latter end! Deut. xxii. 29. and, as the Psalmist advises, would keep innocency, and take heed to the thing that is right! for, that, and that only, shall bring a man peace at the last. Ps. xxxivi. 38. And who is there so stupid, that would not wish for such an invaluable blessing? what wise man would not rather submit to the worst that could befall him here in a short life, than run the least risque of going out of this world under the terrours of a guilty conscience? It is, (whatever those, who are carried away by their lusts and passions may think) the utmost wisdom of man to prepare for his latter end, by conducting himself according to the will of his great Creator: for, it is certain, (however some may vainly flatter themselves), there is no leaving this world with any tolerable composure, unless our lives have been such, as, through the tender mercies of God and the merits of Christ Jesus, to give us a reasonable hope that we may be found in the number of those whom our great judge shall at the last day pronounce blessed. But this can only

be the lot and portion of the righteous; for, how can any one, whose life has been a direct contradiction to the will of God, entertain hopes of his favour? perhaps, when he sees death approaching, he may bewail the folly of his past conduct, and with strong crying and tears resolve upon a new course of life, if it should please God to spare him: but, since the Gospel hath no where assured us, that God will accept of a death-bed repentance, or be reconciled to a sinner who (after having lived a wicked and careless life, and been deaf to all the calls and invitations of the Holy Spirit, the threatenings of the Gospel, and the checks of his own conscience) shall at the last, when he is able to gratify his lusts no longer, and begins to fear the sad consequences of his sins, cry out for mercy, and_wish that he had been wise in time-I say, since God has no where revealed, that he will accept of any repentance which is not followed by a thorough change and amendment of life, and a sincere cbedience to his commandments: and since it is impossible for a dying sinner

to bring forth such fruits of repentance, how precarious must his hopes be, that are built upon so uncertain a foundation!

It is true, to repent is all that a man who has led a wicked life can do, when he comes to die; and it would be well, for his own sake, and for the sake of his sorrowful friends and relations, that he would do this much, and not go out of the world hardened and insensible for, who knows how far infinite mercy may be extended? But, surely, it must be the greatest instance of folly and madness, to hazard a matter of such infinite moment upon so uncertain an issue; upon a few broken, confused, and almost despairing sighs and groans; for, if the remorse and horrours, the solemn vows and resolutions of such men should not prove a true godly sorrow; a repentance to salvation not to be repented of (as no man can say they certainly will) they are lost and undone to all eternity.

But suppose we could be assured, that a death-bed ropentance would be effectual; yet who can tell, whether a man may have time for that work in

the hour of death? Or, if he could be certain that a lingering sickness would put an end to his days; yet how does he know that God will then vouchsafe him the grace of repentance? and without that grace it is impossible he should repent. O how much rather may such a person have cause to fear, lest God should be so provoked, by his many wilful refusals to hearken to the calls and admonitions of the Holy Spirit, as to cut short his days of grace, and deliver him over to a hardened and reprobate mind!

The Scripture assures us, that there is a time when men shall call upon God, and he will not hearken. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity: I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation; and your destruction cometh ́as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not an

swer; they will seek me e arly, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not chuse the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof; therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices, Prov. i. 24, &c. The end of the long-suffering and forbearance of God is to lead men to repentance: Rom. ii. 4. but if, instead of producing that blessed effect, it only hardens them in their sins, and makes them resolve to go on in their wicked courses, vainly presuming they will repent, when they come to die; how just it may be in God to leave them at their last hour under all the tèrrors and agonies of a fearful death to laugh at their calamity, and to mock when their fear cometh!

O consider this, all ye that forget God, lest he pluck you away, and there be none to deliver you. Consider it in due time, before it be too late, before the dreadful hour comes upon you: when all opportunities of reconciling yourselves to your offended God shall be taken from you, and the door of