine of Repentance is to be Of- 
 fered, and (o be Received by the generality of the 
 Church, Churches^ and People of this Nation; ac- 
 cording to the Do&rine of both the New and Old 
 Teftamenty even that Repentance that hath been 
 Difcours'd *, the Repentance to Salvation^ never to 
 be Repented of and to be wrought by a Godly forrorp> 
 or a forrovp after God, 
 
 It may look like a Difficulty 5 how a Nation 
 Compofed of fuch Variety of lefler, aad diftinct 
 Communities, one from another ; and much more 
 fo many fingie perfons , fhould be brought to 
 Unite in Repentance ; or a Church, that hath fo 
 many lefler, and different Churches; or, How 
 fuch a Repentance can be a Repentance to Salvation ; 
 feeing Nations are not fo much fev'd as Nations, 
 but particular Perfons, of thofe general Commu- 
 nities are the Saved. 
 
 This may be three ways Reconciled. 
 
 1. By considering, there is the Face of 2 Nati- 
 on, and of a National Profeffion of Chriftianity , 
 in the Princes,RuIers,and Counceis of it : and When 
 thefe fee themfelves to Repentance, of Refor- 
 mation : How greatly neceflary therefore is it to 
 Reprefent with greateft Efficacies of Perfwafion to 
 them the duty to Reform themfelves; and to be ex- 
 amples of the fame to the Nation :We find therefore 
 Umverfally inScriptnre, there is fo much applica- 
 tion to the Kings, and Nobles, the CbunfeIlors % 
 and Judges of IJrael ; and Remonftrances againft 
 their fins, and not Reforming. 
 
 And 
 
110 Of au hvangehcal Repentance"! 
 
 And this lies with efpecial Obligation upon 
 thofe, who are Exalted* into the mod publick 
 Stations of the Chriftian Miniftration ; thofe, who 
 are the moft pubiick Seers. So we find Nathan, 
 the King's Seer, was chofen out by God to fpeakto 
 David, in thofe two great fervices of fhewing 
 David his fin, and moving him to Repentance, 
 2 Sam. 1 2. When he had fo fallen ; God fenc to 
 more him to Repentance by bis own Seer, or, as I 
 may Exprefs it, Bifhop. And fo in the Cafe of 
 Numbring the People j God fent to David by Gad y 
 another of his Seers, 2 Sam. 24. 11. 
 
 Again, when God declared to David the 
 Building the Temple, not by himfelf, but by his 
 Son Solomon-, to- encourage his Preparation for 
 it 5 but to Countermand his Building it; he did 
 it by the fame Nathan, his Seer, 1 Chron. 17. g. 
 And thus when God, by his Providence, Ex- 
 airs any to a Precedency, or Presidency in the 
 Gofpel JVtinittry, fo as to be near Princes, and 
 Councels, and Senates in that high Adminifrra- 
 tion ; when they are Zealous, and Succefsful in 
 their Preaching Repentance j and fuch Higher 
 Powers are mov'd by it: This generally goes 
 down from fuch Heads of a Nation, to the shirts 
 of the Garment, viz. The fubordinated Miniftry of 
 a Nation, and its Magiftracy, and fo to the ge- 
 nerality of the People : And it becomes in God's 
 gracious acceptance through Chrift, and Ac- 
 count, a National Repentance, though there may 
 be many particular' Perfons, both in Miniftry 
 and Magiftracy negligent of their Daty, and 
 much more many unreformed Perfons among die 
 Multitude. 
 
 And 
 
And fuch Repentance may be called Repentance 
 to Salvation , Foi it does not only, as in the King 
 of Nineveh's Cafe, give a Reprieve from prefer* 
 Judgments, and bring in p.reat Ele flings , and 
 profpericy to a Nation at the prefer^ but thtro 
 is very great Feafon to believe in the visible 
 Glory of the Kingdom cf Ckrisi : There are, as I 
 may fo fpeak, Constellations of Saints, who have 
 joyn'd together in the fame Nation, and time in 
 Repentance, and earned Endeavours for Reforma- 
 tion j for, as Daniel fay?, The Wife, and they that 
 turn many to Righteoiifnefs, fl>ati (hine as the Stars % 
 and as the brighttie\s of the Fnmam&it fet ever, and 
 ever, Dan, 12.3. 
 
 Now how does the prefent flate of the Afatioa 
 require the joyning of all that fear God, to re- 
 trench that boldnefs, and bfoleney of wickednefs 
 rhac rages throughout the Nation } aad to necessi- 
 tate the Vices and Prophaneifes of Men, who have 
 no fear of God, to keep within, and not to fhevv 
 themfelves, as they do openly, and abroad! and 
 in the mean time, to give fuch an Honour to God- 
 tinefS) Righteoufnefs, and Sobemeft^ that the con- 
 trary to thefe may not be charged as Afetional fins; 
 and therefore herein, thofe. that are principal 
 Seers of the Action, 2nd have opportunity to do 
 it to Princes, and Councels, are under greateft 
 obligations of Duty. Love, Honour, and Service 
 to God , and our Lord Jefos (thrift *, to move 
 with light, and Heat in their Orb, and Sphere ; 
 to make due remonftrances of the absolute necei- 
 fity, that there is, to difcharge tire Action of that 
 great weight of Publick GuK th*c lies upon ic 
 by the Enormities, that not : being reftrain'd, and 
 
 Punifli'd. 
 
Punifli'd , Redouh'd from particular Offenders 
 (whom they have firfl inverted, and covefd all 
 overj upon the Communky, to which they be- 
 long -, and to incite, and greatly to encourage all 
 whatever denomination , or dfftin&ion foever 
 they are of, to Unite in this ; to give a (lop to the 
 overflowing wickednefs, that there be not wrath 
 againfl the Royal Family, the fupreme Powers of the 
 Nation , the fuperior Epifcopacy of it ; and againfl 
 the whole Nation , which Epifcopacy above all, 
 ought to cry aloud, and not to [pare, but to fhevv 
 to the Court afcd Cbuncels of it , the fin: and 
 tranfgreflions of the A/ation; which they make 
 their own by not turning their whole Power a- 
 gainfl, and to exhort all to joyn with one /boulder 
 againfl them. 
 
 For the prefent flate fo Uhreformed, fo Lux- 
 urious in Wickednefs, fhews, that according to all 
 the word of God, and the general courfe cf his 
 Providence, that hath ever been in the world ; 
 fome one of thefe three things mufl needs 
 be. 
 
 r. That there mufl bean Univerfal, National 
 Reformation from thofe fins, that being of a pub- 
 lick, andfenfible appearance; fins that may be 
 felt , and that are fo palpable to the common fenfe 
 of Natural Conference f and fo cognifable, and 
 ought to be taken notice of by the Courts of 
 Human Judicature , may be refcrain'd; and kept 
 from Dying the Afation info Crimfon, and Scarlet 
 a Guilt, fuch a Purple Hiew by the abominations, 
 flow it is,all over ftain'd with*, the horrid Oaths, or 
 Swearing, for the great commonnefs of which, 
 
 even 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* ll J 
 
 even on teeming better accounts, Lands mourn ve- 
 ry often ; the noife of which bellows in all ftreets, 
 and publick places, as well as in private Families; 
 the dvezd{\ACur{mgs andtoamwings t\uz every where 
 rcfound} the fearful Sabbath-breakings , that turn ic 
 nor only into a Day of Idlenefs and floarh, but of 
 leifure to all manner of Wickednefs ; the Excefs 
 of Pride, and Vanity in apparel, which the very 
 Prudence of fumptuary Laws fhould reform • the 
 Impudence and Outrage of Luft and Luxury, de- 
 claring, and not hiding it felf as in Sodom of Old 3 
 the Great Vnmercif nine fs to the Poor, of all Kinds, 
 and not ftrengthning their hands to fuch profitable 
 fervice, and employment in their Places, as might 
 abound, not only to their own private (which oughs 
 to be J but to publick Good. 
 
 Thefe things, with all Cafe and Z<?al, &6I only 
 ought, but mult be redue'd and redrelVd in Towns 
 and Cities, and in all our Villages , and moft parti- 
 cularly in our Camps- and Navies, where they more 
 than any where elfe (if poftible) abound ; and 
 where there ought to be greater Guard, and Watch 
 againft them, than anywhere elfe 5 according to 
 that Great Precept, Dent. 23. if* 
 
 1. If this be not done, Itcannot be, except 
 God hath left the Earth more than ever yet he hatrr 
 done •, andforfakenit; and walks in the Galleries 
 of Heaven, without Regarding ; but that there 
 mud be a Vifiting for thefe things; and that his 
 Soul mufl be avenged of fuch a Nation zs this; Jer. 
 51 9. whether by Plague, or Famine, or War, or 
 cv.il and noifome Beafb, or by a Complication of 
 triefc Four : yea, though it be by a Fire yet un- 
 I bJowiti 
 
i 1 4 Of an Evangelical Refentancel 
 
 blown, that is ready to flame out •, or by an Ar- 
 my of Wounded Men, that our Deftru&ion muft 
 come-, and much the more becaufe the Light of 
 his Truth is fo open and clear among us j be- 
 caufe his Mercies and Deliverances have been fo- 
 Great, and the Methods of his Providence fo un- 
 ufual ; in his unhinging for us the General Laws of 
 Nature, in D ethroning, and fetting on the Throne 
 for our prefervation. Now if Thefe his Great 
 .Ads and Wonderful Doings do not work to Re- 
 formation , They certainly fhall juftifie God in 
 our Definition. And yet we daily fee our fins 
 and Tranfgreflions Growing up to the very Hea- 
 vens :, fo that that our Destruction cannot but be 
 fpecdy. 
 
 3. Except the Kingdom of Chrift be as I have 
 declared, very near us j And that we are not yet 
 under fome mod dreadful Judgments, it is an ar- 
 gument to me, it is certainly fo , that the King- 
 dom of Chrift is very near us * when he will take 
 to himfelf his own great Power, and Reign, and Re- 
 form by a through Vurging his Floors either by 
 pouring out hi* Spirit , and perfwading 
 Malach.4.1. by his everlafiingGofpel, and fitting 
 as by a Refiners Fire, and Fullers Soap, 
 throughly to purifie ; that Baptijm with Fire: or by 
 the Day, that flail burn as an Oven, and confume the 
 W?ct>ed, Root and Branch ; and becaufe of this, not- 
 withstanding our great Tranfgreflions, and mighty 
 provocations-^ even though he hath lifted up hit hand y 
 that he would deSroy m , yet he hath wrought for 
 his Great Names fake ; that is, his Kingdom's fake 
 and harh dene nothing yet fo remarkable againft 
 us. Let 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentance* 1 1 J 
 
 Let us then, that fear the Lord, fpeal^ often one ro 
 another^ that a Bool^ of Remembrance may be writ for 
 ys, as for them that have feared the Lord, and thought 
 on hi* Name , and that we may he /pared in the day, 
 when he ma\es up hi* Jewels ;and gathered as Wheat 
 into his Garner, when he (hall burn up the Chaff with 
 fire unquenchable, Mai. 3. 16. Matth. 3. 12. 
 
 Infer. 9. Seeing Nations and Perfons are under 
 foftrift Commands to Repent with that Repentance to 
 Salvation -, the contrary whereof is exprefled by 
 Death. 
 
 There is therefore in the Kingdom of Chrift a 
 City of Life, and under it a City of Death ; a Ci- 
 ty of Salvation, whofe Walls and BullwarJ^s are Sal- 
 vation ; and a City of Definition, diftind from it, 
 and oppofiteto it, Efay 19. 18. c. 26. 1. The one 
 is the Refidence of thole who have Repented with 
 that Repentance to Salvation, not to be Repented of 
 The other is the dark and difmal Receptacle of 
 thofe % who have either been wholly diflblved into 
 the worldly Laughter and Mirth; or been Sorrow- 
 ers only after the worldly Sorrow, that wor^eth 
 Death. 
 
 The New Jerusalem is the City of life gndSaU 
 nation ; the City that hath the Tree of Life , and 
 the River of the Water of Life ; and the Nations of 
 the Saved w all-in the Light of it; and are healed 
 from any poffibility of Dying by the Leaves of the 
 Tree of Life ; and the Living are written in it 3 
 Whatever liveth in it, fiall live, even for perpetu- 
 ity: The Second Death hat h no power over them, Efay 
 4. 3, Revel, c. 20. 6. c. 21. 24, c, 22, 1, 2. 
 
 I 2 On 
 
\iC Gf an Evang elical Repentance. 
 
 On the other fide, there is the City of Dettrutti- 
 on, Efay 19. 18. when Five Cities fl)all fpeal^ tk; 
 Language of .Canaan, being of the Natiws of the 
 Saved'. There is one City, that fhail be called, the 
 Chy of Deftruflion; the contrary to Salvation s being 
 ol thole appointed to Death. 
 
 This is the. Congre.gati.-n of the Dead, Prov. gj. 
 16. This is the City of Gog?, that Is, of the dead, 
 fkdn with the" Jmrd of Chriihs imuth, who hath a 
 f'lace of Graves, the Valley of Hamon Gog, of the 
 Multitude of Gog. £zek. 39. 11, fyc. 
 
 Thefe, thongh they are the dead, that is flaiq 
 with the (word of Chuffs mouthy yet they are as 
 in a Community, in a Polity ; for though they are 
 condemned by the Word and Sentence, of Chrift, 
 rJiey are yet the Wicked rais'd to Condemnation ; 
 and fo are in the State of Living, but of a Living 
 Death: Therefore thefe deadhwc a City, and the 
 Nam? of it is ttammonah j as the Name of the New 
 Jerusalem is Jehovah- Shammah, the Lord is there ; 
 fo the Name of this City is nj^On, its multi- 
 tude, ox a multitude is then *, For broad is the way, 
 and wide is the Gate that leadeth to this City of He- 
 res, to deftruflion j and many there be which go 
 fa thereat, Matth. 7. 13. Thefe are the multitudes 
 that aje gathered together to the Battel of Arma- 
 geddon', the Day of God Almighty, (haded by a Bat- 
 tel; t'ne multitudes in the Valley of Jehofliaphat ; the 
 galley of the Judgment of ]chovah', rhe Valley of De~ 
 cifion^ cf the Doom and Sentence of Chrift, as the 
 "Sword of his MoAth ; and the Valley of Excifioii, of 
 ptftruFtiQn, Joel 3. 74. Revel, c, 16, 14, i<5, 
 5 Now thefe dead % in their City of ths dead, Jye 
 hmd during the TboufUid Tears, bound HancT and 
 
 Fogs; 
 
Of an Evangelical Repentances * 1 7 
 
 Foot for that fpace ; The Refl of the Dead, [lain 
 with the Sword of Chrijfs mouth. But when the 
 Thousand Tears are expired, they are let loofe into 
 the Appearance of Life, Motion and Action : They 
 whofe multitude are as the Sand of the Se<u under 
 their Name Gog Magog, come up againft the Belo- 
 ved City, and ,the Camp, or Tower, and Cattle of the 
 Saints, and caver the breadth of it ', fhewing them- 
 felvcs the fame Impenitent s they were, and had been 
 before the Ihoufand Tears began* the Never-Repen- 
 ting Enemies of God, and of Chrift, and of his 
 Kingdom : So they are finally judg'd » E y Qo 
 cafl withSathan i who had alway de- xr Stc.* 
 ceived them, with Death and Hell, in- ^^ 
 to the Lal^e. This is the fecond 2 i*c.2o.\. 
 Death > to the end.' 
 
 Thus in the opening this dark Scripture, Be- 
 hold in thefe two Cities the Repentance to Life and 
 Salvation never to be repented of, the Impenitency 
 to Death and Deftrudion, never alio to be repented 
 of, that we maychufe the firft, perfwaded by Eter- 
 nal Grace and Love ; and abhor. the other, as the 
 Black Mark of being the Efau hated by God, who 
 found no place for Repentance', as the Veftds of his 
 Wrath, the Border of Wic^ednejs, againft whom he 
 bath Indignation for ever, Malach. i y 4. 
 
 Infer. 10. Upon all this, I conclude whh that great 
 Scripture, Ifofea 10. 12. Sow- we to our jelves 
 in Rj-ghteoufnefs, the Righteoufnefs of Repentance* 
 fpnnging from Faith in the Blood of ]efw : Let m 
 breal^ up all our F allow Ground r. For the Tuft and 
 proper time is near for an tuvuerfal feeing Gid j m 
 
 he 
 
Ii8 Of art JLvangelkal Repentance? 
 
 he come, and rat* Righteoufnefs, upon us, upon all the 
 Earth. 
 
 Tflis is indeed prepaid peculiarly for Ifrael, the 
 Ten Tribei at their Converfion, after the fo long Cap- 
 tivity; fhadoved under riding, ploughing, breaking the 
 Clods , till the [owing in right euufnefs. at their reftora- 
 tion. It is now near, that they who have been fo 
 long loft , that it fhaii be faid of them, Thefe- where 
 have they been? (hail with the whole Gentile World, 
 feef^ the Lord. Let as count which way we can, the 
 time mufl: be near, exceeding near. IVhofo is wife, 
 and he (hall understand the Scriprure concerning 
 thefe things ; prudent > and he (hall know them : For 
 the ways of the Lord are all righteous and true con- 
 cerning them. Vp right men fhall know how to 
 wall^ in them, while tranjgreffors fall mod difho" 
 nourably and finally therein. 
 
 And when this is, there fhall be a great jRaw, a 
 Rain of Rigbteoufnejs, that (hall come down upon the 
 World, This (hail make a mighty Change, as the 
 Earth is changed by a mighty coming down, a pour- 
 ing dawnsf Rain, after a long Drought : fo this Rain 
 (hall refrefh the Inheritance of God, that hath been 
 fo long weary :I{ighteoufnefs (hall come down, as /bow- 
 ers upon theGrajs, and as the foft F{ain upon the mow'n 
 Grafs } as the former and latter Rain in their feafons. 
 It isprophefied of Jefus Chrifl coming in his King- 
 dom, he fhall come down fo, PfaL 72. <5, &c. So 
 that in his day- Righteoufnefs } For the Righteous fhall 
 flmrifh, and abundance of peace, fo long m the Moon en- 
 dumb: and then, asPfa/. 8$. 9, 10, 1 1. His falvatu 
 on (hall be nigh all them t bat fear him, that Glory may 
 dwell'in all the Earth. Mercy and Trwh (hall meet 
 together ', Jtighteoufnefs and Peace fhall kjft each other \ 
 
 ' Rigk- 
 
Of an Evangelical RefentancF. 1 19 
 
 %igkteoufnefs fiall lool^down from beaven;ot as the Ram 
 from heaven, (hone upon with the healing wings of the 
 Sun of Righteoufnefs , It (hall reprefent the bow of 
 the Covenant in the Clouds, in theD*y of this Rain, 
 Ezek. 1. 28. Rev. 10. 1. and Truth (hall then fpring 
 out of the Earth in abundance. 
 
 This State (hall be as irrefiftable as the Rain *, a- 
 gainft which, tho Princes, Powers, Councils, and 
 all their Armies fhould confpire, they cannot help 
 it; yea, the Heavens themfelves, commanded by 
 God, cannot withhold, or reftrain their flowers, any 
 more than they can give them, till the time appoin- 
 ted by God. So it (hall bring into the ways oj Rigb- 
 teoufnefs 9 when Righteoufnefs (hall come down thus 
 from Heaven. All the prophanefs, and wickednefs 
 that is at this time, (hall not be able to hinder it, a- 
 ny more than we can hinder the Rain. It will not 
 flay, nor tarry for the children of men. 
 
 All the Promifes and Prophecies (hall come to paft 
 at this time, that God hath appointed, and (hall tar- 
 ry no longer : the windows of heaven fhall he opened, 
 the waters above the Firmament (hall ccme down') the 
 deep fhall be broken up. And whatever (hall not then 
 be rained upon, fhall be given to fait for ever. And 
 This fhall be fudden as Elijah's Rain, fudden, and ac 
 an Inftant; beginning in a Cloud, about as big as a 
 man's hand, and fo covering the whole heaven. 
 
 But it cannot be, till after the Ap$acy, till the 
 droughty Moons if the entiles ,^x\do{ the Beafl, are 
 expir'd. I: cannot be while the Days of the Wit- 
 neffes Sackcloth- Prophecy Jaft ; For they have pow- 
 er to (hut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their 
 Prophefe ; That is, it is determined by God, It (hall 
 notrainm thofe Days. Rcv.ii.6. 
 
 There 
 
i2o Of <m Evangelical Repentance? 
 
 \ There was fome of this Rain in the very beginning 
 of the Reformation, when the Thunders uttered their 
 Voices: But it flopped at their feal'ingj yet the Ef* 
 feds remain to this Day, in fo much enjoyment of 
 the Gofpel as we have. The heavens opened fo far, 
 becaufe it was the Morning of half time: It ftopp'd, 
 becaufe it was but half time begun, and not run out: 
 At the end of half time,ov 1 597, there fhall be a full 
 and efte&ive Thknder^ and a much greater Rain of 
 JXighteoufnefs , even preparing for ihcUarvefl% 
 Then he who fits upon the white (hining Cloud, fhall 
 bring forth even the harvefl it felf in the Glory of 
 his Kingdom; when he will weary, as the ExpreiTi- 
 on is in Job c. 37. 11. the thick Cloud of Right e- 
 oufnefS) by fo abnndant a watering the Earthy and 
 fcatter the bright Cloud, by difperfing Righteoufnefs 
 in fo great an abundance. And it fhall be turned a- 
 bout by his Counsel, to do whatsoever he commandetb 
 upon the face of the world in the Earth. He caufeth 
 it to come, whether for correction, or for his Land} 
 Judgment upon his Enemies, Mercy for his Kingdom : 
 Hearken unto this, Oh, whoever we are thatprofefs the 
 Name of Chr'fli Stand ft ill, and confider thefe wondrous 
 works of God, as held out to us in the Prophecies of 
 Scripture. And then (ball be held that great Feaji of 
 thcThoufand Years tQ theLord,'m which all the Feafts 
 of the Lord, that were the Types, fhall concur, meet 
 and unite : theFeafi of Wee^, or Harveji \ the Fea& 
 of. Paffover, the Day of Trumpets and Attonement j 
 the great Feait of Tabernacles. 
 
 Brief 
 
Brief Confederations 
 
 OF THE 
 Late Trepidation of the Earthy fo 
 fenfible in this City , and other 
 Parts of this Nation ; and beyond 
 the Sea, particularly in the KJngs 
 Camp : 
 
 TOGETHER 
 
 . With that Tremendous Judgment 
 on our Englijb Plantation in Ja- . 
 maica^ and fo, as upon our Selves y 
 by an Edrtbqudke; as both an 
 earneft Perfuafive to Repentance^ 
 and Prognojtick of the KJngdoni 
 cfChrHt. 
 
 UPON 
 
 Hebr.xii. 25, &C See that ye refufe not Him 
 that fpeaketh, &c. Whofe Voice then {hook 
 the Earthy but now he hath promts d± 
 Tet once more, I Jhake not only the Earth, 
 but Heaven alfo> &c. 
 
 IHope it will not be thought impertinent, if I 
 take advantage of the frefh Providences, that 
 have given an Alarm to this Nation by the 
 late Concuifion of the Earth, molt gently and by 
 
 K 7W 
 
I ii Trepidatwis of the Earth , 
 
 way of Acftlrohkior* Oft itetfcf C&^the %a/ 
 
 C^/\,-and r wlth fo much dread 
 
 Wherein 2000 and terror in tnat Ctffonv of it felf, 
 
 fgfefheft ucc&t- gffay *»«wi«.'.ftecaafetlle Things 
 
 ding to, the mo ft are- very, great, as %hey, reveal 
 pcrfttl 'Account 'from Heaven either the Pjqwer 
 Pmitfed'h M\ \ffl Wrrth of God Jn$& Defo- 
 Miller w $3 J hrrian be made by the Jaft taen- 
 Gilded Acron tioned; and of his Power *nd 
 in St. Paul's Goqdnefs in the fif ft Mention- 
 Church - Yard. e& K/vithin'o'ur felves immediate- 
 ly'^ z d. i-y ; that -he did fo much, ,and no 
 more-; aru3 fo both ways move 
 to ^MiUrK^^ndmS^rW^m mtbhwe Heed- 
 tnking df him ; with 'Reverencv and Godly £ear y 
 as being a oonfummg Fire. \And alfo becaufeithis 
 Warning 'God hath hereby given in (Yds Nation, 
 an?l its tflftftfe and the Ml Accounts of that Oe- 
 folafcon in jamaioa and 'Borf-'J^oyal wfere fo :ju(t 
 upon the Finifhing the foregoing Difcourfe of 
 Repentance, as to give leave to take a very tfhort 
 notice in the Introduftio7i, "Printed laft, and no 
 more. But it is of fo great Concern -and -I«t£r4ft 
 to a National and Perjonal S^epentance^ and %e~ 
 formation • that it could not in fuch a Difcoiirle be 
 pflfted wer, without a great difregardtotheWorks 
 of the Lord imd to the Operation of his bands, 
 which is fo branded an Evil in Scripture-Account, 
 PfaL 28. 5. EJay 5. 12. that an Appendix con- 
 cerning >it was even demanded. And laftiy, be- 
 caufe £arthi]ual{ies, >the Shal^ng^ Trembling, arid 
 Moving the Earth is us'd as fo conftant ^Symbol 
 or Emblem of the [\ingdom cf God and Chriit; 
 6wi>g the Hcavcnj^ Coming down^ and making 
 
 a change 
 
XJrgd as Arguments to Repentance, i I ; 
 
 : a change in the Heaven and Earth that now* are y 
 : and in their whole State and Adminiftration, as 
 appears by this Context, I have therefore chofen 
 to difcourfe upon : And feeing as I have all man- 
 ner of ways endeavoured to demonftrate, and do 
 not doubt I have by divine Afliftance, according 
 to Scripture attain'd to do it ; that that Kingdom 
 of Chrift by Computation upon Times given by 
 the moft Sure Word of Prophecy is nigh at hand; 
 Thefe Motions of the Earth in any parts of the 
 World , and more particularly relating to our 
 I felves, and in this City, where fuch a Symptom fo 
 generally obferv'd, as to be unconteftable, is very 
 fare ; ought to be taken notice of, as calling aloud 
 to m to Repent, becaufe the Kjngdom of Heaven 
 is at hand, and a Forerunner of the changd that 
 Kingdom is to make. 
 
 That therefore which I defign in this Difcourfe 
 Upon this Text, is to fhew, That the great Sym- 
 bol or Reprefentation of the Kingdom of Chrift 
 in this fo great Text of the Kingdom, is the Uni- 
 verfal Shake, Concuffion, and Convulfion of Hea- 
 ven and Earth - P and that therefore, all the Shakes 
 of this Earth ought to betaken notice of, as par- 
 I eels and pieces of that Greateft and Lalt Shake, 
 and as Pledges and Aflurances of it ; and efpeci- 
 i ally when by the Sure Word of Prophecy, and 
 1 the concurrent Judgment of molt fober thinking 
 Men concerning this matter, (who will not yet pitch 
 upon the Time, ) it is concluded it cannot be far 
 off j It as known, that the Kingdom of Chrift is 
 fo near. 
 
 I will therefore endeavour to comprife this fhort 
 Difcourfe in thefe Heads : 
 
 Ki i* To 
 
124 Trepidations of the Earth , 
 
 i. To obferve how throughout this Text the 
 Kingdom of Cbriji is fhaded by the /having Hea- 
 ven and Earth once for all. 
 
 2. From thence to make Remarks upon the na- 
 ture of fuch Motions, or Trembles of the Earth, 
 and their fitnefs to be fuch a Shade of the King- 
 dom of Chrifi, and wherein they are fo according 
 to the Light of Scripture concerning thefe things. 
 
 3. To obferve the holy ufe that is to be made 
 upon fuch Motions of the Earth in general, and 
 particularly in thefe proposed to our Obfervation 
 now ; and that with relation to Ckrift's Kingdom. 
 
 To begin with the firlt : The occafion of this 
 Context is thus ; The Apoftle 
 Tou are come to having given the Defcription 
 Mount Zjon, &c. of the New or Heavenly J e- 
 vcr.ii.&c. rufalem-flate in the former 
 
 Verfes, he makes that great 
 practical Application ; See that ye refufi not him 
 that fpeaketh in order to the fetting up a King- 
 dom ; for fo, by what follows, mutt needs be in- 
 tended, that the Speakjng is in order to the fet- 
 ting up a Kingdom: For if they efi aped not, who 
 rcfufid the fame great Prince when he would 
 form a Kingdom on Earth among the People of 
 Ijrael, to be a Type of much a greater Kingdom ; 
 flow (hall tve efcape % who refufe him, who now 
 fpolic from Heaven in the EfTufion of his Spirit, 
 .is a Firft-Fruits of his Kingdom ? and who is to 
 be the Great Prince, and who will appear in the 
 Glory of his Kingdom, the Lord from Heaven^ 
 3s he is called 1 Cor. 15. and then will fet up a 
 isingdom in the New Heaven and the New Earth, 
 in a far greater Glory. For though Chrift came 
 
 in 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. 1 2 J 
 
 great State then, the Chariots of God were 
 then twenty thoufand, &c. As great Princes come 
 with mighty Retinue, of Horfes, and Chariots ; 
 fo did Chrift on Mount Sinai : yet that was but 
 Chrilt, as on Earth; this from Heaven. Pfal. 68. 
 
 For his ( even the fame Lord's ) Voice Jhool^ 
 the Earth; Mount Sinai, and the Parts about it, 
 did exceedingly /hake. But now, as he is fetting 
 up a Kingdom both in the New Heavjn and the 
 New Earth, fo he hath promised; I fhake not on- 
 ly the Earth, but the Heaven alfo. 
 
 It may feem ftrange, an Earthquake (hould be 
 given in promife ; it is rather a Threatning, and 
 Denunciation : but becaufe it is a clofe Forerun- 
 ner of the Redemption of the Servants of Chrifi, 
 and even of the whole Creation ; therefore it is 
 given in promife. And becaufe fo blefled a State 
 is not in prefent, and immediately, but to come ; 
 therefore alfo it is promifed, as a thing future, 
 and to come; I will (hake. And becaufe this 
 whole frame of Nature is defiled with Sin, and 
 Apofiafie, up to the very Heaven of God and his 
 Saints ; therefore Chrilt promifes to fhakg not on- 
 ly the Earthy but the Heaven. For there arc 
 fpiritualWtckedneffes in High Places, or Heaven- 
 lics,Sathan,m& his Hoft y vrho> are the Princes under 
 him of the Power of the Air, as well as the Id- 
 lers of the Darknefs of this World ; and fo the 
 Heavcnlies, or Heavenly Places are more defiled 
 than all the wicked Men on Earth can defile the 
 Earth, though they defile it fo much ; but then 
 Sathan (hall fall as Lightning from Heaven ; 
 All mud be diflodged, and difmounted ; For that 
 Heaven ihall be the Refidence and Palace of 
 K 3 Chrik 
 
1 16 Trepidations of the *Earth, 
 
 Chrift and his Saints, and fhall fhine down into 
 the new Earth beneath, purified by Fire from the 
 Defilements of Men ; fo Heaven and Earth mult 
 both be fhaken. And therefore the /baking of 
 Heaven and Earth may well be by -prcmife, fince a 
 new Heaven and Earth rife from hence by promife. 
 
 And, Becaufe all this is fulfilling of Promife, 
 therefore the Servants of Chrift at fo great a/hake 
 of the Powers of Heaven and Earth , (hall be 
 lefs afraid than they are of a fmall Earthquake 
 now ; they fhall receive it with Triumph, and re* 
 joycing, they fhall fay, Oh bleffed Day ! Oh blef- 
 fed Appearance ! They fhall lift up their Heads 
 with joy, becaufe their Redemption draweth nigh. 
 Let us not therefore fay, That Day will be fo ter- 
 rible, how fhall we endure it! It fhall be gi- 
 ven us in that Day to Rejoice, who are his Re- 
 deemed, 
 
 And this Chrift will do once more, even at his 
 KJ?igdom, as if he fhould fay, 1 have fhaken, or 
 permitted, or ordered the (baking of the Earth 
 many Times, in various Places, and on fundry 
 Accounts, I have fhaken Nations and Kingdoms - y 
 but now, faith he, I'll do it once more, and once 
 for all: And we may be fure, this /baking hath 
 never been yet ; for there hath not yet been a [ha- 
 ting fo univerfal, and things have never yet been fo 
 floaken, but they have gotten again into their old 
 pofture, date, and, as we fay, wont, fo as to need 
 to be fioaken again. But this once is like the Ex- 
 preffion Jerem.16. 21. Behold, I will for this once, 
 J will caufe them to know my might : I will do it 
 fo at the Great Converficn of the Gentiles then 
 fpcken of 3 It fhall never need to be done any 
 
 more j 
 
XJrgd as Arguments to Repentance. 127 
 
 more,; They (hall know by 
 
 that <mce x _foc ever, that my Eve?? as it (hall 
 
 name is Jehovah. God harh be hjwtrn to my 
 
 done thefe things in a Degree, People IfraelJ <$ 
 
 ajjd in fome meafure a Hun- #20/4. 13. For in 
 
 dretl and a Hundred Times, this Kingdom that 
 
 But now they (hall be done Afawe 7; Iqiown 
 
 once for all. indeed , r/^/r.A 
 jjktf /yzn/w; fa/f jra 7>/e, Exod. 6.3. 
 
 I am fully allured, we (hall All be at thisyfe 
 filing of the Earth : You may think you may be 
 in your Graves ; but you (hall certainly be 
 brought forth, to fee, and feel God's doing this 
 thing once. The Earth floall cafl out its Dead 
 by the beginnings of it, that all may fee it in its 
 Fulnefc. 
 
 Now this Doing the Thing (hall make a gi-cai 
 Change, a Tranjpofe of the Things, that are, or 
 have been made, or done. The Word Metathe- 
 fis fignifies a Difpofe of Things out of the Places 
 where they had been, into Places where they had 
 not been before ; or into a different Order pr State. 
 And it is. of very great importance, becaufe ic 
 may be a TranfpoTe for the better, or for the 
 worfe ; Enoch was thus Tran[pos*d ; the fame. 
 Word is qs'd feveral times concerning him, Bel. 
 11. 5. and it was highly for the better, he was 
 Tranjlated to Heaven without Dying; So Jranf 
 fosd. It is ufed for the Galatians being Re- 
 moved to another Gqfpel, and that was. for the 
 worfe, Gal. 1. 5. This [hake of the Earth (hail 
 make a great Tranjpoje of Things ; Many poor 
 Perfons, that have feared God, and yet embraced 
 K 4 Dang- 
 
} l8 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 Dunghils, who have been forc'd to lye on the 
 Earth, in the Duft, and in the filth of Things, 
 fliall be Tranjpos'd; for they (hall Inherit the 
 lhr$ne of Glory \ i Sam. ch. 2. The Bodies of 
 Saints, that lye in the Earth, or wherever, in the 
 Dark, the Duft of Death, (hall be Tranjpos'd ; 
 they (hall (hine above : But on the other fide, 
 the Great, the Rich, and the Brave, and the Ho- 
 norable, that have been High and Honorable, they 
 will be vtofnlly Tranjpos'd; they (hall be turned 
 down into a State of Everlafting Contempt. And 
 fo there (hall be a Tranflation, a Tran/poje, of the 
 very Creation , out of this Earth, as under the 
 Curfe and Defilement, into a new Earth, and of the 
 Heaven into a new Heaven ; not where Spiritual 
 IVtcktdneffes, but Chrift and his Saints, (hall in- 
 habit. Things (hall not ceafe to be, but (hall be 
 changed, and removed, fomc for the better, fome 
 for the worfe, as to themfelves. 
 
 But all Things of this World (hall then be 
 chang'd and remov'd ; All the Things that have 
 been made or done, T^TmwysiVcL. There are 
 great Things m the World of all kinds made or 
 done, Great Palace?, great Cities, great Temples 
 or ( as we call them ) Churches, Great Caftles, 
 Fortifications, Navies. There are other great 
 Things made and done. There are the feveral 
 Laws and Conftitutions of Government, great 
 Volumes of Books, great Furniture of Palaces 
 and Houfes, Bravery of Equipage and Apparel, ex- 
 quiiite Engines and curious Pi&ures ; all thefe are 
 Things that have been made, or done. There are 
 the heaps of Gold, and Silver; fo imprefled, fp 
 minted, fo coined : All thefe, and an unexprefiible 
 
 yariety 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. 1 19 
 
 variety more , fhall be Tranjpos'd , for the Day 
 ef the Lord (hall be upon them all, Efay chap. 2. 
 It (hall be upon the High and Lofty, every one 
 that is lifted up fhall be brought low : It (hail be 
 upon all the Cedars of Lebanon , and upon all 
 the Oaks ofBafhan, both in a natural and figu- 
 rative Senfe ; and upon all the High Mountains , 
 the mountainous Towers, and piles of Building ; 
 upon all great Ships, thofe floating Palaces ; the 
 f^oftinef of Men fhall be brought low , and the 
 Haughtinefs of Men fhall be humbled, and the 
 High Looks fhall be bowed down. And they fhall 
 caft their Images of Gold, and Silver • he means 
 not only their Idolatrous Images, but their mint- 
 ed Gold and Silver, bearing the Images of Princes, 
 which Gold and Silver they commit Idolatry with 
 alfo ; to the Bats and the Moles ; to go into the 
 Caves, and the i\ocks, and the Tops of the rug- 
 ged Rocks *, for fear of the Lord, and for the 
 glory of his Majejiy ; and all this in the Day 
 when he rifes tojhake terribly, once for all, the 
 Earth. Oh how grear will this Iranfpofe then 
 be! 
 
