The Sincere Convert

4. That if men do not thus within this cut of time, when Death hath dispatched them, judgement only remains for them; that is, when their doom is read, their date of repentance is out, then their sentence of everlasting death is passed upon them, that never can be recalled again. And this is judgement after death. He that judgeth himself (saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 11. 31.) shall not be judged of ⟨p. 75⟩the Lord. Now wicked men will not judge and condemn themselves in this life, therefore at the end of it, God will judge them. All natural men are lost in this life, but they may be found and recovered again; but a mans loss by death is irrecoverable, because there is no means after death to restore them, there is no Friend to persuade, no Minister to preach, by which Faith is wrought, and men get Christ; There is no power of returning or repenting then, for night is come and the day is past: Again, the punishment is so heavy, that they can only bear wrath, so that all their thoughts and affections are taken up with the burden. And therefore Dives cries out, I am tormented. Oh that the consideration of this point might a waken every secure sinner. What will become of thine immortal soul when thou art dead? thou sayest, I know not, I hope well. I tell thee therefore that which may send thee mourning to thy house, and quaking to thy grave, if thou dyest in this estate, thou shalt not ⟨p. 76⟩dye like a Dog, nor yet like a Toad; but after death comes judgement; then farewell Friends, when dying; and farewell God for ever when thou art dead.

4. That if men doe not thus within this cut of time, when Death hath dispatched them, judgement onely remaines for them; that is, when their doome is read, their date of repentance is out, then their sentence of everlasting death is passed upon them, that never can be recalled againe. And this is judgement after death. Hee that judgeth himselfe (saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 11. 31.) shall not be judged of ⟨p. 75⟩the Lord. Now wicked men will not judge and condemne themselves in this life, therefore at the end of it, God will judge them. All naturall men are lost in this life, but they may be found and recovered againe; but a mans losse by death is irrcoverable, because there is no meanes after death to restore them, there is no Friend to perswade, no Minister to preach, by which Faith is wrought, and men get Christ; There is no power of returning or repenting then, for night is come and the day is past: Againe, the punishment is so heavy, that they can onely beare wrath, so that all their thoughts and affections are taken up with the burden. And therefore Dives cryes out, I am tormented. Oh that the consideration of this point might a waken every secure sinner. What will become of thine immortall soule when thou art dead? thou sayest, I know not, I hope well. I tell thee therefore that which may send thee mourning to thy house, and quaking to thy grave, if thou dyest in this estate, thou shalt not