The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

4. Consider how uncomfortable it is to delay Repentance till Age and Sickness, when the Fruits of it are not so evident and acceptable. In evil days and the approaches of Death, 'tis very hard to discover the sincerity of the Heart, whether Repentance proceed from holy Principles, whether the sorrow then expressed be Godly for Sin, or merely natural for Punishment; whether the good resolutions be the effects of a 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 cold, revived by the Fire. The inordinate Affection that seemed mortified, when the sensitive Faculties were disabled for carnal Enjoyments, may have inward Life, and will soon be active and vigorous in the presence of Temptations. And that a Death-bed Repentance ⟨p. 133⟩is usually deceitful, appears from hence, that not one of a thousand who recover from dangerous Diseases, are faithful in performance of their most sacred Vows to God. How many having a Sentence of Death in themselves, and under the terrors of the Lord, have expressed the greatest detestation of their Lusts, and resolved (as they thought sincerely) that if God would spare them, to reform their ways, to become new refined Creatures, exemplary 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 having been supperest only by fear, are more fierce in their return. Their Hearts were as Marbles that in rainy Weather seems dissolved into Water, but 'tis only from the moisture of the Air, and remain as hard as ever. All their promises of Reformation are ineffective, as violent and void. Now if these Persons had died before this visible trial and discovery, they had past into another World with the reputation of true Penitents, deceiving others with their Prayers and Tears, and liberal Promises, the outward signs of Repentance, ⟨p. 134⟩and deceived themselves by the inward workings of an alarmed Conscience. Therefore Ministers ought to be very circumspect in applying the Promises of Mercy to Persons in such a state: for an error in that kind has fearful Consequences.

4. Consider how uncomfortable it is to delay Repentance till Age and Sickness, when the Fruits of it are not so evident and acceptable. In evil days and the approaches of Death, 'tis very hard to discover the sincerity of the Heart, whether Repentance proceed from holy Principles, whether the sorrow then exprest be Godly for Sin, or meerly natural for Punishment; whether the good resolutions be the effects of a 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 seemed dead in the cold, revived by the Fire. The inordinate Affection that seemed mortified, when the sensitive Faculties were disabled for carnal Enjoyments, may have inward Life, and will soon be active and vigorous in the presence of Temptations. And that a Death-bed Repentance