Chrysostom thought it the fittest subject for him to Preach upon before the Emperor Arcadius. And Austin caused the Penitential Psalms to be written before him as he lay upon his Bed, and he did often peruse them with tears*. Repentance is never out of season; it is of as frequent use, as the Artificers Tool, or the Soldiers weapon. If I am not mistaken, practical Points are more needful in this Age, than Controversial and Polemical. I had thought to have smothered these ⟨image 3⟩Meditation▪ in […] De•k, but […] […] to be of great concern in thi• […] of time, I have rescinded my first resolution, […] have exposed them to a critical view. Repentance is Purgative; fear not the working of this Pill. Smite thy •oul (saith Chrysostom) smite it, it will escape death by that stroke. How happy were it if we were more deeply affected with sin, and our eyes did swim in their Orb. The waters of Repentance though they are troubled, yet Pure, where we may clearly see the Spirit of God moving. Moist tears dry up the rheums of sin, and quench the wrath of God*. Repentance is the Cherisher of Piety, the Procurer of Mercy*. The more regret and trouble of Spirit we have at our first Conversion, the less we shall feel afterwards. The greater Fine is paid, the less Rent. Christians have you a sad resentment of other things, and not of sin? Worldly Tears fall to the earth, but godly tears are kept in a bottle, P•alm 56. 8. Judge not holy weeping superfluous. Tertullian thought he was born for no other end but to repent*. Either sin must drown▪ or the scull burn. Let it not be said, Repentance is difficult. Things that are excellent deserve ⟨image 3⟩[…]*. Will not a man dig for Gold in the […], though it makes him swea•*. It is better to go with difficulty to Heaven, than with •ase to Hell. What would the […] give might they have an H• rauld sent to them from God to proclaim mercy upon their repentance? What Volleys of sighs and groans would they send up to Heaven, what floods of tears would their eyes pour forth, but it is now too late*. They may keep their tears to lament their folly, sooner than to procure pity. O that therefore while we are on this side the Grave, we would make our peace with God. To morrow may be our dying day, let this be our repenting day.
Chrysostome thought it the fittest subject for him to Preach upon before the Emperour Arcadius. And Austin caused the Penitential Psalms to be written before him as he lay upon his Bed, and he did often peruse them with tears*. Repentance is never out of season; it is of as frequent use, as the Artificers Tool, or the Souldiers weapon. If I am not mistaken, practical Points are more needful in this Age, than Controversal and Polemical. I had thought to have smothered these ⟨image 3⟩Meditation▪ in 〈…〉 De•k, but 〈…〉 〈…〉 to be of great concern in thi• 〈…〉 of time, I have rescinded my first resolution, 〈…〉 have exposed them to a critical view. Repentance is Purgative; fear not the working of this Pill. Smite thy •oul (saith Chrysostome) smite it, it will escape death by that stroke. How happy were it if we were more deeply affected with sin, and our eyes did swim in their Orb. The waters of R•pentance though they are troubled, yet Pure, where we may clearly see the Spirit of God moving. Moist tears dry up the rheumes of sin, and quench the wrath of God*. Repentance is the Cherisher of Piety, the Procurer of Mercy*. The more r•gret and trouble of Spirit we have at our first Conversion, the less we shall feel afterwards. The greater Fine is paid, the less Rent. Christians have you a sad resentment of other things, and not of sin? Worldly Tears fall to the earth, but godly tears are kept in a bottle, P•alm 56. 8. Iudge not holy weeping superfluous. Tertullian thought he was born for no other end but to repent*. Either sin must drown▪ or the scul burn. Let it not be said, Repentance is difficult. Things that are excellent deserve ⟨image 3⟩
- *Possidon. in vit. Aug.
- *Fletûs imbre exstinxit Petrus fulmen irae divinae. Brugensis.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Chrysost de Poenit.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Chrysost de Poenit.
- *Peccato• omnium •otarum cùm sim▪ nec ulli rei nisi poenitentiae natus. Ter•. de […].Peccato• omnium •otarum cùm sim▪ nec ulli rei nisi poenitentiae natus. Ter•. de 〈…〉.
- *Superas• evadere ad auras hoc opus, &c. Virgil.
- *[Greek or Hebrew] Plutarch.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Plu•arch.
- *Post mortem non d• tur poenitentiae locus. Tertul. con•. Deme•r.