 And then all the Religion that Men have made 
 (hall become a perfedt Tranfpofe into a Nullity ; 
 and indeed, there is not a greater Poema or more 
 made thing, than Falfe Religion, and particularly 
 the Religion of Popery : it is a ftrange kind of 
 Fabrick, a ftrange kind of Frame ; fo indeed is 
 Mahomet anifm, and fo was Paganijm heretofore, 
 but none like that of Popery. Bat yet , what- 
 ever hath been of the Subfrance of either true 
 Natural or Revealed Religion in any Falfe Religi- 
 on adulterating it 9 fhall "be then Travjbofd back 
 
 into 
 
1 5 o Trepidations of the Earth y 
 
 into Truth ; and all elfe (hall be abolished. 
 And laltly, That Heaven and Earth that are 
 now, viz. fince the Flood, to which Flood tlpis 
 once more may refer, (hall be changed and tranf 
 fofed by Fw ; all fhall be removed by Fire, as 
 I remember, that mod Learned, and Ingenious, 
 
 and Chriftian Philofopher Dr.Bur- 
 Theory of the net of the C barter houfe fhews ; 
 Earth, j ft and How much the State of our Hea- 
 zd Parts, ven and Earth, as before the 
 
 Flood was chang'd, and Tran/pos'd 
 by the force of Water, the Water of the Flood, 
 for the worfe ; But they (hall by the force of Fire 
 be Purified, and Renewed and Refcituated for 
 Beauty and Glory ; as he alfo aflerts : All (hall 
 be Tranfpos'd ; All (hall come under a new Make : 
 It is called min^a, the Work of God j it is ts- 
 TwmuivoVy What hath been already ?nade; It 
 fhall be chang'd by him, that will fay from the 
 Throne upon which he fits, Behold, 1 make all 
 new, Rev. 21. 5. They had been made before; 
 but faith he, Now I come to make All over anew. 
 I will bring them to that Excellent State, wherein 
 they (hall continue, till God be All in All. 
 
 For only the Things that cannot be fhaken fhall 
 Remain : Now what are thofe Things that cannot 
 be (haken? They are the Blood, Sacrifice, and 
 Redemption of Chrift ; his Redemption and Inter- 
 ceffon, thefe are for ever. They remain in his 
 Priefthood for ever after the Order of Mdchife- 
 dech, after the Power of an Endlefs Life, The 
 Spirit of God in his Grace upon his Servants, in 
 Qonverfion, Faith, Repentance, Hoiinefs, (hall re- 
 main as in the Glory and Salvation they are un- 
 to. 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. t$l 
 
 to. This is an incorruptible Seed from the Word 
 and Truth of God, that abide th for ever ; He 
 that doeth the Will of God abideth for ever ; No 
 Saint fhall be Jranfyojed out of his Saintfhip ; He 
 that is Righteous , let him be Rjghteous ftiU \ He 
 that is Holy, let him be Holy ft ill. Thefe Things 
 arc Afaluta, not to be fhaken. 
 
 And then on the other part, it muft be fadly 
 faid, that Wickednefs fhall not be Tranfpos*d ; in 
 regard of its Guilt ; in regard of its Filth ; If not 
 removed in this World by Faith and Repentance ; 
 not in the World to come ; Wickednefs fhall be 
 Wickednefs ftill; it fhall have a Houje builded ; 
 it fhall be eftablifhed, 7[ech. 5. 11. and it fhall 
 befetled on its own Bafe, and wicked Men fhall 
 be wicked Men ftill : When once it is come to 
 that Time, there fhall be no Tranfpofal 5 He that 
 is Unrighteous, let him be "Unrighteous ftill; He 
 that is Filthy, let him be Filthy ftill, Rev. 21. 1 1. 
 
 Now feeing all this great Doctrine of the Apo- 
 ftle is conveyed to us under this Symbol or Re- 
 prefentation of an Earthquake, or the Shaking of 
 the Earth, and not only of the Earth, but of the 
 Heaven alfo ; let us enquire into the Scripture- 
 Accounts of an Earthquake, and apply it to the 
 prefent Occafion, that it may bring us to a ferious 
 holy fenfe ; and that what we have feen in a hand 
 breadth, may move us to confider, what we fhall 
 fee, and feel, as in the whole Heaven and Earth, 
 in large and in full : For if what we have been 
 fenfible of, as in a Glance, or in Paflage, hath af- 
 fetited any with Fear ; efpecially what was done 
 in a part of our Nation beyond the Sea, which is 
 but a very little Thing, yea a Nothing in corn- 
 
 parifoq 
 
\yi Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 parifon of what fliall be in its own Times, in its 
 proper Times ; How much more ought we to be 
 affe&ed with the Afliirances God hath given us 
 of a Change fo much greater ? For as it may be 
 /aid to us, If we have run with the Foot-men, 
 and they have wearied us, How (hall we contend 
 triih Horfes ? If in the prefent State, which is as 
 a Lav A of Peace, and wherein we truft, we have 
 been fo affrighted, What /hall we do in the /wel- 
 ling of Jordan I 
 
 I come therefore to the fecond Head ; vi%. To 
 make Remarks upon the nature of fuch Motions 
 and Trembles of the Earth, and their Fitnefs to be 
 a Shade of the Kingdom ofChrift; and wherein 
 they are fo. And herein I propofe three things : 
 
 i. To confiderthe ftri& nature of Earthquakes 
 according to the Scripture Foundations of Dif- 
 courfe concerning them. 
 
 2. To enquire into the Caufes, why God is 
 pleas'd to make fuch Concuffions, and Convulfi- 
 ons in Nature. 
 
 3. To obferve upon the great Metaphorical or 
 Figurative Earthquakes, that is, Changes in the 
 prefent State of the World, that have been iince 
 the Death and RefurreHion of our Lord ; and 
 how the Obfervation of them may be made fub- 
 lervient to the due Improvement of our Thoughts 
 in regard to the late Earthquakes, we have heard 
 of, or been at all fenfible of more of late. 
 
 I begin then with the firft Head , in Four 
 Points. 
 
 Point I. The Scripture teacheth us, This 
 
 . great Globe of Earth and Water is hung by the 
 
 mighty Wifdomt Skill, and Power of the great 
 
 Geometer 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. 133 
 
 Geometer of Heaven and Earth, The Earth being 
 as a Ball in the Air : So we Rounds is on eve- 
 read Job 26. 7. He flretcheth ry fide encompaf- 
 out the North over the empty fed with Air and 
 Place, ( for fo to our eye and Slye, as they who 
 motion the meer Air feems to Jail it round find^ 
 be ) and he hangeth the Earth as well as by I{ea- 
 upon nothing. I know this is fin it is demon- 
 a Point proper to Philofofhical firated. 
 Difcuflion, that it may go as 
 far, as it can, upon : But thofe Queftions God 
 asked Job 38. 4. &c. would pofe the wifeft of 
 the World ; Declare, if thou hall under (landing, 
 iVto* hath laid the Meafures of the Earth ? If thou 
 kjiotoefl, who hath fir etched the Line upon it fo, 
 that it is in juft number, weight, and meajurc. 
 Whereupon are the Foundations thereof faftned> 
 or who laid the Comer fione thereof? There may 
 be handfome and phufiblc folvin^ the Phenomena 
 ( as they fpeak ) before Men, who know as little, 
 the belt of them, one as another ; but before God, 
 all is but darkning Qounftl by Words without 
 Knowledge. Now when it is fo, that the Earth 
 hangs thus, How muft it needs be, that God as 
 he pleafcs may (hake the Earth out of its place 
 with a touch of his hand, and all the Inhabitants 
 thereof, and his Enemies particularly be fhaken 
 out of it, or off from it, or whither, or how he 
 pleafes : For if that bold Man of Mathcmaticks 
 durft fay, Give me where to fit my foot, and I 
 mil remove the Earth, what can infinite Under- 
 Handing and Power do? or if he docs but flzckea 
 his hand from holding the Ballancc even, keeping 
 the Scales of Earth and Air juit ; or if there be fuch a 
 
 oae* 
 
1^4 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 one ; as with great Reafon hath been thought ; the 
 Poize of the Central Fire, Even, all would be in 
 immediate Confnfion. 
 
 On this Confideration then, any kind of Earth- 
 quakes is no wonder ; the wonder is, they are not 
 every day, and not to the utmoih The only fe- 
 curity is, the unchangeablenefs of Divine Ordina- 
 tion for fuch a time as he hath decreed J fince 
 the Flood ; wherein, in all appearance of Reafon 
 as well as Scripture, there was even in this regard 
 a Jog, 2&©ne may fay of it. 
 
 2. The Ballance is in this regard yet fo Even, 
 and juft, that nothing we account moft furely 
 founded, ftands fo fait, fo firm, and fecure , as 
 the Earth, that it cannot ,be moved : So that al- 
 lowing it to have a Diurnal^ or every days Revo- 
 lution from Eaft to Weft ; yet it is with fuch e- 
 quahty, that it difturbs all upon it , no more, 
 than a Fly fitting it felf faft on a Globe, is lhi- 
 fettled by its being turn'd round. Notwithstand- 
 ing this motion, the Earth is founded on the 
 Seas, and Eftabiifloed on the Floods ; that is, the 
 Waters are fo every way compacted, under, and 
 about, and over it, that it is as it were founded 
 upon it, as on Pillars of Marble, which may have 
 been tinderitood, firft according to the excellent 
 fcrementioned Theory of the Earth : 2. As the 
 Cement and Fixation of the upper Parts of the 
 Earth is the moiflure it receives from the Waters: 
 3. As the ambient or round-about Air hath a more 
 immediate force upon the Waters to crowd and 
 keep them clofe to the Earthy than the Air it 
 felf could h.ive upon the Earth, the Water being 
 a middle Body between Air and Earth, even as 
 
 the 
 
Vrgd as Arguments to Repentance, 135 
 
 the Air is between that fubtile Matter we call 
 Ether, and Air. So that the Earth hath Foun- 
 dations , Pillars, Corner [tone in Scripture- Lan- 
 guage. And this is indeed abfolutely neceffary 
 for fuch kind of Bodies, and Works, ^s are w 
 move and reft upon this Earth; which is as aSta 
 in regard of the variety of Creatures in it, where- 
 in are Things creeping innumerable and both 
 great and [mall Beaflj ; and Man the highell Or- 
 der of Animals. Nqw thefe require fuch a folid 
 Floor and Pavement to move upon, fuch a Bed 
 to reft upon : Upon this Earth is the whole Ve- 
 getative Nature , both nourifhed and fupported , 
 as in a Nurfery ; even from -die Cedar in Leba- 
 non to the Hyfip-ihdi grows in the TVaS : Hereon 
 have all the Great Buildings, the Palaces, Caftles, 
 Towers, multiplied into Cities and Towns their 
 Foundations. 
 
 Now feeing all thefe have their Order, their 
 Quiet, their Safety by the fteddine'fs of the Earth ; 
 whenever it is moved, there is an immediate 
 Shatter , Confufion , Diforder , t)efolation, an A- 
 maze, a Horror upon all Creatures of Senfe, and 
 elpecially of Reafon ; an Afrrightment and Ter- 
 ror upon Nature it felf; becaufe hereby the great 
 Laws, and Sanctions of Creation, and Providence, 
 are violated. For concerning the Earth, God 
 jpake,.and it was done ; he commanded, and it 
 jhadfaft, Pial. 33. 9. 
 
 3. The Earnrh is ftufPd with variety of Matter, 
 Humours, and Vapors in its Bowels; Fire, Water, 
 Vapor,Air,Minerals, Sulphur, Piceous Matter. Now 
 itrfelf is fomade, as to lye clofe, and to lye ft ill; 
 every clod of Earth compa&s itfelf, and wdrila 
 
 lye 
 
I ;6 Trepidations of the Earth , 
 
 lye in as little room as it can. It is heavy, ancj 
 fluggifh, and unapt to move; whereas all the reft 
 of its Inmates are for Motion and A&ion, fome 
 of them of very earned and vigorous Motion, and 
 for Propagation and Enlargement of themfelves : 
 The Earth will not move, but on fome great vio- 
 lence and force; fo when thofe working and 
 adlive Parts find they are fettered, and imprifbned, 
 and cramp'd, they grow furious and outragious, 
 and rend and tear every thing, to make and force 
 their way ; and all on the fudden and at once ve- 
 ry often ; for being either gather'd together iri 
 great Caverns and Hollows of the Earth; their 
 Room grows too ftrait and little, and fo they are 
 forc'd to tranfplant themfelves ; or having, as one 
 may fay, very often a Spirit of Contradiction one 
 to another, they fall into Feuds and Wars on$ 
 with another, and they that are overcome and 
 fall under the Mattery of others, are forc'd, and 
 driven, and made to fly, out with great violence: 
 ^nd the very fame thing may fall out in divers 
 lefTer Veins and Tnbular Paffages or Pipes in the 
 Earth ; where though the Stores of thefe Vapors 
 Or Mineral Spirits are lefTer ; yet if it be in many 
 of them together, the Conteft may be very great, 
 and the Fury very difcompofing to the Earth. 
 
 Thus there are within the Earth thofe Bombs 
 and MOrtars, thofe Cannon and Ordnance, thofe 
 Battering Rams and Engines, thofe Mines oft 
 fprung, and natural Gun powder and fiery Bul- 
 lets, thofe lefler Screwed Guns : all which are the 
 Ammunition of Nature, or rather of the God of 
 Nature : Thus when they are difcharg'd, and let 
 off, it is with great Noife, Dread, and Aftonilh- 
 
 ment^ 
 
XJrgd as Arguments to Repentance. 157 
 
 ment, and oftentimes Deftru&ion to the Inhabi- 
 tants of the Earth. Who almoft hath not heard 
 of ALtna and Vefuvius, and other the Mountains 
 fpouting Fire in feveral Parts of the World ? And 
 as there are fuch conftant, known, and open E~ 
 ruptions in Nature, fo are there fee ret, fudden, 
 and extemporary ones. 
 
 And thus in the Heavens over us there are like 
 Gontefts and Collifions , falling, and clapping of 
 Clouds, Thunders, Lightnings, fiery Meteors, and 
 flaming Balls, and thefe often correfponding, and 
 as it were holding Intelligence, with the fame in 
 Earth, And thefe are certainly often Gaufesone 
 of another by the Tone or Link of Air being 
 broken , and the Eiaftic Force or Spring of it 
 flying this way and that way ; as lately in Ja- 
 maica according to the molt prudent Accounrs 
 from thence : Every thing then .mult needs be 
 torn and havock'd , as thole Motions, hurry this 
 way or that way, Perfons, Animal Creatures, 
 and Things,. at. fuch times. 
 
 And as thefe are in the World of Nature ; fo 
 are they in the Political World ; when Nations or 
 People are too full for their Place, and tranfplant 
 themfelves by forcing into other Nations ; when 
 Wars , thole great Difputes of Nations arife $ 
 when People or Armies fall into Mutiny ; thefe 
 are Political Earthquakes ; and when Men ar e op- 
 preffed in Religion by domineering Superiiiuoi^ 
 and Laws of Vniformity, and impofing on the 
 Gonfciences and Faith of Men; There are Religious 
 Earthquakes: The Pfalmift puts them altogether* 
 PfaL 65.7,8. Which jmeto faji the Mountains 
 being gur.ded with Power ; whicb-Jh\ l i?]l\the tfoife 
 L 0/ 
 
I 3 8 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 of the Sea's, the noife of their Waves, and the 
 ■multitude of tiye People. This God does in Mer- 
 cy, when he keep3 all quiet 5 but there are Times 
 when all thefe being in Hubbub and Mutiny, the 
 Mountains, fbahe and roar together with the Seas 
 and Waves ; and the Multitude of People in their 
 Strivings 1 who are therein emphatically called 
 the Mobile ; that They that dwell in the utter- 
 moft Parts are afr#id of thefe Tokens ; thus from 
 one end of Nations, or even of the World, to 
 another, there arife dreadful Fears at the Tokens 
 of God, Unhinging the World; called therefore 
 Prodigies and Portents : For what Intereft God 
 hath in thefe, fllall be fpoken in the next Parti- 
 cular. 
 
 I only obferve further, There are in the Little 
 World by the wreitling of contrary Humours in 
 the Bodies of Men, fuch Spoutings of Fire, as in 
 Fevers ; fuch Deluges of Water, as in Dropfies ; 
 fuch Earthquakes in violent Difeafes ; fuch fulphu- 
 reous Vapors in horrid Melancholies or Fits ; or in 
 the Arteries and Sinews, as in Gouts and Rheuma- 
 tifas ; in thofe Arrhritical Pains in the ftrait and 
 clofe Tubes of the Body; fuch Swimmings of 
 the Head, as refemble what hath been fpoken of 
 in rhe outer World ; but above all in Confciences. 
 
 4. Let all thefc things be trae'd, as much as 
 they can to their natural Caufes ; yet Scripture 
 afcribes all to God, Pfal. 148. 8. Fire, Hail, Snow, 
 Vapor, all fulfil his Word: He workgth his Signs 
 and Wonders amwig the Armies of Heaven and 
 the hihabitants of the Earth, and none can ft ay 
 his- hand, ( for ail the Inhabitants of the Earth 
 me reputed 49'fwkwg in fuch a Cafe, Dan. 4. 3 5.) 
 
 except 
 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. 139 
 
 except he pleafes to ftay it himfelf ; or can fay to 
 him, What doft thou? As if they ihould fay 
 What doft thou mean, who halt made Heaven 
 and Earth, and preferveft it, to put it into thefe 
 Diforders ? But he gives no Account of his mat- 
 ters in thefe Things. And feeing he holds all 
 natural Caufes in his hand, and ballances them 
 every moment ; what is it to fay, Ail thefe Things 
 have their proper Caufes ; but to fay in true fenfe, 
 that God does all Thefe ; for all Nature is indeed 
 Miracle, conitant, and as we fay in ordinary. 
 
 But God indeed does in more lofty Style, 
 and Elegancies , and Eloquences of Language , 
 afliime to himfelf the Government of thefe 
 affrightful Motions in Heaven, or Earth ; Thun- 
 der:, Lightnings, Earthquakes throughout Scri- 
 pture ; as if they were immediately done by his 
 own hand, as if he took this Globe of Earth and 
 Sea, which he hath Hung upon nothing, andjhool^ 
 it out of its place ; or as if he immediately (hot 
 off his great Pieces either in the Bowels of the 
 Earth, or in the Skies, or fprung a Mine in the 
 Earth: And it muft needs be fo; if all natural, 
 voluntary and fortuitous ("as we Poreblind think 
 them J Caufes work in and out of his hand. For 
 if in the Killing Kjng Ahab a man drew a Bom 
 at a venture ; or as in the Margin out of the He* 
 brew ; In his Simplicity, without Defign, with- 
 out Aim , and yet it was dife&ed to Ahab, as 
 by God's immediate Hand to fulfil his Word up- 
 on him, How much more are all natural Caufes 
 directed by him ! 1 Kjngs 22. 3d. And thofe 
 Things which he knows will with fuch extraordi- 
 nary Amazes change the World j he afcribes them 
 L 2 moie 
 
1 40 Trepidations of the Eart b, 
 
 more emphatically toHimfelf; His Thunder, his 
 Lightnings ; IJhake Heaven and Earth. 
 
 Let us then conficler, Why God does thus dif- 
 order Nature ; And I fhall initance in thefe fol- 
 lowing Reafons. 
 
 1 . That when w r e fee thefe Contefts, and Jars 
 in Nature, we may adore and praife the infinite 
 Wifdom, Power, and Goodnefs of God, who keeps 
 All (o much in Peace and Quiet: For as great 
 Engines or Machines, that have various and crofs 
 Wheels and curious Works in them ; it requires 
 as great Art, to harmonize them at firft, fo great 
 care to keep them in order ; and as vaft Armies 
 call for the higheft Spirit, Wifdom, and Conduct 
 of the Genera iffnno, as Men fpeak, to infpire them 
 with Order, Peace, Regular Aftion, in their feve- 
 iv.l Stations; fo it is (aid of God, Job 25. 2. Do- 
 minion and Fear are with him. He maketh Peace 
 in his high, ( and in his Deep ) Places alfo. Is 
 there any number of his Armies ? All which he 
 yet keeps in Peace, as he pleafes. Oh therefore 
 that (as in that Song of Praife, Pfal. 107.) 
 Men confidering All thefe Things 
 \\ Glory to God., well, would make it |j the Foot 
 of every Thing ! Oh that Men 
 would praife the Lord for his wonderful Works 
 to, the Children of Men I For we fee by a little 
 what gceit Things he can do. Whofo therefore 
 is u>!je } and will obferve thefe Things, even he 
 (hall under fwhd the loving kjndnefs of the Lord. 
 For indeed, That on which the Pride, and Pro- 
 plianei^jsi and Infolency of Men is grounded, is, 
 T] ijj God will ftul from Time to Time keep 
 Tilings m :he Qule; and Peace he generally does: 
 
 And 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. 141 
 
 And if he does not, they fall clown into Death 
 and Ruine immediately in his doing otherwife : 
 He therefore (hews fometimes by fuch Diforders, 
 what he always does, how he exercifes Longjtrfi- 
 fering, Loving kindnefs in the Earth ; for if he 
 did otherwife, Nature would be always cracking 
 in pieces; and if it were fo, What could the 
 greateft Monarchs fay to it ? Would they flay 
 his hand, or would they render him a Recornpence 
 for not doing as they think he fhould and ought 
 to do? Their fycompence he would Jpecdcly re- 
 turn upon their cwn heads. God therefore fhews, 
 How all the World is bound and beholden to him 
 by fliewing at fuch Times, what he can do with- 
 out any Controul, and yet does not ; and what 
 he does in maintaining Order and Peace when 
 none can compell him to it, if, He did not pleafe 
 to do fo. 
 
 2. That he may give 
 Witnefles and Demon It ra- 
 tions of his Wrath, Jultice, 
 and Power to ; either, as 
 he pleafes ; puni(h,.and ex- 
 ecutejudgment from Hea- 
 ven ; or move to Repen- 
 tance : For as he gives 
 Fruitful Times and Sea- 
 fins that he might not 
 leave himfelf without wit- 
 ri'efii of his Goodncfs lead- 
 ing to Repentance ; fo of 
 his Wrath and Jultice to 
 neceilitate Men that way ; 
 Forallthcfe Things Preach Repentance, and Re- 
 L 3 formation 
 
 Men loath what they 
 have conftantiy, as if 
 it were no Argument 
 for fear of God : as if 
 God were tied to do 
 Jo ; but thinly at leafi, 
 fuch Wonders of ex- 
 traordinary Potter 5 
 which the j do not fie 
 every day, would, like 
 one from the Dfcid, 
 move to l{°p°ntance : 
 Butcvm tins depends 
 on Grace. 
 
1 4! Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 formation aloud ; and far that End I have thus 
 fuperadded to the Difcourfe of Repentance. 
 
 3 .That God may give notice of any great Chan- 
 ges he will make in the World, that are near at 
 hand, and which within any little Time he will 
 make in it, he gives Warning by Earthquakes 
 and other unufual Things : For fo in fpight of al! 
 that can be (aid to the contrary, God hath ge- 
 nerally ufher'd in any great Changes, he hath 
 made in the World, by fuch Signs and Wonders 
 in Heaven, and Shakings of the Earth beneath: 
 and therefore with great Right he cloaths his De- 
 nunciations and Threats of fuch great Judgments 
 ip fuch Language of Thunder and Lightnings, 
 and Earthquakes* A very remarkable Inftance 
 we have of this in the Prophet Amos. When God 
 was about, as it were to Ride a Circuit in Judg- 
 ment upon the Nations for Three TranJgreJpons 9 
 and for Four even upon each fingle Nation or Peo- 
 ple, Amos dates his Prophecy two 
 Amos i. !• Tears before the Earthquake in the 
 Days o/Uzziah. How general that 
 was, is not known to us. But there is plain im- 
 portance, God firft began to give notice of hi$ 
 Judgments by Amos his Prophecy in his two firft 
 Chapters. That not prevailing to Repentance, 
 he gave a loud Alarm by the Earthquake ^ which 
 it is moll probable, was as general as thofc Na- 
 tions thr earned by Amos. Then follows the 
 judgment it felf on the feveral People nam'd and 
 executed by the Ajjyrian and Babylonian Con- 
 quefts. And why was there a mention of the 
 Earthquake two Tears after ; if God had npt 
 jleafed to give that Intimation, that an Earth- 
 quake 
 
urg a as srrgummi s iv R.eyemance. i ^5 
 
 quak? was a fit Forerunner of i hat Judiciary Pro- 
 grefs, that follows in. thofc two Chapters of Amos; 
 fo our LokI Matt. 14* makes Earthquakes in Di- 
 vers Places^ the certain. Forerunners of the Def- 
 lations of J*erufal.em. 
 
 4. The Lord Jehovah is pfcafcd to fuffer Earth- 
 quakes, becaufe he hath determined upon rhisorje 
 Earthquake, wherein lie wiH fkakg not only the 
 Earth y but the Heaven alfo ; a great Earthquake y 
 fuch as hath not beenfwee men were upon earth ; 
 fo migltiy an Earthquake, and Jo great ; wherein 
 every Ifland fhall flee away, and the Mountains 
 /hail not be founds Revel. 16. 18. z-o. Aiyd of this 
 God foretold Hogg. 2. 6. Tet once 1 mil fhakc 
 Heaven and Earth, Sec. And in this Text, let 
 once more I fbake not only the Earthy hut the 
 Heaven alfo. Where though the Apolile oppo- 
 fes the once more to the Jhaking of the Earth at 
 Mour^.- Smai, becaufe that was to his prefent 
 purpofe; yet it leaves room for that moit facti- 
 ous Interpretation of Dr. Burnet, m the fore- 
 named Difcourfes, That it is -oppos'd to the fha- 
 king not only the Earth, but the Heaven alfo, in 
 ana by the Flood ; for in that he fays once more, 
 it fuppofes, that not only the Earth, but the 
 Heaven , had been fhaken before : And when 
 could chat be, but in the Flood the -on purpofe- 
 Type>of this, as appears by what that excellent 
 Perfon hath faid on 2 Pet. 3. Although This fhall 
 be greater, and to far greater purpofe in the new 
 Heaven, and the new Earth to perfection: 
 Whereas ThatEW brought forth -a. Heaven and 
 Earth for phe worfe ; and Men grew as, and more 
 wicked j but here fyghteovjntft fhall dwell, and 
 I- a This 
 
1 44 - repaanom or roe aartv, 
 This (hall be the greateft fince Man was on Earth. 
 This is the Time of Trouble, of deep -Tribulation 
 and Temptation, fuch as none ever tvdi before, to 
 MP, but the 'Servants of God and Chritt, Dan. 
 12. i- Mat. 24. 21. Rgv. 3. 10. c.7. 14. 
 
 Now therefore, It becomes him; by w*hom are 
 All Things, and for whom are All Things ; feeing 
 he hath determined fo great an- Earthquake at 
 laft, to give fuch Tcrellaes of it ; fuch little Parts, 
 Pieces, and Models of it, that might Inlighten, 
 Awaken, and Affiire the World concerning it ; 
 and to have fet up fuch a Pyramid of it by the 
 Flo&d, in general to all the World ; and to Sodom, 
 and < the Cities about it in more particular, in the 
 Beginning of the World ; and to fpeak in the Elo- 
 quence of what he will do, on every occalion of 
 a greater Judgment on any Na'rion or People; 
 and to joyn with it the Thunder and Lightnings 
 of his Power arid Voice, that are as the Shakings 
 of Heaven ; and generally fall in with the Sha- 
 king of the Earth* -■ And thus we find all along 
 the Scripture, and with great Relation to this ve- 
 ry Earthquake ufhering in the Kingdom of Qhrifl, 
 and the Deftruclion of Babylon, the great Symbol 
 of his Enemies; fo PfaL 18.7. Efy r 3. 13. with 
 very many Pieces more. And this is to make 
 the Thoughts of it familiar to Men, and to ac- 
 quaint them throughly with God's great purpofe 
 herein ; for- hereby a fhort Work, will God make 
 r,n Earth ; yet every Man, Woman, and Child, 
 fhall be rais\i on purpofe to fee this great Sight, 
 and to feel it ; The Earth fhall caji out' her dead 
 for it, and nd more cover them. This is that 
 ilartbqual\c in which God arifes xo Jhake terribly 
 
 the 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. 145 
 
 the Earth, Efay 2. wherein it (hall be indeed as a 
 chafed Roe, and as a Sheep no man cares to take 
 up, tho now they are (b greedy of it. Then the 
 Lord will make it empty and under the great De- 
 flation overthrowing, and turning upjide down 
 Perfons and Things, and all dittiniHon of Ser- 
 vants, Mafters, and Miflreffcs, Purchasers, Sel- 
 lers, Lenders, Borrowers-, as is defcrjb'd Efay 24. 
 which fhall end in the Suns being confounded^ 
 the Moon a [ham d, when God comes to Reign be- 
 fore his Ancients in Glory, 
 
 And in the New Teflament ; we find at the 
 Death of our Lord JefSis Chrift, Mat. 27. 50. 
 when he gave up that mighty Breath, and with 
 that loud Voice commended that immortally blefc 
 fed Spirit into the Hand of God; There was a 
 Great Earthquake, and the Rocks rent, and the 
 Graves opened ; and after his RefurrejAion, many 
 Bodies of Saints came forth, and appeared to 
 many in the Holy City-, a mo ft admirable Type 
 of the La ft Great Earthquake. At the Refurre- 
 tlion of Chrift there was again an Earthquake, 
 Matth- 28. ; 2.. At the pouring it af the Spirit, 
 Adts 2. r. There was from Heaven a mighty 
 rujhingWind^ that 'fttifijhi Houje, and fo malt 
 needs jhake it, and as the Appearance of Fioy 
 Tongues: when the Apoftles Pray'd after that fo- 
 lemn Conference with the Elders of the Jews, the 
 Houfe fhook, c. 4. When Paul and Silas had prai- 
 fed God in Prifon, there- was an Earthquake, and 
 the Foundations of the Prifon were fhaken, the 
 Doors opened, and the Chains of every one were 
 loofed, Ads 16. 25. All thefe were real Hiftorl- 
 (al Earthquakes, or Matters of Fact ; and they 
 
 are 
 
146 Trepidations of the Earth s 
 
 are alfo great Types, and Emblems with Relati- 
 on to what fliall be at the Kingdom of Cbrift, 
 and even Predi&ions and lively AfTurances there- 
 of. 
 
 In the Revelation, that moft Auguft Prophecy 
 of the Kingdom of Chrift, we read of Four great 
 Earthquakes, that were fb many Advances of the 
 'Kingdom of Chrift. 
 
 1 . That grand Deturbation of, or difmounting 
 Paganifin, or the calling down the Dragon or 
 Devil inhabiting it from Heaven, who was wor- 
 shipped in Paganifin as a God ; and all his Ho ft in 
 the Fourth or Roman Empire, were call down with 
 him, when that Empire in Conftantme became 
 Chriftian. And this was celebrated by thofe lof- 
 ty Expreffions concerning it, as a great Shaking 
 even of Heaven and Earthy Rev. 6. 12, c. 12. 5. 
 as (hall be at the Kingdom of Chri si. 
 
 2. The final Extirpation of Paganifin, or Root- 
 ing it out > though with that unhappy Revolution 
 of Antichnjltanifm, ready to come in with the 
 Barbarous Nations into that Empire, and fo un- 
 dermining the Kingdom of Chrisl. This was at 
 the famous Vidlory of Theodojiw ; And this was 
 ns Church Hiftorians tell us, with a very great 
 Temp eft of Thundring and Lightning and motion 
 of the Earth in the Letter, as well as the Pro- 
 phetic Reprefentation of the Thunder, Lightnings^ 
 Voices and Earthquake, the great Emblems of the 
 Kingdom of Chrift. 
 
 3. The Earthquake that (hall be at the fyjwg 
 of the Witneffes, when that Great City, whofe 
 Emblem is Ten, or Tenth ; in regard of the Ten 
 !\ings, who give their Kingdom to the Beaft, that 
 
 carries 
 
Urgd ai Arguments to Repentance. 1 47 
 
 carries it, fhall fall. Rev. ir« cap. 17. 
 
 4. The whole Time of the Seventh Trumpet, 
 fhall in regard of the mighty Effedfe, and Events 
 be a continual Earthquake ; even till the great 
 and real Shake of Heaven and Earthy the once 
 more in the Text ; that what cannot be fhaken 
 may remain, as hath been explained. I{ev. 16. 
 18. 20. compared withe 11. 
 
 Now that Earthquake nam'd laft, but this laft, 
 vi%. the Fall of the great Antichriftian State, 
 I affirm to be fo near as 1697. approaching; 
 wherein the Kingdom of Chrift (hall be in itsSuc- 
 ceffion. 
 
 Now what arifes from all this, Inference: 
 but that it may both urge the Ne- 
 ceffity, and give all Invitations and Incitements to 
 Repentance; which cannot be higher exprefs'd 
 than in the Apoftle's own Words, as 'tis us'd in 
 this Context. Let us have Grace, or rather Take 
 Hold, lay earned Hold of Divine Grace, and Pow- 
 er in Ghrift; that we may ferve him with Reve- 
 rence, or all Holy Awes of Modefty and Shamefa- 
 cednefs, as the Angels that cover Faces and Feet, 
 left we give diitafte ;. and with good Heed-taking, 
 as the Israelites that kept within bounds, left God 
 fhould have broken out ; And this Service of God 
 with holy "A/</l©- Modefty and ftiame of our 
 own Unworthinefs and horrid Nakednefs ; This 
 Good Heed-taking not to run into God as a 
 Confirming Fire, is moft fhewn, exercis'd and 
 
 Era&is'd in timely Repentance. For all at that 
 >ay of Earthquake , Thunders and Lightnings, 
 once for All, All muft be near ; for God will 
 come near to them, as a fwift Witnefs -> and to 
 
 All 
 
148 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 All not Repenting and Reconciled in Chrift, he will 
 be a Confaming Fire, MaL 3. 5. With this Heb. 1 2. 
 
 And to this purpofe, Let thefe very late Moti- 
 ons of the Earth be confider'd in all the forego- 
 ing Difcourfe ; for I cannot but be perfwaded, 
 they are Pledges of that great Change, that (hall 
 fuddenly be in the World in the Fall of the whole 
 Papal and Antichriftian State; befides their ge- 
 neral ftrong Motive to Repentance, as they fpeak 
 God, both in his Divine Power, and Ability to 
 execute Wrath ; as alfo in his Goodnefs , Long- 
 fuffering, and Patience^ leading to Repentance ; 
 and how much more, if the Approach of his 
 Kingdom it (elf, the greateft Motive to Repen* 
 tance be by it decfar'd (b near. 
 
 That I may therefore improve fo remarkable 
 a Providence upon the Englijh Plantation in Ja- 
 maica, ( which is therefore to be reputed a part 
 of Engl and it felf ) and the fo gentle and tender 
 Admonition of that Motion of the Earth among 
 our Selves ( as alfo on other Parts ) I would dif- 
 courfe them nnt, as an Argument to Repentance, 
 and then, that they are a Prediction of a great 
 Change on the World. 
 
 1. tfijft cpniider that of Jamaica, which, we 
 muft needs acknowledge a part of our Selves; 
 2nd therefore it is to be looked upon as Eng- 
 land, though beyond the Se3 ; and fo we are all 
 equally therein concerned, particularly that many 
 of t'S'had Inrereirs, and Relations that fuffered in 
 it 5 we sre therefore nearly concern'd; 'and fo 
 prre itrongly called upon to Repentance by it; 
 an* the more, that it fell fo particularly upon 
 j&t Town or Port, that bore the Enligns of So- 
 vereignty 
 
TJrgd as Arguments to RtpentMce, 149 
 
 vereignty and Government, called Port fyyal ; 
 that was the Key of the I/land and Plantation, 
 the Port and Harbor, the Seat of the Kpigs 
 Houfe, and of the Houfes of the mod confidera- 
 ble Merchants and Traders ; and of the Defence 
 and Strength of the Place, by its Baftions and 
 Fortifications. 
 
 2. I confider, that the Judgment bears a very 
 great Refemblance to the Judgment on Sodom 
 and Gomorrah ; For the Thunder, and I ightning, 
 and Balls of Fire that came down from Heaven ; 
 according to the moft credible Accounts of Eye- 
 witnefles ; though the Town was not, that I have 
 heard, touched by the Fire, carry the Signatures 
 of Sodom's Judgment after a ferene fifing of the 
 Sun, which muft be by an Earthquake and In- 
 undation ; for the Earthquake and Inundation 
 was in the Suddennefs, and dreadful Defolation, 
 and Deilrudiion that it made, How like to that 
 which turn'd Sodom into a Lake or Dead Sea to 
 this day ! And herein what was (hort of Sodom's 
 Judgment in the Fire, was made up in the Dread 
 of the Earthquake : and fo many, about 20 ~ o 
 Perfons perifhed, ^s by that newly fjber publish- 
 ed Account before nam'd appears ; A Shade of 
 the Place, and of the Parts on which the EartJj- 
 quake had greatefi Power is given in it. 
 
 From hence then I argue ; 
 
 1. That it is not to be afcrib'd ro natural Cm- 
 fes any other way, than as the fupreme Counfel 
 and Being hath all Caufes in his Hand, and at his 
 Difpofe. If it had been only an Earthquake and 
 Inundation, there had appeared lefs of God, and 
 of his Supream Dominion ; But when there was 
 
 a tor- 
 
150 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 a Correfpondence, and as it were Intelligence be- 
 tween Heaven, and Earth, and Sea, above and be- 
 low ; It leads us to confider Him , Who does 
 whatever he pleafes in Heaven and in Earth, and 
 in all Deep Places* He caufeth the Vapors to 
 afcend from the Earth, He maketh Lightnings 
 for the Rain, He bringeth the Wind out of his 
 Treafures, PfaL 135. 6,7. Were not Men refol- 
 ved, as Pharaoh, to ft and up like fycl^ againft 
 God, they muft needs acknowledge Him in this: 
 The Works of God, his Judgment on Sodom of 
 old, is an Enfample to all After- Ages ; How much 
 more This fo upon our own Times, on whom the 
 Ends of the World are come ; though we had no 
 fhare in it, but it was upon another People; How 
 much more when fo upon our Selves, though in 
 another Climate ! 
 
