3. Repentance; Its said of St. Augustine, that he dyed with tears in his eyes, in the practice of repentance; and Posidonius saith of him, that he heard him often say in his health,1 that it was the fittest disposition for dying Christians and Ministers. Laudatos (saith he) Chistianos & sacerdotes absque digna & competenti paenitentia exire de corpore non debere. We dye groaning, i• regard of our bodies, why should not our souls sigh that ever they sinned against so good a God! Beasts bite their enemies with more venom and indignation, when they are ready to dye; Maxim mortiferi solent esse morsus morientium animali•m. The Christian should give sin his most deadly bite, his greatest abhorrency, and grief, and shame, when he is dying, and shall never see sin, or sorrow, or shame more. As its noble and excellent to dye, forgiving sinners, so also taking revenge upon sin. Moses a little before his death, is commanded to avenge the Children of Israel of the Midianites; and then he is gathered to his people, Numb. 31. 1, 2. Samuel takes vengeance on Agag, when he was old, and knew not the day of his death; David could not dye with comfort, till he had charged Solomon to execute that justice on Joab which he had omitted. The last time the Judge seeth the Felon, he passeth sentence of death upon him. O how should the soul of a dying Saint be inflamed with anger against sin, when he considers the rich love that it abuseth, the glorious name that it dishonoureth, the blessed Saviour that it pierceth, and that vast happiness which he is going to possess, of which without infinite grace and mercy it had deprived ⟨p. 644⟩him! Some persons when they have been to take their last revenge on their enemies, have done it to purpose. The believer on his dying bed, takes his last revenge on sin, he shall never have another opportunity to show his love to his God and Saviour in, his spite at, and hatred of sin; therefore then he should do it to purpose, as dying Sampson put forth all his strength, and beg divine help, that he may utterly destroy it, and be avenged on it, for all the defilement and bondage it hath brought on his soul, and dishonour to his Saviour. Dying Jacob cursed the sins of his own Sons, Cursed be their wrath, for it was fierce, and their anger, for it was cruel; O my Soul, enter not thou into their secrets.
3. Repentance; Its said of St. Augustine, that he dyed with tears in his eyes, in the practice of repentance; and Posidonius saith of him, that he heard him often say in his health,1 that it was the fittest disposition for dying Christians and Ministers. Laudatos (saith he) Chistianos & sacerdotes absque digna & competenti paenitentia exire de corpore non debere. We dye groaning, i• regard of our bodies, why should not our souls sigh that ever they sinned against so good a God! Beasts bite their enemies with more venome and indignation, when they are ready to dye; Maxime mortiferi solent esse morsus morientium animali•m. The Christian should give sin his most deadly bite, his greatest abhorrency, and grief, and shame, when he is dying, and shall never see sin, or sorrow, or shame more. As its noble and excellent to dye, forgiving sinners, so also taking revenge upon sin. Moses a little before his death, is commanded to avenge the Children of Israel of the Midianites; and then he is gathered to his people, Numb. 31. 1, 2. Samuel takes vengeance on Agag, when he was old, and knew not the day of his death; David could not dye with comfort, till he had charged Solomon to execute that justice on Ioab which he had omitted. The last time the Judge seeth the Felon, he passeth sentence of death upon him. O how should the soul of a dying Saint be inflamed with anger against sin, when he considers the rich love that it abuseth, the glorious name that it dishonoureth, the blessed Saviour that it pierceth, and that vast happiness which he is going to possess, of which without infinite grace and mercy it had deprived ⟨p. 644⟩him! Some persons when they have been to take their last revenge on their enemies, have done it to purpose. The beleiver on his dying bed, takes his last revenge on sin, he shall never have another opportunity to shew his love to his God and Saviour in, his spite at, and hatred of sin; therefore then he should do it to purpose, as dying Sampson put forth all his strength, and beg divine help, that he may utterly destroy it, and be avenged on it, for all the defilement and bondage it hath brought on his soul, and dishonour to his Saviour. Dying Iacob cursed the sins of his own Sons, Cursed be their wrath, for it was fierce, and their anger, for it was cruel; O my Soul, enter not thou into their secrets.
- 1Posidon in vit. Aug.
