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

But Sinners still please themselves in this, That God has effectually called some at the last hour, and they may find the same favour with others. To this I answer.

1. 'Tis true we have some rare admirable instances of God's Mercy and Grace; the dying Thief, and some others, ⟨p. 135⟩which show 'tis possible with God to abolish the most vicious confirmed habits in a short time, and by a swift Conversion to prepare a Sinner for Heaven. But these Examples are not to be drawn into Consequence, for the encouragement of any in their Sins. A Prince will not endure that his^* free Favours should be made a Law to him, and the special Privilege of some be extended to all. As Thales said, an old Mariner that has escaped the various dangers of the Seas, was a new Miracle; so that one who has lived an obstinate Sinner dyes a penitent Believer is very rare and extraordinary. What our Saviour said concerning the Salvation of rich Men, is justly applicable in this case, that it was as easy for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle, as for a rich Man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. This so astonished the Apostles, that they cried, who then can be saved? To mitigate the difficulty, he remembers them of the Divine Omnipotence, All things are possible with God. Thus for one that has been fitting himself for Hell, and hardened in a constant course of Sin, to be at last suddenly prepared and received into the pure and glorious ⟨p. 136⟩Society above, is possible, but possible only as Miracles are, by the efficacy of infinite Power, and we cannot reasonably expect such Miracles. And are Heaven and Hell such trivial things as to be left to an uncertainty? Are not Men concerned in an other manner in the Affairs of the World? How careful to prevent the sentence of Death, of Imprisonment or Banishment? How diligent to obtain some temporal Advantage? yet how neglectful in things of the highest importance? It may be, says the secure Wretch, God will give me Repentance at last as he did to others. Remember you speak of the