 2. I confider, as a further Argument to Re- 
 pentance herein that great Scripture Amos 4. 6* 
 That it comes upon this Nation in a Train, and 
 Connexion of Judgments; all within lefs than 
 half the Age of a Man at Mofes's 
 Or jo lears, Computation : The Peftilence and 
 Pfal. 9c 10. Dreadful Plague in the Year 1665. 
 The Fire on this City in 1666* 
 The feveral Inteftine Commotions, and Wars a- 
 broad : And now it is come to this Judgment, 
 though but on fome of us ; yet it was but fo up- 
 on Ijrael, v. 11. J have overthrown fome of you^ 
 as God overthrew Sodom and Gomnrrah. And 
 this is the laft, till God come to a Judgment fo 
 great, he would not name ; Therefore will I ao 
 T/:/o, or this, unto thee. Therefore prepare to 
 meet thy God, Ob Ifrael, in his fevereil Judgment 
 
 if 
 
Urgdas Arguments to Repentance. I 5 1 
 
 if thou return not. And fo according to the ge- 
 neral courfe of the Word and Dealings of God, 
 efpecially with a People under fuch a clearnefs of 
 Divine Revelation as we are : It mult needs be, 
 whether Men will Hear or Forbear. It mult: end 
 in utter Definition, if upon this we do not Re- 
 turn to God, according (I fay ) to the General 
 Rules, and Standards of his Word. 
 
 3. That great Admonition of our Saviour's is 
 an utter Prohibition of our (heltring our felves 
 under fuch an Imagination, that they were greater 
 Sinners than we are $ for he hath folemnly de- 
 nounced, That whoever does not Repent, lhall 
 not only Perifh, but (hall Perifh mo&vtw in 
 like manner with thofe, who have Perijtid by 
 extraordinary, and moft eminent, and remarkable 
 Judgments, Luc, 13. 3, 5. So that without Repen- 
 tance we are always under the Impendency, the 
 hanging over of fo great Judgments upon us; as 
 came indeed upon the Jews in the Roman Desola- 
 tions foon after ; and muft upon this Nation ac- 
 cording to ordinary Rules, and Standards of the 
 Word, and Providence of God, as I have faid : 
 But if not ; feeing that Word of Chrift (hall be 
 true, that we (hall likewifi perifh, if we do not 
 Repent ; We muft be raifed to that Greatpft 
 Earthquake, Thunder, and Lightning, and the 
 Dreadful Jempeft, the Snares, Fire\wA Brim* 
 ftone God will then Rain, and the Horrible Tem- 
 fefl, that (hall be the Portion of every wicked 
 aad impenitent Perfon's Cup, Pfal. 1 1 . 6. at that 
 Time, that Day, that (hall burn as an Oven, and 
 confume the Wicked Root and Branch ; at that 
 Battel of the Great Day of God Almighty in thr 
 
 Valley 
 
I 5^ Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 Valley of Jehofaphat and Armageddon, when he 
 will go through, and bum up all together ; What 
 Caufe have we therefore to look^dih gently, 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 
 ^ighteoufnefs or a Jf^r of Jusl and Righteous 
 Judgment in the D47 0/ Judgment. 
 
 4. I obferve from fo many Perfons, taken away 
 fo fuddenly in Jamaica ; How great an Argu- 
 ment it makes againft Truit to a Death-Bed-Rc* 
 fentance, when the very Poflibilities of a Death- 
 Bed to Repent upon may be fo fnatch'd from us : 
 and therefore with how great Force and Evidence, 
 and with what a jult Timoufnefs, the Obfcrvati- 
 ons on thefe Providences There, and Here, are to 
 be ad jult ed to thefe Difcourfes on the general ne- 
 ceility of Repentance , and the great Hazard of 
 committing our ielves to the Adventure of a 
 Deatb-Bea-Repentance ; when fo fuddenly Provi- 
 dence, that is as in a Courfe of Earthquakes , 
 and hath given us fuch Warnings, may take us 
 array livng, and 7 if we Repent not , in his 
 Wrath. , 
 
 5. As between thefe two Difpenfations of Provi- 
 dence ; the Dreadiul Earthquake m Jamaica, and 
 that here; I confider with what a Goodnefs, and yet 
 with a Faithfulnefs to move to Repentance, God 
 hath (hewn us both the Tendernefs and the Skill 
 of h:s Hand in the Morion of the Earth we were 
 feniible of. For as in the molt admirable Know- 
 ledge of his Almighty Hand, he took up our 
 Earth, and poiz'd it ; ima in the Doing of it,, did 
 as k were fay, Hoir jhaii I give thee u\\ London ? 
 Howfcall I nuke thee 04 Aihnah and •Zeboim,*/^ 
 
 Citits 
 
XJrgd as Arguments to Repentance. 155 
 
 Cities the Lord overthrew, as Jamaica, or Port- 
 Royal ? My Heart is turned within me, my Re- 
 fentings are kindled together ; I will not execute 
 the fiercenejs of my Wrath; I am God, and nop 
 Man; I will not enter into this City, Hofea ii. 
 8, 9. as into Jamaica. Behold then on Them 
 Severity, to Us Goodnefs, if we Turn to him in 
 his Goodnefs, and fo abide in it ; or elfe recor- 
 ding to ordinary Rules we mult be cut ifFalfo* 
 
 And there is indeed molt of the Power and 
 Wifdom of God in doing fo much, and no more ; 
 For a rude and unskilful Hand can Throw Down, 
 Sp^il and Deftroy; but only an Underftanding 
 and Almighty Hand could weigh the Earth as in 
 Scales; and as in a Ballance, lift: up and ki down 
 in the very fame place and ftate. And how much 
 more of Love and Grace to melt and (often us! 
 as if he had (aid, Behold what I am able to do, 
 to Ruin you in a moment! Bat I will only 
 fliew what I can Do, and I will Do you ne hurt. 
 Oh that this Rich as of Goodnefs, Lorgfuffering 
 and Patience, might lead us to Repentance.' who" 
 himfefiftaid his own Hand, and (aid to Himfelf^* 
 TViiat am I doing ? { when none elfe could ) and 
 He did it not. 
 
 I come now to the Second Head I propos'd, for 
 the Improvement of our Thoughts 00 thefe 
 Earthquakes in general, but particularly of that 
 but juft, a Motion of the Earth in this City, and 
 the Royal Camp, and other parts beyond the Sea^ 
 That it is predidlive, and foretelling of a great 
 Change in the World : And of this I give thefc 
 following Arguments. 
 
 U It is beyond all denial moil evident, that 
 Scripture makes ufe of Earthquakes,^ the Con- 
 veyance of its Defcription of the great Works and 
 M '. a &$ 
 
154 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 Changes God will make for the Kingdom cf 
 Chrift, till it appears : That courfe of Earthquakes 
 Providence hath been in of late years, is furely a 
 Declaration or thofe great Changes he is about 
 to make, firit by the Succealon of that Kingdom, 
 and then by iis own Appearance: For if firlt 
 Chrilt convey his Kingdom by Earthquake s y as 
 Types and Pledges ; it is but reafonable to expedt, 
 when he alarms the World with Earthquakes, he 
 has fomething to do more than ordinary in the 
 Advancement of it ; elfe his fo great ufe of them 
 in his Word would be but as the foundi?ig of 
 the Mountains* 2nd Amufe in vain. By the fo 
 often ufe of Earthquakes he teaches us to expedt 
 by them ; Seeing as on one iide he ufes Edrth- 
 makes in his Word to exprefs great Things for 
 his Kingdom by; fo on the other fide he ufes 
 Earthquakes, that are fo in Fadt to and in his Pro- 
 vidence, to foretell fome Changes for his King- 
 dom following them, according to his Word. 
 
 2. The Nations, and Places, where this" Moti- 
 on of the Earth came , are fuch, as are clofely 
 concerned in the Change, that God is about to 
 make ; being either of the Protefiant Profeilion, 
 or of the Ten Kings, that yet give their King- 
 dom to the Beaft. 
 
 That God was p!e2s'd therefore to guide the 
 Motion of unquiet Vapors over fo many Coun- 
 tries and Cities, it was like the fending the Cup and 
 xhke in Jeremy to fo many Nations, on whbm he 
 would execute his Dilpleafure by Nebuchadnez- 
 zar, Jerem. c. 25. c 27. fo now he hath fent by 
 this Earthquake, ?.s it were by a Meffenger, to 
 make known to the Nations his kingdom fo near. 
 For fo mild and gentle a Motion, that had no- 
 thing of Wrath, and execution of Vengeance 
 
 in 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. 155 
 
 in its CommifTion, feems entruited only with fo 
 great a Notice. And I cannot but hope, and am 
 even afliired. That this City is to bear fo happy 
 a Part in the Kfngdom of Chrisl, that it fhall be 
 freferved for his Servant David V fake, and that 
 God in Chrift is the Hoy one in the midft of it* 
 3. That which above all affaires me fo, is That 
 Sure Word of Prophecy ; that Time is fo near 
 for the SuccefTion of the Kingdom of Chrijt y 
 (which is by Prophecy defcrib'd by a great Earth- 
 quake) that I can underftand nothing by this Move; 
 but that Introducing , or Bringing it in with 
 the Call of the Witneffes, and the Fall of the 
 Tenth of the Great City : For I cannot underftand 
 that there is Space or Room for any other Change 
 but of That to the Kingdom of Chrift, entnng 
 into its SuccefTion ; wherein all (hall have the Ad- 
 vantages of Repentance and Reformation by the 
 pouring out of the Spirit, and the Preaching of 
 the everlaflirig Gojpel; even to all the World ; 
 2nd the Converts of that Time fhall be, as the 
 Drops of Dew from the Womb of the Morning : 
 A Change of fo great advantages to the World, 
 that none have any reafon to be offended, or to 
 complain of the Tydings ; except They, who hate 
 to be Preform d. I defire no other Beauty of Fcer 
 or Face than to bring and pub'.ijh it. It js 
 all holy, pure, fpiritual, benign, and beneficent, to 
 thofe who have but any Ddires after God Chrift, 
 and Goodnefs, both in inward and outward Boun 
 ties: There is greater reafon it (hould bt. daily 
 frayed for, and daily it is to be praifed ; Verily \ 
 It may be faid , Many Kjngs y Prophets, and 
 Righteous Mc 72 have de fired to fee the Things 
 that fhall then be feen ; and have not feen them ; 
 and ro hear the Things that /hall then be heard, 
 M 2 and 
 
156 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 and have not heard them. Oh therefore , that 
 this may be what this gracious Heave of the 
 Earth does prefage ; ( as 1 have great Aflurance it 
 does, ) That there is no more danger by it, than 
 this. That we (hould take notice; This Earth 
 wirh great Sedatenefs gave a Morion with joy, as 
 John Baptifi in the Womb, to foretell ; It is with 
 all its Kin?; oms focri to become the Kingdom 
 of the Lord and of his Chrift, wherein fyghtecnf- 
 nefs fioall dwell : That foon after, upon a Purifi- 
 cation from all Defilements, the Heavens over it, 
 and it felf, may become a New Heaven and a 
 New Earth; and the Will of God done al in 
 parallel, as in that Heaven, and upon Earth* 
 
 But though I have endeavoured to make good 
 my way all along ; yet I would in the Conclusion 
 give a more folemn Anfwer to the chief Objecti- 
 ons. I have taken notice of. 
 
 ObjH. i. Some of the fagacious Obfervers of 
 Nature have fo trac-d extraordinary Events to their 
 Caufes, that they have foretold particularly Earth- 
 quakes, byobferving the Ripenefs of natural Cau- 
 ses for them. 
 
 Anfw. i. Whatever Obfervations the wifeft of 
 Mankind have made, they are not able, fo far to 
 penetrate the Screws of Natural Caufes, fitted to 
 tlih nece/iitating one another to fuch Effects ; 
 v but that fupernatural Agents may give a Lift to 
 the Wheels of Second ■ Caufes, that UfififllJ move^ 
 but en Earthy viz, in a natural way ; to move 
 much above Earth, that is, Supernaturally -: and 
 5H the fame manner to fet Bars to, or [hinder their 
 Morions. E?e!{. i. 19. 10. 
 
 Now that there are fuch Supernatural Agents; 
 the very Evidences of rational and evjn fenfible 
 £:rperiir,ents compel the itoutelt Gainfayers to 
 
 c onfefs, 
 
XJrgd as Arguments to Repentance. ijj 
 
 confefs, bat as they "bid defiance to all Thing* 
 for the fake of their Atheiftic Sentiments. 
 
 Anftv. 2. He that Knoivs all his Works from 
 the very Foundation of the World, and forefees All 
 Caufes and EfFeifrs, could with the fame Eafe 
 ballance them for their juft Time, both as to par- 
 ticular Perfons, and Nations with their Sins, filling 
 up their meafure ; and fo that All fbould roll down 
 to their higheit Effects at that time when he will 
 once mote floak? y not only Earth but Heaven alfo * 
 even at that Time of Trouble, and Day of Battel 
 and War, as it is moft Prophetically callM Job 
 38. 22. 23. compar'd with Dan. 17. 1. Mat. £4. 
 21. and Revel. 16. 14. the fame Spirk that dicta- 
 ted All , Fitting the very Words one to another in 
 thefe Scripture*. 
 
 Object. 2. But ftill, If this be allowed, that 
 fuch natural Caufes and Effedts are adjulted for the 
 Purpofes of Divine Judgment, and even for that 
 Diffolution of this prefent Frame, Why at this 
 Time ? 
 
 Anftv. 1. Such a Time according to all Scripture 
 and Reafon mult be at fomeTirne; and why may 
 it not be now fo near ? 
 
 Anftv. 1. The very Time fince the Coming of 
 Chrift firit in the Flefh being almoft 1700 Years 
 ago, was call'd the Fulnefs cfTime; what then 
 can be after it, but the Ends of the World, the 
 Lvft Day, the Laft Hour, running apace to the - 
 Fiilnefof all Times ? Gal. 4, 4. and Ephef. 1. 10. 
 
 Anftv. 5. Mens Heats in all the ftafincfi of this; 
 World, Buying, Selling, PLmting, Building; the 
 Little Faith on Earth, it is near; are no Argu- 
 ments it is not near; for thefe are foretold to be 
 even at thfc n'eareit Approaches of that Day. 
 
 Anftv. 4. But in fumj The Sure Word of Pro- 
 
 phew. 
 
158 Trepidations of the Earth, 
 
 fhecy, and Line of Time according to Scripture, 
 in full Agreement with Hiftory, as I have fo of- 
 ten affirm'd, is my Grand AflTurance. 
 
 ObjeB. 3. But thofe Words of our Lord's 
 Marc. 13. 32. Of that Day and Hour knoweth 
 7ione, Sec. contradict any fuch Calculation making 
 known that Time. 
 
 Anfw. I affirm upon greateft Evidences of 
 Scripture Reafon 5 The Son having all Judgment 
 committed to him, and the Spirit refting upon 
 him without meafure; did know oFthat Day, and 
 of that Hour ; but in that Par bolical Speech 
 Chriit acknowledges the Supreme Donvriion of the 
 Divine Being, which is fo often ia.d to have rhe 
 Panto- Cratorate, the Almighty Ordinarion of that 
 Day, and the fo unfathomable^ up.ndious Pro- 
 cefsofit; As the Heveianon, or Bringing All 
 Things to pafi in order to it, is faid to be given 
 by God to J ejus Chrift to (hew to his Servants : 
 and the Condudt of them, originally in God, is gi- 
 ven to him 5 even fo the Knowledge of the Time 
 and the Adminiiiration of that Day. 
 
 Objert. 5. But the contrary Prevalencies of that 
 Trench Prince,the fo great Enemy of the Witneffes, 
 who keeps them no w from i^z/Jflg^fliews/That Time 
 is not fo near. 
 
 Anfw, As God gives in all Ages fuch Dominion 
 and Greatnefs to fome Princes, that no Confede- 
 racies can withiiand it ; as to Nebuchadnezzar, 
 Alexander, Cafar, Mahomet ; fo hath he given 
 much Greatnefs to that Monarch : but when fuch 
 Time of thofe Princes came, and fo of this Prince, 
 that they mail have End; At that very Time, as 
 they, fo he muit end ; and none (hall help it j 
 nor any precedent Greatnefs flay him up. 
 
 Amw. 2. An iiniverfal Monarchy is Embarraf- 
 
 fed 
 
Urgd as Arguments to Repentance. I $9 
 
 fed to him ; He (hall never be more than one of 
 the Ten Kjwgs<> till he, or his Succeflbrs with the 
 Relt (hall hate the Whore. As Prophecy, fo Pro- 
 vidence hath Embarraifed him, as with a Band 
 of Iron ; and fo far the Confederacy, or fome O- 
 ther certain Interpofal lhall prevail, till then. 
 
 An/w. 3. We are not earneft enough in Prayer, 
 we curtail the Time of Humiliation, and feeking 
 God ; efpecially, in that itrongelt Argument of 
 his Kingdom. Oh that this Conn/el might be *o 
 cef table to the Kjnp, and to the Counjels of the 
 Nation, and the Miniitry of all Names ! that we 
 might by earnefteit and loudeit Prayers of a Win- 
 ters Humiliation, and feeking him by Failing 
 and Supplication prepare for a Summers Action, 
 and not grurch God the Time 
 
 Anfw. 4. He hath had the ufual Space allowed 
 to fuch notorious Enemies of the People of God ; 
 And give me leave to ufe it as an Emblem, tho 
 not as a Forebode ; As Divine Providence com- 
 manded fo great a Leviathan or Whale; which he 
 calls King over the Children of Pride; from Play- 
 ing in the Ocean, where he had room enough in 
 the purfuit of his Prey ; to come, and ftrand him- 
 felf, and dye on the Shore of Scotland, the Twin 
 Ifland of our Great Britain ; even fo he will 
 ihortly work his Signs and Wond.rs in Heaven 
 and Earth, that he may abafe fuch Tyrannic'^ 
 Leviathans ivaikitg in Pride. 
 
 For the Time is near, and AIL, however it 
 feems otherwife, fhall be ready. A Kjng fhall 
 Heign in flight eoujhefs ; and Perfons comparM to 
 the Bafelt, Vileft, lhall no more be called Moji 
 Christian, mo ft Serene, Magnificent, Beneficent, 
 But there fhall be a Breaking out of the Glo- 
 ry of the Gofpel ? The Tongue of the Stam- 
 
 merers 
 
t6o Trepidations efthe Earth, &a 
 
 merer s (hall fpeal^ plain, The Lame fhall leap ai 
 an Hart. The Ears of the Deaf fhall hear ; The 
 Efay. 19. c. 32 c 35. £w <?f */?<r Blind fhall 
 fee out of objcurity; The very Ears of the Deaf 
 Jhall hear the Words of that Bool^ of Prophocy y 
 which the Learned will not now meddle with, 
 becaufe, fay they, It is Sealed; nor the Vnlearned, 
 becaufe they are not Learned* • Abundance of 
 Converts (hall be brought in ; Foolifh Virgins 
 ihall be made Wife, and not Err in the way 
 called the may ofHolinefs ; and no ravenous Be aft 
 fhall bt there any more for ever. 
 
 Lei us then, to fum up all, Seek 
 Amos 5* 8. him who made the Seven Stars and 
 Orion, who makes the Day darl^ 
 with Night, and yet turns the fhadow of Death 
 into Morning, who calls for the Waters of the 
 Sea, commands them out, and pours them on the 
 face of the Earthy who rends the I{ocly widi his 
 mighty Wmds, ard Jhakes the 
 I Sam. chap. 2. Earth out of its place, and Thun- 
 ders down with his Fire upon 
 1 Kings 19. 11. the wicked '; and comes himfelf 
 in the Still Voice of his Kingdom. 
 And hereof he hath given notice, as he faw 
 good, with dread or Wrath en Jamaica, as an 
 Emblem of the Day of 'judgment von the World 
 ofVngody ; which, as it (hould ftir up the Rem- 
 nant that ore there ejeaped, even as our Selves, to 
 deep Repentance; fo it fhould excite us to all 
 Ads of Mercy to them, and Prayers for them. 
 
 To us he hath ferit, as it were the Still Voice, to 
 let us kno-.v he is coming himfelf ; to which the 
 £u£h inov'd it felf, in token of Obeifance. 
 
 F I N I S. 
 
THE GENERAL 
 
 INEFFICACY 
 
 AND 
 
 INSINCERITY 
 
 Of a Late, Or 
 
 tot^mr* a&epettf attce* 
 
 WITH 
 
 Earnefteft Diflliafives from committing 
 our Eternal Condition to that Un- 
 Ipaakable Hazard, 
 
 AND 
 
 A full Refolution of the Cafe, how far a Death, 
 Bed Repentance is poflible, to be Sincere and 
 Efiedtual. 
 
 By % ¥ 1dmxltV+ 
 
 SH'MEPON^f'^ri SH'MEPGN MkhtdJt. 
 
 Jo Day, whilftitis called, to Day ; Left any one 
 be hardned through the Deceitfulneft of Sin 7 
 Heb. 3.7, 13. 
 
 LONDON. 
 
 Printed by R.Smith, for William Miller at the Gilded 
 Acorn in St.Paul's Church-yard.where Gentlemen and 
 others may be furnifhed with A&s of Parliament,Spee- 
 ches, and other forts of Difcourfes, and State-Matters ; 
 as alfo Books ofDivinity, Church-Government, Huma 
 nity, Sermons on mod Oecafions, &c. M DC XC II. 
 
THE 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE 
 
 READER 
 
 IT may feem unfeafonable, and mo- 
 ro/e, to deny the value of any 
 kind of Repentance, in fuch an 
 Age as this ; wherein there is a 
 Generation arifen, Oh how lofty are 
 their Eyes , and their Eye-lids lifted 
 up with Scorn and Difdain of all Reli- 
 gion ! An Age fo irreligious, that it 
 feems necejfary to gather up all the Frag- 
 ments, tho but of a feeming Piety, and 
 j make the moB of them, rather than to 
 call things to fo flrioi a Ballance : A 
 thinner, and more diltite Repentance, 
 than would formerly have admitted a 
 Man into a vifible Church , may at 
 A 2 fuch 
 
The Preface 
 
 fuch a time as this, hope for Heaven. 
 To all this I mufi anfwer, Firft 7 
 7. he Loofenefs of an Age does not jlac- 
 ken er dijfolve Eternal Laws', Wif- 
 dom abates nothing of its price, of 
 that timely and early fearch after it y 
 whether Men think good to give it 7 
 or whether they will forbear. It hath 
 no meaner Efieem of it felf becaufe 
 Folly? that is, fimple, and knoweth 
 nothings fitteth upon the high places 
 of the City, full of Noife and Clamor y 
 and entices to its Entertainments the 
 Multitude, and Grandeur of the World. 
 
 All the Severities of Scripture, that \ 
 make the way to Heaven narrow, and 
 the Gate fir ait, fiand like a Rock, ] 
 from Generation to Generation y alike 
 in all times. Nothing that is prodi- 
 gally loofed on Earth, in compliance 
 with a licentious Age, will be there- 
 fort loofed in Heaven. 
 
 The goodly price of a Death-Bed 
 Repentance, at which God is prized by 
 Men, even then,when Religion u at the 
 I owe ft, is rejected oft eft with Indigna- 
 tion, j 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 tion, and the everlafiing State pur* 
 chafed by it, may be fadly called ail 
 Aceldama, a Field of Blood. 
 
 // this Severity of Divine Truth 
 offend any one, The Refolution is that 
 of our Saviour. \ Every 
 Plant, whether Perfon or t Man 5. 17. 
 Things that our Heavenly 
 Father hath not planted, (hall be 
 rooted up. 
 
 2 . It is no improbable way of Con- 
 tefting again B Atheifm, and general 
 Ir religion, by the flritf T)oElrins of 
 Chrifiianity , as well as by Argu- 
 ments of Reafon : Nay, Authorita- 
 tive Applications of the Truth of 
 God, often (Irike the Confcience with- 
 in the Reafon, fooner and quicker than 
 indufirious Attempts upon the Reafon : 
 as Lightning melts the Steel, and neg- 
 lects the Scabbard. Preffings of Faith, 
 Repentance^ Holinef, Eternal Judg- 
 ment make Men ( even Unbelievers ) 
 \fall down upon their faces, when the Se- 
 crets of their Hearts are difcovered, 
 [ andconfefGod is there 
 
 A ? For 
 
The Preface 
 
 For the Soul of Man is mere eafily 
 wrought upon by tkofe dome [tick Re- 
 bukes , God gives it by hii Word, than 
 by more folemn Treaties. 
 
 Especially , corrupted Reafon takes 
 upon it felf to be a lawful Authority , 
 when an honourable War is comment 
 ced againjt it by the better Reafon on 
 the other fide ; It contemns haws of 
 Difcourfe, as precarious, and makes 
 account, it gives Reafon for Reafon. 
 But the Rod of God fbaken over it 
 makes it tremble, and confefs it felf 
 a Slave : Thus the Slaves in the Sto- 
 ry were more eafily reduced by the fer- 
 vile Chafifements they were acquainted 
 with, than by the force of Armies. 
 Atheifm grows the prouder generally 
 for being reafoned with : It does but 
 diffemble, while it pretends its difeafe 
 to be in the Head, which it knows in* 
 deed to be in the fenfual Heart. And 
 therefore is pleafed to be ftruck in 
 the Head\ but cannot endure to be 
 -wounded in the Heart, which the 
 Word of God efpecially aims at. 
 
 Not, 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 Not, but that it is indeed a mofi 
 generous and honourable Atchieve- 
 \ ment to [hew Religion to be the high- 
 ' efi Reafon ; and to detetf thofe pre- 
 tending Sons of Reafon, of the great- 
 efi Irrationality. But it is flill to be 
 acknowledged , the plain preaching of 
 the Gofpel, which the Apofile calls the 
 Foolijhnefs and Weaknefs of God., is 
 alone wifer and fironger than Men : 
 The Reafon of that y couched under 
 an Heavenly Authority of Truths car- 
 ries thofe T £ ^0, SWAT*, thofe migh- 
 ty Weapons, whereby every high Ima- 
 1 gi nation and Reafoning is to be fub- 
 dued , that lifts up it felf againfi 
 God. 
 
 *Vpon this occafion, I cannot, but 
 bewail thofe unhappy Divifions, that 
 have feparated the Preachers of the 
 Gofpel one from another, and there* 
 by opened a Lane for that Black Troop 
 to advance in, and made the Trum- 
 pet of the Gofpel to found Jo in certain- 
 ly, that it hath rather fcattered Men, 
 than prepared them to the Battel. 
 
 A 4 Our 
 
ihe rretace 
 
 Our Saviour fortfeeing the Confe- 
 rences hereof, according to that great 
 
 Maxim of his, || Every 
 ii Mat. 12.25. Kingdom divided againft 
 
 it felf is brought to Defo- 
 laxion, did fo earnefily command Unity 
 and Love of one another to his Difci- 
 fles in general^ and more -particularly 
 to the Miniflers of his Word, as the 
 nzofi effectual Demonstration \ \ Me 
 
 was fent from God y and his 
 fjqh.17.a1. Doctrin from Heaven* 
 
 From whence it follows, 
 where ever this Union is broken, Chri- 
 flianity is liable to the Imputations of 
 being a great Cheat and Fraud. Upon 
 which advantage, loath fome Irreligion 
 enters, and Jpreads it felf in thofe 
 empty (paces, begotten by our Diflan- 
 ces, and removes from one another : 
 All divifions in Chrifvianity are Scan- 
 dals to it, and weaken it. This we fee 
 verified in our days , the differences in 
 Religion, and the prophane fcorn or 
 ftupid neglect ofit y being alike vifible % 
 and notorious throughout the Nation. 
 
 7et 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 Tet upon jujl Accounts : the Irreli- 
 gion confequent upon Divisions in Re- 
 ligion, turns to the advantage of Chri- 
 stianity, that thus it mufi be, elfe how 
 fhould the Scriptures be fulfilled? But this 
 abates nothing of the Sinfulnefl andVn- 
 happinefs, or Neceffity of Amendment. 
 
 To guide us then into that ; It is ve- 
 ry obfervable, the venom of this Di- 
 ft emper falls not fo much upon thefeve- 
 ral Parties in Religion, as upon Reli- 
 gion it (elf; while we wound one ano- 
 ther. Religion is the Martyr, lies a 
 bleeding, and even dying. And while 
 good Men lament it, the Enemies of it 
 make merry and fend \ 
 gifts one to another, in to- t Rev - 1 * • i °- 
 ken of Triumph. 
 
 The method of Cure therefore, is 
 not, for every Party to weigh up it f elf, 
 and pre ft down others, but to buoy up Re- 
 ligion itfelf; and that is be ft done, by 
 Preaching and living the very Thing, 
 without diftinction of Names. If we 
 did but yield it its own Integrity and 
 Univerfal Goodnefs, it would foon 
 
 ufe 
 
The Preface 
 
 rife into that Honour it hath lofi y by 
 being captivated to Opinions. 
 
 For as our human Nature would 
 be much more beautiful and happy y 
 if cemented by that Philanthropy, or 
 general love of Mankind, fo indear- 
 inglj charged upon us by our Saviour ; 
 who demonjlrated, that he embraced 
 within his own Immenfity, the whole 
 Utitude of our Nature ; without con- 
 tracting it into the narrownefi of a 
 human Per/on, by the great care he 
 took \ That this Nature jhould not 
 be difhonoured, abufed, and torn by 
 it f elf through that bitter Qenforiouf 
 nefsj Revenge j and Contempt^ Men 
 exercife upon one another, even there 
 where Chrijl is profeffed. 
 
 So would our Chriflianity, that is 
 now evil fpoken of, appear, as it is in 
 it felf Acceptable to God, and appro- 
 ved of Men, if we could unite in thofe 
 comprehensive Inter ejls of Right eouf- 
 nefs, Peace 7 Joy in the Holy-Ghof i 
 that fubflantial Chriflianity ; Thofe 
 healing Wings of the Sun of Righ- 
 
 teoujnefs, 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 ttoufnefs, in the Rays of which our 
 little differences about Meat and Drink 
 would piay up and down, as fmalleft 
 Motes of Human Frailty , eafily ob~ 
 taining * mutual Pardon \ and that 
 black and mo(t abhorred Vapor of Ir- 
 religion, be fenced to diflodge at fo 
 Illuftrious a Presence. 
 
 If there be any Inter eft to keep 
 afoot thefe Divisions, it is an Inte- 
 reft of Di (honour, that dares not name 
 it felf; it is not only, «/W,W JttdSS*?/ ; but 
 ?» koikia- It is not barely to ferve an 
 Opinion, (much lefs the Lord Jefus ) 
 but the Belly. 
 
 3. But to return from whence I 
 have digrejfed, upon fo great a Caufe. 
 La/lly, we may find, in the <very No- 
 tion of a Death-Bed Repentance, e- 
 nough to defend the Jeafon able nefi of 
 this Difcourfe, noiwivhftanding ft read- 
 ing Irreligion. For it imports a de- 
 fign to Dye well : and we fee very 
 Few, and thofe Few deprived of the 
 common IsAodefty and Sobriety of Man- 
 kind) and who thereupon become an hor^ 
 
 rid 
 
The Preface 
 
 rid Story j but dye at leafi in a fair 
 and calm Temper towards Religion. 
 Now if we join to this, that of mmy 
 Millions for one, every one dies as he 
 lives , not only as the Tree falls , fo it 
 lies ; but as it hath inclined along its 
 growth ] ,fo it falls. How great is the ne- 
 ceffity then of living welljhat we may dye 
 welll For this Death-Bed Repentance, 
 that rifes andfets at the fame time, 
 generally proves but a falling Star. 
 That Repentance only wheels orderly 
 into a higher Orb, that hath given 
 proof i it was a true Light, by fhining 
 here for fome c on fi der able f pace. 
 
 A good Death receives Being from 
 <t holy Life, elfe there is not fuch a 
 thing in Nature, no not in Grace, ex- 
 cept by Miracle of Grace. 
 
 Thus far I have made Apology for 
 the Seafonablenefi of this Difcourfe. 
 In the Difcourfe it J elf* I am not con- 
 fcious of having wandred from the 
 Univerfal Doclriu of Divines in this 
 Point \ except it fhould feem too high 
 a flrain to place this Repentance, 
 
 (when 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 (when true ) among Miracles. To 
 jujlifie that j I have the warrant of 
 Sacred, Story, the Dying Convert, 
 which being the only Example of fuch 
 a one in Holy Writ, was in the days 
 of the Meffias, that great Period of 
 Miracles, Jingled out upon that greats 
 eft occafion, viz. To difplay the power 
 of the dying Mediator, to forgive Sins, 
 not only upon Earth, but in his loweft 
 Humiliation, his very defcent into 
 Hell; which argues it a very great Mi- 
 racle. 
 
 Tet I have not trutted the weight 
 of the Difcourfe to any thing that 
 looks like a private Opinion ; but to 
 moft avowed Principles, and have 
 therefore referved my particular Senfe 
 as the Conclufwn of the whole. 
 
 I have only to add, there is a Na~ 
 tional late Repentance, as appears by 
 the Vnfuccesfulnefs of that unparal- 
 lelPd'\ Reformation of Jo- 
 fiah ; fincere indeed in t * Kings 
 him, and of full Effect : but jgj j£ h ^ 
 not in the Body of the 
 
 Jemjb 
 
The Preface to the, &c. 
 
 Jervi/h Nation, as appeared by their 
 Relapfes under the following I^/ngs ; 
 and therefore, uotw it h Banding that 
 feeming Return, the Lord turned not 
 from the Fiercenef of his Wrath^ 
 wherewith his Anger was kindled 
 againtt Judah, for its guilt in the 
 Sins of Manaffeh ; which the Lord 
 would not Far don, and therefore would 
 not give a true Repentance of thofe 
 Evils, they had fo long continued in, 
 againtt all the early Admonitions of 
 the Prophets : This is the juft Paral- 
 lel of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 The due Application of all thefe 
 Considerations, to every one, into 
 whofe hands they may fall, is the 
 earmU and affectionate Prayer of, 
 
 T. B, 
 
(I ) 
 
 THE GENERAL 
 
 INEFFICACY 
 
 AND 
 
 INSINCERITY 
 
 O F A 
 
 Death-bed Repentance, tec. 
 
 Luk. 25. 59, 40, 41 ^ 42, 43. And one of the 
 Malefactors that were hanged with him y 
 railed on him j faying, if thou he the Chrift y 
 fave thy felf and m. But the other anjwer- 
 ing j faid, doft thou not fear God? Seeing 
 that thou art in the fame condemnation.And 
 we indeed juftly, for we receive the due re- 
 ward of our deeds, but this Man hath done 
 nothing amifs. And he [aid unto Jefus 7 Lord 
 remember me, when thou comeft into thy 
 Kmgdom. And Jefusfaidunto him ; verily 
 I fay unto thee, this dayfoah thou be with 
 me in Paradife, 
 
 TH E generality of Men that have been at all 
 acquainted with the name of Repentance, 
 and underftood in any Meafure the im- 
 portance and fignification of the thing, acknowledge 
 it beyond all difpute neceffary : Yet they allow 
 
 them- 
 
£ Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 themfelves a leifure for the Performance of it, 
 and fuch a leifure as fwallows the whole time of 
 Life, and leaves only the laft and loweft part of 
 it, for the difcharge of fo great a Bufinefs ; fo that 
 their Repentance, if any at all, falls out to be a 
 Death-bed Repentance. 
 
 The inconyeniencies of which are tmexpreflibiy 
 great, becaufe the lives of Men are left naked of 
 that Holinefs and Purity, that fhould adorn them, 
 and all over blotted with Sin and Vanity. Their 
 Conversion wants that light of good Workj^ that 
 (houldpoine before Men, andglortfie God in Heaven. 
 Their Life is without form, and void, and darl^nejs 
 is upon the face of it. And in the end they are caft 
 upon the great Sea of Eternity, as in a Veflel of 
 Paper, a thin and fuperficial Repentance. 
 
 It is therefore molt neceffary to ufe all means, 
 to (hew the Infufiiciency of this Refuge, which 
 moftofthofe, that live in common under the Pro- 
 ieffion of Chriftianity, defign while they live to fly 
 to when betimes they dye. To demolifh this Houfe 
 upon the Sand; that Men may not by hopes of jfhel- 
 ter at it, conceived long before hand, be kept off 
 from laying their Foundation upon a fycl^; which 
 poffibly they would do, if thefe hopes were cut 
 off. 
 
 And becaufe this piece of Sacred Story hath been 
 generally taken, as an Inftance of great Favour to 
 a late Converfion, not that it is indeed fo, but that 
 iC feems to be fo, let it be the Ground of the pre- 
 fent Difcourfe. 
 
 Fori obfeive Divines, in their Do&rin concern- 
 ing the danger of a Dying Repemance, are careful 
 to wreft out of the hand of pyefuming Imagina- 
 tion, 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance, j 
 
 don, this Example, and to allay the vain Confidence 
 built upon it. 
 
 Indeed the Miftake of it is very fatal, feeing if it 
 be duly confidered, there is nothing more forcible 
 againft 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 fo circumftantiated, fo defended 
 on all hands againft Boldnefs upon it, that there 
 might have been more reafon to hope well of Laft- 
 Breath-Penitencies , if there had not been a Pat- 
 tern of fuch a one in all Points, as much above 
 the imitiarion of thofe of our days, as the Heaven 
 is above the Earth. It is fuch a one, zs if God 
 hadfaid of it, if I accept a Dying Repentance ; be- 
 hold this, confider it every way, 
 and take notice by it, what a one Ante mihifc 
 I will have it. God putting the dem latronis 
 Cafe, and refolving it thus, hath oftende,& tune 
 given a much more pofitive De- tiki latronis 
 termination concerning it, than beatitudinetn 
 if the Cafe had never been put. folicere* 
 
 The End therefore I aim at, is Auguft. 
 to make it evident upon general 
 Reafons, and particularly from this Inftance. 
 
 That a Death-bed Repentance is a hazard fo uri- 
 fpeakably great, that no Man can without Folly ex- 
 treamly prodigious commit to fo much adventure an 
 affair of lb great importance to an eternal condition. 
 
 Hereunto I will raife this Treaty by thefe degrees. 
 
 i. By obferving the Judgment of Divines con- 
 cerning this Cafe, and ballancing the molt favour- 
 able with the more fevere. 
 
 2* By detecting the Follies that have given a Re- 
 putation to a Death-Bed JRepentance* 
 
 B ±*1 
 
4 Of & Beath~Bed Repentance. 
 
 '3. By examining themoft hopeful Appearances 
 of this kind of Repentance, and fhewing there arc 
 plain Caufes of them very much below the Nature 
 of true Repentance, wherewith I will compare 
 them. 
 
