The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

2dly. Consider what Sincerity or moral Value is in Religion that merely proceeds from bitter Constraint? 'Tis a Rule in Law, Falsum est eam peperisse, cui mortuae filius extractus est: 'Tis not a natural Birth when the Child is extracted from the dead Mother: 'Tis not genuine Piety that is extorted by the rack, whilst the Heart full of Reluctancy does not truly consent: Pure Religion flows uncompelled from Love to God; 'tis the Dregs that come forth with pressing. 'Tis observed of the Israelites, ¹that when God slew them, they sought him, and returned and enquired ⟨p. 97⟩early after God. But 'tis added, Nevertheless they did flatter him with their Mouths, and they lied to him with their Tongues; for their Hearts were not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his Covenant. How often does Experience convince us of the Inefficacy of a Sickbed-Repentance? How many that were very devout and mournful with one Foot as it were in the Grave, and another in Hell, and were as a Brand plucked out of the Fire; yet when the Fear of Death is removed, all the Terrors of Conscience, the religious Affections that were felt and expressed by them, vanish as the Morning-Dew? Now converting Grace is distinguished by its radication and efficacy, not only from the mere Pretences of those who know their own Insincerity, but from the real Workings of Conscience, and the imperfect Dispositions to Good that are in the Unrenewed. And those Persons who with the return of Health, have returned to their Sins, if they had died with their religious Resolutions, would have presumed, that their Repentance was unto Life, and of their Interest in the Divine Mercy. The Heart ⟨p. 98⟩is deceitful above all things, and above all things deceitful to it self. Besides, when Sinners are plunged in deep Distress, when the shadow of Death sits upon their Eye-lids, they may with plentiful effusions of Tears desire God to receive them to Heaven, not to see and praise his adorable Excellencies, not to please and glorify him for ever, but as a Sanctuary from revenging Justice, a Refuge from Hell. And will such Prayers prevail? What swells the Confidence of Sinners, but unworthy Notions of God, as if a forced and formal Confession of their Sins could deceive his all-discerning Eye; and Desires merely terminated on themselves, were sufficient to reconcile his offended Majesty?