A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…

O lay to heart the long time you have lived in sin, and in enmity to God^t; the short time you have to live in the world; that Death makes no Converts, and Sickness but a few: Consider what mercies and deliverances you have received from this good God; and how little true service you have done him, and whether it be not now high time ⟨p. 245⟩to turn unto him with your whole heart and not feignedly. If that Holy man would not be in an unregenerate state but one hour for all the world, left he should dye in that hour, what is your pillow, or rather your heart made of, that you can sleep so long in a state of Condemnation? To be born in sin is sad, but to live and dye in sin, will prove a thousand times worse. Remember that the destroying Angels began, at the Ancient men before the house, Ezek. 9. 6.

1. tI repent of all my life, but that part I have spent in communion with God, and in doing good. Dr. Donn• on his Deathbed.

Its true, late Repentance is seldom true, but yet true Repentance is never too late. O then lay all business aside, and set your selves about the New creature. Now or never, now and ever. If you turn the deaf ear unto God now, beware lest he deny you either the space, or the grace to repent hereafter; lest he answer you, Ubi consumpsisti farinam, &c. where thou hast spent the flour of thy life, there bestow the bran of it. Take warning by that Penitent in story, who had often determined to begin his Amendment from some eminent time, as the First day of the year, or his Birth day, that so his Repentance might have some Remarkable date; but when that Time came, he was ready to adjourn it till another time: Who thereupon ⟨p. 246⟩