of it I come now to the second Proposal which is to 2. Head make inquiry seeing the case is thus as it every way appears to be how the name or notion of a Death-Bed Repentance as such an universal Refuge came up in the world for it is a new Repentanc◠much like Deut. 32 17. those new-come-up Gods Mosis speaks of that Christianity and the Gospel know not The Scriptures that treat most professedly of Repentance always insist upon it as a reformed course of Life to be undertaken even now while the proposals of Grace and Reconciliation are made to us and only by very silent intimations the track of which is hardly discerned leave it possible that God should by miracle save some very few out of the Fire and pull them as Brands out of the Burning by giving them Repentance at the last Whereas this is now become the only repentance in use and hath devoured the other as if to press men upon it were to torment them before their time and to lessen the validity of this were to take away the mercy of God and deny the Grace that is so free and universal Let us search therefore how this sort of Repentance hath come into such Repute And if we observe we shall find it first rising from the intimate sense the conscience hath of the necessity of Repentance For were it not so clear and evident a Duty a Death-bed Repentance had never been heard of most would choose to go out of the world as they have lived in it not suffering any degree of the trouble of conscience or vexing themselves with reflections upon an unholy and ill-spent life As men have chosen to live freely and uninterruptedly in forgetfulness of God and an Ier. 2. 32. eternal condition days without number so would they choose to dye were there not a Law within that however it hath lyen covered vvith the dust of sensuality yet is novv restored to its authority and urges the soul vvith the terror of punishment for so long disobedience And secondly this necessity of repentance though secretly understood yet vvas not sufficiently considered in the time of Health for had it been equally regarded it had not been novv to begin He that had rightly measured it vvould not for a thousand Worlds so have adjourned it These tvvo things then meeting so oft together viz. The necessity of Repentance and the neglect of it all along our life the necessity it should be performed some time ere men go out of the vvorld and the neglect of it in the freer opportunities of life These I say bring forth hasty motions of it at last For it losing nothing of its necessity by its delay it must be done as vvell as it may be at that time even as the last moments vvherein businesses of great consequence are to be dispatched press for expedition the more earnestly because they must be done then or never though it often falls out the time is so far past they suffer not only much disadvantage but even defeat by the delay The Notion of a Death-bed Repentance then vve may perceive rising from the great indisposition to repent vvhile the pleasures of sin are in their season and flourish and men in health and strength to enjoy them and from the necessities of Repentance falling upon them at the last and vvringing from them sometimes very high acknovvledgments of God and an eternal condition passionate expressions of the folly evil and vanity of former life Desires of mercy professions of strong resolvedness to serve God and if they had many lives to give God they vvould give them all All vvhich being so unusual to hear formerly out of such mouths and coming from Dying men for vvhose sayings vve have a natural regard Charity tovvards them and vvillingness to hope vvell of them gives these semblances the reputation of Repentance To vvhich may be added That those vvho are Guides and Seers in Religion too often errante Clave by too liberal an Absolution open the Kingdom of Heaven to such and taking the instruments of a foolish Shepherd to themselves heal the hurt of their souls slightly so that their Repentance is saincted here and though it miscarry in the other World yet the miscarriage is hid also in that other World From all this hath arisen a dovvn-right opinion of this kind of Repentance as the only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the prudent expedient that compounds tvvo so different Interests first that of a vvordly conversation to vvhich it gives no hinderance then that of eternal life in appearance because it assumes the promises of mercy to it self especially those gracious assurances in Ezek. 18. and Chap. 33. it reckons as made on purpose for it All vvhich argues a very vile sense of both the justice and mercy of God of his justice as if it had no authority of his mercy as if it had no sense of honour And lastly it is grovvn into a general expectation that hovvever ill and carelesly of God men have lived here yet they should go out of the vvorld vvith good vvords of him and religious professions as an Inbalm to their memory and a Dirge to their souls into the happiness of an everlasting condition Thus they call Repentance and Heaven after their Psal 49. 