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fees them hearty and fincere. But as they feldom are fo, when made and profeffed by Ha #bitual Sinners in the time of their =Sicknefs (as often appears upon their Recovery) 'tis very pertinent to instruct them, in the words of BP. Andrews. This fafhion of Repenting, I can fay little to; But I pray God, it deceive us not. It is not good trying Conclufions about our Souls.

However, if fuch Men are fo unhappy, as never to have Repented till their laft Sickness, they must do what they can; and are to feek for Repentance, with the bitterest even now " Tears. Though they perceive that they are in the gall of bitternefs, and in the bond of iniquity, yet let them endeavour to Repent of this their Wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the Thoughts of their heart may be forgiven them.

But

But these are not the Perfons, to whom I am now Addreffing my felf; but it is to fuch, as have long before in the time of Health, repented of their Sins with true Contrition; and have brought forth fruits meet for Repentance.

We are therefore to enquire; What is it, that thefe Pious Perfons are to do, in the time of Sicknefs, and on the Approach of

Death?

I Answer:

They are not now to begin their Repentance; which we suppose to have been the practice of their former Life, but they are to perfect and compleat it. Which they are to do in this Method.,

1. They are to make an humble Confeffion of their Sins.

2. They are to beg Pardon for their Sins, for the fake of Jefus

Chrift.

3. To

3. To make firm Refolutions of Reformation and Amendment; if God fhall pleafe to continue their Lives, and restore them to their Health2

4. The Sick Perfon is to evidence the truth of his Repentance, by Charity, and Reftitution.

Charity is expreffed, 1. in Gi

ving. 2. Forgiving.

Of Charity in Giving, (theNature, the Neceffity, and the Measures t) I have large ly treated in A Theological Difcourfe of Wills and Teftaments. To which refer. Concerning Charity in Forging, the Sick Man is thus Admonished in the Order for the Vifitation of the Sick: To be in Cha rity with all the World. Particularly he is exhorted, 1. To forgive from the bottom of his heart, all Perfons that have offended him. 2. If he have offended any other, to ask them forgiveness.

2

These are the Parts or Steps of Repentance, which are ftrictly to be Examined and Practifed, by the Sick and Dying Perfon.

C

Of Confeflion of Sins.

Onfeffion of Sins is a neceffary Part of your daily Prayers and as fuch ought to be the constant uninterrupted Practice of your whole Lives. But when Death approacheth, and that you are preparing for your laft and great Account; then it highly concerns you to be punctual and particular in the Confeffion of your Sins.

And having recollected, as exactly as you can, the former Paffages; most humbly Confefs all the Sins and Failings of your Life past.

And for your Direction and Encouragement, in the Performance of this neceffary Duty, I fhall tranferibe feveral Places of H. Scripture,

I

Scriptures concerning Confeffion of Sin.

Will arife and go to my Father, and will fay unto him, Father, I have finned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son. Luk. 15. 18, 19.

O my God, I am afhamed and blush to lift up my face unto thee, my God; for mine iniquities are increafed over my head, and my trefpafs is grown up unto the heavens. Ezr. 9. 6.

But I will declare mine iniquity; I will be forry for my fin. Pfal. 38. 18.

For I acknowledge my Tranfgreffrons, and my Sin is ever before me. Pfal. 51. 3.

I acknowledge my fin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid: I faid, I will confefs my tranfgreffons unto the Lord,and thou forgaveft

the

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