The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

A. 1. Repentance is the gift of God, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh, Jam. 1. 17. And therefore ought to be accepted by us, when it is offered to us; and not to be delayed, and put off from time to time. For as God is merciful to offer Grace, so he is just to punish the neglect thereof.

2. How many are there, who though they have fully resolved to repent, and turn from their sins unto God in their old age, or in the time of sickness, yet have been prevented, and cut off by some sudden death? One drunken fit may cut off that hope. How many instances have there been in the world, of men that have died Drunken? Some Drunkards have been twice dead at once, dead drunk, and drunken unto death, carried away from the Ale-bench to their Graves, and thence to the ⟨p. 82⟩Judgment. And what if it should be so with thee? where is then thine after-repentance?

And how many that have over-lived their drunken fits, have been deprived of the use of their senses, and understanding, in the time of their sickness, and so have died senseless? And how many, who though they have lived to old age, yet have been more hardened against Repentance, than in their Youth? which cometh to pass through the just Judgment of God. For what can be more righteous, than that they should be left to forget God when they are old, who would not remember him in their Youth? And this the Lord himself threateneth, Prov. 1. 24. &c.

And how many that have over-lived their drunken fits, have been deprived of the use of their senses, and understanding, in the time of their sickness, and so have died sensless? And how many, who though they have lived to old age, yet have been more hardened against Repentance, than in their Youth? which cometh to pass through the just Judgment of God. For what can be more righteous, than that they should be left to forget God when they are old, who would not remember him in their Youth? And this the Lord himself threatneth,