 4. By obferving the Extraordinaries, of which 
 the Repentance of this Dying Malefa&or was com- 
 pofed, becaufe of which it can hardly be drawn 
 into a Precedent. 
 
 To all thefe I will fubjoin prefling Confiderations 
 on every fide ; that Men ihould not delay their re- 
 turn to God, to the latter Times of Life. 
 
 For the Firft, the Judgment of Divines in the 
 Point, I begin with that feverer 
 
 Dr. TaylorV one ; yet built upon great Piety 
 Invalidity of a and Reafon, that afferts it a plainly 
 late Qfpen- impoflible thing , a Man on his 
 tance. Death-Bed ihould Repent with that 
 
 Repentance, the Scripture fo oft 
 DifcoUrfes of, and promifes Pardon to , and 
 threatens the negledt of, with Perifhing; and there- 
 fore concludes, a Dying Man that hath not already 
 repented,muft needs fall, not into the Sin of Defpair: 
 For who is bound to hope, that hath not the reafons 
 of his hope given him by God ? but into the Mifery 
 of Defpair : For how miserable is he whom God hath 
 left to the boiling Sea of his own Horrors, and 
 thrown him out no Anchor of Hope ? 
 
 However this Sentence feem rigorous, yet when 
 we confider the ponderous Arguments it ufe$ , it 
 may rather amaze us, than provoke our Cenfure t 
 For Firft, it is very irreconcileable with the Glory 
 of God, that Men who have had the knowledge of 
 God s and been called upon ail their Laves to give 
 
Of a Death- Bed Repentance* $ 
 
 | up themfelves to him, fliould be accepted, when 
 they pour out to him the Lees and Dregs of Life, 
 inftead of the generous Spirits of it. That he that 
 
 ' hath had in his Flock a Male, fhould vow, and Sa- 
 crifice to the Lord a corrupt Thing, and yet efcape 
 the Curfe of the Deceiver, The Expreffions of 
 Scripture are innumerable in which God Difavows 
 fuch Proftitutions of his Grace, ( as is hereafter to 
 be urged ) but feals fuch, e're they are aware, un- 
 
 ' der Hardnefs of Heart, and a Reprobate Senfe, to 
 
 ; Deftru&ion. 
 
 2. It appears impoflible, there fhould be a dis- 
 charge of the Duties of Repentance, when Men are 
 a Dying; that they fhould draw within the hollow of 
 that little Span, that is alfo otherwife incumbred, 
 thevattnefs of that Adtion, that is neceflary to take 
 
 I off the Brawn of a long Impenitency. 
 
 That a Man fhould live the life of Holinefs that 
 is juft a Dying ; that the Tree that hath been al- 
 ways barren, fhould bring forth good fruit, now 
 it is a hewing down : Thefe things are very con- 
 tradi&ious; how can Repentance plant itfelf in the 
 Soul, and fettle gracious habits there in fo fhort a 
 fpace ? Or in an mltant by Mortification root oat 
 thofe Lufts, and finful Affections, that have been 
 many years eating into the Heart ? Repentance muffc 
 have a time for fruits, and thofe Fruits for Ripening 
 and Concoction, which a Death-Bed will not afford : 
 So that it cannot be that Repentance of the Gojpel, 
 but at the belt, only fome firftftrokesofit. 
 
 3. There mult be a living to God before a Man 
 dyes to God. It is the Supream Law, every one 
 rnuit ghrifie kirn here on Earth, andfimjh the tvor\ 
 he hath given them to do in the World* Ihey muft 
 
 B I wo) t 
 
 : 
 
6 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 Work, the tvorhj of him that Jent them while it is 
 day, before the night cometh, in which no Man 
 can work. After this Men are received into the 
 glory of God. 
 
 4' In Repentance, we muft be in the fame Cir- 
 cumftances of Temptation we were in, in the time 
 of Sinning. But it will be hard to find in what the 
 ftate of a Dying Man differs from that of him, that 
 is already dead, as to this bufinefs of Repentance ; 
 but that he may as well be allowed to Repent, that 
 is entred into Eternity, as he that ftands on the 
 very brink of it. 
 
 This Cenfure cannot be injurious to Men living, 
 and in their full Opportunity ; fuppofe in Specula- 
 tion, it ft retches Principles of great weight and 
 truth too far, yet it recompenfes for it felf by the 
 wholefomnefs of it to practice ; for who can fuffer 
 by being neceffitated to an early Repentance, fo 
 much his Duty, fo much his Safety ? 
 
 Further it is moft Prophetick, moft undoubtedly 
 true of moft Mens late Repentance ; That it is too 
 fudden, too Mufhrom a Birth to have any worthi- 
 nefs in it. This Repentance almoft univerfally wi- 
 thers afore it grows up, and proves an Abortion ; 
 whether it comes to the tryal of a longer Life, where- 
 in it vanifties as a Cloud, and former Impiety re- 
 turns; or whether it pafs immediately into Eter- 
 nity, where it finks down into Mifery ; for attempt- 
 ing the Regions of Life, and wanting the Purity that 
 rifes thither, it is beaten back with all its Preten- 
 tions, as a Foggy Exhalation, that would climb to 
 Heaven, but is forced down, and made to reft be- 
 low; fo that for the Univerfality of Death-Bed %e- 
 fentances this judgment is truly calculated. 
 
 If 
 
Of n Death-Bed Repentance. y 
 
 If it ihouJd feem too Cruel to the dying Condi- 
 tion, to fmother Men alive with the fecond Death, 
 ( as Ha-(ael fpread upon the dying King a thick 
 Cloath dipped in Water ) to ftifle and benum at 
 once all motions towards God, let us confider what 
 advice it offers againft the Stupidities of Defpair. 
 
 When we are fallen into fo unhappy a Condition, 
 that the whole weight of Eternity depends upon a 
 very little Moment ; it perfwades Men would do all 
 they can in return to God, though that allmuft be 
 trailed with the Prerogative of Mercy; for that 
 Mercy which is ftated in the Promifes of the Gof- 
 pel, and is in ordinary, cannot help them in the great 
 point of Salvation, however it may alleviate their 
 Condemnation, and leilen their Torment. 
 
 I mad add, if that which appears a Meflenger of 
 Death fhould have fecret reprieve in its Inftrucfci- 
 oris, and what feems a Death-bed, prove only a Dis- 
 cipline : It may be a happy beginning of a true Re- 
 pentance to him, who lives, after his being near the 
 Grave, to perfed: it, according to that of Job, 33. 
 ver.zi, 23. 
 
 Thus this Opinion doth not cut off the Adtion of 
 its defperate Perfon; and if by that Adtion, he pals 
 the needles Eye, and get through the fir ait Gate of 
 Repentance and Regeneration^ it cvill be able to 
 give him no Refiftance : For thofe to whom the wid- 
 leaved, Gates of Faith and Repentance open, this 
 Air of Difcourfe cannot bar, that they fhould not 
 enter into life. 
 
 But on the other fide, they that are confident, 
 and make themfelves fure of Repentance and Mer- 
 cy ; cannot when they -meet the folid Obstacles af 
 things, force their way by the Breath of their Mouth; 
 B's bui 
 
8 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 but they and their intended Repentance are together 
 locked up in the clofenefs and compa&ednefs of 
 thofe Decrees; Firit ; They cannot Repent,Then they 
 cannot be Saved, i 
 
 To conclude ; let fuch a Decifion of this Cafe be 
 never fo auftere, it is a thoufand times more Juft 
 than the delay of our return to God in the Contem- 
 plation of doing it at the latt can be ; and the Rea- 
 sons upon which it is planted, are fuch, that though 
 they may not reach the height defigned, yet do 
 they exclude thoufands from Eternal Happinefs; 
 and although they may not make good the Comple- 
 ment of .the Cenfure,yet are they of fo awful a regard , 
 and fo worthy of all Obfervation, that they aremoft 
 vehemently to be prefTed to the main ftjope ; that 
 Men would by no means truit to this Extreme Re- 
 pentance, to which purpofe I fhall hereafter take 
 further advantage of them. . 
 
 But kt us come to that tenderer apprehenfion of 
 the generality of Divines, with which I will con- 
 cur, that ail things of Opinion and Difpute may 
 be taken away in fo great a Point. Let it then be 
 allowed, that a Death-Bed Repentance is. no im- 
 poffibiiity. 
 
 Firit, in regard of infinite Mercy, that cannot be 
 limited, but by it felf: Now long Impenkency, 
 though, it be often doomed irrevocably by God in 
 particular Generations of Men, or Perfons ; yet is 
 nor that Sin, that fhall never be forgiven*. Nor is 
 it upon that account, that the Scripture faith or 
 feme ; It is wipofjible to renew them to J^ePentance* 
 So that though there be many Examples of fuch Im- 
 penitency, that have proved in the Event unpardon- 
 able, yet not from the precife Nature of the thing 
 
 it 
 
Of <t Death-Bed Repentance. 9 
 
 it felf : We may rather believe, that as the unmea- 
 furable Being or God hath delighted it felf in fo ma- 
 ny varieties and gradations of the Creatures down 
 from Angels to the darkeft foot-ftepsof himfelfin 
 the World ; fothe unfearchable Riches of his Grace 
 are made known in all kinds of Pardons. As there- 
 fore it hath chofen fome of the worft of Sinners 
 for the forts of their Sins, chiefeft of Sinners, and 
 brought them home ; fo fome that have made the 
 utmott adventure of continuance in Sin, that in 
 thefe manifold GlafTes it might be feen, Where Sin 
 hath abounded, Grace hath abounded much more. 
 
 2. Though the time of this Repentance be fhort 
 and narrow, and the Duties of Repentance exceed- 
 ing long and broad ; yet where there are found the 
 true fignatures of Repentance unfeigned , God be- 
 holds the Fruit in the Seed and Root, he knows 
 the Perfe&ion of his own Creation, though Infant, 
 or we may conceive fuch Ik]§v{julI& in Repentance, 
 Repentance born out of due time, as Paul was in 
 the Apofilefhip, fuddenly accomplifhed, though 
 they had not the regular time of forming, like a 
 Nation brought forth in a day. * 
 
 a Thus thou Lord anointeft in a * Cyprian 
 " Moment Herdfmen into Pro- de ccena Do- 
 "phets, Shepherds into Kings, mini. 
 " Publicans thou ordaineft Apo- 
 " ftles, nor doth their Difeafe take leifure to remove, 
 ' ■ whom thou recovereft, but in that very Moment 
 <c thou makeft them every whit whole, wherein 
 '" they have thee for their Phyfician. 
 
 3. Although there be according to the general 
 Rule, a neceffity of living to God here in the World ; 
 yet God' may difpenfe with the Continuation,- or 
 
 B 4 drawing 
 
io Of a Death-feed Repentance. 
 
 drawing out of the Action of it in thefe late Peni- 
 tents, as we eafily allow in the cafe of Infants,or Men 
 dying within fhort fpace after a Repentance begun 
 upon fad Confederation, and not in the Exigency of 
 a Sicknefs. 
 
 In the mean time, it is not at all fuppofed, that 
 God difpenfes with the fincere Preparations and 
 Refolvednefs of the Mind to that A<5tion ; but that 
 they muft be molt true, found and unfeigned, and 
 the very A&ion it felf, according to the time, high, 
 full and molt fignificant ; and as extraordinary as 
 the Repentance it felf. 
 
 4. Although the Condition of a Dying Man do in 
 many regards nearly refemble the ftate of him, that 
 is already in Eternity, as he is under a neceflity of 
 leaving Sin and the World, and fet at a diltance front 
 Temptation j yet it differs in that great Circumftance, 
 that he is not in Termino, he is not fixt upon his un- 
 changeable Point, he hath not undergone that Sen- 
 tence that immediately paffes upon the Soul removed, 
 and 10 may not either have flittered that more fecret 
 one, conceived by God upon long Provocation.The 
 whole time of Life may be a time of Grace, and he 
 that hath not yet been concluded 
 * guando ifk- by the incommutability of Eterni- 
 hinc exceffum ty may hear the Voice of Chrift, 
 fuerit, nullus and enter into his Reft. * Cyprian, 
 yccniten- who is pofitive, " That whenever 
 tite Iccus. Libr. " a Man is launched into another 
 ad Demetri- " World, he finds no room for Re- 
 anum. a pentance ; he is out of the cli- 
 
 " mate of Repentance, who is be- 
 " yond the line of Time. All kinds of Penitencies 
 cc which are a fecondary Satisfaction under theSuf- 
 
 ci ferings 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 1 1 
 
 * ferings of Chrift are then dcfperate and fruitlefs. 
 Yet he allows the greateft liberty to Repentance in 
 this Life ; For he fays, * " No 
 " Repentance is late, that is ear- * In ifto adhuc 
 " lier than the Grave. He fays, mundo manen^ 
 " Here a Man takes hold of Life, ti nulla pccni- 
 " or lofes it for ever. Yea he grants, tentiafera eft, 
 " f It is poffible by Repentance, &c. 
 <c though we arejuft a Dying, to t Adimmorta* 
 Cl be fafely landed in a blefTed Im- litatemfuh ip- 
 " mortality. And + when the Soul fa morte tran- 
 c * hath left its inward Refidences, fitur. De casna 
 " and is now fitting upon the dy- Domini. 
 " ing Lips, before its laft farewel + In eodem ar~ 
 u to the Body, and when in hafte ticulo temforis 
 tc to be gone, yet even then infinite cum jam anima 
 <c Clemency difdains not Repen- feftinet ad exi- 
 " tance, nor accounts that late that turn, ($c, 
 " is true, nor deprives that of par- 
 cc don, which hath the free and full a& of the Soul 
 ct in return to him. Et quxcunque necejfitas, &c. 
 " Yea though, as he goes on, this Repentance had 
 cc its firft rife from Neceffity, yet neither that, 
 c< nor the Immenfenefs of Guilt, nor Straitnefs 
 " of Time, nor the Latenefs of the Seafon, nor 
 cc the Foulnefs of former Actions fore- prize 
 " from Pardon when the Humiliation is fincere, 
 " and the Soul exchanges impure Delights for 
 cc thofe of Holinefs, without Counterfeit or DiC : 
 tC fimularion. It may feem in all thofe Difcourfes, 
 that he had forgot to enter a Caution againft Pre- 
 fumption ; but it is to be coniidered while he thus 
 frankly pours out himfelf, he was one while inviting 
 
 Perfe- 
 
12 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 * In Libr. ad * Perfecutors of Chriftianity into 
 Demetrianum, the Confeffions of it, whom he 
 Qredite G> vi- would not have debarred with 
 vite& qui no s the fenfe of fo great paft Offen- 
 ad tempmper- ces againft it. Another while de- 
 fequimmi in Signing againft the Novatian He- 
 aternum tyu- refie, which took upon it to tie 
 dete nobifcum . up the freenefs of Grace, as he (ays, 
 f Velit nolit " fin fpight of the HeretickNa- 
 Novatus Hare* a vatus, the Throne of Grace is 
 ticusjmni tern- " early and late acceflible to true 
 -pore Dei gratia, " Repentance. This therefore is 
 recipit pcniten- not to be preiTed beyond the de- 
 tes. fign of the excellent and holy 
 
 Writer, but will very well agree 
 with all that I am prefently to add a$ a Ballanceto 
 this favourable Judgment for fuch a Repentance. 
 
 r>ail ! e ^ or as mo ^ P ru ^ ent Difcourfe of the 
 
 right ufe of the Fathers leaches us ; we muft 
 always attend their fcope, in rhe purfuit of which they 
 were often tranfported towards the other extreme. 
 
 But that a dying Repentance in the nature of the 
 thing is no IncompotTibility, we have fulleft Aflu- 
 rancein the Example of the Text, wherein we fee 
 one in a moment conceived, brought forth, and even 
 a grown Man in Repentance, one palling through 
 fome fhort Initants of holy Adlion, and entring into 
 Paradi(e,like Aaron's Rod budding, bloflbming, and 
 bringing forth ripe Almonds in a Night, and laid up 
 in the Sanduary for ever. 
 
 That it was moft probably the firft Call he had to 
 Repentance, agrees fully with the Intention of my 
 Difcourfe, which granting fo much as a Poflibility, 
 would yet take all advantage againft the eafie Con- 
 fidence 
 
Qf a Death-Bed Repentance, i j 
 
 fidence of thofe, that living daily under the offers 
 of Grace, and yet defpifing them, commit themfelves 
 firft to the Intentions, and at lalt to the faint moti- 
 ons of a late Repentance. To whom that Admoni- 
 tion of Auftin is moft feafonable concerning the 
 Inftance we have in hand. * If 
 we.reffeB his Opportunities for *Ad<2onfequen- 
 attaining Faith, his Repentance dam fidem non 
 w<n not late, but early and foon, fuit iili extre- 
 he tool^ the very firft Seafon ; as ma hora, fed 
 fom as ever he defcried Chrift prima. Nee Re- 
 and Religion, he embraced them % ligionem ante, 
 He did not wretchedly cheat him- nee Chriftum 
 felf ef the Remedies of his mi- fcivit, non re- 
 ferable Condition by adjourning mediaftatusfui 
 the Vfe of them to a late and in momenta ul- 
 incertain Futurity, which feldom tima infoelici 
 or never fucceeds well. fraude pofuit. 
 
 Serm. 120. de Temp. 
 
 This Confederation leads me therefore from the 
 moft favourable,the light fide of this milder Sentence, 
 to the black and dark part of it. 
 
 That is to fay, There is an Extreme peradventure, 
 whether God will give Repentance at the lalt or not; 
 for this Grace being acknowledged extraordinary, if 
 it were common, it would ceafe to be extraordinary. 
 
 It is moft undoubted in Scripture, God is often 
 provoked againft Men to fwear s 
 they fhatt never enter into his Heb. 3.8,9. &c. 
 reft, when they have long tem- 
 pted him, and Erred from his ways. 
 
 The Heart is daily hardened by the deccitfal- 
 nefs of Sin, till it grow to that the Apoftle calls 
 
14 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 ML?<h'd.- dutJeLv'onl&i. i Heart that 
 I{om. 4. 2. islrrepentabte, or that cannot be 
 
 repented of: Cuftoms in Sin long 
 Jerem. 13.23. fetled become like the Ethiopi- 
 ans Skin, and the Leopards Spots, 
 that cannot be changed. And though it is true, the 
 Spirit of God is not hindered in its Infpirations, but 
 that it bloweth where it liiteth ; yet the courfe of it 
 is fo attemper 'd to the ftate and motion of the Soul 
 it felf, that it moil: ufually takes the opportunity fo 
 generally requiiite to the fetling a Constitution and 
 Temper in us; that is; the freeft and mod unpreju- 
 diced, and larger fpaces of a Man's Life: So that 
 whenever it works upon Dying Men, I mean thofe 
 that have had the free ufe of the means of Grace of 
 old ; It works by fuch a Prerogative, that a Man- 
 may as well expedta Prerogative of Providence to 
 bear him walking upon the Sea, becaufe it did once 
 (b to Peter , as this. 
 
 Molt even of the faireft Appearances of this kind 
 
 of Repentance mifcarry, having no -true Virtue in 
 
 them; and though in regard, of their vehemency 
 
 they are called early Seekings of God, yet ( which 
 
 is horrible to be fpoken ) they are as it were prepa-* 
 
 red for the Triumphs of the Jultice 
 
 Prov. 1.28. and Indignation of God over thofe, 
 
 who would have none of his 
 
 Counfel in former times, but defpifed all his reproof. 
 
 Lailly, Whoever feeing and knowing calls him- 
 
 felf with defign upon Repentance at Death, is like 
 
 to fa'i headlong by tempting God, and expecting 
 
 he fhould ftand ready for him with that Grace at lait, 
 
 he hathfo long refitted and refufed. 
 
 And 
 
Of *> Deatb~Bed Repentance, i 5 
 
 And now when this Judgment of Divines with this 
 Ballance upon it is compared with the former, the 
 refult will be only this, the kindeft Divinity in the 
 point, and that feems to do the moft favor, is very 
 dreadful, and leaves fuch Men in a Condition next to 
 defperate, which is but an Aggravation of the dan- 
 ger, when what Men would choofe to appeal to, fo 
 fir condemns them. 
 
 It is then agreed on all hands, that for any Man to 
 live fo as if he did contrive and fbrecaft a Dying Re- 
 pentance (altho it be yielded him, it is no impoffibi- 
 lity) as the fafe expedient, firft of an Irreligious Life, 
 free from the troublefome Thoughts of a prefent 
 Amendment, and then of a fecure Paflage into Eter- 
 nityjlt is firft an exceeding Irreligion and Immorality 
 in it felf ; and then to run fo defperate a Rifque and 
 Adventure for an Immortal Soul ; that he is a par- 
 donable Mad-man, in comparifon of fuch an one, that 
 drinks a deadly Poyfon, becaufe he hath heard there 
 is a certain Antidote in the World, that will expel it, 
 though he cannot tell whether he can have it at all, 
 much lefs whether time enough for his neceffity ; 
 and laftly, whether the Endeavors he ufes for it wiil 
 not be deluded with the Counterfeits of it, it being 
 fuppofed they are thoufands for one of the true kind ; 
 and he thereby perifh, pleafing himfelf with the 
 hopes he hath it, when he hath indeed but a like- 
 nefs of it. 
 
 2. Head. I come now to the fecond Propofal, 
 which is to make inquiry, feeing the Cafe is thus, 
 as it every way appears to be, How the name or 
 notion of a Death-Bed Repentance, as fuch an 
 univerfal Reftige, came up in the World ; for 
 U is a new Repentance, ( much like *h*f e vctv ~ 
 
 ccme- 
 
id Of a Death~Bed Repentance. 
 
 come-up Gods Mofes fpeaksof, Beut. %%* 17. ) that 
 Chriftianity and theGofpel know not* The Scrip- 
 tures that treat moft profefledlyof Repentance, al- 
 ways infift upon it as a reformed courfeof Life, to 
 be undertaken even now, while the Propofals of 
 Grace and Reconciliation are made to us ; and only 
 by very filent Intimations, the track of which is hard- 
 ly difcerned, leave it pofltble, that God fhould by 
 miracle fave fome very few out of the Fire, and pull 
 them as Brands out or the Burning, by giving them 
 Repentance at the laft. Whereas this is now become 
 the only Repentance in ufe, and hath devoured the 
 other; as if to prefi Men upon it were to torment 
 them before their rime, and to leflen the Validity of 
 this were to take away the Merty of God, and deny 
 the Grace that is fo free and univerfal. Let us fearch 
 therefore how this fort of Repentance hath come 
 into fuch Repute* And if we obferve, we fhall find 
 it firft riling from the intimate Senfe the Confcience 
 hath of the neceffity of Repentance ; For were it 
 not fo clear and evident a Duty, a Death-Bed Repen- 
 tance had never been heard of; moft would choofe 
 to go out of the World as they have lived in it, not 
 fuffering any degree of the trouble of Confcience, or 
 vexing thcmfelves with Reflections upon an unholy 
 and ill-fpent Life. As Men have chofe to live freely 
 and uninterruptedly in forgetfulnefs of God, and an 
 Eternal Condition days without number , Jen 2. 32. 
 fo would they choofe to die, were there not a Law 
 within, that however it hath Iain covered with the 
 Duft of Senfuality, yet is now reftored to its Autho- 
 rity, and urges the Soul with the Terror of Punish- 
 ment for to long Difobedience* 
 
 And 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. ij 
 
 And fecondly,thisneceflity of Repentance,though 
 fecretly underitood, yet was not fufficiently confi- 
 dered in the time of Health, for had it been equally 
 regarded, it had not been now to begin. He that 
 had rightly mcafured it, would not for a thoufand 
 Worlds fo have adjourned it. 
 
 Thefe two things then meeting fo oft together, 
 wfcfi The neceflity of Repentance; and the neglecft 
 of it all along our Life : the neceflity it (hould be 
 performed fome time, ere Men go out of the World; 
 and the negledfc of it in the freer Opportunities of 
 Life; Thefe, I fay, bring forth hafty motions of it 
 at laft : For it lofing nothing of its neceflity by its 
 delay, it muft be done, as well as it may be at that 
 lime; even as the laft Moments, wherein Buftneffes 
 of great Confequence are to be difpatched, prefs for 
 Expedition the more earneftly, becaufe they muft: 
 be done then or never, though it often falls out, the 
 time is fo far paft, they fufFer not only much difad- 
 vantage, but even defeat by the delay: 
 
 The Notion of a Death-Bed Repentance then we 
 may perceive rifing from the great Indifpofition to 
 Repent, while the Pleafures of Sin are in their Sea- 
 fon, and flourifli, and Men in Health and Strength to 
 enjoy them ; and from the neceflitics of Repentance 
 falling upon them at the laft, and wringing from 
 them fometimes very high Acknowledgments of 
 God and an Eternal Condition, paflionafe Expreflions 
 of the folly, evil and vanity of former Life, defires of 
 Mercy, Profeflions of ftrong Refolvednefs to fervc 
 God, and if they had many Lives to give God, they 
 would give them all. All which being fo unufual to 
 hear formerly out of fuch Mouths, and coming 
 from Dying Men, for whofe Sayings we have a na- 
 tural 
 
1 8 Of a Death-Btd Repentance. 
 
 rural regard, Charity towards them, and willingnefs 
 to hope well of them, gives thefe Semblances, the 
 Reputation of Repentance. To which may be ad- 
 dedj That thofe who are Guides and Seers in Reli- 
 gion too often, err ante Clave ^ by too Liberal an Ab- 
 folution open the Kingdom of Heaven to fuch, and 
 taking the Inftruments of a foolifh Shepherd to 
 themfelves, heal the hurt of their Souls flighcly ; fo 
 that their Repentance is faindied here, and though 
 it mifcarry in the other World, yet the mifcarriage 
 is hid alfo in that other World. 
 
 From all this hath arifen a down-right Opinion of 
 this kind of Repentance, as the only <ro<ph $a.%[JULKW 
 the Prudent Expedient, that compounds two fo dif- 
 ferent Interefts, firft that of a worldly Con verfation, 
 to which it gives no hinderance ; then that of Eter- 
 nal Life in appearance, becaufe it aflumes the Pro- 
 rnifes of Mercy to it felf, efpecially thofe gracious 
 Affurances in E^ek* 1 8. Chap. 33. it reckons as made 
 on purpofe for it. All which argues a very vileSenfe 
 both of the Juftice and Mercy of God; of his Juftice 
 as if it had no authority, of his Mercy as if it had no 
 fenfe of Honour. 
 
 And laftly it is grown into a general Expectation, 
 rhat however ill and carelefly of God Men have lived 
 here, yet they (hould go out of the World with good 
 words of him and Religious Profeffions, as an In- 
 baltn to their Memory and a Dirge to their Souls in- 
 to the Happinefe of an Everlafting Condition. 
 
 Thus they call Repentance and Heaven after their 
 
 own name. This their way is their 
 
 Pfal. 49. 1 1* folly ', yet their Pcfterity, men of 
 
 13, 14, &c. like Inclinations, approve their 
 
 fayingSy becaufe fuch Men (as 
 
 they 
 
Of d Death-Bed Repentance. 19 
 
 theyffeak.) go away like Lambs, but as the Serif - 
 turefaySy likefenflefs S beef are laid in the Grave ^ 
 and Death feeding upon them , the Error is not 
 difcovered till the morning : when the upright have 
 dominion over them ; that is, infinitely excel 
 them, and their counterfeit Repentance, which can- 
 not ft and in judgment , nor they in the congregation 
 of fincere Penitents, Pfal. 1. verf 5. 
 
 Now this account I have given of a Death-Bed 
 Repentance obtaining among us, is too comprehen- 
 five ; yet I muft acknowledge, that there are many 
 whofe Judgments are more enlightned,and the Senti- 
 ments of their Confciences quicker than to be fatisfi- 
 ed at fo eafie a rate, who yet fall into the common 
 unhappinefs of not having repented, till they come 
 to die : I will therefore enquire further, why many 
 who are able to feel before-hand the neceffities of a 
 fpeedy Repentance, and alfo to draw their Death fo 
 hear them, as to die daily in the fenfe of Death ; and 
 thereby further perceive thofe Neceffities, do not 
 yet Repent daily, but betray themfelves to an Even- 
 ing or Twilight Repentance. 
 
 The Refolution of this lies not only in the immo- 
 derate love of Sin and its Pleafures, and the too low 
 apprehenfion of God and Eternal Things, (thbugh 
 thefe are always prefent in the cafe ) but chiefly it 
 lies in the great Confidence fuch Men have in the pre- 
 fent time, notfenfible of the continual wafte ot it; 
 Under the favour of which they put away the evil 
 day far from them, and fir etch themfelves upon this 
 memento/wo* 6.3. Gfc. that they may take their full 
 Eafe and Satisfaction : In the mean while ftifling the 
 Thoughts of Dying and Judgment. Were it not for 
 this, no other Reafon would encourage them to de-. 
 C lay 
 
20 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 lay their Repentance; for when this Fails, all others 
 generally fail alfo, and therefore none are fo paflio- 
 nately moved, as fuch, when they come to die. 
 
 This Cloud that is but as big as a Man's hand (our 
 days are as an hands breadth, Pfal 39. 6. ) yet looks 
 like the whole Heaven; It Hands as a Firmament 
 over their heads, It looks like an Eternity to Men. In 
 this time Repentance finds as little place with them, 
 as it is like to do with God in the Evening of Life. 
 
 In this occafion the wild Affes of the TVildernefs 
 fnuffup the wind at their fie afar e y and none can 
 turn them, Jer. 2. 24. The luft of the Flefh, the 
 luft of the Eye, and the fride of Life fwallow all 
 and canfpare nothing ; Yet in the midft of all this 
 the Soul promifes it felf, it will ere long take a Sea- 
 fon of recollecting it felf, and that it will do it time 
 enough, fo timely as to leave fpace fufficient for a 
 large Exercife of Repentance; for although it is but 
 upon the edges and skirts of Time, yetitfeems to it 
 felf to be upon the Center, and in its Imagination 
 commands the future*- as if it were in its own hand ; 
 fo that through the endlefs returns of Pleafure and 
 Buiinefs, through Indifpofednefs to holy and ferious 
 Action, through Intentions and Purpofes of being 
 better hereafter, it flips down, e're ever it is aware, 
 into the lowed of Life, and hath the bufinefs of Re- 
 pentance lying whole and undiminiflied upon its 
 hand : Tet a little flee f, a little (lumber, a little fold- 
 ing of the hands to (leef, deceives men, till their 
 iaft end comes as an armed man, Prov. 24. 1 2. The 
 hopes that to morrow will be as to day, and much 
 more abundant, Ifa. 56. 12. fo as to leave enough 
 for fodder Thoughts, befools Men, till the very 
 Courfc of Time rows them before they think of it 
 upon Ecerniry. Of 
 
 
Of a Death- Bed Repentance. 21 
 
 Of great moment therefore it is to number our 
 days rightly ', that we may know how frail we are, 
 Pfal.39.4. And to apply our Hearts to VVifdom, Pfal. 
 90. 12. For this time of Life though it be but little, 
 yet it boajls great things, Jam. 3. 5. This Vapor 
 ftretches out it felf as far as it can : It rejoices in 
 its own boaflings which are evil, Jam. 4, 1 6. In 
 the mean while the Moments of it are winged, and 
 fly from us ; they glide away, and we cannot, ex- 
 cept we bring them to ltridt Account, take hold of 
 them to graft any thing upon ihem : How does to 
 day like an Egale, or Poafi, orfwift Ship, or Arrow 
 get from us, leaving no path ? Wifd.5. 9, G»c. And 
 if we offer to take the Account, how many things 
 foatch it from us, as an impertinent Difturber from 
 him that is catching ilippery numbers? HereisWif 
 I dom, let him that hath it count the number of Life, 
 for it is the number of a Man, Rev. 13. 18. A 
 ftort number. It is all but Dying Man, Ecel. 6. 10. 
 And yet it requires great Ingenuity, The Ingenuity 
 of a Man, that is indeed a Man, to find it t But 
 he that mifles it , is found at the end of his days a 
 Fool, and finds that dreadful reward of a Fool, Jer. 
 I 17.11. That the great God, that formed all things, 
 gives to the Fool as well as to the TranJgreJforJ?vov. 
 26. 1 o. But thofe that are wife fhine as the Sun in 
 the Firmament, Dan^ 12. 3. 
 
 Thus far I have infifted upon the Accounts, how 
 this Baptifm of Repentance for the Dead, 1 Cor. 
 15.29. came in upon Chriftianity, that is, How it 
 comes to pafs that Men will not be baptifedwith this 
 Baptifm till they are given over for dead Men, like 
 thofe Clinici of the firft Times, that delay 'd their 
 Baptifm to their laft Bed, of whomfome Expound 
 C % *hac 
 
22 Of & De/itk~Bed Repentance. 
 
 that place, I Cor. 15. 29. Vid. Eftium i* fo- 
 cum* 
 
 But the Miftake in this Cafe ( though that paffed 
 not without fome note of Difgrace ) is in a point of 
 much higher Confequence, and fo far more dange- 
 rous, and hath alfo iefs of reafonable Pretence ; for 
 while they thought, Baptifm waited away all pad 
 Sins, and was but once to be done ; it feemed a ne- 
 ceflary Providence to take the full Benefit of it at 
 the laft, upon which account Tertullian even Ex- 
 poftulates, Quorfum feftinat innocens <etas ad re- 
 mijjionem peccatorum ? while he Difcourfes of In- 
 fant-Baptifm. 
 
 Whereas the Water of Repentance is never for- 
 bidden, A&s 10. 47. but may be both evenly 
 drawn through the whole courfe of Life, and often 
 renewed to fupply the Defeds of it felf ; which is 
 one Signification of that [jtI\&voi& ce^A^txi/J©-, 
 zCor. 7. 10. that Repentance, which is always pro- 
 moted, but never retracted. Nor do I indeed doubt, 
 but the Water of Baptifixi, wherever it hath efFe&, 
 as a Spring, that from the firft Moment wherein it 
 is truly received, runs down with 
 % .Operaturin a free Current upon the whole 
 Baptifmopceni- Courfe of Life, and is therefore 
 tcntia, tan^ univerfally * to be applyed. And 
 quam in fun- wheneverGonverting Grace works, 
 damento. Au« it leads back the Soul* though 
 gnA.Expof.Ef. through many Years paft, to the 
 ad Roman. Virtue of that Sacramental Foun- 
 
 tain. 
 
 But to return: Although thefe Accounts I have 
 now given of a Death-bed Repentance, obtaining 
 among us, infold the whole Multitude of dying Pe- 
 nitents, 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 12.^ 
 
 nitents, yet according to the former ftate given I do 
 not deny, but that fome very rare Example there 
 maybe, giving abetter Senfe to this fort of Repen- 
 tance; Examples of the Grace of God, adling in a 
 way of Prerogative, as hath been faid, and working 
 effedhially the truth of Repentance in fome ; upon 
 whom he lays the hand of his Salvation and Refcue, 
 while they ftand upon the very laft minutes of the 
 Seafon of Grace, and are juft dropping down into 
 Hell ; and guides them to take their Lateft fteps in 
 the ways of Life, wherein they had hitherto been 
 ftrangers ; upon whom a great Miracle is wrought, 
 that they fhould in their almoft perfected motion to 
 endlefs Ruin be ftopt, and when they had juft finifh- 
 ed their Courfc thither, they lhould yet be tranf- 
 planted into the way Everlaiting. 
 
 But I proceed to the Third Head. To examine 
 the mod hopeful appearances of this kind of Repen- 
 tance, and to (hew there are plain Caufes of them, 
 much below the nature of true Repentance. 
 
 Andfirftinthe general: It is no wonderful thing 
 to find Men in a Paroxyfm, in a high Paffion of 
 feeking after God, when they are a Dying. It is in- 
 deed more ftrange to find any fo fotted, fo fear'd, 
 That their ffiritsfeem only to go downward: They 
 are Beajis while they live, and as fuch they go down 
 to the dead, Ecclef. 3. 18, &c. There are no bands 
 in their Death, Pfal. 73.4. They go down in a Mo- 
 ment, Job 21.13. There is nor a Moment between 
 the firlt and fecond Death of the Soul, not a Moment 
 of Life between, not fo much as of the Life of na- 
 tural Confcience. They are twice dead, Jude 12. 
 dead in the common Corruption of Nature wherein 
 they are born. Dead in thelofs of Natural Principles : 
 C 3 fid- 
 
24 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 fulled up by the roots, there's nothing to quicken or 
 move in them. This is amazing Stupor : They die 
 like a fto?ze, Exod. 15. 5. 1 Sam. 25. 37. they 
 plunge down with the whole weight and force of 
 Impenitency. 
 
 This way of Dying hath certainly greater Punifh- 
 ment, and heavier Condemnation; and though it 
 feem more choofeable than a fruitlefs Repentance, 
 yet doubtlefs Eternity makes a difference, though 
 not fuch an one, as fhould give any one Confidence 
 to imbarque into it in a Coffin- Repentance. 
 
 But whether it be rather to be chofen or not, this 
 is paft queition ; It is unavoidable to fome ; whether 
 they will or no they are furprized with Thoughts, 
 what will become of them for ever, and few Men but 
 have thoughts this way at fuch a time above[ordinary. 
 
 But I intend to fpeak of the faireft and beftfpread 
 Repentance that is found upon a Death-bed. That 
 which gives the liveliest Hopes of it felf, that it is 
 true and fincere ; not fuch an one that to a feriousOb- 
 ferver betrays it felf ; not either that forced compo- 
 fure, to the Expectation of the World, which looks 
 for a folemn Profeffion of God from every one that 
 dies ; nor an ignorant and formal Repentance; but 
 a Repentance that hath much of Vigor, and inward 
 Affection, and is driven on by great knowledge and 
 light; that is accompanied with much Sorrow, and 
 very confiderate Apprehenfions of Eternal Things : 
 And if fuch an one be fo queftionable, what can be- 
 come of others? 
 
