A25466:783
Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /
Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume / by several ministers in and about London, preached in October, 1689.
London: printed by James Astwood for John Dunton, 1690
Sermon 9: Quest. What's the danger of a death-bed Repentance? SERMON IX.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. If they can work repentance in themselves why do they not do it sooner? Why do they defer it so long when they cannot deny but one time or other it must be wrought? Is it a fit return to God for the goodness he hath shown them all their days, to live in sin all their days and turn to him when they can live no longer in it? Or will it be an acceptable answer to him, when he calls them to a reckoning, that they had not served sin long enough, nor had their fill of their lusts, or else they would have turned to him sooner?
4. If they can work repentance in themselves why do they not do it sooner? Why do they defer it so long when they cannot deny but one time or other it must be wrought? Is it a fit return to God for the goodness he hath shewn them all their days, to live in sin all their days and turn to him when they can live no longer in it? Or will it be an acceptable answer to him, when he calls them to a reckoning, that they had not served sin long enough, nor had their fill of their lusts, or else they would have turned to him sooner?
5. And how many be there who to encourage themselves in their present impenitency, and the enjoyments of their sinful pleasures, fancy they can turn themselves when they please; yet if God open their eyes, and awaken their Consciences, and they begin in good earnest to set themselves to labour after repentance, they are soon convinced of the hardness and deadness of their Hearts and their utter disabilities to such a work, and are fain, in spite of all their high thoughts, and conceits of themselves to look up to God, and implore his assistance, and depend upon him for the working of that grace in them which they fondly imagined they could work in themselves?
5. And how many be there who to encourage themselves in their present impenitency, and the enjoyments of their sinful pleasures, fancy they can turn themselves when they please; yet if God open their eyes, and awaken their Consciences, and they begin in good earnest to set themselves to labour after repentance, they are soon convinced of the hardness and deadness of their Hearts and their utter disabilities to such a work, and are fain, in spight of all their high thoughts, and conceits of themselves to look up to God, and implore his assistance, and depend upon him for the working of that grace in them which they fondly imagined they could work in themselves?