5. Consider how uncomfortable it is to delay Repentance till Age and Sickness, when the Fruits of it are not so evident nor acceptable: In evil days, and the Approaches of Death, 'tis very hard to discover the Sincerity of the Heart, whether Repentance proceeds from Holy Principles, whether the Sorrow then expressed be Godly for Sin, ⟨p. 103⟩or merely natural, for Punishment; whether the good Resolutions be the Effects of permanent Fidelity, or of violent Fear, that will vanish, the cause being removed. When the Invitations to Sin cease, there may remain a secret undiscerned Love to it in the Heart, which is the Centre of Corruption, and Root of Apostasy. The Snake that seemed dead in the Frost, revived by the Fire. The inordinate Affections that seemed mortified, when the sensitive Faculties were disabled to carnal Enjoyments, may have inward Life, and will soon be active and vigorous in the Presence of Temptations. And that a Deathbed-Repentance is usually deceitful, appears from hence, that not one of a thousand that recover from dangerous Diseases are faithful in performing their most sacred and solemn Vows. How many having the Sentence of Death in themselves, and under the Terrors of the Lord, have expressed the greatest Detestation of their Sins, and resolved, as they thought sincerely, if God would spare them, to reform their ways, to become new Creatures, exemplary ⟨p. 104⟩in all Holy Conversation; yet the Danger being over, their Heats of Devotion expire as they revive, and their Lusts recover Strength with their Bodies, and being suppressed only by Fear, are more fierce in their Return. Their Hearts were as Marble, that in rainy Weather seems dissolved into Water, but 'tis only from the Moisture of the Air, and remains as hard as ever: When the Fear of Death is removed, all their Promises of Reformation are ineffective, as violent and void; all their religious Affections vanish as the Morning-Dew. Now if these Persons had died before this visible Trial and Discovery, they had past into the other World with the Reputation of true Penitents, deceiving others with their Prayers and Tears, and liberal Promises, the outward Signs of Repentance, and deceived themselves by the inward Workings of an alarmed Conscience: Therefore Ministers should be very circumspect in applying the Promises of Mercy to Persons in such a State;
5. Consider how uncomfortable it is to delay Repentance till Age and Sickness, when the Fruits of it are not so evident nor acceptable: In evil days, and the Approaches of Death, 'tis very hard to discover the Sincerity of the Heart, whether Repentance proceeds from Holy Principles, whether the Sorrow then express'd be Godly for Sin, ⟨p. 103⟩or meerly natural, for Punishment; whether the good Resolutions be the Effects of permanent Fidelity, or of violent Fear, that will vanish, the cause being removed. When the Invitations to Sin cease, there may remain a secret undiscerned Love to it in the Heart, which is the Centre of Corruption, and Root of Apostacy. The Snake that seem'd dead in the Frost, revived by the Fire. The inordinate Affections that seemed mortified, when the sensitive Faculties were disabled to carnal Enjoyments, may have inward Life, and will soon be active and vigorous in the Presence of Temptations. And that a Deathbed-Repentance is usually deceitful, appears from hence, that not one of a thousand that recover from dangerous Diseases are faithful in performing their most sacred and solemn Vows. How many having the Sentence of Death in themselves, and under the Terrors of the Lord, have expressed the greatest Detestation of their Sins, and resolved, as they thought sincerely, if God would spare them, to reform their ways, to become new Creatures, exemplary ⟨p. 104⟩in all Holy Conversation; yet the Danger being over, their Heats of Devotion expire as they revive, and their Lusts recover Strength with their Bodies, and being suppress'd only by Fear, are more fierce in their Return. Their Hearts were as Marble, that in rainy Weather seems dissolved into Water, but 'tis only from the Moisture of the Air, and remains as hard as ever: When the Fear of Death is removed, all their Promises of Reformation are ineffective, as violent and void; all their religious Affections vanish as the Morning-Dew. Now if these Persons had died before this visible Trial and Discovery, they had past into the other World with the Reputation of true Penitents, deceiving others with their Prayers and Tears, and liberal Promises, the outward Signs of Repentance, and deceived themselves by the inward Workings of an alarmed Conscience: Therefore Ministers should be very circumspect in applying the Promises of Mercy to Persons in such a State;
