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ed with his th and abhor e it, as being Vilenefs and e of it: and both Opportunito commit it, yet it, because God fuch a Man his Sin. Ability and mmit fome nly fuppofe , but also fation in the World;

1

If you truly Repent, you shall be Happy; but if you do not truly Repent, you must be miferable.

To pretend to Repent, Or, to make Profeffion of Repentance upon a Sick and Dying Bed, is fo common a Practice, that he must needs be very Atheistical, or very ftupid, who fhall not do .it.

But now, Is this Profeffion of Repentance true and fincere? Do you truly Repent, or do you

not?

How fhall this be known? How fhall we determine this great Concern?

Now herein we are fully inftructed by John the Baptift. Matth. 3.8. When the Pharifees and Sadducees came to his Baptifim, he gives them this plain and faithful Admonition: Bring forth fruits meet for Repentance; that is, fuch Fruits, fuch Effects, as may evidence the Truth and

Sincerity of Repentance.

Indeed much hath been faid, by Men of different Perfwafions, concerning this Matter. But in fhort, the Nature of Repentance doth confift in this.

Repentance is an actual Forfa+ king of Sin, occafioned by a preceding Change and Renovation of the Mind.

When a Man, who was formerly much delighted with his Sin, doth now loath and abhor it, fhun and forfake it, as being convinced of the Vilenefs and deftructive Nature of it: and though he hath both Opportunity and Ability to commit it, yet doth not do it, because God hath forbidden it; fuch a Man doth truly Repent of his Sin.

But now, fince Ability and Opportunity to commit fome Sins, doth not only fuppofe Health and Vigor, but alfo Freedom of Converfation in the

World;

World; how fhall a Sick Man, who is confined to his Bed, and hath neither the Ability -nor Opportunity to commit his Sin; I fay, How can fuch a Man have the comfortable Satisfaction that he doth Repent of his Sins To this I Answer:

I must be fo faithful to my Office as to Declare; That Repentance is the Work of our whole Lives, and must not be deferr'd till the time of our Death.

Some Men talk of Repentance, as if it were a Thing that might be done in a few Days, when they please; and that the most proper Seafon for Repentance, is a little before their Death.

But this is a moft fatal Mistake, and it is a feasonable Charity to Admonish against it.

Indeed the Mercies of God are infinite; and he may accept Refolutions of Amendment, for Amendment it felf; when he

fees.