 There is no reafon any Repentance fhould be the 
 
 . better efteemed becaufe Men are Dying, but much 
 
 the lefs. Now while Men are living a thoufand of 
 
 thefe feeming Changes for the better, are evidently 
 
 confu- 
 
Apud ilium 
 Cordis Inter- 
 pretem Arsnon 
 admit titur ad 
 falutem. 
 Auguit. 
 Serm. \lz. 
 
 Of * Death-Bed Repentance. 25 
 
 confuted without more ado, by after returns to 
 
 Wickednefs ; and they that have to do with fuch 
 
 (hews of Reformation, have no regard of them, 
 
 nor of the Perfons for them. Now 
 
 God, who is the exacft Searcher of 
 
 Hearts, can much lefs be impofed 
 
 upon by the faireft appearances ; 
 
 nor can Men wife according to the 
 
 Rules of Scripture be eafily well 
 
 perfwaded of them, and when they 
 
 arebeft perfw aded, there muftneeds 
 
 bea very tremblingConfideration of fo great a hazard. 
 But to come more particularly to what I have pro- 
 
 pofed, vivfc To fhew that Repentance is a Height, 
 
 to which thefe general Motives of -this late Repen- 
 tance can never mount the Soul. In which I will 
 begin with the Defcriptions of true Repentance, in 
 that wherein it is moft difficult ( not to fay impoiTi- 
 
 ble ) to rife to it upon a Dying Bed. 
 
 Repentance in all the parts of it, is the fulleft, 
 cleared acfl of the Soul and judgment, wherein it is 
 moft perfectly it felf. Remove a Man never fo tar 
 from all kind of Fears, from the Appearances of 
 Death, if he were to live Ages, he would be of the 
 fame Senfe. He that truly Repents, doth not fnatfch 
 up Repentance, as an Expedient 
 for a prefent Extremity, bur choo- 
 {es it as an entrance into the bed 
 itate of Life, and lives always, and 
 refts himfeif in this choice. For 
 however this may be introduced 
 by very troublefom and tumultu- 
 ous Motions, yet it is it felf the 
 eaiie fitting down of the So j] with 
 C 4 
 
 <STf«TJ) m£?r 
 
 7K<£t{h Hieroc. 
 Carm.Pjth Pu- 
 td v's 
 vnutariG* Cyp;. 
 
26 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 abundant Pleafurc and Satisfaction in the abhorrence 
 of Sin, and love of Holinefs, in the diflike of Vani- 
 ty and Senfuality, in the Approbation of heavenly 
 Purity of Heart and Life. It is not a Trance where- 
 in Sin lies dead, and a Man is in a Rapture of Good- 
 nefsfor a time, but a moftfetled State. Godly for- 
 row, that workcth Repentance, worketh Careful- 
 nejs, Fear, Revenge, Defire, z Cor. 7. 11. and by 
 thefe accomplifheth a Repentance to Salvation, that 
 hath no after-pain or trouble,no yt£\dLyjihudL. Verf. 1 o. 
 Thefe Affections are Preparations. Repentance en- 
 ters as a Soul into thefe, which is a ftill, folid, clear 
 AdtofReafon renewed, and a Mind which gives an 
 uniform Vote at all times. A Change that is never 
 changed back again, no more than things can put 
 off themfelves, or evil it felf become good. It is 
 therefore upon fulleft Deliberation to choofe with 
 Jofhuah, I andmyhoufe, thofe whom I can govern, 
 will ferve the Lord,]o(h. 24. 15. It is Engaging the 
 Heart to approach to God, the joining our fe Ives to 
 him by an everlafting Covenant, never to be forgot- 
 ten, Jer. 30. 21. and 50. 5. The cleaving to him 
 with full purpofe of Heart, Adb 1 1. 23, When all 
 forerunning Affe&ions are laid and quiet, or worn 
 out, this Judgment ftill remains, and raifeth other 
 Affe&ions like it felf, that ever remain with it; 
 into which the Spirits of the former are extracted, 
 and wherein they exercife all the true power they 
 had. But now on a Death-bed there is often a great 
 Commotion raifed, a loud bluftre of Paffion never 
 arriving at this point, at this Settlement: But if a Man 
 fhould live after, it would go off, as Clouds and 
 Storms, that when they have fpent themfelves, va_ 
 nilh and lie down : And when a Man dies, it is to 
 
 be 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 27 
 
 be fear'd, that as they were raifed by approach to 
 the unappeafable Tempefts of Darknefs, fo they are 
 hurried with their Violence. 
 
 2. It is carefully to be obferved, that there is in 
 true Repentance a due Proportion betwixt the con- 
 trite Indignation of the Soul againft paft Sin, and the 
 love and zeal it hath for Holinefs : whereas in Death- 
 bed Repentances, it is ofteneft found, that there is 
 either a terrifying Prefence only of former Sins, ap- 
 pearing to the affrighted Confcience, without a more 
 hopeful Indication of the Soul truly compofed to 
 Righteoufnefs : or elfe fome high flying Refolutions 
 of better Life afterward, offered, as a kind of Bribe 
 to the Patience and Mercy of God, in hopes of pre- 
 fent Deliverance, or at beft, as a Ranfom from Hell 
 and Eternal Damnation ; but without a deep fenfe 
 of the guilt and evil of paft Sins, or the juftappre- 
 henfion of that continually running ifliie of Corrup- 
 tion, that is ftill defiling anew : Either of thefe is 
 a main Error, and pernicious ; For if on the one 
 fide the Heart in a Rage be forced to call out fome 
 Sins for the turbulency of them, if it be not imme- 
 diately filled with better Gu&s,Scvcn other Spirits 
 are ready to enter, and make the loft ft ate of that 
 Man tvorfe than thefirfl, Mat. 12. 43. For Repen- 
 tance is no void fpace, no fiient, or unadtive ftate, 
 but when it hath diflodged Lufts, furnifhes and fills 
 the Soul with the beft things, and carries the vigor 
 of a Mans Action to the beft efled:; When by re- 
 pentance a Man ceafes to do evil, he learns to do 
 Well, Ifai. 1.16,17. And brings forth fruits meet 
 for repentance, and amendment of life, Mat. 9. 8. 
 
 On the other fide, he that feems to make a haity 
 motion to Holinefs without due fenfe of Sin, firlt 
 
 thinks 
 
28 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 thinks to overrule the method God hath fet, who 
 requires Humiliation,godly Sorrow, Anger,Revenge, 
 Fear, as preparing to Repentance : And further, he 
 conceits a freedom to himfelf, when he is fetter'd 
 and bound ; without a power given him from God, 
 he offers to caft out Devils with eafe^ that cannot be 
 caft out, but by fafting and prayer, Mark 9. 29. 
 (that is) fevere courfesofSelf-abafement, andlow- 
 lieft dependences together with earnefteft Applica- 
 tion to the Grace of God. Thefe unclean Spirits 
 therefore,that diflemble a retreat,return immediately, 
 and make a Prey of the deluded Soul^Acis 1 9. 1 4,S?c. 
 
 3. Although Heaven and Hell, Happinefs and Mi- 
 fery, take up the thoughts of a true Penitent, yet 
 not feparated from God and Chrift, but as it were 
 compounded into the Senfe of God angry, and the 
 defire of Attonement with him in Jefus Chrisl. Hap- 
 pinefs and Mifery confidered apart are not the ob- 
 ject of the gracious Soul : But God and Chriit con- 
 sidered apart are an infinitely fufficient Reafon of 
 Repentance. The clear love of God towards the 
 Soul, as a Father in Chrift without Reflections upon 
 Happinefs, is, though not the fingle, yet the para - 
 mount Confederation in Repentance unfeigned. But 
 Men a Dying are generally fo over-poffeffed with the 
 Terrors of an Eternal Suffering, and meer defires of 
 Freedom from pain ; and of well-being, and fo in 
 hafte, that they generally mifs thefe higher Confe- 
 derations, which being further off, not only from 
 corrupt Nature, but even from natural Confcience, 
 are not commonly efpied, but therefore argue great- 
 er Sincerity, and truth of Heart. 
 
 4. The trueft Repentance lies in the bofom of 
 Faith ? the apprehensions of the Love and Goodnefs 
 
 of 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 29 
 
 of God in Chrift melt the Soul, and give it moft 
 perfect Separation from Sin, the moft effe&ual Pu- 
 rification of the Heart ; all which exprefs the height 
 of Repentance. Upon the foft Fire of the pardoning 
 Goodnefs of God, the Soul moft kindly diftils into 
 repentant Tears. Here flows that Spirit of Grace, 
 and ingenuous Goodnefs, which bringeth forth the 
 clearelt and holieft Affe&ion towards God. 
 
 But at the time we are now fpeaking of ; It is very 
 feldom, that either Horror or Preemption do not 
 fwallow all: Prefumption, where there is little Senfe 
 or Judgment of the Cafe ; Horror, where the Judg- 
 ment is clearer and the Senfe quicker; for evey thing 
 difpofes now rather to Fear, and to the Spirit of Bon- 
 dage, Rom. 8: 15. and a Man naturally does all he 
 does under a fervile dread of God, and his Eternal 
 Juftice. And though there may be much mention 
 of Chrift, and defire of Mercy through him ; yet it is 
 but as a Malefactor convi£ted,befeeches the Mercy oft" 
 the Judge, no otherwife than as of a Judge : 
 So fuch call out for the Mercy of God to par- 
 don them, but ftill as a Judge, not with the Spi- 
 rit of the Son fent into the Heart, the Spirit of 
 Adoption crying Abba, Father. Nor with that love 
 that cafieth out unworthy Fear, Gal. 4. 6. And in- 
 deed how can it be otherwife, there having been ?w 
 acquaintance with God in the way.]ob 22.21. but a 
 long Enmity ; and the time now too ftrait for a free 
 and full Confederation of the riches of Grace, fuch 
 as may ftill an awakened Confcience : Fear preffes in 
 every way, and Ihuts out Faith. What can now 
 redeem the Soul from this hellifh Terror, but a light 
 from Heaven immediately darting into it, a Grace 
 above that Grace, that ordinarily laves Men ? For a 
 
 well 
 
30 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 well fetled Truft and Confidence in Mercy according 
 to the general Rule, is not, bur after fome fad de- 
 bates, and experimental Confutations, that have 
 pafled between the fenfe of Sin, and the affiancing 
 Ads of the Soul upon Chrift. This Repentance 
 then is in great danger of miffing the Spirit of the 
 Gofpel, and falling into the Rank of thofe Repen- 
 tances of Cain y EJau, Judas. 
 
 This I have endeavoured to (hew, that though we 
 fuppofeaDying Man to fpread his Soul and Thoughts 
 everyway, and to all the parts of Repentance; yet 
 it is extremely to be fufpeited, there will want the 
 true and right quality of them ; in regard of the ve- 
 ry difadvantageous Circumftances, wherein fuch an 
 one is found ; and the great unfitnefs of the Soul at 
 that time, to begin to do any thing worthy, to which 
 it hath not been before inured ; or if it did begin, it 
 would be much more unlikely to bring forth fruit 
 ( as our Saviour fpeaks ) to perfe&ion, Luke 8. 14. 
 
 I add nothing of the Exercifes of a full and well 
 grown Repentance, whereby it is daily efpying the 
 rifings of Sin, and fuppreffing them, and filling up 
 the Defedte of Holinefs and Obedience; becaufe they 
 are not to be thought poffible in the point I am now 
 fpeaking of, and I have already given a Refolution 
 in that Cafe. 
 
 I (hall now fet my felf to find out the low Caufes, 
 that are alway to be fufpedted to have the great In- 
 fluence upon fuch a Latter-end Penitency. 
 
 In general therefore, we muft take notice, that 
 there are feveral vapors of mifapprehenfion, rifing 
 upon the Soul, when we are a Dying, that do fo 
 difguife it to it felf, and disfigure the true face of it, 
 that from thence arife dangerous Miftakes concern- 
 ing a Mans Condition towards God. We 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 3 1 
 
 We fee into how many (hapes upon ordinary Oc- 
 currences we change, and how eafily we exchange 
 them for quite different, without any good Caufe ; 
 what continual Ebbs and Flows there are of the Hu- 
 mours, and how do thefe caft the Ballance of the 
 Superiour Soul ? One Man is every hour fome feveral 
 forts of Men. 
 
 How much more do great Accidents, and removes 
 out of one Condition into another, alter us ? Which 
 yet are but the fudden and juft now ftate of our 
 Minds upon fuch Alterations, which not continuing 
 we return to our former Figure, Vnftable and weal^ 
 as water. Gen. 49. 3. we take the form of every 
 Veflel we are put into. Who knows then whetherjhis 
 Dying Repentance be any more than the Mould, not 
 of his Mind, but of his Dying Condition approaching 
 him big, with fo great a Change ? We know many 
 things befal us in our Lives, which put a greater 
 fenfe of Religion upon us, than we find at other 
 rimes ; and yet how variable are we ? our goodnefs at 
 fitch times is as the Morning Dew, and as the early 
 Dew it goeth away^ Hofe. 6. 4* How often are we 
 from the occafions of Mercies, Affli&ions, Fears, 
 Hopes, good Difcourfes, carried into high Apprehen- 
 fions of God ? And we lofe them again we know not 
 how: Now out of doubt a Dying Condition of any 
 thing we meet with in the World is moft apt to 
 move us upon God, and a Senfe of him. But can 
 we think, Thofe fleeting Shoots of the Soul, that 
 have no certainty, are accepted for Repentance ? 
 
 How ftrangely doth Melancholly^and Oppreflions 
 of that transform Men ? which when it falls upon 
 the Motions of Conference, gives us ftrong Imagina- 
 tions of Eternal Things j which yet being nothing 
 
 but 
 
5 % Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 but the caft of that Melancholly upon the Thoughts; 
 when that is removed, they are quite of another hue. 
 
 It is evident the Mind fees much through the Bo- 
 dy, and the Reprefentations are coloured by its 
 Temper. As the Eye {ees through yellow or green 
 Glafs, differently from the things themfelves : So 
 the Serenity or Cloudinefs of the Humours makes a 
 different Reflection of things upon the Mind, arid 
 the livelinefs or heavinefs of the Spirits incline us to 
 very varying Apprehenfions. 
 
 Now what time is more like to be fo incumber'd 
 with thefe Clouds and Vapours than a Dying Hour ? 
 When every thing is ready to contribute them, and 
 nothing to fcatter them ? If then Natural Confcience, 
 and implanted Senfe of God together with the No* 
 tions given us from Scripture pafs through thefe,they 
 become very impreffive, and affedting for the time; 
 and yet he much miftakes Repentance, who thinks 
 it no more, than a fit of Religious Melancholly. 
 
 But let us enquire after fome more fetled, and 
 conftant Caufes of thefe Penitential Motions near 
 Death, and we (hall find many very likely to be fo, 
 that are not yet worthy of true Repentance, and 
 therefore what Iprings from them, is not accepted 
 before God. 
 
 i. When Men find all their Being in the World 
 at an end, and feel themfelves falling, they know 
 not whither; It is no ftrange thing they fhould catch 
 at God, and that they may take hold of him, at Ho* 
 linefs alfo; Seeing ingrafted Principles together 
 with general Difcourfe teach every one, how dear 
 Holinefsis to God. 
 
 If God and Goodnefs were no more than Imagina- 
 ry things : It would be no wonder, if they who are 
 
 tolled 
 
Of a De nth-Bed Repentance. 33 
 
 tolled off the World, and thrown over-board from 
 it, fliould (hatch at them ; if there were no more in 
 the Cafe than this, that every one hath heard fo much 
 fpeech, and talk of them among Men. For to him 
 that hath nothing in reality, even a Shadow, a Plian- 
 cy are valuable. Men that are dropping through 
 the Air, or finking under Water, without Confalta- 
 tion offer at every thing they meet with. 
 
 In great Extremities fhort of Death, they that are 
 bereft of all worldly Afliftance, fly to the Divine 
 Succours, though as Jonah's Marriners they pray 
 to an Idol inftead of the true God, and their Devoti- 
 on is no better than Superltition, which is but a 
 Phancy in Religion. What ftrange thing then is it, 
 for nature to cry out for God, and Chrilt, for Par- 
 don of Sin, to be delivered from Hell, and to have 
 Heaven for an everlafting Reft, when all things elfe 
 evidently fail as they do in Death ; and when not 
 only Phancy, and general Opinion, but moft fub- 
 ftantial Reafon inlightned by the Scripture provoke 
 up a Man to it, even for Self- prefer vation? 
 
 Yet this differs but little from bowling upon our 
 Beds for Corn, andWine, and Oyl, Hof. 7. 14. for 
 though the things differ much in their Nature, yet 
 the Efteem Men have of them, and the defire they 
 have after them is much upon the fame ground; for 
 thefe Spiritual things appear to that natural Senfe of 
 Self-prefervation, as neceffary in Death, as the other 
 do in Life and Health. 
 
 But if the approaches of Death happen to be again 
 drawn off, the value of Spiritual things removes 
 with them, and the things of this World, with all 
 the fenfual and finful Delights of it, return to their 
 former price : which argues the ineffe&ualnefs of 
 
 this 
 
$4 Of a Death-Bed Repentance] 
 
 this caufe of Repentance, and the Unacceptablenefs 
 of the Repentance it felf to God, that flows from 
 it ; God difclaims Men,that have never come to him 
 before their Extremity, and come then only becaufe 
 of it. In the time ef their trouble they will fay, 
 Arije, andfave us ; But where are thy Gods that 
 thou madcfl ? Let them arife if they can fave thee^ 
 jer. 2. 27,28. Thus to fitch Dying Men crying out 
 ro him, God fays, Let your former Lulls and Plea- 
 fures now be your Happinefs. Fools and/corners, 
 that would not be warned, call upon God in their 
 calamity, andfeeli him early, when the whirlwind, 
 of their deftruBions hurries them, but cannot make 
 him hear, cannot find him^ Prov. 1. 14. 
 
 2. Suppofe the defires after God, and Eternal 
 Happinefs, with all the Retinue of thofe Defires rife 
 not, fo much, from the Neceflities of remove from 
 this Life, and fenfible Supports, but immediately 
 from the fight of Eternal things themfelves: yet will 
 not this conclude the Repentance fincere. For we 
 may eafily pitch upon feveral fo plain reafons of thefe 
 quick Apprehenfions of another World, that it is 
 much more ftrange, if any Man be notftruck with 
 them ; and they that are, are not in greater Extafies 
 of thefe Confiderations, than that moft die in fome 
 fair inclinable Temper towards them, and others are 
 extraordinarily furprized with them, yet without 
 true Repentance. 
 
 For Firft, If it were no more, but the leifure, and 
 unintereftednefs of the Mind in all worldly things, 
 that Death brings : It is no wonder that the Action 
 of it fhould immediately, and necefTarily flow upon 
 God j for it being always in a<5tion,and motion from 
 its very Nature, and God having made it for himfelf ; 
 
 and 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 35 
 
 and the manner of its living here in the World being 
 a flavery willingly undertaken for the Service of the 
 Body, and the Enjoyment of this prefent Life, in its 
 being fallen from God : It is nothing itrange, that 
 that Drudgery being now at an end, and the chains 
 wherein it was held, juft a breaking, it fhould fall 
 upon God, and Spiritual Objects, whither the itream 
 of it was prepared to run, and which are mod truly 
 its own bufinefs. For the dittance being (b wide, 
 and irreconcilable between Man, and this Earth iri 
 Death ; the very having nothing elfe to do mult car- 
 ry him upon the Future State; feeing his Soul is 
 fuch a Being as cannot naturally lie fall, and that 
 State is all, that it hath to work upon, and further 
 than that, it is fo nearly allied to it* 
 
 Secondly, The very loofening and uncementing 
 the Soul from the Body, wherein it dwelt, and 
 wherein the Motions of it were re- 
 ftrained, hath heen thought very Multi mum 
 probably to give Men leffer de- <fuum remiffi 
 grees of thofe Advantages near & liberi junt 
 their Death, which naked and free futura projpi- 
 Spirits not inclofed and pent up in ciunt^ ex quo 
 Bodies have, whereby they have inteltigitur 
 been able to make Conjectures of qualesfuturi 
 future things, and to fpeak pro- Jim qiiumje 
 phetically. The lefs the Soul is plane corporis 
 bound to work by the Body, the vinculo relax- 
 higher are its Operations. All ex- aver int. Cic* 
 traordinary Motions of the Soul are de Sencclut. 
 a kind of Ravifhment from Senie. 
 
 Thofe great Prophetick Bleifings 
 of Jacob and Mojes were near their 
 Dyir.g. It is therefore very eafie 
 D 
 
 Gen. 49. 
 Dait. iz c.33. 
 
 to 
 
36 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 to be thought, that when the Soul and Body are 
 ready to cleave afunder, and the Spirit to be fepara- 
 ted from Flefh, that it (hould make an higher flight 
 towards Eternal Things. 
 
 The nearer every thing is to its own Refidence^the 
 more vehement is its motion faid to be thither. So 
 there may very well be quick Tallies of the Soul to- 
 wards Eternity, before it enters into it, when it is fo 
 near that everlafting Receptacle of it felf. 
 
 Thirdly, We may obferve in the Experience of 
 all times, every appearance of the other World hath 
 ft range effects of Fear, and affrightment upon Mens 
 Minds : When any one is entring then into that 
 whole World, it may well put him upon purifying 
 himfelf, more than they that fall upon Leviathan y 
 Job 41 . 25. When Men are juft upon that Region of 
 Spirits, what appalements of Mind and ftrong work- 
 ing of Thoughts muft there needs be ? Much more 
 if the Soul have any fenfe of its approach to the in- 
 finite Holinefs of God, at whofe rebuke the Pillars 
 of Heaven tremble ; whofe prefence aftonifhes the 
 purer Spirits of Angels, and beats down the Souls 
 of good Men to the Duft, as of 
 Heb. 12. 21. Mofes, Job, Ifaiah, Gfc. in his 
 Ifai. 6. 5. interviews with them. How 
 
 Job 42. 6. much more of thofe that have 
 
 Dan. j o. 8. never thought of God, and now 
 
 muft come near his Seat? 
 Nothing fo compofes the Soul to this amazing 
 change of Condition and Converfe, as long continu- 
 ed Treaties with God through Chrift : when though 
 Men change their place, they do 
 Job 24. 1 7. not change their company :Others, 
 
 Job 38. 15. when this great light ftnkes 
 
 them 3 
 
Qf a Death- Bed Repentance. $ 7 
 
 them, are in the very terrors of the floadow of death, 
 andfhaken out of their place, out of all the Security, 
 and quiet Senfuality they lived in. 
 
 Let us now take the eftimate or avail of thefe 
 things to true Repentance, and we (hall find, when 
 the Soullies thus uncovered to the things of Eternity, 
 it hath natural Reafons for all, it may feem to do like 
 return to God , and fo that all argue nothing of the 
 true Grace ot God ; but if a Man were again in his 
 former State he would be the very fame he was : For 
 firft, as one thing ftrikes upon another with a na- 
 tural Eftedt, Light upon the Eye, Sound upon the 
 Ear, fo Erernal Things upon the Immortal Spirit, 
 when there is nothing between to 
 intercept the ftroke. Further, 1 John 2.1 5. 
 when the luft of theflejh, the luft 
 of the eye, and the pride of life are as a Scene remo- 
 ved, and a Play at an end; and initead of them 
 another World drawing near, juit as Men defeated 
 in all their attempts for Riches, and Honours, and 
 beaten off from them to a private Life, call all thefe 
 things Cheats ; not out of true Reafon, but becaufe: 
 they cannot reach them : on the other fide they praife 
 Retirement and a Cloyfter, not that they like it, but. 
 becaufe they muft live fo, which begets fome kind 
 of Contentednefs fo to live. Thus and no orherwife 
 do many Dying Men call all this World Vanity, and 
 profefs an highElteem for all things pertaining ro 
 that to come. 
 
 Cauje 3. There is yet a more preffing Account of 
 the molt notable motions that were ever found in 
 any of their Repentances, .vi^. The awakenirigS of 
 Conference ufual at this time, becaufe of the Serife 
 of a Judgment : while common Experience tells 
 D i Men. 
 
3 8 Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 Men, It is appointed to all Men once to die, Heb. 
 9. 27. and finking Nature gives notice, This is the 
 time : Confcience lifts up to the next thing. After 
 that the Judgment. 
 
 Now no Man fees Judgment, a Judgment Omni- 
 fcient, Omniprefent, Eternal, without great lhakes of 
 Soul, efpecially that hath done nothing ferioufly to 
 agree with the adversary in the way, Luk. 12. i'8. 
 Confcience then rifing up with the Awe of a Tribu- 
 nal upon it, ftirs up all the Powers to fly from the 
 Wrath that is to come, by defires of Pardon, and 
 Refolutions of Amendment. The very hearing of 
 Judgment made fuch a one as Fce- 
 J ABs 24. 25. Ux tremble. When Judgment 
 feems to us, at the other end of 
 Heaven, all is quiet ; but when Death brings us to 
 the very (eat of it, how loud may be the cries for 
 Mercy ? The bewailing che former evils of Life ? 
 Now Men pour out their Complaints for the want of 
 God, the mifimprovement of former time : Now 
 they make large offers of a ftridfcand fevere Mortifi- 
 cation, and Devotion to Religion. Now they would 
 give the thoufand Rams, the ten thousand Rivers 
 of Oyl s their firft bom for their Trajgrejjion, the 
 fruit of their Body for the fin of their Soul, Mic 6. 
 6, 7. And yet all but the Eye opened to fee the 
 flaming Sword of Jultice , that makes even 
 a Balaam wifh to die the 
 Klum. 22. 32. death of the Righteous, and to 
 cap. 23. 10. have a latter End, Sober, Jult, 
 Religious. 
 The very Sufpition of, a Judgment inclines Men 
 thus far univerfally almoft? that hardly any choofe 
 to die in a Rant, in a Madnefs $ but had rather by 
 
 virtue, 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance., ^ 9 
 
 virtue, and Religion be configned over to another 
 World ; and have their Eyes clofed by Mercy, and 
 Grace in Chrift : They would fee the Salvation of 
 God, and fo depart in Peace. 
 
 Objett. 1. But it may be objected : Seeing thefe 
 granted to rife from true Convidtion, and not to be 
 Diilimulation, or counterfeit Pretence, Why may 
 not they have the worth of true Repentance ? 
 
 Anfw. 1 . To anfwer this : Let me confider, pure 
 Conviction, and enlightned Apprehenfion, and the 
 AffeCtions begotten of them, are no Argument of 
 true Goodnefs , where the Light hath not a benign, 
 and free Operation upon the Judgment, an Allure- 
 ment upon the Will, an Indearment upon the 
 AfTe&ions , to turn them to a full Delight, and Sa- 
 tisfaction in God and Holinefs, and to a diflike and 
 abhorrence of Sin. For elfe, the 
 Devils, who believe and tremble, Jam. 2. 1 <?♦ 
 muft be thought Converts. For 
 who have clearer fight of things than they ? Balaam, 
 whofeEyes were opened, and fpoke fo great things 
 of God, and his People, muft be concluded a good 
 Man. Efau and Judas, who had 
 fo fad apprehenfions of Sin, and Mdtth. 2j. 4* 
 their lofs by it, muft be affirmed Heb. 12. 7. 
 to be Penitents. Nebucadne^ar's Dan. 4. 17. 
 and Darius his acknowledgments and 6. 26. 
 of God muft be taken for true Luk- 6. 20. 
 Grace. Herod his hearing John Acts 24. 25. 
 Baptift gladly. Felix his trem- 
 bling at Pam's Difcourfe, may be thought Eviden- 
 ces of true Repentance. 
 
 Objeft. 2. But Secondly it may befuppofed, be- 
 
 caufe thefe very Convictions and Attentions are not 
 
 D 3 univerfalj 
 
40 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 univerfal ; but we fee multitudes go out of the 
 World without them, carrying little better than a 
 decent and civil Refpecft to Religion, that therefore 
 there is fomething of God, fomething Heroick in 
 them, that have them. 
 
 Anjit*. 2. This indeed may be no other, than the 
 wife arid good Government of God over the World ; 
 whereby he takes care, there fhould be Teftimonies 
 of himfelf, and the Goodnefs of his ways ; that Athe- 
 ifm, and Wickednefs may; not carry it, as if all were 
 their own, as if there were an unexceptionable Con- 
 currence on their fide againft God and Holinefs. For 
 as he receives witnefs from the conltant, gracious and 
 religious Lives of good Men, fo he conftrains fome 
 of them, that have lived contrary to him all their 
 lives, to give him glory at laft, for the good of 
 others, though without faving benefit to themfelves. 
 Which he may juftly do, and without any injury to 
 them. Seeing all the Service every Creature. can do 
 to him, is infinitely due, he may make ufe of that 
 which is his own, fo far as he pleafes. And becaufe 
 
 what the word God puts in their 
 Num. 23. 5, mouth js not their own,not arifihg 
 ■'Matth. 12.35. out of the good treajure. of their 
 
 hearts ( as appears in Balaam ) 
 therefore their everlafting Condition is not determi- 
 ned by it, but by their cbnftant Courfe of the for- 
 mer Life, the true Image of their Hearts, as we fee 
 
 in the fame Balaam^ who after 
 Num. 3 r , 8. died by the Israelites hard, whofe 
 
 greatnefs he had prophefied. Yet I 
 will not deny, but they may have their reward in miti- 
 gation of Punifhment for any Service done to God. 
 If God did not interpofe thus fometimes, he might 
 
 feem 
 
Uf a Death-tied Kepemance. 41 
 
 feem wanting in fomething that concerned him, at 
 leaft as a gracious Ruler of the World. He therefore 
 over-rules fome,who have lived fo, as to make a con- 
 Itant Argument againft him, and a future Srate (fo 
 far as Wickednefs could do it ) to retradt the whole 
 Courfe of their Life, and give their Vote, for what 
 they had fo long withstood. 
 
 I will yet further add another Caufe of a Death- 
 Bed Repentance^ that fometimes falls out to have a 
 mod powerful Influence, and yet the Repentance 
 that fprings from it, is very unfafe to confide in. 
 
 Caufe 4. Dying Men are oft under the play and 
 force of other Mens Reafon and Religion. For it is 
 a general, and neceflary Charity of Men affedied to 
 Religion themfelves, to offer the fenfe of it to others, 
 in a time when they think it likely to be accept- 
 ed, and fo infinitely neceflary ; which Practice how- 
 ever needful, and molt commendable in it felf, yet 
 by accident may have railed higher the opinion of a 
 Death- Bed Repentance, and is often the occafion of 
 great Error in the thing it felf. 
 
 For fuppofe a Man followed with found and affe- 
 ftionate Perfwafions, to do all that may be done 
 for his Soul in this exigent ; how conceiveable is it, 
 that Man may be fo far wrought upon, as to enter- 
 tain a prefent fenfe of Religion, and yet have no 
 true Life, no Life that arifes from a true intimate 
 Principle. But as thofe Bodies of Air taken, and 
 moved by Angels feem to perform the Functions of 
 living Bodies, yet do but feem to do fo, for they 
 have no Principle of Life natural to them ;but as 
 foon, as they are forfaken by the Spirits that made 
 ufe of them, they fly abroad, and difperfe themfelves. 
 Thus that general fenfe of Confcience, that liesfcat- 
 D 4 tered 
 
42 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 tered through the Soul, and unable for adtion, being 
 gathered together and united by good and holy Ap- 
 plications, and adled thereby, may have force fo 
 long, as that Union continues ; but that Difcourfe 
 that holds it together ceafing, it immediately falls 
 afunder, and lofes its Efficacy. 
 
 The Stone that receives motion from the Hand, 
 that throws it, goes en whilft that motion lafts, 
 when that is fpent,it falls to the ground : fo the force 
 of Exhortation ceafes too often, when he that gives 
 it, leaves thofe to whom it was given. 
 
 The Inftrument to which the Mufician's Hand 
 gives tune and voice, lies dead when he deferts it : 
 Mans Soul is made by God capable of religious tune 
 and motion, and while a skillful hand plays upon it, 
 it may give that found very diftindtly, and yet have 
 no Life in it felf. 
 
 The linking of Confidence makes the Sparks fly 
 cur, yea and fometime kindle in a flame, and yet it 
 prelently dies, becaufe not fupplied with a continual 
 Oyl to feed it. 
 
 The Mind of one Man is very apt to receive Im- 
 prefTions from another; we fee what PafTions and 
 Motions are raifed by an Eloquent Speaker ; how the 
 ll'xieritanding is carried captive, while the Orator 
 works upon it : and yet all the Affediion thus blown 
 up falls flat again, when the Breath that fwell'd it 
 lies ftill, and is apt to be carried the contrary way by 
 crofs Perfwafions equally inhnuated. 
 
 How much more may this be in religious things ? 
 Conference being fo eafily' furred by fuch Applicati- 
 ons, as we fee in Felix ^ though it is as eafily be- 
 calmed, when finful Lufts, through the Efficacy of 
 Temptation, are loud and high. 
 
 And 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 45 
 
 And all this is certainly much eafilier done near 
 Death, when Men are fo fofr, that they are apt to 
 take any ftamp; fo melting, as to be gathered into 
 any mould. 
 
 It ispoffible for one Man's Spirit to carry another 
 for fome confiderable fpace of time, as we fee in 
 Jehoiadas influence upon Joafh y who was not 
 yet all that time pofleffed with 
 the things themfelves, whereunto 2 KJng. 12. r. 
 he was directed. 
 
 But true Repentance is a Frame fet up by the Spi- 
 rit of God in the Heart, fubfifting by that Spirit up- 
 on it felf, and makes ufe only of all Helps fubordi- 
 nated to it, by the Wifdom of that Spirit ; but doth 
 not live from that Help, but from it felf through 
 that Spirit, its fupreme Life. 
 
 To draw thefe things therefore to a Sum, It will 
 appear, after all thefe Caufes have done, what they 
 can, thefe great Errors following are generally 
 found, and always to be fufpe&ed in a Death-Bed 
 Repentance. 
 
 1 . In a Death-Bed Repentance, There is only a 
 Judgment made of the Cafe of Eternity, confidered 
 by it felf, and without a Conterpoife : The Excel- 
 lency of God and Eternal Things are minded, as 
 they ftand out of the Air of Temptation. Now 
 though this be a good Opportunity for the fir ft con- 
 (ideration, yet that Consideration ; muft grow fo 
 ftrong, as to, retain the fame fenfe, in the midftof 
 all Pretences from the World and Sathan- Elfe in 
 the time of Temptation this Re- 
 pentance falls away. * " For * Dt Jackfon, 
 fr there may be many true Appre- Book, 10. Chap. 
 Ci henfions, which may make deep 23. Sect. 3. 
 
 « Iin- 
 
44 Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 a Impreflion not only in the Brain and Phancy, and 
 " upon our Affe&ions, whileft theft are calm, and 
 " unprovok'd, and yet both the Apprehenfion and 
 "Impreflion quickly vanifh upon the ftarting, or 
 a provocation of contrary Fancies or Affedbons. 
 
 When the Blood cools in the Veins, and the Spi- 
 rits are ready to ftand ftill, when a Man is no lon- 
 ger to live in the World, thefeafon of the fleafiires 
 of Sin is over , then to caft out his Lufts, What 
 
 excellent thing does he ? does 
 Aiatth. 5, 46. not even ?zature, whether he will 
 
 &r no, the fame? True Repen- 
 tance encounters Temptation, and refifts unto 
 Blood , when thofe Pleafures of Sin are at the height, 
 and the tide of Corruption from within fwells moft. 
 As Moles chofe to fuffer affliction with the people of 
 God rather than to enjoy the pleafures of Jin for a 
 feafon, Heb. ii; 25. although they were in their 
 growing, and afcending Morning. Repentance will 
 not worfhip that Sun in theEaft.lt is a very fmall thing 
 to defpife it in the Welt, and juft a fetting ; to choofe 
 Religion, when there is nothing to vie with it. 
 
 2. It is not a Consideration of heavenly Things in 
 their true worth, but only as recommended by the 
 prefent NecefTity. For who would not die the 
 Death of the Righteous , and have his latter end 
 like his ? Every Man at that time would be glad to 
 rind, he hath lived well; and he that hath lived 
 worft, except he be outrageous in Prophanenefs, 
 will wifti he had lived better. Eternity at hand 
 gives value to all Holinefs and fenfe of God, in 
 fpight of the World ; and leffens all tilings dk to 
 a nothing, and lefs than nothing', imprints a 
 Ghaftlinefs and Horror upon all Wickednefs and 
 
 Senfo- 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 4 5 
 
 Senfuality. The thirty -pieces are 
 nothing worth, and the innocent Mat. 27. 3. 
 blood above all value, when Men 
 fuffer in the Agonies of Confcience, and Fears of 
 the approaching Judge. A Houfe full of Silver and 
 Gold will not buy a Man to refift God, when in- 
 deed he appears to him ; when 
 the terrible Maje'fty opens it felf, Numb. 22. 18. 
 what is fo precious, that Men 
 will not fling to the Bats and Ifai. 2. 20. 1 
 Moles P When the Breath is go- 
 ing out of the Noftrils, how precious is Repentance, 
 Faith, a Pardon in Chrift, a happy Eternity, to 
 thofe, who have heretofore flighted them, as the 
 off-fcouring of all things? 
 
 But thefe things are always fo rich, Wifdom is 
 always fo precious, that it difdains to borrow Efteem 
 from a minute of Extremity ; and therefore it mod 
 often falls out, that thofe who would none of its 
 counfel, but defpifed all its Reproof,when they come 
 to feek it early, cannot find it, but it laughs at their 
 Calamity, as Men laugh at the unhappinefs of Fools, 
 that would not be corrected in their Folly, till their 
 Mifery confute their Confidence. 
 
