A65293:296
The Doctrine of Repentance
The doctrine of repentance, useful for these times by Tho. Watson ...
London: printed by R.W. for Thomas Parkhurst, 1668
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
A mans personal day of grace may expire.1 What if that time should come, wherein God should say, the Means of Grace shall do no good; Ordinances shall have a miscarrying womb, and dry breasts. Were it not sad to adjourn Repentance till such a decree came forth*? 'Tis true, no man can justly tell that his day of grace is past; but there are two shrewd signs by which he may fear it.
- 12.
- *Currat poen•tentia, ne praecurrat sententia. Chrysologus.
1. When conscience hath done preaching. Conscience is a bosom-Preacher; sometimes it convinceth, sometimes it reproves: It saith as Nathan to David, Thou art the man. But men imprison this Preacher, and God saith to conscience, preach no more: He that is filthy, let ⟨p. 123⟩him be filthy still. This is a fatal sign a mans day of grace is past.
2. When a person is in such a spiritual lethargy, that nothing will work upon him, or make him sensible. There is [Greek or Hebrew], the spirit of a deep sleep poured on him, Isa. 29. 10. This is a sad presage his day of grace is past. How dangerous then is it to delay Repentance when the day of grace may so soon expire!