11 13 14 c. own name This their way is their folly yet their posterity men of like inclinations approve their sayings because such men as they speak go away like Lambs but as the Scripture says like sensless Sheep are laid in the grave and Death feeding upon them the error is not discovered till the morning when the upright have dominion over them that is infinitely excel them and their counterfeit Repentance which cannot stand in judgment nor they in the congregation of sincere penitents Now this account I have given of a Death-Bed Psal 19. Repentance obtaining among us is too comprehensive yet I must acknowledg That there are many whose Judgments are more enlightned and the sentiments of their consciences quicker than to be satisfied at so easie a rate who yet fall into the common unhappiness of not having repented till they come to dy I will therefore inquire further why many who are able to feel before hand the necessities of a speedy Repentance and also to draw their Death so near them as to dy dayly in the sense of death and thereby further perceive those necessities do not yet repent dayly but betray themselves to an Evening or Twilight Repentance The resolution of this lies not only in the immoderate love of sin and its pleasures and the too low apprehension of God and eternal things though these are always present in the case but chiefly it lies in the great confidence such men have in the present time not sensible of the continual waste of it Under the favour of which they put awa◠he evil day far from them and stretch themselves upon this moment Amos
21. 13 moment There is not a moment between the first and second death of the soul not a moment of life between not so much as of the life of natural conscience They are twice dead dead in the common Iude 12 corruption of Nature wherein they are born Dead Exo 15. 5 in the loss of natural Principles pulled up by the roots there 's nothing to quicken or move in them This 1 Sam. 2â— â—7 is the amazing Stupor They dy like a stone they plung down with the whole weight and force of impenitency This way of dying hath certainly greater punishment and heavier condemnatâ—on and though it seem more chooseable than a fruiâ—less Repentance yet doubtless Eternity makes a difference though not such an one as should give any one confidence to imbarque into it in a Coffin-Repentance But whether it be rather to be chosen or not this is past question It is unavoidable to some whether they will or no they are surpriz'd with thoughts what will become of them for ever and few men but have thoughts this way at such a time above ordinary But I intend to speak of the fairest and best spread Repentance that is found upon a Death-bed That which gives the liveliest Hopes of it self that it is true and sincere not such an one that to a serious Observer betrays it self not either that forced composure to the expectation of the world which looks for a solemn profession of God from every one that dies nor an ignorant and formal repentance but a repentance that hath much of vigor and inward affection and is driven on by great knowledg and light that is accompanied with much sorrow and very considerate apprehensions of eternal things And if such an one be so questionable what can become of others There is no reason any Repentance should be the better esteemed because men are dying but much the less Now vvhile men are living a thousand of these seeming changes for the better are evidently confuted without more ado by after returnes to wickedness and they that have to do with such shews of reformation have no regard of them nor of the persons for them Now God who is the exact Apud illum Cordis Interpretem Ars non admittitur ad salutem August Serm. 120. searcher of Hearts can much less be imposed upon by the fairest appearances nor can men wise according to the rules of Scripture be easily well perswaded of them and when they are best perswaded there must needs be a very trembling consideration of so great a Hazard But to come more particularly to what I have proposed viz. To shew that Repentance is a Height to which these general motives of this late Repentance can never mount the soul In which I will begin with the descriptions of true Repentance in that wherein it is most difficult not to say impossible to rise to it upon a Dying bed Repentance in all the parts of it is the fullest clearest act of the Soul and Judgment wherein it is most perfectly it self Remove a man never so far from all kind of Fears from the appearances of Death if he were to live Ages he would be of the same sense He that truly repents doth not snatch up Repentance as an expedient for a present extremity but chooses it as an entrance into the best state of Life and lives always and rests himself in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hieroc Carm. Pyth Pura voluptatum mutatiâ— Cypr. choice For however this may be introduced by very troublesom and tumultuous motions yet it is it self the easiâ— sitting down of the Soul with abundant pleasure and satisfaction in the abhorrence of sin and love of Holiness in the dislike of vanity and sensuality in the approbation of Heavenly purity of Heart and life It is not a trance wherein sin lyes dead and a man is in a rapture of goodness for a time but a most setled state Godly sorrow that worketh 2 Cor. 7. 