 3. From hence it follows, That this Repentance 
 is a Choice, when there is no other Choice : If a 
 Man loved his Sins, or the World never fo paffion- 
 ately, he muft leave them ; if he difliked God, and 
 his Holinefs, and an everlalting Abode with him, to 
 the utmoft ; yet he is even forced upon them, or 
 dafhed upon an Eternal Mifery, and Unhappinefs , 
 which it is impoflible to choofe: And therefore 
 though he would not choofe the holy ways of God, 
 if he might ftill enjoy former Vanity, yet chat being 
 
 out 
 
46 Of a Death-Tied Repentance. 
 
 out of his reach and way, he muft take what is to 
 be had. The Senfe therefore is no more than this, 
 All thefe things are good, when a Man is juft a Dy- 
 ing ; but while he lives, and can have the World, 
 they are troublefom and unprofitable l Death makes 
 them good, upon this account only, becaufe elfe 
 there would be fomenting worfe, nasi there can no 
 longer be any thing better. A Man is now willing 
 to offer a Life he hath not to give, hqft Eternal Life 
 is not worth any 'par: of that Life, he thinks in his 
 power to do any thing elfe with. Let us then ob- 
 serve at what rate it is fet; for to ufe Tertullians 
 words in another Cafe, we may 
 * Quale bonum thus Reafon. * "-What a mean 
 hoc eft, quod "fort of good is this, that only 
 melius ejh,pce- " . excels Punilhment,- which needs- 
 na, quod non u the worn: of States for a Foil to 
 ■pot eft videvi c " it felf, that it may be thought 
 bonum, nifi ft Good? It is good ta repent, and 
 feffimo ccmpa- a be faved, becaufe who' can dwell 
 ratwn-y tit ideo " with everlafting Burnings ? But 
 bonUm fit reft- j "if it muft purchafe - the Reputa- 
 fifcere y quia : c tion of being Good from Evil, 
 detenus est ar- " it is not fomuch a Good, as a 
 dere. Cceterum u lower degree of Evil - y which 
 fi per. mali col-. a while the greater Evil Eclipfes it 
 lationem cogi- u is compelled as it were to accept 
 tur bonum diet, § the name of a good, being dri- 
 7; on tarn bonum- " ven upon the confines, of Good- 
 eft, quam ge- " nefs by the Violence o£ greater 
 nus malt infe- " Evil. 
 
 nor is, quod altiori rn/tio obfeuratum ad nomen boni 
 lmfcllitur. Tertul. De Monogamia. Chap. 3. 
 
 4. This Repentance is not the Free, butinflaved 
 ■Judgment and Choice of the Soul 3 as Men call out 
 
 Goods 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 47 
 
 Goods in a Storm, and receive a Power ro Rule over 
 them, that they cannot endure, but that it is too 
 ftrong for them. Men are afraid what God will do 
 to them, therefore they fubmit. His Enemies in 
 Heart are found Lyers to him, they Matter him with 
 their Mouth, as Julian oppreffed by the Almighri- 
 nefs of Ghrift, is itoried to have cried out, Vicifli 
 Galilcee, Thou halt overcome me, Galilean. Thus 
 they are overcome by Death, and the apprehenfion 
 of Judgment. In the fight and view of the Danger 
 Men refolve to part with their Sins. Let but that re- 
 move, they call for their Sins again, as Mariners wifli 
 for their Goods after the Storm.They throw up their 
 Lufts in their ficknefs, but drink them in when their 
 trouble is paft, as the Dog returns to bis vomit , 2 
 Pet. 2. 22. In all this there is nothing of the love 
 of God. 
 
 5. In this Repentance, the Soul of it is generally 
 a pitiful mean Self-love, even the meaner! kind 
 imaginable, wherein a Man confiders himfelf as a 
 Creature in being, and likely, or at leaft poffible to 
 be for ever ; without any apprehenfion of himfelf,as 
 a rational Creature made for God, and the Enjoy- 
 ment of him, in conforming with whom his Happi- 
 nefs confifts, and in the retting for ever in bis love. 
 Of this part he hath no diitin»it apprehenfion, only he 
 would be happy though he knows not what it is, or 
 rather he would not be miferabie ; yet even that he 
 truly under Hands not. Bat as the Jews faid to 
 Chrift, when lie fpake to them of the Bread of Life, 
 Lord ever more give us this bread, 
 and yet were fcandalized at his John 6. 34. 
 Explanation of himfelf to be that 
 Bread, fo far as to leave him. .And the Pharifees 
 hearing af the Vineyard to be let out to other Hus- 
 
48 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 Luk> 20- J 6. band-men, and the Judgment up- 
 on themfelves to be executed, 
 Cried out, God forbid^ yet run on in the Sin, that 
 brought it upon rhem. 
 
 This little point of Self-love into which all is 
 crowded is ennobled with no fight of the Excellency 
 of the things themfelves,or a due Eftimation of them, 
 as the true pleafure, and joy of an Immortal Spirit. 
 
 This is not that allowable love of a Man's felf, 
 which incircles it felf within the love of God, as the 
 lefler Circle is comprehended by the greater, but 
 this either leaves out that love wholly, or debafes it 
 tobafeftfelf. 
 
 Let us now Compare both fides together, and fee 
 how much true Repentance differs from that, which 
 is always to be feared, left it fhould be the height of 
 the Death Bed : And of that which hath been fpoken, 
 this is the Sum, 
 
 True Repentance is the moft free Election of the 
 Soul inabled by the Grace of God, upon a clear, 
 and jult Dictate of the Judgment, attended with fin- 
 cereit Affection, to give up it felf to God through 
 JefusChrift, and when it is moft it felf, not under 
 any irregular fear or constraint, and ( at Ieaft would 
 be the fame) in a time, when it hath all the probabi- 
 lity that can be to lay hold upon things prefent. 
 
 The other Repentance arifes from a Soul all trou- 
 bled, and difcompofed with the throws of Death, 
 the fears of Hell, the Doubts what will become of it 
 in another World, the Uproars of a guilty Confci- 
 ence ; when it fnppofes it felf neceflarily at the full 
 itop of its former Courfes, by being cut oft* from 
 longer Life, in the midft of all which arife vehement 
 Reiolutions to turn from Sin to God ? and poflibly 
 
 with 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 49 
 
 with many fair Apparences, but without opportuni- 
 ty to give proof of themfelves. 
 
 Let any one Judge between thefe two Repentan- 
 ces, and accordingly even counfel himfelf concern- 
 ing them. 
 
 Yet I muft acknowledge this Difcourfe fubjedl to 
 thefe following Limitations. 
 
 1. That the Arguments I have infifted upon pre- 
 vail not only againft a Death-Bed Repentance^ but 
 againft all Repentances, that have no higher Spirit 
 to move them, than what I have now reprefented; 
 from hence therefore we may take the trial of our 
 Repentance in general, for though a Death-Bed is 
 moft fubjecft to thefe miltakes, yet whatever Re- 
 pentance falls under them, is by reafon of them in- 
 valid ; and the later any Repentance is, or the more it 
 is occafioned by any Extremity, which it doth not 
 out-live, the more fubjed: it is to them. 
 
 2. What I have faid is not at all to be underflood 
 of the perfecting and confummating Repentance, by 
 higher and fuller Adts towards God at Death,though 
 enforced by the prefent Circumltances of the Cafe. 
 For true Repentance running through the whole life, 
 takes advantage of every thing, much more of fo con- 
 fiderable an Opportunity to unite all our ftrength for 
 God,as a Death-bed brings with it. All that hath been 
 fpoken is defigned againlt milling to the Extreme 
 Unciion of a dying Repentance, juft then begun. 
 
 3. I have before relolved upon that tendereit Do- 
 &rin, that it is poflible among all the unhappy Cir- 
 cumltances of a Dying Bed, there yet may be this 
 true Ad: of the Underltanding, Will, and Aftedtions- 
 turning to God ; and if there be this, it would bv 
 the fame and alike, however thefe CitfcumTtahces 
 
 alter. 
 
50 Of a Death -Bed Repentance] 
 
 alter, and then it excels thofe temporary Amend- 
 ments undertaken in the freeft times of Life. But 
 becaufe it is but poffible and fo almoft impoflible, 
 fo unhappy a Cafe, ( as not to have repented till juft 
 we die ) fhould fall out fo happily, the Intention of 
 this Difcourfe ftands good notwithstanding. 
 
 A • I acknowledge, the choice of the Soul can never 
 be fo free, but it muft be fubjedl to infinitely the 
 mod worthy and preponderating confiderations of 
 the love and goodnefs of God, the Redemption of 
 Ghrift,the greatnefs of eternal Happinefs molt indear- 
 ing on one fide ; of the fear and terror of the Lord, 
 thelofsofa Soul, everlafting perdition, moft per- 
 fwafive on the other fide; fo that if a Man cannot be 
 free in his choice of Religion, except he choofe it 
 without the force of any fuch confederation, he can 
 never be at all free, for thefe are on all fides of him : 
 And further, there is always the fupream motion 
 of the Grace of God, which does not leffen,but Iteer 
 and exalt the freedom of the Will towards God. 
 
 The difference then between true and falfe Re- 
 pentance in this particular is the fame, that is, be- 
 tween juft and rational confederation of all the mo- 
 tives of Hope and Fear ; and the hurry of them 
 moving us not intellectually, but as a Tempeft, or 
 with the force of a meer Engine. 2. Between the 
 higheft reafons carrying the chiefelt force, and 
 leading along with them the lower ones, and the^ 
 lower doing all without the higher, for want of 
 which they are Senfual or Hellifh. 3. Between the 
 government of meer Providence, and of the Spirit 
 of God. 4. Between the Repentance of Cain^Efau, 
 San/, Judas, and the Repentance of David.Manaf 
 feh 7 Pctci-, and ?avJ< 
 
 r 1 
 
Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 5 1 
 
 5. I acknowledge the firft Preparations of the Soul 
 by God for himfelf, may be with a great deal of noifc 
 and confufion ; Clouds and Darknefs are the Dufl of 
 his Feet, Storms go before him to prepare his way ; 
 while thefe laft, there cannot be a ferene calm Adt of 
 the Soul, and he that doth not live till he hear that 
 fiill Voice, in which God is, is in great danger of 
 being loft in the Storm. But if out of this Darknefs 
 and Confufion, a holy and gracious Settlement pro- 
 ceed, it is not the worfe for being fo introduced, but 
 is agreeable with the ufual method of God. 
 
 The fourth Head I propofed, is to weigh the Re- 
 pentance of the Crucified Malefactor againft our 
 common Death- Bed I{efentances; which duly per- 
 formed will be of great force againft Prefumption, 
 rather than minifter it any Confidence. 
 
 For we (hall find fo much gathered together, and 
 prefled down into it, that as Jewels have their Rich- 
 es in a little room, fo his fhort Life of Penitency 
 had an Age of Repentance in it. 
 
 It is fo compofed of Extraordinaries, that it can 
 give very little encouragement in ordinary Cafes, 
 except jult thus much ; that Repentance at Death 
 is no abfolute impoiribility. 
 
 1. Let us obferve how his Repentance look'd to 
 the feveral parts of Repentance ; for though it had 
 but little time in this World to breath in, yet with 
 extraordinary diligence, it was bufieinallthe great, 
 and moit concerning Points. Yet I account this 
 of the leaft Remark in the Hiftory of his Repen- 
 tance, becaufe it is eafily imitable, That in which 
 it Excelled, was the Evidences of Sincerity it car- 
 ried, 
 
 E j. Yet 
 
5 2 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 I. Yet take notice of his Senfe and Acknowledg- 
 ment of Sin, which was 'not only a Confeffion of 
 Words, but of his very Soul ; for, deliberating things 
 in a Moment, he pronounced him- 
 Magnum eft felf worthy of the Condemnation 
 $amitenti<2 fig- and Punifhment he endured. I 
 mim in poena confefs this is not fo infrequent in 
 fuaacquiefcere. thofe, who forfeited their Lives 
 Grot, in locum, tojufiice, but how oft is it rather 
 a Formality, than the inward fenfe 
 of the Mind condecently affedted ? and poflibly if 
 we look upon the out-fide of things, we can find 
 no great difference between him and others. Yet 
 it is a neceffary part of Repentance, Thejacrifice of 
 God is a broken and contrite heart, Pfal. 51. 17. 
 
 2. In his Repentance lay a lively Faith in Chrift; 
 firlt refting upon the principle, And truth of the 
 thing ; That Chrift was ajufi Per/on, that he had 
 a Kjngdom; and then a particular Application to him 
 for Mercy, Lord remember me when thou comejl in 
 thy Kingdom. 
 
 3. A quick fenfe of Eternity fupplied Vigor to 
 his Repentance, an evident fight of fomething be- 
 yond this world. For what more excites the Soul, 
 and (hews it the neceiTity of a gracious Change, than 
 an everlafting Condition appearing to it ? To this 
 end hath. J ejus Chrift brought life and immortality 
 to light, 2 Tim. 1. 10. of which this Penitent made 
 a very full Confeffion ; Lord remember me when 
 thou comeft m thy Kjwdom. He faw a Kingdom 
 beyond the Crofs and Death. 
 
 4. An earneft defire to promote and propagate a 
 fenfe of God into the Hearts of others was the im- 
 mediate fruit of this Malefactors Repentance. He 
 
 admo- 
 
Of a. Death -Bed Repentance, 53 
 
 admonifhes the Impendent Thief on the other fide, 
 Dofi t'bau not ft air Gid : He had fuch a Reverence 
 of God. that he expoitulates the want of it in the 
 other as inonilrous and horrid. His defign wasalfo 
 exceeding Compaffionatc as well as Pious : For 
 it was an Endeavour full of Charity, defirous his 
 guilty Fellow- fufferer lhould be brought into the 
 fame Condition with himfelf. We v ant much of 
 the Compailion due to the Souls of others, becaufe 
 we are fo infenfibJe of the mifery of our own ; and 
 tafte but little of the fweetnefs of Reconciliation and 
 Grace : But when we drink largely out of thefe 
 Fountains, we derive the Streams upon orhers, that 
 have flowed upon our feives. 
 
 All thefe things were evidently much to the pur- 
 pofe- if we look upon thernfelves : Yet were there 
 nothing more extraordinary in them, we might 
 doubt whether they were any more than the good 
 Mood, into which Principles of Confcience excited 
 by the unhappinefs his Condition might put him : 
 Let us then confider the Evidence, that all this was 
 truly Supernatural; for I account it no Injury to fa 
 memorable a Repentance to fuppofe, that as great 
 and fur an out- fide may have fail'd ofParadife, into 
 which he enrred. But, 
 
 2. The acknowledgment he made of Chriit gives 
 teftimony to him in two things. 
 
 r. That ic was made, when Ghrift was under all 
 the Infamy, and Miiery of a (hameful and painful 
 Death, and nothing to make fuch a Greatnefs, as he 
 afcribed to him probable. Among us that in gene- 
 ral Language fpeak honourably of Chrilt, Profeffi- 
 onsof him are cheap, and prove nothing : But if one 
 bred in Turcjfm, or Judaifm, ftould confefs him, 
 E % ** 
 
54 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 h would argue much more; yet not fo much as in 
 this Malefactor, who faw him in fo defpicable a 
 
 Srate: Whereas now fo great a part 
 AHs i. 9. of the World acknowledging him, 
 
 hath carried him up to Heaven, 
 as it were in that Cloudy wherein he ascended long 
 ago, and hid the reproach of his Crofs in fo high a 
 Glory, efpecially among us. 
 
 To confefs him in his worft eftate, and before 
 any thing of the Confequence was known, was very 
 
 great : * Chrifl was revealed to 
 Mat. 16. 17. him, not by Flefh and Blood ; but 
 * Extrema fi- by God himfelf. Such an Heroick- 
 des, fed non nefs is indeed neceiTary to allure 
 minima. Aug. a Death-Bed Repentance, which 
 Serm. 122. had need be as great, as it is late, 
 
 de Temp. when Men do not live to fee the 
 
 ordinary fruirs of it. 
 He that could fee Chrift, and his Glory, through 
 fo dark a Vail , had his Eyes anointed with 
 
 that Eye-Salve , Chrift fpeaks 
 f Ad rem ere- of. f 
 
 dendam a fenfibus rtmotiffimam excitatus eft. 
 Grot. 
 
 We find the Apoftles, who had feenhis Miracles, 
 heard his Divine Difcourfes, made long Acknow- 
 ledgments of him, were fearfully fliaken by this 
 
 Aflault of the power of Oarknefs 
 JRcv. 3. 18. u P m him ; even toaDefpair, that 
 
 he was the Chrift. But while 
 Stuandopajfus rne Y were * n a fwoon of Faith, 
 eft, omnes difcipuli defperaverunt quod ipfi effet 
 Cbriftus. A latrone viclifunt Apoftoli, qui tunc cre- 
 didit, quando illi defecerunt. Aug. in Pfal 68. 
 
 this 
 
Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 5 5 
 
 this Faith with Chrift triumphed over Principalities 
 and Powers, even on the Crofs. 
 
 We looking upon the things of Chriftianity in the 
 common Profeifion of the Nation, It is a hard thing* 
 for us to fee them other wife than that cads them ; 
 as it would be for thofe that have known nothing 
 but the Religion of Mahomet ^ Paganifm, or the 
 Jewifli Synagogue, to take up upon the fudden the 
 Docirinof Cnriitianity againlt their own. 
 
 We believing not with our own Faith, but Vul- 
 gar Opinion, eafily make a Confeflion of Chrift ; 
 yet oftentimes the Power and faving Effedt of it is 
 far from us, as from thofe that are Strangers to him: 
 fometimes they that come from the Ealt, and from 
 the Weft, fit down in the Kingdom of God, when 
 the Children of the Kingdom are thruft out. 
 
 The Acknowledgment of Chrift in thofe Times, 
 was a much fairer Evidence, than it can be now ; yet 
 without inward Grace was nothing then ; much left 
 mult it needs be to us, who have it made ready to 
 our hands by Education and common Confent in it ; 
 we muft therefore the more narrowly obferve, what 
 Characters the Truth of Chrift imprints upon our 
 Hearts. 
 
 2. This Acknowledgment was Tanto namqae 
 made without any manner of In- ponder e appcn- 
 ducement, or Temptation to it, fumefi^tantum- 
 from outward advantages, it could que valuit apud 
 poffibly afford ; but rather an in- eum, qui mint 
 creafe of Shame and Scorn was to hxc appenderc, 
 be expected from it ; and that if quod confejjus 
 it were poffible, he fhould fuffer eft Dominum 
 Crucifixum, quantum fi fuiffet pro Domino Cruci- 
 fixus. Aug. Dc Anima & ejus Origine. 
 
 E 3 the 
 
56 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 the fecond time for fuch a Confeflion, and become 
 of a Malefactor a Martyr. Nay further, there was 
 no Dictate of Natural Confidence, that could in- 
 cline him to it ; for that runs not into the Confeffion 
 of Chrift, nor is any way quieted concerning former 
 Sins through fuch a Confeflion ; but ey^s God only, 
 and Moral Righteoufnefs : Lalily, no general Tra- 
 dition prompted him to it, the Jews at that time 
 condemning him. But in us, all Applications to 
 Chrift are fecuring our felves in the common Barque, 
 and keep us from being cenfured, as prophane, and 
 irreligious Perfons. For to die without any addrefs 
 to Chrift, is accounted very ungodly, and fenflefs 
 pf a Future State ; but to deny him, monitrous and 
 defperate. Further, Chriftianity is incorporated 
 with our natural Principles, fo that they never move, 
 or heave themfelves in us, but that alfo rifes with 
 them. 
 
 Now it is of great Importance in the tryal of Sin- 
 cerity, upon what Grounds and Motives we do, 
 what do ; and the more we can clear it from 
 inferiour Springs, the more certainly it is Grace 
 defending from above^ and refting upon us^ Jam* 
 
 Every one therefore that would juftifie a Death- 
 Bed mppeffifnce, rnuft exceed all common forts of 
 Repentance, elfe he cannot enter into the Kingdom 
 of Heaven. Nay he muft do fomething, that in the 
 little fpace of time, he hath to do it in, muft equal 
 a Courfe of amendment of Life ; muit be as great 
 in him, cs this Repentance of the Thief. 
 
 And do but think? if our Faith were to cut thofe 
 waves, his was to pafs, to row againft fuch a Stream, 
 tp remove fuch mountains^ among how many thou- 
 
 fands 
 
Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 57 
 
 finds there would be found a Faith to do it ; we 
 fhould immediately be ftopp'd ; or funk, and caft 
 away, and loft. Yet fuch are they we are to pafs 
 through into Eternal Life, though of different Cir- 
 cumttances from his. 
 
 But after all I will allow it poffible, there might 
 be a fecret flaw in this whole Penitent's Deportment, 
 we now infill: upon ; and that it far'd with him as 
 with fome among us, who after a wicked and de- 
 bauched Life fly to the San&uary of the Romifh Re* 
 ligion ( as Joab to the horns of the Altar, 1 King. 
 2. &8.) To Reconciliation wherewith Hopelefnefs 
 of any good from that they have fo long finned 
 againit, and natural Superftition hurry them. So 
 this Perfon hearing a great Fame of Chrift, and ob- 
 ferving his pretence high, might lay hold upon him 
 in a defperate Cafe, if peradventure any thing of good 
 might follow on it ' It being very incidental to the 
 Nature of Man to caft himfelf upon Religion, when 
 all elfe fails, and upon one new to him, when he 
 hath offended againit the old one, beyond hope of 
 Pardon ; whence Men generally receive this Recom- 
 pence, that Confcience is put into amufe, having 
 nothing at prefent to fay againft it. 
 
 And had this been the top of his Cafe, that it had 
 been thus, could it have been faving ? Nay, that it 
 might pofTibly have been thus, though indeed it had 
 been otherwise, yet this very liablenefs to fuch a 
 miitake had^ unfpeakably abated the rational Secu- 
 rity, and fafety of his Condition ; fo that there had 
 remained good caufe for Confcience to have mi- 
 ftrulted which way his Condition would have fallen 
 to Eternity. 
 
 E4 3. The 
 
58 Of * Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 3. The Third thing therefore, that gave him, 
 and gives to all Ages undoubted Teftimony of the 
 Truth of his Converfion, is the immediate atten- 
 tion to that Truth and Sincerity of it, This day [halt 
 thou be with me in Paradife. Now that Repen- 
 tance which enters into Heaven, that pafles into Pa- 
 radife, not hinder'd by thofe flaming Cherubs of 
 Divi/te Truth 3 that which is within the Door, be- 
 fore the Mafter of the Houfe is 
 Luke 13.25. rifen up and hathjhut it to, that is 
 true Repentance and profperous, 
 and fuccefsful,how late foever. But to know that it is 
 true, when it is fo late, needs a Voice from Heaven, 
 or fomething proportional to it ? to verifie it, as is 
 after to be urged. 
 
 The laft thing I take notice of in this Repentance, 
 is the unparalleilable Circumitance of time wherein 
 it was accepted. 
 
 1. It was in the time of a pub- 
 Joh. 3. 16. lick adl of mercy to the World, 
 
 God was in love to Mankind giv- 
 Eph. 5.25. trig his only begotten Son. Chrifi 
 
 was giving himfelf at this time. 
 Therefore that there fhould be an Inftance and Mo- 
 nument of this Mercy, feem'd condecent to fo great 
 and folemn a time. 
 
 2. This Penitent flood clofe to that Sacrifice, that 
 was offering it felf up to God : He ftood within the 
 Savour, the Odor, the Incenfe of it : That Sacrifice, 
 that fur chafes men from a vain 
 1 Pet. 1 8. converfation ; that draws down all 
 
 the BieiTings of Salvation; that 
 therefore the force of it. fhould reach fo near it felf, 
 15 not ftrangc : I know no nearnefs of place figni- 
 
 fies 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 59 
 
 fies at all. How many faw his Miracles, heard him 
 Preach, look'd upon him Dying without benefit ? 
 yet was his Prefence alfo, as he pleafed, full of 
 Divine effects. That therefore there fhould be an 
 experiment of fo great a Balfom, jult as it was pre- 
 paring, was molt fuitable. 
 
 3. It was in the time that Chrift was triumph- 
 ing over Principalities and Powers, and mailing a 
 /hew of them Openly upon the very 
 Crops. * That he Ihould bear off *Vicem v erf am 
 in the Field the prey taken out of reddidit Chri- 
 the mouth of the proud Foe, was ft us Diabo/o; 
 very agreeable to the expectation quemadmodum 
 fo great a Conqueror raifes. Coiof Diabolus depra- 
 z.l^. vando hominem 
 
 abftulerat de Paradifo, ftc Chriftus latronem confi* 
 tentem erueret de inferno : Vie de inter dicio ligxo 
 frafumentem decepit ; Isle pendentem de poenali 
 ligno re demit. Aug. Serm. 122. De Temp. 
 
 But whoever confiders the Thief on the other fide 
 not converted, or faved, will find Caufe to obferve; 
 The Salvation of Chrift: doth not fweep the 
 World, but is rarelier vouchfafed than we think ; 
 That a man may die without going to Heaven ; 
 That the mercy of the Gofpel is moft arbitrary 
 and fovereign , chufing and leaving ; That it de- 
 pends not on humane Expectation, or any Super- 
 ftitious phancies , that have been raifed about the 
 Crofs of Chrift ; for fo much appears by one only 
 taken here, the other left, though upon the Crofs 
 together with Chrilt, and near him in the great 
 and mediatory Acfl ; who that confiders will not 
 tremble to think of one left iu his £ns, filling 
 
 down 
 
6o Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 down into Hell from fuch a Heaven as Chrift in his 
 great A6t of Redemption. 
 
 And although it may be truly faid, it was the fault, 
 and negligence, and obttinacy of the Unconverted 
 Malefactor, that he did not ufe aright the Grace of- 
 fered, or the Light vouchfafed him •> yet it doth not 
 alleviate the danger, for it full remains very uncer- 
 tain to whom God will give a Heart to ufe Oppor- 
 tunities aright, though they have them from God 
 with an equal Liberality, as thofe that do fo improve 
 them. 
 
 But indeed, the Supremacy of 
 Grace is here very much acknow- 
 ledged by all, that a Ray of the 
 Divinity of Chrift with infinite 
 kindnefs fmote his Soul. * I infer 
 nothing from that increafe, the 
 Evangelift Match, c. 27. 44. gives 
 the Miracle, That he was Convert- 
 ed after he had joined with the 
 other Malefadtor in reproaching 
 Chrift ; Becaufe t fome Interpre- 
 ters que it ion it. 
 Upon the whole then of this Example, let Men 
 that would be befriended by a Dying P^epentancexx- 
 amine whether thefe things found in this Example, 
 are like to meet upon them. I will not fay, till there 
 be a tim^. a fulnefs of time, 
 wherein Chrift fhali again die for 
 Sinners, fuch a Repentance is not 
 to be expedted ; bat I may fafely 
 fay, he that in the Obfemtion 
 of this Example trufts himfelf to 
 a B;ir>g I^Pcmance fliould ftarcle 
 
 * Nova & in- 
 folita quadam 
 diving virtutis 
 efjicacia^ in ex- 
 emplum omni- 
 bus fee ulis me- 
 moYabile, &c. 
 Grot. In locum* 
 
 f Hieron 
 locum. 
 
 In 
 
 Benef : 
 
 muhis moiis 
 
 \ 
 
 toners tra 
 
 diinconfevi.cn- 
 
 tias cxenipti. 
 
 Grot. Lilt 
 
 his 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 6 i 
 
 his Prefumption with this Interrogation, Will there 
 ever be fuch a Conjunction, as was here, again, 
 while the World endures ? 
 
 I come now to the lad Head of down-right Argu- 
 ments againtt committing our Eternal State to a 
 Death- Bed Repentance. 
 
 i. It is againft all the Prudence and Providence 
 pf a MUn, feeing no Man knows what kind of Death 
 he (hall die ; whether it will afford him the polnbili- 
 ties of Repenting : How many die fuddenly,and in fo 
 fhort a Breath, that they have not time to defire 
 Mercy in general . ; How many of Apoplexies feizing 
 upon the very Top of Senfe at firft? Many by Phren- 
 fies have no rational Motions of themfelves ; innu- 
 merable Accidents (and oft-times made dreadful 
 by the Wickednefs wherewith they have been accom- 
 panied ) have fnatch'd away Men in a Moment, 
 Such are taken away living and in 
 his wrath before the F 'ots can feel Pfal. 58. 9. 
 the Thorns i before ever thofe ha- 
 fty flames of Motion towards God blown up for 
 fuch an Extremity can be raifed. Such are taken 
 in the very manner without fo much time as to put 
 off the Every-Day Habit of Sin, like thofe that were 
 carried out dead in their Coats, Lev. 10. 5. 
 
 And though from the ordinary manner of Dying, 
 we may hope for the warning ordinarily given ; yet 
 we fee others furprized, who have had the fame 
 reafons of Hope with our felves. We cannot then 
 without madnefs truft our felves to accident, or 
 bo aft our felves of to morrow ^ of 
 which we know not what is with- Prov. 27. r. 
 in it, feeing the future is wholy 
 concealed from us: They that ma!{c a Covenant 
 
 with 
 
62 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 with death, and are at an agreement with Hell, 
 meet with nothing but Perfidioufnefs, when the 
 overflowing Scourge approaches them, and the fiorm 
 of Hail rends their refuge of lies, I(a. 28. 18. &c. 
 If we were provided againft all, but one (ingle Ac- 
 cident, even that may fall upon us with the ruin, 
 that all the reit could bring. 
 
 Let a Man examine, whether he can choofe his 
 Death, and defign the Circumftances of it, and 
 place every thing juft as he would have it, and there- 
 by afford himfelf the Seafon he thinks neceffary for 
 fuch a purpofe. But who is fo foolifh as to under- 
 take this ? He that builds upon Ground that is none 
 of his own, is like to have all his Frame overturned 
 at the pleafure of another : God derides this Folly, 
 who hath all things in his own hand, and difpofes 
 
 them without our knowledge : 
 Jam. 4. 13* Go too ye that fay, To day or to 
 
 morrow we will go to fuch a place, 
 Pfal. 1 04. 3. and buy, and fell, and get gain: 
 
 But oh miferable is he that thinks, 
 as God, to lay the Beams of his Chambers, that he 
 builds for Eternal Reft in the Waters, the flowing 
 inccrtainty of future Time , where he hath nothing 
 to do ; and overfecs the proper Reft appointed him 
 by God, feeing both his Prefumption, and his 
 prophane Negligence are likely to be punilhed 
 together. For indeed he that is wickedly prodigal, 
 of what God affords him, as his, and is bold to 
 entrench upon the future which is Gods, when he 
 comes to it, finds it full and poffelfed already, 
 with what God hath provided for it ; fo there is no 
 room for his Projedt, but he perifhes for ever in 
 the Difappointmenr. 
 
 2. It 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 6$ 
 
 2. It is againft our Duty, and all the Obligations, 
 that lie on us ; For it is as if a Man (hould fay to 
 God, I know it is my Duty, and 
 the end of my Life, and the Pro Odibi'ee/i apud 
 vidence thou exercifeft towards Deum, quando 
 me, that I (hould now ferve thee, homo Jub fidu* 
 and give up my felf to thee ; But cia fcenitcnti<e 
 I beg of thee, that while I live, I in feneciutem 
 may live in my Lufts and Senfua- refer vat <e libe- 
 lities, and when I am to die and riusfeccat.kwr 
 go out of the World, and fhall guft.Serm.izo. 
 have no more time and leifure for 
 any thing elfe, I (hall then have nothing to do, but 
 to look towards thee, and befeech thy Favour, and 
 leave my Sins : I defire thee therefore to Hay for my 
 Repentance till then, and when I can no longer 
 enjoy the World, then to grant me a Kingdom 
 with thy felf, and the Fruition of thy own Happi- 
 nefs : For though I (hall diflionour thee in the tracfl 
 of my Life, yet I will retradt it all in a Breath. 
 How horribly contemptuous of God doth this ap- 
 pear, how Affronting and Blafphemous ? and yet 
 this is the very fenfe of Deferring Repentance, 
 till Death. 
 
 This is the greateft Immorality and Irreligion ; 
 for it deftroys the reafon of our Being on Earth, 
 which is tojerve our Generation, 
 or the courjc of our Life accord- A(5h 13. 36; 
 ing to the Will of God y to glorifie 
 him here on Earth. It deftroys John 17.4. 
 the Service, yet flies upon the Re- 
 ward ; as if God were bound to make Men happy, 
 becaufe he had made them, and that he had made 
 them, firit to take the Delights he molt abhors, en 
 
 diflionour 
 
64 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 difhonour him, by deforming his Workmanfhip\ 
 and violating his Laws, and the good order he hath 
 fet in the World ; and yet after all becaufe he had 
 made them, to give them a BleiTednefs fo infupera- 
 bly great, that he could find no greater; and by no 
 means to hurt or punifli them for Sin, though all 
 the Juftice, that ever was known to Man, requires 
 Punifhment of Offenders, as much as the reward of 
 Defert ; elfe all Government would be loft. 
 
 Thus therefore to imagine of God is to bring 
 down in our own Thoughts thofe great Attributes 
 of Juftice and Wifdom, into a foolifh and unreason- 
 able Pity, and only for this end, that there may be 
 a Licentioufnefs in Wickednefs and Impiety. 
 
 And feeing upon the fame account, all the Men 
 in the World may adjourn their Love and Obedi- 
 ence to God to their going out of it ; it might come 
 to pafs, that this State fhould have been prepared 
 only as a Stage for the Vices and Exorbitancies of 
 Men to have a&ed themfelves upon, and then they 
 to have removed to Heaven ; when as though thefe 
 have large fcope indeed now, as things are, yet 
 their Licentioufnefs is daily rebuked by the threats 
 of the Gofpel, by the holy Conventions of thofe, 
 that have left their Sins by Repenrance, and punifh- 
 ed by an Eternal Judgment hereafter. 
 
 But who chat coniiders the infinite Goodnefs and 
 Greatnefs oi God, that in his hand is our life, and 
 breath, and all our ways, can think it equal, that 
 God fhould have only the feint and feeble Services 
 of a Death-Bed, for all the Prefervation and Mercy 
 vouchfafed through the courfe of our lives ? 
 
 Or who can think it confident with his Honour 
 to give Men Laws, that point upon the Government 
 
 of 
 
Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 6$ 
 
 of themfelves here,and that he fhoukl at fo general a 
 rare, as the neceflity of Mens manner of living re- 
 quires, accept offuch a Commutation, or exchange 
 for the Obedience due to them, as a Death-Bed 
 Repentance ? 
 
 Or leaft of all, who can believe ? thatjefus Chrift 
 fhould come a Redeemer into the World, a Redeem- 
 er from all Iniquity, a fur chafer from a vain Con* 
 verfation, that he might have a 
 peculiar People jealous of good Tit. 2. 14, 
 works y who fhould look, for f ^ e 
 great day, and his glorious ap- Rom. 2. 7. 
 pearance, by a patient expeclation 
 and continuance in well-doing^ ; to which he hath 
 alfo tied them by the molt ltridt Obligations, that 
 created Nature is capable of, and yet that this in a 
 manner Ihould be wholly fruftrated, even in thofe 
 fuppofed to be redeemed by him ? 
 
 How fhall fuch a Man then be able to look God 
 or Jefus Chrift the Saviour in the face, that hath but 
 jult begun to acknowit fge him by fome weak De- 
 votions to him, extorted even of neceffity, and gi- 
 ven the bulk of his time to Sin ; 
 that hath facrified the Mkle of his Mai. 1. 14. 
 Flock to Luft, and dven with 
 impious delign kepi the con upt thing for God? 
 
 3. If we truly undents n J the nature of Repen- 
 tance, and that it is die Gift and Grace of God : 
 It is, 
 
 1. A great Preemption upon that Grace, to think 
 we can call it down from Heaven at our own need, 
 who have offered fo much Injury to the motions of 
 it, vouchfafed in the time of our Life ; we do not 
 confider, that this Grace defigias its own Glory, 
 
 and 
 
66 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 and teaches to live Godly, right eoufly, foberly, now 
 
 in this -present World, and there- 
 Tit. 2. 13. in to wait for the Manifeftation 
 
 of e verla (ling Glory ; and thus we 
 Rom. 2. 7. are feel^ for honour, glory, and 
 
 immortality. 
 Now that they that have bidden defiance to this 
 Grace fo long, fhould bring it down from the Clouds 
 
 in their Dying Moments, to con- 
 Uo^ais y& 4*> - ve Y tnem to Happinefs , is to 
 yais wflavoict make fo cheap of that infinitely 
 %pw<S-«t# #kAm- precious Goodnefs, that whoever 
 Stiauts ix. \m- aright confiders the Cafe, muft 
 7%i<\.iv oStbt needs infinitely abhor the thoughts. 
 dtiC £><T7nf &w Yet this is the neceflity of fuch 
 <mhtppoict$ in Mens Condition, that they muft 
 r&p7ra.Kova.n- either think themfelves worthy 
 <X<&Zv\oa.v. Phil, thus to becken the Grace of God, 
 in Aiiego. or they muft perifli for ever. 
 
 They enter then a conteft of Pre- 
 cedency and Superiority with this Grace, and de- 
 cide againft it : That it is lit for that to ftoop and 
 humble, yea to proltitute it felf, rather than they 
 fhould be for ever Miferable : yea rather than they 
 fhould have been obliged to a Holy Life. 
 
 2. It is for a Man to defire God, to Mif-time his 
 Grace, for the Seafon of it is the prefent offer in the 
 
 Gofpel. Now is the time accep- 
 2 Cor. 2. 9. ted, now is the day of Salvation* 
 
 It is to defire God to give him a 
 Spring in Autumn, or Winter $ when the time of 
 the Patience of God is over, to expedk the Salva- 
 tion of God, now God who hath with infinite 
 Wifdom and Equality weighed out Times and 
 
 Seafons, 
 
Of A Death-Bed Repentance. 6y 
 
 Seafons, and made every thing Ecclef. 3. 11. 
 beautiful in its time, doth not and 9. 12. 
 reverfe his own Appointments to Luke 19. 42. 
 ferve the Folly of Man, who have 
 not known their times, and the things of their 
 peace in their day. 
 
 For can it feem reafonable , that Mountains 
 fhould remove out of their places ? and Rocks 
 wander from their Situation ? That Man more unin- 
 telligent, than the Swallow and 
 Crane that obferve their appoint- Jer. 8. 7. 
 ed times , might not be injhared 
 by the evil times that fall judden- Ecclef! 9. 12. 
 ly upon them : He that trufts then 
 to fuch a Repentance, doth, as it were ; refolve to 
 be faved by Miracle, or elfe perilh. 
 
