2. Consider how many thousands have died in their Sins,1 and of them great Numbers cherished fallacious Hopes of repenting at last. Diagoras the Atheist, that denied a governing Providence of things in this lower World, the Sphere of Mutability, when one for his Conviction showed him in ⟨p. 108⟩the †Temple of Neptune many votive Tables, containing the grateful Acknowledgements of those who by Addresses to the Gods in dangerous Storms, had arrived safe at their Ports; and asked him, Whether he had observed those numerous Testimonies for Divine Providence? He replied, I see them; but how many having invocated Neptune,3 yet perished in the Ocean, and never came to pay their Vows for Deliverance? 'Twas Impiety in him to argue so against God's disposing Providence; but it may be justly said to those who neglect their present Duty, presuming upon some Examples of his glorious Goodness on those who were converted and saved in their approaches to Death. How many have finally miscarried in shooting that Gulf, to one that has arrived safe at Heaven? How many that presume, upon their Youth and Strength, to delay Repentance, are suddenly cut off? the first Symptom of their Sickness is Death. And what the Angel with such solemnity declared, that Time should be no more, is verified concerning them by an unexpected Dissolution. How many, when sick, hope either by the Vigour of Nature, or the Virtue of Medicines, ⟨p. 109⟩to overcome the Disease? and this Hope is cherished by the mortal Kindness, the cruel Deceit of Friends, who are unwilling to discover their Danger, lest their Spirits should sink under the apprehension of it. And thus deluded, many never see Death till they feel it, and perish for ever in their Impenitence. How many that are guilty and graceless, when distant from Death and Hell but a few hours, yet from Atheism are secure as Jonah, who slept in the midst of a Tempest at Sea? The Tenor of their Lives discovers this to be Divine Vengeance, they are seized by a Spirit of Slumber, and pass without fear into the State of everlasting Desperation. How many are deceived with the appearance of Repentance, and mistake a false Peace for a true, and assuage the anguish of Conscience by palliating Remedies? Their Sorrow for Sin, their Prayers, their Resolutions of Reformation, are the product of servile Fear, that is ineffectual to Salvation:
2. Consider how many thousands have died in their Sins,1 and of them great Numbers cherish'd fallacious Hopes of repenting at last. Diagoras the Atheist, that denied a governing Providence of things in this lower World, the Sphere of Mutability, when one for his Conviction shewed him in ⟨p. 108⟩the †Temple of Neptune many votive Tables, containing the grateful Acknowledgments of those who by Addresses to the Gods in dangerous Storms, had arrived safe at their Ports; and ask'd him, Whether he had observ'd those numerous Testimonies for Divine Providence? He replied, I see them; but how many having invocated Neptune,3 yet perish'd in the Ocean, and never came to pay their Vows for Deliverance? 'Twas Impiety in him to argue so against God's disposing Providence; but it may be justly said to those who neglect their present Duty, presuming upon some Examples of his glorious Goodness on those who were converted and saved in their approaches to Death. How many have finally miscarried in shooting that Gulph, to one that has arrived safe at Heaven? How many that presume, upon their Youth and Strength, to delay Repentance, are suddenly cut off? the first Symptom of their Sickness is Death. And what the Angel with such solemnity declar'd, that Time should be no more, is verified concerning them by an unexpected Dissolution. How many, when sick, hope either by the Vigour of Nature, or the Virtue of Medicines, ⟨p. 109⟩to overcome the Disease? and this Hope is cherish'd by the mortal Kindness, the cruel Deceit of Friends, who are unwilling to discover their Danger, lest their Spirits should sink under the apprehension of it. And thus deluded, many never see Death till they feel it, and perish for ever in their Impenitence. How many that are guilty and graceless, when distant from Death and Hell but a few hours, yet from Atheism are secure as Jonah, who slept in the midst of a Tempest at Sea? The Tenour of their Lives discovers this to be Divine Vengeance, they are seiz'd by a Spirit of Slumber, and pass without fear into the State of everlasting Desperation. How many are deceived with the appearance of Repentance, and mistake a false Peace for a true, and asswage the anguish of Conscience by palliating Remedies? Their Sorrow for Sin, their Prayers, their Resolutions of Reformation, are the product of servile Fear, that is ineffectual to Salvation:
- 1Vix dici potest quantos haec inanis spei umbra deceperit. Aug.
- †Tull.
- 3Tully.