11 Repentance worketh carefulness fear reveng desire and by these accomplisheth a Repentance to Salvation that ver 10. hath no after pain or trouble no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 These affections are preparations Repentance enters as a Soul into these which is a still solid clear Act of Reason renewed and a mind that gives an uniform vote at all times A change that is never chang'd back again no more than things can put of themselves or evil it self become good It is therefore upon fullest deliberation to choose with Joshuah I and my house those whom I can govern â—ill serve Iosh 24. â—â— the Lord. It is ingaging the Heart to approach to God Ier. 30. 2â— and 50. 5 Acts 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the joyning our selves to him by an everlasting Covenant never to be forgotten The cleaving to him with full purpose of Heart when all forerunning affections are laid and quiet or worn out this judgment still remains and raiseth other affections like it self that ever remain vvith it into vvhich the spirits of the former are extracted and vvherein they exercise all the true power they had But now on a Death Bed there is often a great commotion raised a loud blustre of passion never arriving at this point at this settlement But if a man should live after it would go off as Clouds and Storms that when they have spent themselves vanish and lye down And when a man dies it is to be fear'd that as they â—vere raised by approach to the unappeasable tempests of darkness so they are hurried along with their violence It is carefully to be observed that thâ—re is in true Repentance a due proportion betwixt the contrite indignation of the soul against past sin and the love and zeal it hath for Holiness whereas in Death-Bed Repentances it is oftenest found that there is either a terrifying presence only of former sins appearing to the affrighted conscience without a more hopeful indication of the soul truly composed to righteousness or else some high flying resolutions of better liâ—e afterward offered as a kind of Bribe to the patience and mercy of God in hopes of present deliverance or at best as a ransom from Hell and eternal damnation but without a deep sense of the guilt and evil of past sins or the just apprehension of that continually running issue of corruption that is still defiling anew Either of these is a main Errour and pernicious For if on the one side the Heart in a rage be forced to cast out some sins for the turbulency of them if it be not immediately filled with better guests Seven other wicked spirits are ready to enter and make the last state of that man worse than the first For Repentance is Mat. 12. 43 no void space no silent or unactive state but when it hath dislodged lusts furnishes and fills the soul with the best things and carries the vigor of a mans action to the best effect
when by repentance a man Isai 1. 16 17. Mat. 3. 8. ceases to do evil he learns to do well and brings forth fruits meet for repentance and amendment of life On the other side he that seems to make a hasty motion to Holiness without due sense of sin first thinks to overrule the method God hath set who requires humiliation godly sorrow anger revenge fear as preparing to Repentance and further he conceipts a freedom to himself when he is fetter'd and bound without a power given him from God he offers to cast out Devils with ease that cannot be cast out Mat. 9. 29. but by fasting and prayer that is severe courses of self abasement and lowliest dependances together with earnestest application to the Grace of God These unclean spirits therefore that dissemble a retreat return immediately and make a prey of Acts 19. 14 c. the deluded soul Although Heaven and Hell happiness and misery take up the thoughts of the true penitent yet not separated from God and Christ but as it were melted into the sense of God angry and the desire of attonement with him in Jesus Christ Happiness and misery considered apart are not the object of the gracious soul But God and Christ considered apart are an infinitely sufficient reason of Repentance The clear love of God towards the soul as a Father in Christ without reflections upon happiness is though not the single yet the paramount consideration in Repentance unfeigned But men a dying are generally so over possessed with the terrors of an eternal suffering and meer desires of Freedom from paâ—n and of well-being and so in haste that they generally