 3. Men do not confider theJealoufieofGod, nor 
 are afraid of his Oath againlt them, that harden 
 their Hearts and do not hear his 
 voice to day ; fo that fome, who Heb. 3. 9,10,1 r* 
 have trifled with the Grace of God, 
 [eekjoim early and do not find him* The Israelites 
 that faid, Woither Jhall we go up, when they were 
 commanded to go up, and pojjejs 
 the land j when they would have Deut. 1. 28. 
 gone up afterwards and fought 
 for it, were reje&ed by God. [So in %echary, God 
 gives account of that great Judgment of their Cap- 
 tivity, concerning which, though Mofe s, Samuel and 
 Job had interceded, he would not have heard. As 
 when I cried they would not hear, fo it came to pafs 
 that they cried, and I would not hear, Zech. 7. 13. 
 
 Many fail of the Grace of God that frophanely 
 
 (ell their Birth-right for a tranfitory Satisfaction, 
 
 F ancl 
 
68 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 Heb. 12. 16,17. and find no place for their Re- 
 pentance^ or of Gods Repentance 
 m favour towards them, though they feek it care- 
 fully, and with Tears. While Men are bufie in ful- 
 filling the corrupt Defires of their finful Flefli, and 
 make flight of the Mercy, that fo freely prefents their 
 Souls; a filenc Decree pafles againft them; that 
 though it makes no noife in their Ears, yet feals 
 them in blindnefs, and hardnefs, fo that their Souls 
 are for ever clofed therein : For who can open what 
 is (hut by fo powerful and awful a Hand ? 
 
 4. It is impoffible to a Man to die with good com- 
 pofureof Mind, that trufts to a Dying Repentance; 
 for let the Cafe be thus ftated, That Repentance, 
 which will not inable a Man to a holy Life, is not 
 faving ; fuppofe a Man then in a Dying Sicknefs, ma- 
 king great acknowledgment of Sin, full of Refolu- 
 tions of leaving Sin, and this Man recovering and 
 peforming nothing, but Aiding back into the for- 
 mer Wretchednefs of Life ; this Repentance how- 
 ever ferious, and earned it feemed, would not have 
 favedhim, if he had died; he had periihed in his 
 Sins, and his falfe Repentance together : For that 
 his Repentance was truly inferior to his Sins, appears, 
 in that as foon as ever that is over, which gave it a 
 feeming Advantage, his Sins throw 
 Rev. 2. 7, C?c. off that Repentance ; but true 
 Repentance always overcomes ;that 
 Repentance therefore could nor be true. 
 
 And if Repentance be falfe and counterfeit, there 
 
 is no amendment of it in Eternity ; when once the 
 
 Mafter oj i k Houfi is rifen up y 
 
 Luke 13. 25. and hath jhut to the Door \ there 
 
 is no entrance : While the foolifh 
 
 Virgins 
 
Of a Death- Bed Repentance. 69 
 
 Virgins too late underftanding Mat. 25. ^GSV. 
 the Error of Oyl in their Lamps 
 only, and not in their VeJJels, went to corred: it, by 
 buying Oyl, They were fhut out, and no kriocking 
 powerful enough for their Admiffion. 
 
 Yea though a Man may feem to be well quieted, 
 and comforted, and to have the Teftimony of the 
 Spirit of God, yet all this may be but a Delufion, 
 and Satan in an Angel of light ; for though they 
 that have truly this Teftimony, may be fuppofed to 
 know it is that true Spirit; yet they 
 that have it not, may have fome- 2 Cor. It* 14. 
 thing, they fo ftrongely imagine 
 to be it, that thereby they may be deceived. This 
 Teftimony therefore muft be proportionable to the 
 affurance, this Dying Man had from Chrift^ elfe 
 even a Man that dies fafe, muft die in fuch an un- 
 expreffible Torment of Mind, that it had been much 
 better he had enjoyed no fuch feafons of Sin, than 
 only endure that. And who can prefume fo upon 
 God, as to promife himfelf fuch a train of Miracles 
 to carry him not only to Heaven, but without thofe 
 Agonies of Horror that are like Hell, after fo Jong 
 Impenitency ? 
 
 Thus on all fides it is moft neceflary for every one 
 to Repent while he may behold the Truth of his Re- 
 pentance in the ordinary Fruits of a holy Life , and 
 fee himfelf in alltheCircumftances of Temptation, 
 change of Condition, Varieties, which Life and the 
 Courfe of it carry along with it : For that is often 
 by leng h of time cait up, and appears upon the 
 Surface, that lay concealed at the bottom, till fuch 
 a Concurrence of things gives it the advantnge to 
 rife. 
 
 F 2 I 
 
yo Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 I underftand nothing that can be objedred to this 
 laft Argument I have ufed to difable the Confidence 
 of fucii a Repentance, except this. 
 
 It may be (uppofed, the Repentance thai: is full of 
 paflionaite and arfe&ionate Motions towards God, 
 though amidit the fears of Death, may be good, till 
 it be blotted out by returns to Sin, and therefore if 
 it be taken in the juft time, while it is good ; that 
 is, if a Man dies before it be reverfed, it may ferve 
 the great purpofe of Eternity. 
 
 This Supposition I muft^-confefs hath a feeming 
 Countenance from that particular place,E^.33.i2. 
 The righteoufnefs of the righteous Jhall not deliver 
 him in the day of his tranfgrefjion ; as for the wick: 
 ednefs of the wielded, he/hall not fall thereby in the 
 day that he turneth from his wickednefs. 
 But if the fcope of Scripture- Difcourfe in general, 
 or the very fenfe of Morality be taken in the Cafe, 
 no Man may truit fo great a weight here ; For 
 Chrift looks upon the fiony ground with the fame 
 
 Eye, while it receives the word 
 Mat. i. 3-20,2 1, with joy, as when by and by it is 
 
 offended; and it was therefore 
 Mat. 7. 26. truly no better at firft than at 
 
 laft. The Houfe that is not foun- 
 ded upon the J$oc^ is as ill founded in the Calm, as 
 in the Storm, only the Storm difcovers what it was. 
 Morality it felf requires a better rooting of virtuous 
 Habits, than that they fhould be fet only in loofe 
 Ground, thrown up by Extremity of Condition, 
 and not in the Soil it (elf. 
 
 That Repentance which will not bear the trial of 
 
 time, will much lefs fuftain the Teit of Eternity, 
 
 wherein everything that ftands, muftbe folid and 
 
 * fob- 
 
Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 71 
 
 'ubftantial : Things that fuffer the lofs of themfelvrs, 
 when they are tried by mans day, will fuddenly be 
 confumed by the hotter Beams of God 1 C6rl$. ^ 
 
 That hath need of good Founding, that mu! v im- 
 dergo an Eternity, and have all advantage of Con- 
 coction, that mult be laid up for fev th th<?- 
 Ihort Moments of a Death -Bed without a miraculous 
 Affiftance will not allow. The Fruit of it general- 
 ly, like that Hajly^ripe, ferifhcs 
 while it is in the Hand: This Ifai. 28-4. 
 Repentance gives up the Gholt, 
 as foon as it is born. 
 
 Now as for that place in Eicl'Jel, fo much vexed 
 with Controverfie, I do not think it convenient for 
 me to intangle a Difcourfe intended wholly for pra- 
 ctice with the Perplexities of it. 
 
 Only I am concerned to (hew, that it doth not 
 aiford the favour fuppofed to this kind of Repen- 
 tance. For firit, We mult not mi (lake the day it 
 fpeaks of, ^s if it fignified fo ftrait a compafs of 
 Time, as a Day; but that Seafon wherein either the 
 righteous Man wafts and deitroys his Righteoufnefs > 
 or a Sinner over comes his Vittous Cuitoms and In- 
 clinations, neither of which are ufually done on the 
 fudden. Secondly, The turning from IVickednej s 
 intended is certainly a fincere and impartial one, and 
 not fuch as we have rendred this Dying Repentance 
 fufpicious to be. Thirdly, It mult be jultified by 
 a walking in the Statutes and Judgments of God, 
 and doing that is right ; that is,by a continued Re- 
 formation, which will leait agree to this Repen- 
 tance, and therefore this place of Scripture will 
 not protedl this Suppoiition, but rather damns 
 
 F 3 Haying 
 
j 2 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 Having now in the foregoing Difcourfe, in a pra- 
 ctical and pcrfwafive way, endeavoured to engage 
 Men to a timely Repentance, by fetting out the 
 hazard of a late one : I have thought it neceflary, 
 to make the ftate of the whole Dodtrin, as exacit 
 as I can, by confidering whatever might with fair 
 appearance of Scripture-Reafon call into queftion 
 and fcruple, what I have grounded my Perfwafions 
 upon. 
 
 I will therefore, as a Supplement to all I have 
 faid, Firft recoiled what I have intended all along. 
 And then caft all, I can poffibly fuppofe againft it, 
 into \ Objections and Anjwers^ that by clofer atenti- 
 on to the Cafe it felf, every one that will be at the 
 coft to confider it, may be convinced to the main 
 End, vi%> A prefent Religious Life. 
 
 i. Firft then I make it not the queftion, Whe- 
 ther a true Repentance, how late foever, be a Re- 
 pentance to Salvation ? 
 
 2. Nor Secondly, Whether God hath refer ved it 
 ro the Prerogative of his Grace, to give a true Re- 
 pentance a: la it ? 
 
 3. Nor Thirdly, Whether a Repentance that is 
 true and fincere, though but in the Seeds, being 
 furprized with a Death- Bed, may not then break 
 out and fhew it felf more fully ? 
 
 4. Nor Laftly, Whether a Man that hath the light 
 of the Gofpel brought to him, but juft before his 
 Dying Condition, may not expedt the Grace .of 
 God working with it then, even as in the freer 
 rimes of Lite ? 
 
 All theje J do with great Confidence acknow- 
 ledge: The Subftance of what I have faid againft a 
 L)zatb-Bed Rgpentame, will be comprifed in thefe 
 
 following 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 73 
 
 following Affertions, which I reftrain wholly to 
 Men, that have lived under the Light, and Exhor- 
 tations, and Applications of the Word of G:xl, with 
 all ufual Freedom ; and yet have not begun fin- 
 cerely to Repent, till they come to die. 
 
 The Firft is, That a Death-Bed Repentance how 
 fair foever, it may appear, hath yet the greateft 
 Doubt imaginable upon it, whether it be true. 
 
 The Second, There is greateit Reafon of Fea% 
 God will not give his Grace to fuch a Dying Man, 
 to Repent. 
 
 The Third, That a Repentance at Death is not 
 that general Repentance, the Scripture Difcourfes 
 of, makes promifes of Pardon upon, offers the Af- 
 iiftances of the Spirit to, enjoins the Duty of, with 
 fo many preffing commands. For that Repentance 
 immediately to be begun is fuppofed to govern a 
 following Life. It mud therefore be an extraordi- 
 nary, and miraculous Repentance, if true. 
 
 Laftly, That it is therefore againit all rules of Pie- 
 ty and Prudence, by mifpending Life to call our 
 felves upon the neceffity of Repentance at Death. 
 
 This, I fay, is the Subftance of what I have de- 
 figned all along, and which I would now further 
 clear, and vindicate from thefe following Objections. 
 
 ObjcRion 1. Doth not the Parable of calling 
 fome Labourers into the Vineyard at the Eleventh 
 Hour, imply, That God doth in 
 ordinary Convert. fome at the laft Mat.2cy.i.{^c. 
 Hour, as well as fooner ? 
 
 Anfwer* The main fcope of Parables is only argu- 
 mentative, andj^ far as the fcope of that Parable 
 relates to this Cafe: It is no more, than what I 
 acknowledge, That God gives Eternal Life ro true 
 F 4 Repeat 
 
74 Of a Death- Bed Repentance. 
 
 Repentance, if true, at laft, even as to the firft and 
 earlieft Repentance. The reward being to all of 
 Grace, and not of Debt. It is alfo to be considered, 
 there remained an Hour of working, reprefenting 
 rather old Age, than a Death-Bed, if the colours of 
 a Parable prove any thing, and fo are rather 
 againft this Repentance, than for it. 
 
 In the Second Objection, I fuppofe Men taking 
 Sandtuary at infinite Mercy and Power in this man- 
 ner. 
 
 Although no thought of Man can reach the Mercy, 
 that accepts or gives Repentance at the laft: yet 
 Mercy being as much above our Thoughts, as the 
 Heaven above the Earth, what can we define con- 
 cerning it? And though there are fo many Circum- 
 itances of Impoflibility, according to our meafure 
 of things ; Yet the things that are impofTible with 
 Men, with God are poffible ; for with God all things 
 are pofTible : How can we then determine in this 
 Gafe ? Can we by fearchrng find out the Almighty 
 in his Mercy and Power ? Can we find him out to 
 perfe&ion ? It is high as Heaven, what can we do ? 
 It is deeper than Hell, what can we know ? The 
 tneafure thereof is longer thayi the Earth, and broa- 
 der than the Sea. 
 
 Anfwer. Now becaufe in this Objection, the fi- 
 news of all Hope and Expectation from this late Re- 
 pentance meet ; I will endeavour to give the moft 
 punctual Anfwer to it. And though I know after 
 all, that is, or can be faid, Men will not quit it: 
 Yet I fhall reft upon this Anfwer, as my lait Refo- 
 lution of this Cafe - 9 and by it raife the diflwafions 
 fromatruftin fuch a Repentance to the height; the 
 greatnefs of the hazard appearing moft fully from 
 it. \n 
 
Of a, Death-Bed Repentance. 7 5 
 
 In general therefore it hath been noted , The que- 
 ftion is not whether God accepts a true Repentance, 
 how late foever; but whether God will give a true 
 Repentance fo late; and herein the queftion is npt of 
 the limits, the abfolute limits of infinite Mercy and 
 Power ; But what limits it hath fet to it felf ? and 
 what Seafonsit hath limited to us? and whether ac- 
 cording to thefe a Death-Bed Repentance be not 
 almoft, if not altogether an Impoffibility ? I'll 
 therefore lay down feveral degrees of Impoffibility, 
 notwithftanding infinite Mercy and Power, that 
 muft neceflarily abate the Irregular Confidence of 
 fuch a Repentance, and under one of them I fhall 
 be bold to place it. 
 
 r . The highelt degree of Impoffibility is, of thofe 
 things,that are utterly and abfolutely imfojjible with 
 God y becaufe they are irreconcileable with his Na- 
 ture, and fuch wherein if they were , he muft deny 
 himfelf ^ which he cannot do. For though there is 
 nothing above God, not fo much as any Goodnefs, 
 or Righteoufnefs abftra&ed from himfelf, that 
 fliould give him Law ; Yet he being himfelf that fu- 
 preme Goodnefs and Righteoufnefs, He is a Law to 
 himfelf ; His Nature is his fupreme and inviolable 
 Law ; And his Will Hands always even with his Na- 
 ture : For his Will is himfelf reciprocal with his Na- 
 ture; And all his Actions keep perfed: Correfpon- 
 dence with his Will. Upon this immutable Reafon 
 God cannot lye, he cannot do any thing weak, or that 
 argues Imperfedion : He cannot but be righteous 
 in all his ways, and holy in all his works. Upon 
 this Reafon alfo he cannot, he will not acquit 
 the guilty. He cannot, he will not fave or make 
 Men happy in their Sins. God himfelf fpeaks this 
 
 Senfe, 
 
7 6 Of a Death- Bed Repentance. 
 
 Senfe, E\ek; 18. 31, 32. and c. 33. n. As Hive 
 faith the Lord, 1 have no pleafure in the Death of 
 him that dieth, why ; will ye die? Turn your [elves 
 and live ye. As if he fliould fay, except ye turn, 
 all my Mercy can do you no good. For fuch a Mer- 
 cy as God the Father of Mercies y will not give, 
 would not be a Mercy, but either a foolifh Softnefs, 
 or loofe Indulgence to Sin. Such a Power were not 
 a Power, but an Impotency, or turning all things 
 to Confufion. Thefe therefore are as inconfiftent 
 with God, as Folly, Imperfection, Sia. The Gof- 
 pel, the higheft difplay of Mercy refts upon this 
 Principle, being not a Salvation of Men in Sin, but 
 amolt effedual Redemption of Men from Sin. Of 
 all that God can be fuppofed to do for Men, there 
 is nothing more impoflible than this, more repug- 
 nant to all the true Senfe of Man, more overthrow- 
 ing of the undertaking ofChrift, more contrary to 
 the Nature of true Happinefs. An Opinion of the 
 damned in Hell being annihilated, or recovered to 
 Holinefe and Happinefs after fome Ages of Torment, 
 were a high Probability compared with this. He 
 that can tempt himfelf to believe this, may believe 
 any thing, and needs no Confutation, but his own 
 Unreafonablenefs. Again It this I have been thus 
 large, becaufe it fecretly lurks in Mens Hearts, that 
 God may fave them without fo much ado about 
 Faith and Repentance, though being afraid to fpeak 
 a thing fo monn rous, they difguife it under the Pre- 
 tence of a faint Repentance at laft. 
 
 But from what I have faid, It is plainly to be in- 
 ferred, Firit, That fome things which God cannot, 
 will not do, are nor the reproach either of his Mercy 
 or Power, buc the Glory and Greatnefs of both. 
 And this , that He neither can, or will fave Men 
 
 without 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance, jf 
 
 without fincerc Faith and Repentance (that is with- 
 out a recovery to Holinefs ) is one of thefe things. 
 The Death-Bed Repentance then, that is unto Sal- 
 vation^ muft without all difpute be a llncere Change 
 from Sin to Holinefs. 
 
 2. There is an Impoflibility, that arifes from the 
 peremptory, and abfolute, and irrepealable determi- 
 nation of the Will and Council of God concerning, 
 any thing. In this degree of things 
 I account, * the unpardonablenefs * I cannot ac- 
 of the Sin againft the Divine Spi- quiefce in the • 
 rit. Tlye unrenewablcnefs of total Expofition of 
 Apostates from Qhriftianity to the Learned 
 Repentance. The impojfibility of Dr. Hammond 
 Repentance after this Life : Now in his Anno t a- 
 though thefe carry not their own tions concern- 
 Evidence of being inconfiftent ing thefe two 
 with the Divine Nature, as the Cafes. 
 former ; yet the Declaration of 
 fupreme pleafure againft them is fo effectual, that 
 we muft needs look upon them, as impoiTible. And 
 we may fee a great confent, a high Congraity be- 
 tween the things themfeiveSj, and the Determination 
 of God concerning them, which Reafons are yet 
 clearer with God. For in the Sin againft the Holy 
 Ghoft there is fo mature, fo perfect, fo concodted 
 a Wickednefs, fo high a contumely againft the God- 
 head it felf, that it is very irreconcileabie with Re- 
 pentance, and fo with Pardon. The total Apofta- 
 *cy from Chriftianity, and the Evidences of it men- 
 tioned Heb. 6. from the very Nature of the Cafe ap- 
 pears irreparable, becaufe there is no other or high? 
 er Grace, than that of theGofpel, for theApoftates 
 %o remove to ; no more Jacrifice for fin y nor are 
 
 there 
 

 7S Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 there any higher Evidences of that Gofpel, than 
 thofe he is fuppofed to revolt from; and no more 
 perfed A6ts of Contrariety to the Gofpel, than the 
 crucifying the Son of God afrejh and putting him to 
 an of en foame^ the doing defpite to the Spirit of 
 Grace, the treading underfoot the Son of God, and 
 counting the Blood of the Covenant an unclean thing, 
 in the Parallel place. Heb. ro. 29. 
 
 Befides all other Reafons, the unchangeable State 
 of Eternity is fo confolidate with, fo fixed into our 
 very Being, that the Perpetuity of it is very account- 
 able to our Reafon ; fo that there can be no Change 
 after this Life. 
 
 From hence then, we derive thus much farther 
 againft a Death-Bed Repentance : Firft that fome 
 things, wherein we cannot find an exprefs Impoflibi- 
 lity in their Nature, are yet made fo by Gods abfo- 
 lute Refolution concerning them; into the Reafon 
 of which he alfo is pleafed to give us fome light : 
 And that many Expreffions of Scripture ( as, They 
 fhall fiel^me early but fhall not find me, the Parable 
 of the foolifli Virgins, with many others ) make 
 this Repentance very dangerous, with which alfo 
 the very Reafon of the Cafe concurs ; Yet not a- 
 mounting to this kind of ImpoiTibility, 
 
 3. There are fome things impodible according 
 to the Rules, and general Laws of the Creation, 
 and Government of the World, which we call Na- 
 ture, and which Rules, infinite Wifdom and Power 
 hath fo prefcribed to it felf, that he hath yet referved 
 to himfelf freedom to fhew himfelf above them, as 
 Founder and Lord of Nature. 
 
 Thus it is impofTible for the Sun to ftand ftill, to 
 raife the Dead, that the Fire flnuld not burn : That 
 
 is, 
 
Of a Death-Be A Repentance. 79 
 
 is, It is impoffible at all times, but when infinite 
 Power is pleafed to be feen riding in the Heavens, 
 far above all Nature, that is, when he is pleafed to 
 work Miracles : fuitable to thefe Laws of the firft 
 Creation, there are alfo Laws of the new and fecond 
 Creation, n& the Redemption of Chrift. 
 
 It is true, the new Creation, compared with the 
 old, is fo far as it is new, All Miracle. Such is 
 Righfihufnefs without Wor\s, Re- 
 generation; Such is the Incarna- Rom. 4. 6. 
 tion, the Refurredtion. Even as 
 the firft Creation and daily Prefervation are Miracle* 
 compared with that nothing, out of which all things 
 were drawn, and are ftill upheld. 
 
 Yet this very miraculous Frame of the Gofpel is 
 bounded with certain Laws and Rules, and when 
 thefe are tranfcended, it is a Miracle in this miracu- 
 lous ftate of things. 
 
 Now all Inftances of miraculous Power are rare 
 and extraordinary, and the Reafons of them, when 
 they have been, have always been great and fo- 
 lemn; and when they have been more plentiful in 
 any Age, the Reafons have been great for that alfo. 
 And in Miracle it felf, there hath been always regard 
 to the natural ftate of things. Miracle hath for the 
 moft part lifted up Nature only, wherein it was ei- 
 ther decayed, or not planted fo high, as the very 
 effed: to be wrought, and juft then defigned ; 
 not minding the ftourifli of it ielf, but the main In- 
 tention only : We read of no other Circumftances 
 but thofe of ordinary Mortality, into which they 
 that were raifed from the Dead in Scripture were 
 exalted ; only that they were raifed to Life. 
 
 In the new Creation, fo much of the old, as 
 would ferve in it, is generally taken in ; and the 
 
 Con- 
 
So Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 Conftitutions that will agree with the defign of 
 Grace are upheld for the moft part ; as were eafie 
 to manifeft. Divine Infpiration did not difannul the 
 natural Temper of the Prophets or Apoftles; but 
 they are eafily obfervable in their Writings. Con- 
 version doth not deftroy, but fandlifie and renew 
 Nature. For what doth all this ferve, but to fhew, 
 God does as little as may be, decline from the 
 firft Model of things, His Wifdom fo deepiyH:on- 
 trived ? 
 
 Further, the new Creation in all things excelling 
 the old ; as the whole State of it is never antiquated 
 by a higher Revelation, fo the Laws of it are fel- 
 dom exceeded by any thing extraordinary ; yet I 
 acknowledge, Initances there are of Extraordina- 
 ries, even herealfo. 
 
 The Apoftleihip was in a manner wholly mira- 
 culous, yet the calling of the Apoftle Paul was 
 fomething higher than that ; for whereas the Twelve 
 were trained, and educated in the Difcipline and 
 Convention of Chriit ; and exprefs care in the 
 Surrogation of one into the place 
 Adls i.n,22. of Judaic was had of fuch a Pre- 
 paration, yet the Apoftle Paul 
 was fua'denly born into that high Fundtion and Au- 
 thority, into which they were gradually admitted. 
 But the reafon alfo was very high, That there might 
 be fo great a Proof of the Power of the Gofpel, 
 as a Perfecutor and Blafphemer 
 Ads 9. 20, Preaching thatFaith,he had fo no- 
 
 21, 22. 31- torioufly perfecuted; and on the 
 Gal. 1.23,24. fudden, that it might be without 
 the Sufpicion of a Confederacy. 
 
 His 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 81 
 
 His very Converfion was a Su- 
 perabundance of Abundant Grace: I Tim. I. 14. 
 He was not only in a deep Humility <sSpTrh&v&n 
 of Expreflion, but in the thing it « %£$ /*. 
 felf, one of the chief eft of Sinners 
 faved by Chrift: His Sin had been 1 Tim. 1. 15, 
 the unpardonable Sin, had not Ig- verjZ 13. 
 nor once abated it. 
 
 But upon that Iblemn account he obtained mer- 
 cy ; That in Him Jefus Chrift might [hew forth & 
 Pattern of all long-fuffering, 1 Tim. 1. verf. 16. 
 
 This of the Dying Malefa&or, I Efteem of the 
 fame kind, and the Reafon was extraordinary, as I 
 have before obferved. 
 
 I have now thus folly difcourfed this Particular, 
 becaufe it brings me to the ultimate Refolution, I 
 can make of this Cafe; that is, 
 
 A Death-Bed Repentance whenever it is true, is 
 a Grace and Favour vouchfafed to the Soul, in 
 which it is found, above the ordinary and general 
 Grace that gives Repentance. For it is above thefc 
 four great Rules of the Gofpel, wherein alfo the 
 fundamental Nature of things much confpires. 
 
 1. That God is jealous of the Glory of his Grace, 
 and gives it by the fame rule, he prefcribes to us. 
 To day, while it is called to day, hear his Voice. 
 
 2. God attempers his Grace to the ftate of Man's 
 Soul, fo as not to permit to fuch a long hardning, 
 and accultomednefs in Sin, thofe whom he intends 
 to Convert. 
 
 3. The Ingenuity and Freedom of the Soul ne- 
 ceifary to Repentance is not ordinarily poirxble,amidft 
 the Fears and Neceiiity of Death, 
 
 4. Fruits 
 
82 Of a Death-Bed Repentance^ 
 
 4. Fruits meet for Repentance, and amendment 
 &fe, and rhc glorifying God upon Earth, by a ho- 
 ly Converfation are univerfally required. Such a 
 Repentance then muft be proportionable to a Mira- 
 cle, a Miracle in Grace. Now Miracles are feldom, 
 and not but upon fuch Reafons as exceed the value 
 of thofe Rules ( at leaft ) in that Cafe, wherein they 
 are over-ruled ; Reafons of greater Eminency than 
 what daily fallout ; but it is a daily Reafon, that Men 
 mult either Repent or Perilh. Such Repentances 
 therefore are very rare, and doubtlefs when they 
 are, God gives a luftre to the Reafons why they are; 
 I11 fuch a meafure, that Men may fay, Here is the 
 finger of God, ingraving his Wifdom upon his Work. 
 And with fuch a Freedom as our Saviour exprefTes, 
 Luke 4. 25, 26, 27. 
 
 The practical Conclufion then from hence is this, 
 It is as prefumptuous a Boaft for a Man to think, 
 He fhali Repent when he comes 
 Prov. 27. 1. to die, becaufe the Mercy and 
 Power of God are infinite; as for 
 him upon the fame accounts, to leap into Seas, or 
 roll himfelf in Flames, without fear of danger. 
 
 Nay, It is fuch a kind of prophane Infolency, as 
 fome Interpreters give that of Lamech to be, Though 
 Ifhouldjlay a Man in my anger, 
 Gen. 4. 23. or a Young-man in my Senfe of 
 Parous in an Injury : Tet if Cain notmith* 
 
 locum. /landing his Murther, was fecu- 
 
 red by a fevenfold Vengeance from 
 God upon him, that fhouldjlay him, I /hall befecu- 
 red in mine, by a Vengeance feventy fevenfold. Thus 
 Men fay, if ever any one for all an irreligious 
 Life, was preferved from Hell by a Repentance at 
 
 laft, 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 8^ 
 
 laft, I need not fear, but I (hall : Both agree in a 
 bold claim of the Sovereign actings of God for their 
 own fafety in Sin. 
 
 4- Below all thefe ImpofTibilities; as in Nature 
 there are great difficulties, that are not ufually over- 
 come, and yet in things poffible without a Miracle ; 
 fo there are alfo in Grace. Our Saviour tells us, It 
 is eajierfor a Camel to go through 
 the eye of a needle \ than for a rich Mat. r 9.23, &Ck 
 man to enter into the Kingdom 
 of Heaven. His prejudices and prepojfejfwns are 
 fo many, his temptations and intanglements are fo 
 great. The Prophet fays, Can a 
 Blackamore change his skin? or Jer. 13. 23. 
 a Leopard hisffots ? then ye that 
 are accuflomed to do evil, may learn to do well. All 
 delay 'd Repentances are very uneafie ; fome Divines 
 obferving few Converfions after the fortieth Year of 
 Life. But of thefe, though all Men ought to ap- 
 prehend the danger ; I Ihould fay, ( that no Man 
 might be infnared ) as our Saviour fpeaks in thefe 
 Cafes, The things impoffibk with Men, with God 
 are poffible. 
 
 Objection?. But according to this ftate of the 
 Cafe, What (hould a Dying Man do, that hath not 
 yet repented ? Should he expedl a Miracle, or do no- 
 thing through defpair ? 
 
 Anfwer. Have ye not read, what David did when 
 he was an hungry and had need ? He adventured 
 over Laws, and was blamelefs : If any Man feel the 
 neceflities of a Soul perifliing, let him lay hold upon 
 Mercy and Grace to help. There is a Faith in this 
 Cafe, like the Faith of Miracles, that removes Moun- 
 tains, and divides Seas. He that can receive it, let 
 G fr»fl 
 
84 Qf a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 him receive it, Mar.19.1z. But let every Man take 
 heed how he falls into thefe NecefTities ; For mul- 
 titudes not having the right Faith, like the Egyptians, 
 Effay.this, and are drowned, Heb. 11.29. 
 
 . It is a very hard thing to diftinguifh between mi- 
 rum, and miraculum, a Wonder, and a Miracle ; fo 
 is it between a faving Fakh,and Repentance that may 
 have wonderful effects, through the Conviction of a 
 Death-Bed, and this true faving Faith, this Faith of 
 Miracles; and for any thing I know, Eternity only 
 can make a Man fafe concerning it, and fure that he 
 had it. Doubtlefs many like Joab perifh, catching 
 hold of the Horns of the Altar. 
 
 Objection 4. But what ? If Men having made a 
 Profe/Tion of Religion, have done many things reli- 
 gioufly and foberly, and yet through the prevalency 
 of fome Lufts, it appears they have not truly repent- 
 ed ? May not the Converfation they have had with 
 Religion, fo prepare things, that their Repentance 
 may bedifpatched inthelnftants of Death ? 
 
 Anfwer 1. It is dreadful to confider, how the un- 
 happy pleas of fome upon fuch kind of accounts reci- 
 ted by Chrift, are alfo rejected by him. Many (hall 
 fay in that day., Lord^ Lord, have we not eaten and 
 drunk. i> n thy frefence, and thou 
 Luk. 1 3 .z6 3 &c. haft taught in our ftreets ? In thy 
 Name have we caft out Devils,and 
 Mat. 7. 22. in thy Name done many wonderful 
 
 Works. Tet he [hall frofefs unto 
 them, 1 never knemyou^ Depart from me ye work: 
 crs of iniquity. 
 
 Bpfides all the Doubts already infilled upon, fuch 
 Men have made a Cuitom of deluding Religion, and 
 have great caufe to fear they (hould do fo at Iaft. 
 
 God 
 
Of & Death-Bed Repentance. 8 5 
 
 God alfo is/b provoked by fuch, as have loyig tempt- 
 ed him, proved him, and feen his workj, and yet err 
 from him in their hearts, and do not know his tray;, 
 that he comes to his oath againft them, Heb.3 9,ic. 
 
 Anfw. 2. But left this fliould difcourage and fuffo- 
 cate all motions after God, either in Lite or at Death; 
 and they feem in as good condition, that never mind 
 Religion, as thofe that do : I add, 
 
 Any good thing found in Men, either in their Life 
 or Death, though it have not the worthinefs of Re- 
 pentance to Salvation, yet fhall certainly have its re- 
 ward in mitigations of Punifhment ; which Coniide- 
 ration fully explained at the Day of Judgment will 
 aflbyl many of this fort of Doubts concerning the 
 ways of God. I believe thofe very early feekings of 
 God, notwithftanding which, he is (aid to laugh at the 
 Deftruttion of thofe, fiom whom they come, when 
 they have firft ferved the gloryings of Juftice, obtain 
 lefTenings of Pain : as conquered Enemies, after they 
 have been led in Triumph to wait on the Conqueror's 
 Glory, may have even that Service recompenfed wirh 
 a more compaffionate Captivity. 
 
 Anjwer 3. If there have been folidity and linceriry 
 in any religious Exercifes in the time of Life, where- 
 by the Heart by the Grace of God is prepared for 
 further Grace ; as very often Conversion is by de- 
 grees : It is hopeful God may ufe Death, as a Sea- 
 Ion ofcompleating his Work ; yet this is to be regi- 
 ftred among the feldomer difpofes of God, and both 
 thofe Preparations, and the Complement of them is 
 under the caution of our Saviour : Strive to evter 
 in at the ftr nit- gate, for many, Ipy unto you, fbat 
 fee \ to enter , and fhall not be ab!c 7 Luke 13. 24* 
 
 G % Obje?>- 
 
$6 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 Ob j eft ion 5. Is it not at all times a great Folly, to 
 promife a to morrow to Repentance, how long foever 
 we may live after that to morrow ? becaufe we daily 
 harden through the deceit fulwfs of fin. Is itnotalfo 
 always a curious Point, and that requires a great jea- 
 louiie over it , whether our Hearts are at any time 
 iincere in returns to God ? Is it not laftly, always to 
 be fearedjeft our to day, the time of Grace flip from 
 us ? Why then are the dangers placed fo induftrioufly 
 upon this Repentance at Death ? 
 
 Anfwer 1. Firft as concerning the time of Repen- 
 rance, It is to be acknowledged ; Every Man, that is 
 come to the lirength and fixednefs of his Under- 
 f landing, to the poize and inclination of his Will and 
 Affedtions, to the habit and cuftom of his Life and 
 Adiions, and hath not determined for God, hath 
 great reafon to fear; left as there is a deep print of the 
 high hand of Nature upon his unconverted ftate, fo 
 there (hould be a Seal of Juftice alfo, and this Doubt 
 increafes every day. 
 
 Notwithstanding this ; All Doubts and Scruples, 
 that have an appearance of infnaring and intangling 
 the minds of Men with fears, they begin too late, 
 are to be avoided; if it be not fo late, that it is juft 
 now dar^and their feet ftumbling 
 Jer. 13. j6. upon the darl^ mountains; And 
 thefe things being written efpecially 
 ifa. 38. 19. for the living, who have in ordina- 
 ry probability time to lofe, the dan- 
 ger is beft placed here,where it takes them every way. 
 By the way of Encouragement ; that the time is 
 net yet pa ft, while they have the fpaces of Life, and 
 of the Patience of God ; which is not a : jlackpefs of 
 3ujticig % but a dcfigned Salvation. By the way of 
 
 Cau- 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 87 
 
 Caution, becaufe they know not how foon they may 
 be caft upon a Death-Bed, and this Patience be at 
 an end : With Dying Men the cafe is otherwife,who 
 are already in the thickeft of the Danger, and muft 
 work themfelves out in that moment, or peri fh for 
 ever ; without any Injury therefore to them 7 the liv- 
 ing are thus to be warned. Ifa* 38. 19. 
 
 Further, It is evident, all delays of Repentance 
 roll down hither, however Men propofe a Itop ; yet 
 hither the generality come at lalt : So that in effedt, 
 it is all one, whether Men are difTwaded from truft- 
 ing 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 
 ifa Man be afraid to venture Eternity upon his la ft 
 Breath, he will repent prefently. 
 
 2. For the difficulty of being fincere in Repen- 
 tance, I place it here, becaufe, though every Man 
 Ihould by drawing the parallel lines of Delufion, and t 
 mul ake upon himfelf, try his Repentance when ever 
 it is ; yet thefe Errors fall in greatest numbers upon 
 that point of Extremity, and with lead poffibility of 
 rectifying them : But feeing there are at all times 
 fuch deceits in this Cafe, there is nothing fo necef- 
 fary, as to repent in a clear light, and full leifure. 
 
 3. For the feverity of God in denying his Grace, 
 though I acknowledge his Indignation condemns 
 many, who have dallied with him and their own 
 Souls to be fuck'd in again by the whir pool of 
 their Lufts,when they would luve rifen out of them ; 
 yet this Indignation is never fo certainly at the 
 height, as when Men have provoked it as long as 
 they could : It is moft mifcrable therefore to make 
 our laft morions within the command of fuch a hor- 
 G i riblc 
 
88 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 riblePit, left they prove only the ftruggles of fink- 
 ing Men : yet this .we muft do, if we are not before 
 got out of it. There is much greater, hope (how bad 
 foever their Condition may be) to them, who are yet 
 in the hand of patience lifting and 
 Rom. 2. 4. leading them to Repentance, and 
 
 2 Pet. 3. 9. do net defpifi it^ but account it 
 
 Salvation. 
 
 Objection 6 ThisDoclrin does not favor enough 
 of the Grace of the Gofpel, that would have all Men 
 come to Repentance. 
 
 Arifw. To difcourfe the Severities of the Gofpel, 
 to the ends of the Gp.fpel, is moft Evangelical Dif- 
 courfe. For as the Gofpel doth with all clearnefs 
 declare irs own Rigors, that Men might not miftake 
 it, for a loofe and carelefs Dodtrin, and fo mifs the 
 Salvation of it ; fo have I difcovered the great ha- 
 zird of a Dying Repentance, that Living Men might 
 be perfwaded not to calf themfelves upon it, and 
 Dying Men excited to an Action fuitable to the ex- 
 tremity of their Cafe. 
 
