Five sermons preached upon sundry especial occasions Viz. 1 The sinners mourning habitFiue sermons preached vpon sundry especiall occasions Viz. 1 The sinners mourning habit

I repent.

Repentance hath much acquaintance in the world, and few friends: it is better known then practised; and yet not more known, then trusted. My scope, now, shall not be the definition of it, but a persuasion to it. It is every mans medicine; an universal Antidote, that makes many a Mithridates venture on poison. They make bold to sin, as if they were sure to repent. But the medicine was made for the wound, not the wound for the medicine. We have read, if not seen, the Battle betwixt those two venomous creatures, the Toad and the Spider: where the greater, being over-matched with the poison of the less, hath recourse to a certain herb, some think the Plantain; with which she expels the infection, and renews the fight: but at last, the herb being wasted, the Toad bursts and dies. We suck in sin, the poison of that old Serpent, and presume to drive it out again with Repentance: but how if this Herb of grace be not found in our Gardens? As Trajan was marching forth with his army, a poor woman solicited him to do her justice upon the murderers of her only son. I will do thee Justice, woman, says the Emperor, when I return. The woman presently replied; But what if my Lord never return? How far soever we have run out, we hope to make all reckonings ⟨p. 14⟩even, when Repentance comes: but what if Repentance never comes?

Repentance hath much acquaintance in the world, and few friends: it is better knowen then practised; and yet not more knowen, then trusted. My scope, now, shall not bee the definition of it, but a perswasion to it. It is euery mans medicine; an vniuersall Antidote, that makes many a Mithridates venture on poyson. They make bolde to sinne, as if they were sure to repent. But the medicine was made for the wound, not the wound for the medicine. Wee haue read, if not seene, the Battell betwixt those two venimous creatures, the Toad and the Spider: where the greater, being ouer-match'd with the poyson of the lesse, hath recourse to a certaine hearbe, some thinke the Plantane; with which shee expells the infection, and renewes the fight: but at last, the hearbe being wasted, the Toad bursts and dies. Wee sucke in sinne, the poyson of that old Serpent, and presume to driue it out againe with Repentance: but how if this Hearbe of grace bee not found in our Gardens? As Traian was marching foorth with his armie, a poore woman sollicited him to doe her iustice vpon the murderers of her onely sonne. I will doe thee Iustice, woman, sayes the Emperour, when I returne. The woman presently replyed; But what if my Lord neuer returne? How farre soeuer we haue runne out, we hope to make all reckonings