miss these higher considerations which being further of not only from corrupt nature but even from natural conscience are not commonly espied but therefore argue greater sincerity and truth of Heart The truest Repentance lies in the bosome of Faith the apprehensions of the love and goodness of God in Christ melt the soule and give it most perfect Separation from sin the most effectual purification of the Heart all which express the height of repentance Upon the soâ—t fire of the pardoning goodness of God the soul most kindly distils into repentant tears Here flowes that Spirit of Grace and ingenuous goodness which bringeth forth the clearest and holiest affection towards God But at the time we are now speaking of It is very seldom that either horror or presumption do not swallow all Presumption where there is little sense or judgment of the Case Horror where the judgment is clearer and the sense quicker for every thing Rom. 8. 15 disposes now rather to Fear and to the Spirit of Bondage and a man naturally does all he does under a servile dread of God and his eternal Justice And though there may be much mention of Christ and desire of mercy through him yet it is but as a malefactor convicted beseeches the mercy of the Judge no otherwise than as of a Judge So such call out for the mercy of God to pardon them but still as a Judge not with the Spirit of the Son sent into the Cal. 4. 6. Heart the spirit of Adoption crying Abba Father Not with that Love that casteth out unworthy Fear And indeed how can it be otherwise there having been no Iob 22. 21 acquaintance with God in the way but a long enmity and the time now too strait for a free and full consideration of the riches of Grace such as may still an awakened conscience Fear presses in every way and shuts out Faith What can novv redeem the soul from this hellish Terror but a light from Heaven immediately darting into it a Grace above that Grace that ordinarily saves men for a vvell setled trust and confidence in mercy according to the general Rule is not but after some sad debates and experimental consultations that have passed betvveen the sense of sin and the affiancing acts of the soul upon Christ This Repentance then is in great danger of missing the spirit of the Gospel and falling into the rank of those repentances of Cain Esau Judas Thus I have endeavoured to shew that though we suppose a Dying man to spread his soul and thoughts every way and to all the parts of Repentance yet it is extremely to be suspected there will want the true and right quality of them in regard of the very disadvantageous circumstances wherein such an one is found and the great unfitness of the soul at that time to begin to do any thing worthy to which it hath not been before inured or if it did begin it would be much more unlikely to bring forth fruit as our Saviour speakes to perfection Luke 8. 14. I add nothing of the exercises of a full and well grown Repentance whereby it is dayly espying the risings of sin and suppressing them and filling up the defects of Holiness and Obedience because they are not to be thought possible in the point I am now speaking of and I have already given a resolution in that case I shall now set my self to find out the low causes that are alway to be suspected to have the great influence upon such a latter end penitency In general therefore we must take notice that there are several vapors of misapprehension rising upon the Soul when we are a dying that do so disguize it to it self and disfigure the true face of it that from thence arise dangerous mistakes concerning a mans condition towards God We see into how many shapes upon ordinary occurrences we change and how easily we exchange them for quite different without any good cause what continual Ebbs and Flows there are of the humours and how do these cast the ballance of the superiour soul One man is every hour some several sorts of men How much more do great Accidents and removes out of one condition into another alter us Which yet are but the sudden and just now state of our minds upon such alterations which not continuing we return to our former figure Vnstable and weak as water Gen. 49 3 we take the form of every vessel we are put into who knows then whether his Dying Repentance be any more than the mould not of his mind but of his dying condition approaching him big with so great a change We know many things befal us in our lives which put a greater sense of Religion upon us than we find at other times and yet how variable we are our goodness at such times is as the morning Dew Hose 6. 4. and as the early Dew it goeth away How often are we from the occasions of mercies afflictions fears hopes good discourses carried into high apprehensions of God And we lose them again we know not how Now out of doubt a dying condition of any thing vve meet vvith in the World is most apt to move us upon God and a sense of him But can vve think those fleeting shoots of the Soul that