 And this is indeed preaching the Gofpel ; and to 
 
 be moved upon it tvitbfearjo prepare an Ark^to the 
 
 favmg our Souls before the flood 
 
 tiib. n. 7. come, is as true an effed of Faith, 
 
 as to be cor:frainedby love to live 
 
 2 Cor. 5.14. to him, that hath died for us. I 
 
 fay as true, and gives us a Title to 
 
 the Inheritance, of the Rjghtcoujnejs, which is by 
 
 F.-rr 2 together with the other. For the Prudence 
 
 of Fait!) makes us appreheniive of the Reafons of 
 
 Danger, and fo to Fear, even as the Gratitude of it 
 
 r:es us with 'the Obligations of Love. This is not that 
 
 Fear that Love caft* out, but that it fclf quickens, 
 
 and 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 89 
 
 and is alfo both quickncd and guarded by ir : nor is 
 it the bondage, but the wifdem of Fear* Rom. 8. I 5. 
 Job 28. 28. 
 
 Objection 7. But is the general Judgment of Di- 
 vines thus ? 
 
 Anfwer. All judicious Divines are very tender of 
 binding the Prerogative of Grace, or clipping off 
 the Araon of Men towards God, 
 even at this time; in Obfervation See, be fides the 
 whereof I have defired to be cau- concurring 
 tious herein alfo : But in their cau- Jud^yncnt of 
 tions againlt Prefumption, their t / je faticnts 
 Expreflions amount to the utmolt Bifoop An- 
 I have fpoken. drews Sermons 
 
 on Repentance. Dr. Hammond and Dr. Taylor in 
 their Ireatifes of this Point. Bolton, Dyke, &c. 
 
 Infer. 1. Butfetting afide the whole danger of 
 a Death-Bed %epentance^ Let me now lallly thus 
 reafon, and thus expoltulate ; Why fhould we de- 
 fire to Repent fo late ? It is good to be betimes do- 
 ing that which is mod comporting with our trueit 
 Happinefs ; Reconciliation with God, return to Him, 
 his Favour, to obey Him ; thefe are the trueit Free- 
 dom and Peace of a Man at all times : Great Peace 
 have they which love thy Law.and 
 nothing Jlo all offend them. He lives Pfal. 119. T65. 
 in the leaft pain, that lives holieit ; 
 I made hafte therefore and delayed Pfal. 119. 60. 
 not to keep thy Commandments ; I 
 feized upon' fo great an Enjoyment, as foon as I 
 could, afraid to be ktpt off from it too long. 
 
 To fear God and keep his Commandments is the 
 
 whole duty of Mm^ Ecclef. \%. 13. When a Man 
 
 G 4 confi- 
 
go Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 confiders Life, and that he hath but a Moment of it, 
 and that therefore he would live that Moment, as 
 much as may be he;fhall find the higheft of Life, the 
 top of Life to be Godlinefs, which hath all the promi- 
 fes of this life , and of that which is to come^ i Tirrv 
 
 To purfue this World, and the Vanities of it is 
 not only with greateil folly, and impertinency to 
 J^nch our felves in a great Veflfel, the Greatnefs of 
 our Affedtion; and with folemn Preparations, our 
 ftrongeft Adiion, into the low water, the (hallow of 
 Life ; which becaufeit cannot carry fo great a bulk, 
 mcreafes theToyl and Vexation, as wellasenhanfes 
 the Vanity and Folly of doing nothing at fo great 
 an expenfe : But worfe than this, it is the loading 
 our felves with guilt under a delufion of Fleafure ; 
 that gives us fecret difquiet and torment, while we 
 are laying it on;and cannot be laid down as we pleafe; 
 but with more fenfibleand induftrious Anguifh,than 
 we heap'd it upon us, I mean, the fenfe of our mif- 
 doings, and Contrition for them, fo neceffary to 
 svorl^ Repentance. 
 
 To conclude, Seeing £0 die is the end of all Men, 
 Ecclef. 7. 2. Repentance is to be chofen whi'e we 
 live, that we may die with the greateft quiet; with- 
 out thofe Agonies of Confcience, thafe cold Sweats, 
 thofe linking Eyes, and fainting Spirits ; for he dies 
 with mod eafe, that molt furveys Death, and looks 
 into all the Retirements of it before-hand; that 
 knows it perfe&ly, and all its ftrength ; fuch an 
 pnQ governs himfeJf in it, as in a molt important 
 Action with Decency and Freedom. He is not hal'd 
 by Death, but received by it : into 
 JLuke 23, 46^ thy hands I common my fpirit;hp 
 X lays 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 91 
 
 ays himfelf orderly into the (hade of Death: Where- 
 as fo long adherence to the Pleafures of Sin gives 
 Death a Violence. It makes Men both unwilling, 
 ?md afraid to die. This night thy Soul {hall 
 be required. Life is exadted of a Luke 1 2. 20. 
 Senfualift, and torn from him, that 
 is refigned by a Spiritual and Mortified Man ; Good 
 Men die in an active Senfe, they know Jiow to die ; 
 others die paffively, they are forced to die. 
 
 This great difference prefers to us Dying daily, 
 before that forcible Dying at once. 
 
 The wifdom of Dying was accounted by Heathens 
 one of the worthy Bufinefles and Imployments of 
 Life, and that required much ftudy. Chriftianity 
 gives us the true Rules of it, and they lie in waiting 
 till our change come ; Time is 
 fhort, they therefore that ufe this 1 Cor. 7, 29. 
 World, fhould not ufe it down to 
 the Bran, fenfually ; but only take the advantages 
 of it to a higher Life : Elfe being met on the fudden 
 by Death, they are like thofe that fall off from Life 
 \vith Violence, that is, Headlong; but they that 
 live in the Senfe of God, and an Eternal Condition, 
 alight with care and eafe. 
 
 It is therefore not only grenteft Safety, but trueft 
 Frugality and Improvement of Life to Repent be- 
 times; and when we come to die, the eaheft and 
 fweeteitway of dying. Not indeed a Dying, bur a 
 Tranflation into Immortality and Bleffednefs. 
 
 Inference 2. Seeing the Wife, and their works are 
 all in the hand of God ; and that he giveth Wifdorn 
 to the Wife Man's Heart, to difcem both Time and 
 judgment ; and not to be taken as Fifhes in an evil 
 Net, and as Birds in a Snare, when it fills fudden- 
 
92 Of a Death-Btd Repentance. 
 
 upon them, having not kjiown their time ; Let us 
 molt humbly commit our feives to Him by earned 
 feeking his Grace in the Redeemer, in whom all his 
 Grace is Treafur'd up ; Thus by the Efficacy of his 
 Spirit we fhall know in our day, the things of our 
 Peace, that they may not be for ever hid from our 
 Eyes; we fhall feel^ the Lord, while he is to be 
 found, and call upon him while he is near : And fo 
 fhall be fecured from having the Door /hut upon us. 
 
 Infer. 4. This m~y be to us a clofe and determi- 
 native Teft in this point of Death Bed Repentance ; 
 If our Repentance be fuch, and fo real ; that it is 
 not aL^pofProfeiliononly, but Oyl in thcVef- 
 fel, that will bear up the going forth to meet the 
 Bride-Groom ; and that we are ready, and have not 
 our Oyl to Buy, but can enter with Him into the 
 Wedding, before the Door be flout $ This, how late 
 foever it may feem, is Repentance to Salvation, 
 and not to be Repented of, and fhall be with Chrifi 
 an Paradife: 
 
 Such a Repentance, when the Spirit goes out of 
 the Body, will be before-hand entred into that 
 within the Veil ; whether the fore -runner being 
 for us entred Minifters in the Holy of Holies, not 
 made with Hands ; in that Sanctuary, which 
 the Lord hath pitched, and not Man ; in that 
 more perfect Tabernacle > that is to fay, not of 
 this Building ; a High-Prieft for ever, after the 
 Order of Melchifedec ; a Saviour to the utmofl, 
 or to All Perfection* He fills up with the valew 
 of his own Sacrifice and Interceffion, and by the 
 Power of his Endlefs Life, whatever is wanting 
 in the Repentance, He hath given ; either in re- 
 gard of its Valew as being fo Late, and in the Re- 
 
 fufe 
 
Of a, Death-Bed Kefentxnce. 93 
 
 fufe ofLife;orofthe deep Rooting and Habituation, 
 or of the abundant Fruits : and having Apprehend- 
 ed, the Spirit He enables it in a Moment, in the 
 -twinkling of an Eye, every way enables it to Ap- 
 prehend that ftate of Holinefs, which agrees to 
 the Refurrection of the Dead; firit in the Life of Spi- 
 rits with Himfelf ; then in the Raihng the Body 
 Incorruptible. For this appertains to his Melchi- 
 fedecian Priefl-hood, wherein He is now ; and 
 wherein He is King of Righteoufnefs, Kj*£ °f 
 Peace, a Prieft fet down on the Right Hand of the 
 Majefty on High. 
 
 If therefore the Repentance be fuch, as He, as 
 this Great Prince hath given ; There is in it a Com- 
 ing to God by Him, and then his Solvation is to 
 all Perfection to it ; For as going into the Heavens 
 in his Spirit, He took in his Paffagethis Prey, the 
 Dying Malefaclor out of the Mouth of the Lyon; 
 So as Hepleafes, out of the fame Power, the power 
 of the Dog , He refcues thofe Souls that he h.uh 
 made dear to Himfelf; for He living ever, quickens 
 whom He will, and He can by his Spirit (eal 
 this his Grace in a Moment. 
 
 For this Great High Priefl-Hood, being the 
 Eternal Priefl-Hood of Chrift ; whatever is faid 
 of Him, as a High-Priefl, muil be faid of Him, 
 as tin's High-Priefl, which He is alvvay, or with- 
 •out leait Intenniffion : And as fuch an High-Priefl 
 therefore it is, that Wtfuccours the Tempted , be- 
 ing in Alh things Tempted, as we are, yet with- 
 out Sin ; now even as his Great Temptation was 
 at Death ; yet without the Sin of having defer- 
 red his flro>rr Cries and Supplications to Death, 
 though then" He was moft Earneft: He can there- 
 fore 
 
94 Qf a Death-Bed Repent awe. 
 fore Succour, and be infinitely Companionate, 
 even to thofe who are Tempted, though with, and 
 in this Sin of having delayM Repentance to the 
 laft. They therefore, whom He gracioufly moves 
 to it, may come, even then, boldly to the Throne 
 of Grace, and obtain Mercy, and find Grace, 
 even in this juft Seafon, and as it were indi/ifible 
 Point of Time : Thefe Things I write, that we 
 may not Sin this Great Sin of Delaying our Re- 
 pentance to the laft ; But if any Man do fo Sin, 
 we have this Great High-Prieft over the Hottfe 
 of God; an Advocate, and a Propitiation; and 
 if fuch a one be under his Charge, and given to 
 Him by God, He is a Faithful and a Merciful 
 High-Prieft : He is therefore Faithful, becaufe Mer- 
 ciful to make Reconciliation, and to Succour 
 in fo great a Temptation, as even This is : This 
 He can do, becaufe He is a Fore runner within 
 the Veil; and by his Blood appears, as he that 
 hath obtained Eternal Redemption, a Redemption 
 always ready. 
 
 This is the great Security and Cordial againft 
 the Fear of Death in general, to the Saints and 
 Servants of Chrift ; and if by its Hyfcr-Pleonafm, 
 its exceeding Abundance, and Affluence, it may 
 and does over-flow to fome, upon whom the 
 Grace of Chrift Abounds, much more where 
 Sin hath fo much Abounded: How great is this 
 Miracle of Grace ! But who ? How few are they 
 who (hall thus Live ? whom God and Chrift will 
 pleafe to make thus to Live , When it is come 
 to this ; for if they are Few that are Saved, how 
 much feve* are tht? Saved, at this laft Point. 
 
 Strive 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 95 
 
 Strive then to enter betimes at the flrait Gatetfor 
 many (hall then Jeek; at la ft of any lime ffo 
 enter in, and (hall not be Able. 
 
 There is too much of ( efpecially the Death- 
 Bed ) Repentance , at is Repentance of the 
 Lamp only, that makes a (hew only ; that is but 
 only of this World, and from beneath ; which is 
 able for once to give or yield a fair and lightfome 
 Fla(h at parting with the World : But becaufe 
 without a Treafure to Enter into an Eternal Du- 
 ration , That which is but a Lamp, fails in the 
 very time of Tryal, and becomes a Lamp put 
 out in obfcure Darknefs. Let your Lamps be 
 always Shining, and your Lights Burning, fuch 
 as are Able to be always fo, and fo to Shine even 
 into Eternity. 
 
 Infer. 5. From what hath been fpoken con- 
 cerning the Great Mourning and Repentance, that 
 fliall be before the End of this ftate of the World; 
 even before the pouring out of the Vials, in that 
 Miraculous ftate of Things, that (hall be after the 
 Apoftacy ended, and the Kingdom of Chrift in Sue- 
 ceffion ; I conclude there ftiall be a Death-Bed Re- 
 pentance of the World, if I may fo call it; but after 
 that, vh(* in the time of the Vials we read of no 
 Repenting, but a Repenting not ; no more than in 
 the ftate of ' Everlafting Vunijhment, in oar ge- 
 neral Apprehenfion of that State : even as He that 
 is Righteous, (hall be Righteous ftili, that is, for 
 ever Righteous, and in no poflibility of for ever 
 Falling from it ; any more than from the Glory, 
 and Happinefs- -of Eternity, in our General No- 
 tion of that State* 
 
 And 
 
()6 Of a Death-Bed Repentance. 
 
 And this ftrongly Argues to us the Poflibili- 
 ties of a Death-Bed Repentance ; feeing all the 
 Prejudices that lie upon and againft a Death-Bed* 
 Repentance now, lie againft that late Repentance 
 of the World; but yet it limits and guards againft 
 the Ordinarinefs and Eafinefs of a Death-Bed 
 Repentance in General; in as much as this late 
 Repentance is in a miraculous ftate of things, 
 vtify of the Sprit poured out ; of fuch a Glori- 
 ous Kingdom of Chrift come into its Succefli- 
 on ; and at the time when our Lord fhall immedi- 
 ately Come in his Kingdom* 
 
 But then at the fame time is cut off all poffibi- 
 lity of Repentance after this Seafon of Repen- 
 tance ; For as foon as the time of the Vials en- 
 ters, all poflibility of Repentance is fore-doom'd, 
 as hath been faid. 
 
 Now this Late Repentance fhall be ex- 
 cited and ftirred up to by the Preaching of the 
 Everlafling Go/pel ; and of this there were two 
 great Symbols or Figures given in the very 
 firft Appearance of the Gofpel, w% f the Apoftle- 
 Jhip of Paul, who was, as hath been obfer- 
 vcd, Born out of due Time into that High 
 MiJJioni agreeable to which is the Preaching of 
 the Everlafting Gojpel: and the Repentance of 
 the Dying Malefatlor, juft as Chrift was en- 
 iring into his KJngdom ; And they are each 
 a Hypotypofis, or Pattern for them who (hall 
 Hereafter Believe on Him to) Life Everlafting; 
 and Repent with the Repentance to Salva- 
 tion, 
 
Of a Death-Bed Repentance, 7 5 
 
 tion, never to be Repented of; and efpecially 
 at that Great Futurity of the Coming and King- 
 dom of Chrift, or the Coming of Chrifi in his 
 Kingdom. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 Books Vrinted for, and Sold by William 
 Miller ^ at the Acorn in St. Paul'i 
 Church-yard, where Gentlemen or others 
 way be furnijhed with the befi Collections, 
 either in whole or in part, taking all the 
 State-Matters, Church-Government, Ser- 
 mons, Divinity or Humanity. 
 
 In Folio. 
 
 Assemblies Annotations, in two Vol, 
 Ainfworttis Annotations. 
 Book of Martyrs, in three Vol. 
 Ben. Johnfins Play, Bartho!omefV-¥a\r. 
 
 . His Sraple of News. 
 
 . ■ -Devil is an Afs. 
 Boyle's Wall- Flower. 
 
 Charlton s Phifiologia, oraFabrick of Science, Na- 
 tural upon the Hypothecs of Atom?. 
 
 Down* 
 
( 9«) 
 
 Dotvnham of Juftification. 
 
 Extravagant Shepherd, the Anti- Romance. 
 
 Elton on the ColoJJians* 
 
 Gufinan's Life. 
 
 Goad's Aphorifms and Difcourfes of the Bodies Ce- 
 
 leftial. 
 Spanifh Baud. < 
 Herbert's Travfefe. 
 Heylin's Cofmography. 
 Heywood of Angels. 
 
 -His Love and Revenge, a Romance* 
 
 Jones on the Hebrews. 
 
 * His Reports. 
 
 pellet's Mifce.Uanies of Divinity 
 
 Lloyd's Memoirs. 
 
 Orlando Furiofo. 
 
 Partem on the Revelations. 
 
 Pryn's Hiftory of King John. 
 
 Hamfeys Attrology. 
 
 Reconciler of the Bible. 
 
 Violet's Propofals. 
 
 Venn's Military Difcipline. 
 
 Ward on Mathew. 
 
 Bifliop JVilkjns's Real Charaders. 
 
 Wilkt's Sinopjis Papifmi, on Gene fis and Exdouu 
 
 In Quarto. 
 
 Allin's Scripture Chronology. 
 Arraignment of the whole Creature. 
 Barclay's Argenis, with the Cuts. 
 Ball againft Cam of Separation. 
 Bolto?i's Works. 
 Bslmon's Pieces. 
 
 Baxter's 
 
(99) 
 
 Baxters Works. 
 
 Brisket's Difcourfe of a Civil Life. 
 
 Blunfs Voyage to the Levant. 
 
 Lord Bacons Effays. 
 
 Cradock's Knowledge and Pra&ice. 
 
 Clark's Life of 'William the Conqueror. 
 
 Black Prince. 
 
 Sir Francis Drake. 
 
 Cooler's Heaven Opened^ Rom. 8. 
 
 ■ Life and Death. 
 
 Carpenters Pragmatical Jefuit, a Comedy. 
 
 Declaration ot Nufances in Cities/Towns 
 and Corporations, by Four Famous 
 Sages of the Common-Law, Mounfon^ 
 Vlo7vden>MamvGod\ with the Refbluti- 
 on of the Judges of Affize. 
 
 Dod on the Commandments. 
 
 ■ On the Sacrament. 
 
 On the Lord's Prayer. 
 
 Dike on the Heart. 
 
 Digges Te&onicon, or the Art of Mea- 
 suring. 
 
 Eupbues Anatomy of Wit. 
 
 Englijh, Spanijh, Pilgrim, by Wadfworth. 
 
 ' Second Part or further Obfervations. 
 
 EJfexs Ghoft. 
 
 Englift Villain. 
 
 Extravagant Shepherd, a Comedy. 
 
 H Galllnnas 
 
( ioo ) 
 
 Gullimeas Midwifry. 
 
 Goftj or the Woman wears die Breeches. 
 
 Heywood\ Life of 'Henry die Fourth. 
 
 ■ Life of Edward the Sixth. 
 
 Hooker's Souls Preparation for Chrift. 
 
 ■ Souls Humiliation. 
 
 Souls Ingrafting in Chrift. 
 
 Souls Exaltation. 
 
 Hiftory of King Arthur. 
 
 Hiftory of Precious Scones. 
 
 Jackfons Concordance to the Bible. 
 
 Kilhgreivs Confpiracy, a Tragedy. 
 
 Leigh's Saints Reft. 
 
 Meretoris Sermon before die King. 76 
 
 Me dice cur a teipfum, or the Apothecaries 
 
 Plea againft Dr. Christopher Merret. 
 Du Moulin s Moral Reflections on the 
 
 Number of the filed. 
 
 Appeal. 
 
 Conformity of the Difcipline and 
 
 Government of Independents, to that 
 
 of the Ancient Primitive Chriftians. 
 * Account of the feveral Advances 
 
 the Church of Eniland hath made to- 
 
 wards Rome. 
 Papifts Younger Brother, or the Vilenefs 
 
 of Quakers dete&ed. 
 Syuier oil the fhejjalonians. 
 
 Strut her, 
 
c 1CI ; 
 
 ^Struther, on King David's Choice. 
 Sibbs his Fountain opened. 
 Thomas of Reddings Hiftory. 
 Tarhons Jells. 
 Fifliing-Tables. 
 
 Sir Hen. Vanes Retired Mans Meditations. 
 Voyage of the Wandring Knight. 
 Weemes Works. 
 
 Webft.er, The Judgment Set, the Books 
 Opened. 
 
 15795. A CotteBion of State-Matters, in 
 all Volumes, as, 
 
 C T S of Parliament. Anfwers for 
 and againft one another. Advices. 
 Apologies. Army for and againft. Ap- 
 peals. Animadveifions. Articles of War 
 and Peace. Allarms. Accounts. Addref 1 
 fes. Agreements. Arguments. Almanacks. 
 Billiops for and againft. Charges of 
 High-Treafbn. Confiderations. Collecti- 
 ons of Papers. Chara&ers. Conferences. 
 Commiffions. Cafes. City Affairs. Ca- 
 talogues of all forts. Decrees. Declarati- 
 ons. Defires. Difcourfes. Difcoverers. 
 . Dialogues. England, ieveral fores Englifb. 
 Fights, divers. France. 
 
 H z Good 
 
( ■ 102 ) 
 
 Good Old Caufe. Grand Cafes. Great 
 Britain. Hue and Cries. Hiftories. Im- 
 peachments. Jnftrudions. Ireland. Inte- 
 reft:. Divers Informations. Kings. Knights. 
 Lifts. Levellers. Letters. Majeities. Me£ 
 "(ages' and Anfwers. Lilbome^ Trads. 
 Mercuries. Monarchy. Myfteries. Me- 
 morials. Murders. News of moft forts, 
 as alio to fupply Gentlemen that want 
 any New-Year s-Gifts. Needhams Trads, 
 Narratives. New England, no Proteftant 
 Plot., all the Grants, Obiervations, Or- 
 ders^ Ordinances. 
 
 Parliament., for and againft. Procla- 
 mations. Plots. Protections. Plain Eng- 
 lijh Proverbs. Problems, Politick Powers. 
 Propofitions. Pleas. Prefent States. Pro- 
 ceedings. Papery Petitions. Peace. Princes. 
 Trads/ Queitions. Queries. Relations.Re- 
 ply. Realbns. Reprelent^tions. Royalifts 
 Defence. Refolutions. Replications. Re- 
 monftrances. 
 
 SedgjinchStrafford. StztesStubbs. Speech- 
 es. Tiya's." Travels and Voyages. Trea- 
 dles, Tnnfadions. Triumphs, Treafon. 
 Tefts for and againff Votes of Parliament. 
 Vox tofuli, Cceli) Regis D Dei. CivitasVlebis 
 tilitis Cidmantis. Vindication. Victories. 
 War. Warnines. •' 
 
 3578. 
 
 
( -io* ) 
 
 357^- Church-Government and Divinity. 
 
 Articles of Religion. Vlficatiori. Bag- , 
 flaws. Burtons. Baxters. Bayly. Baptifm for 
 and againft ir. Callings. Cotton. Craftons. 
 Cannes. Confeflions of Faith isveral. 
 Church Affairs. Cafes. Bifcourfes. Dia- 
 logues. Duties. Exhortations. Ecclefiafti- 
 cal Difcipline. Edward's Epifcopacy. 
 
 Forms of Church-Government. Forms 
 of Prayer. Gallajpie. Gilbert. GerrejGauden. 
 Goodwins. Heylins. Hammonds. Hall. Inde- 
 pendency. Indigencies. King James. 
 
 London -Minifters, Liberty of Confci- 
 ence. Liturges for and againft. Mother. 
 Marten. Majefties. Non-Conformift. New- 
 England. Owens Ordination, for and a- 
 gainft. Tear [on. Pleas. Presbyter}'. Propo- 
 T<ds."Pagitt. Tenington. Injur cclons. Queries. 
 Queftions. Reformation. Reafon. Replies. 
 Synod of Don. Articles. Sacrament/ SnteEfc 
 ymnus. Smith. Sherlock. Sprat. Sufferaga 
 of the Divines of Great Britain. Stewart. 
 Scandalous Minifters,. Saltmarfl. Sabbath, 
 for and againft. Taylors Teftimonies> 
 Toleration, Tythes . for and againft, 
 Vindications. Uflers. Vicfars. Whitfield. 
 Wickens. Warmfiry. Wilkms. \V ' thficr. Wal- 
 ker. Several Tradts. 
 
 H 3 3472- 
 
( *°4 ) 
 
 5471, Sermons on mo ft Occafions,as, Affizes, 
 Anilleiy., Chriftmafs, Paflion., Reiiirre- 
 dion, Funerals, Feafts, Fifths of No- 
 vember, Confecration, Thirtieth of Ja- 
 nuary^ Twenty ninth of May, Latine 
 Vificatiori, Weddings., &c. 
 
 Ails bury y Andrews, Abbot , Adams, AJhe, 
 Arrowfmith, Alefry, Annefiley, Baxter, Bur- 
 net , Burroughs, Bould, Beveridge, Burgefs, 
 Boiide, Bridge, By field, Burton, Barker: Brin- 
 fey, Bagnes, Bolton, Bagjhaw, Benefield, 
 BgwIcs, Bayley, Brookes, Barnes. 
 
 Calamy, Cleynell, Cooper, Clarke, Caryl, 
 Cafe, Cotton, Carter, Carpenter, Coleman, 
 Bifhop of Chefier, Cawdrys. Dod and Cla- 
 ver, Dells j Downame,Duglas , Duppa, Donne, 
 Dike Durham. EJhiicke, Edwards, Ellis , 
 Elborrcugh, Bifhops of Ely, Exeter. 
 
 Father s : Fair cloth, Feat ly , Fuller, Fullwood, 
 Ford, Fawkner, Farmer, Freeman, Flower. 
 Goodwins, Gatakers, Gouges, Gores, Gee, 
 Glanvill, Gardiner, Griffeth^ Gauden, Gell y 
 Gregory, Geree, Gilbert, Good, Gillajpie, 
 Homes, Holdfworth, Hiring, Hodges, Hor?res, 
 Hickeringalls, Hefketh, Hughes, DcXn Har- 
 dys y Hcnderfn, Herle ? Horton T Bifliop cf 
 Hertford. 
 
 jfoynes, 
 
C 105 ) 
 
 Joynes, Jackfon, Je/fop, Jenkins, Ja- 
 combs, John/on , J earns, Knell, King, Ken- 
 tiflj, Kidder. Love, Lawrence, Laud, Lojid, 
 Littleton^ Lincoln, Locker, Lyford, Bifhop 
 of London, Light foot. Marjhall, Mede, 
 Maynard, Mocket, Maine, Merit en, Ma- 
 fin, Moore, Meggott, Neivcomen, Ne<vill, 
 Owen, Prefion, Palmer, Tierce, Toole, Pa- 
 trick, Reynolds, Reading, Ramfey, Rich- 
 ardfon, Randol, Rutherford. ■ 
 
 Sutton, St ought en, S terry, Scott, Spur- 
 flow, Bifhop Stillingfeet , Strong, Smith, 
 Sibbs, Bifhop Sheldons Sermons for Fire., 
 and Ninth of September $ Slat or, Staunton, 
 Seaman. Taylor, Temple, Turner, A. Bifhop 
 Tillotfon, Bifhop Uflier, Valentine, Vinnes, 
 Vennings Vifitation. IVheatley, Whitaker, 
 Wat Jon, Wilkinfon, Woodcocks, Walker, War- 
 ren, Ward, White. 
 
 5695. Humanity of Several Sorts, as, 
 Hufbandry, Hi/lories, Laiv^ Lilly, L"'Eftrang, 
 Thyfick and Surgery, Playes. Poetry, Pcpery 
 for and againft, Prophefies, Schools, : Sea, 
 Trade, UJury and Witchcraft Books, &C. 
 
 158. Catechifms of fevcral Sorts. 
 
 H 4 Otla-vo 
 
( io6 ) 
 
 OBavo Large and Small. 
 
 ARcana of Aftrology , 
 Archer's every Man his own Dod- 
 A New Light to Alchymy. 
 Ball's Catechifm. 
 
 Burroughs Spots of the Godly and Wicked. 
 Bernard's Seven Golden Candlefticks. 
 Bctekrs Art of War. 
 Bagfiaws Rights of the Crown. 
 Bumvorth of the French Difeafe. 
 Bradlefs Grounds of Chriftian Religion, 
 Br am hall's Loyal Prophet. 
 Enfeoffs Life. 
 Bafire of Sacrilege. 
 Baxters Cain and Abel. 
 Betto de Ortu & Natura Sanguinis. 
 Beverly's Great Sotd of Man. 
 Countels of Arundel's Secrets. 
 Childrens Dictionary, Latin and English 
 Continuaticnof hhThilip Sidney's Arcadia. 
 CGtton on the Covenant. 
 Bi/hopZW«Ws Abftrad on Command, 
 Drake Revived. 
 Dent on the Revelations. 
 ■ — — of Repentance. 
 Drake's Bar to Sacrament. 
 Daphnis and Chloe, a Romance. 
 Bn'iblems Divine, Moral., Natural and 
 HtftoriQaJ, Ench- 
 
( i<>7 ) 
 
 Enchiridion of Fortification. 
 
 Epcuruss Morals. 
 
 Elboroiv on the Common-Prayer. 
 
 Feme on the Romans. 
 
 Fenariuss Epiftlcs. 
 
 Fort Royal of the Scriptures. 
 
 Franclin's Orthologia. 
 
 Grace leading to Glory. 
 
 Gouge's Word to Sinners and to Saints. 
 
 — >- Catechifm. 
 
 Gundebert, a Poem. 
 
 Government of the Tongue. 
 
 How's Delighting in God. 
 
 — Bleffednefs of the Righteous. 
 
 — Marks of Salvation. 
 
 Ho f tons Concordance of Years. , 
 
 Holiday's Satyr on Juvenal. 
 
 Hoofer on the Commandments. 
 
 Heywood's Dialogues and Dreams. 
 
 Hill's Cateches or Principles of Religion, 
 
 Hiftory of the Great Mogul. 
 
 Hipocrates Aphorifms. 
 
 Herbert's Child bearing Women. 
 
 Hume's St^dhH Chriftian : Being a Per- 
 ivvafive to Conftancy in the True Fro- 
 teftant Religion, againft all Objedions 3 
 Temptations^ Oppofitions and Sollici- 
 •pations to the contrary. 
 
 Harringtons 
 
( io8) 
 
 Harringtons Art of Law-giving. 
 
 Heath's King Charles the Second's Glory. 
 
 « Loyal Englifh Martyrs. 
 
 Hiftory of Dapbms. and Cbloe, Thorny. 
 
 Juan de L/^Spanifh and Engliih Gram- 
 mar. 
 
 Jufiini Hiftoria. 
 
 Jewel's Golden Cabinet of Treafure. 
 
 Idol of the Clowns: Or Wat the Tyler. 
 
 Janua Linguarnm Refer at a. 
 
 Knotty s Rudiment of the Hebrew Gram- 
 mar. 
 
 ■ — Parable of the Kingdom of Heaven. \ 
 
 Kerhuel Eloque Rbetorick. 
 
 Lower de Corde. 
 
 Latin Apprentice made Free-man. 
 
 Loves Dominion. 
 
 Lucius Florus in Englifh. 
 
 Lefpnes Three Treatifes of Comfort to 
 the Sick againft the Fears,of Death, of 
 the Refurre<9ipn. 
 
 Ladies Calling. 
 
 Merry Drollery Compleat : Or, a Col- 
 lection of Jovial Poems, Merry Songs 
 and Witty Drolleries. 
 Monarchy Afferted, in a Conference at 
 White-hall, with Oliver late Lord Pro- 
 te&or^ and a Committe of Parliament. 
 
 Moral 
 
( i°9 ) 
 Moral Philofophy. 
 Moriforis Everlafting Gofpel. 
 Matthews s ' Miflia Magnified. 
 Ttiomenclatura Grammar, Lat. and Engl. 
 Natural and Artificial Conclufions. 
 Nafmith's Divine Poem. 
 Ovidii Epifiola'y Lat. 
 
 ■ Art of Love, Englifh. 
 
 De TriflibW) Englifh. 
 
 Ramfey of Poyfon. 
 
 Ranfbm of Time, being .Captive. 
 
 Roxana Tragadia. 
 
 Solomons Proverbs,, Latin and Englifh. 
 
 Scudders Chriftians daily Walk in Holy 
 
 Security and Peace. 
 Smittis David's Bleffed Man. 
 — — David's Repentance: 
 School of Vertue. 
 Shake/peer's Rape of Lucrece. 
 Shepheard's Office of Conftable, 
 Sharp's Art of Midwifery, 
 Sheltoris Tachygraphy., Latin.- 
 Syntaxis Erafmiana. 
 Touch-ftone of Truth. 
 Tallei Rhetorick. 
 Times Silver Watch-Bell. 
 Tymme's Defcrfption of Jerufalem. 
 
 Templum 
 
(no) 
 
 Temflum Muficum : Or the Mufical Sy- 
 
 nopfis. 
 Ward of Wit, Wifdomand Folly ^defcrib- 
 
 ing the Nature, Uie and Abufe of the 
 
 Tongue and Speech. 
 
 Twelves Large and Small. 
 
 ARiftotles Art of Rhetorick. 
 Bifhop Andrews s Pattern ofCate- 
 chiftica. DoeLrin. 
 
 Abbot's Young Klans Warning-piece. 
 
 Ars Aulica or Courtiers Art. 
 
 Amejius ds Ccnjcientia. 
 
 Coronis. 
 
 ' — Medulla Theohgia. 
 
 Bellarmine's Enervatus. 
 
 Abernethie's Dignity and Duty of a Chri- 
 ftian. 
 
 Bolton s Prayers/— Helps to Humiliation. 
 
 Bradfliaw and Hilderfham on the Sacra- 
 ment. 
 
 Barclai Foemata. 
 
 Euphorm — Argems. 
 
 Brinjlefs Rule of Life. 
 
 St. Bernards Meditations. 
 
 Lord Bacon of Life and Death. 
 
 Qorbefs Self Implbyment. " 
 
 Corbjns 
 
(Ill) 
 
 Corbyns Call to the Unconverted. 
 Bifhop Coopers Two Treadles. 
 Dialogues between the Lord and the 
 
 Soul. 
 Carpenter's Wicked Politician. 
 Cottons None but Chrift. 
 Capel of Temptations. 
 Coral and Steel their Vertue. 
 Cato Major of Old Age. 
 Clark's Looking-glals for Perfecutors. 
 . Duty of every one that intends to be 
 
 Saved. 
 
 Comfort. 
 
 Life of Mrs. Clark. 
 
 -Phrafes. 
 
 Formula Oratorio. 
 
 Combachii Metaphyficorum. 
 
 Dent's Path- way to Heaven. 
 
 Do&rin of the Bible. 
 
 Englifh and French Cook, Compleat. 
 
 — Didionary. 
 
 Father's Bleffing. 
 
 - — ; Legacy. 
 
 Fettiplaces Chriftian Monitor. 
 
 — His holy Exerciies of Heavenly Graces. 
 
 — Sinners Tears. 
 
 Fullers good Thoughts in bad Times. 
 
 Granada of Prayer and Meditation. 
 
 Golden Mean. 
 
 Garden 
 
(112) 
 
 Garden of Spiritual Meditations,, or 
 
 Flowers 
 Gar butt on the Refurre&ion. 
 Help to Prayer. 
 Hinfiaw's Meditations. 
 Holy Sinner. 
 Hiftory of the Bible. 
 Heavenly Academy. 
 Herfo Wifdom's Tripos. 
 Help to Prayer. T. V. 
 Hiftory of Thieves. 
 Inftru&ions for Noblemen. 
 Jtfferies New-Years Gift 
 Ignoramus. 
 
 Countefs of Kent's Manual. 
 Kings Works in French. 
 Lzacb's Grammar Qiieftion. 
 
 Grain of Salt. 
 
 Lucius Servius's Serious Paftima 
 
 Lucius Florii Stadii. 
 
 Lejfiuss Right preferving Life and Health 
 
 "to Old Age. 
 Martial's Epigrams^ Busbey. 
 Mothexs Bleffing. 
 
 • Legacy. 
 
 Midnight's Trance. 
 
 Moral Pradice of the Jefuits. 
 
 Meditations Divine and Moral. Tuck. 
 
 Nordens 
 
(II?) 
 
 Nordens Poorman's Reft. 
 
 Penfive Mans Pradice. 
 
 Oxford Jefts. 
 
 Owens Epigrams. 
 
 Practice of the Faithful. 
 
 Tarrs Abba Father. 
 
 Pra&ice of Piety. 
 
 YinKs Tryal of a Chriftian Growth. 
 
 Yrefion on the Sacrament. 
 
 Dodrin of Saints Infirmity. 
 
 Yacii Lcgica 'Rudiment a. 
 
 Pelhams Meditations. 
 
 Yetter's Legacy to his Daughter. 
 
 The Tryal of Sheriff Cornifc in Folio. 
 
 18956. Broad Sheets. 
 
 Rich's Pen's Dexterity in Short hand. 
 Divine Examples of God's Severe 
 Judgments upon Sabbath-Breakers., in 
 their Unlawful Sports : Collected out of 
 feveral Divine Subje&s, w&. H. B. Mr. 
 Beard \ and the Tract ice of Yiety. ATfic 
 Monument for our prelent Times. 
 
 A Brief Remembrancer, : Or, The 
 right Improvement of Cbrifk's Birth-day. 
 ^ A Second Sheet of \)ld Mr. Dodis 
 Sayings : Or, Another Poiie gather'd out 
 of Mr. Dodd's Garden. 
 
 Hunting 
 
(H4 ) 
 
 Hunting for Money, the Firft Part. 
 < — Match for Money. The Second Part. 
 
 Vennings Allarm to Unconverted Sin- 
 ners. 
 
 Mufe's Fire-works upon the Fifth of 
 November : Or, The Proteftant Remem- 
 brance 
 
 Perkins's Whole Duty of Man. 
 
 Mr. Richard Baxter's Serious Sayings 
 concerning the great duty of Charity. 
 
 Bifhop Hall's Sayings concerning Tra- 
 vellers to prevent Popilh and Debauched 
 Principles. 
 
 R/irrhyiM/jlja Cahfta : A Poem in praife 
 of Punch. 
 
 21459. Other Broad Sheets 3 and Sheets 
 on feveral Subjects. 
 
 12796 — As alfo in Half flieets. 
 
 FINIS.