mercy; and if he does not do so, he need not expect the favour of the Almighty by standing on the stool of repentance, or any thing else he can do.

Another error with respect to repentance is, that some people think it never effectual, unless they have the absolution of the priest. But this is a practice so entirely Popish, that there is no need of exposing it in a Protestant congregation, I shall therefore dismiss this particular, by observing only, that God has promised forgiveness to the sinner upon condition of his repentance. If he repents, he need not doubt of forgiveness, because what God hath promised he will surely perform. And if he does not repent, no absolution of Pope, Bishop, Priest, or any one else, will acquit him in the sight of God.

But it may be said, absolution is not to be given to any, but such only as are truly penitent. I ask, then, how is the priest, or any one except God, to know when a sinner is truly penitent? And if it is not in his power to know this, it is not in his power to absolve him.

The last mistake that I shall mention in the business of repentance, is that of putting it off till old age, or at all events, to the approach of death. This is a very dangerous mistake, and many have been encouraged in it by considering the case of the penitent thief upon the cross.

They think, that let them have been ever so wicked, yet when they come to die, if they are sincerely sorry for their sins, they may obtain

G

mercy, and go to heaven. They depend wholly upon a sudden conversion, and a short deathbed repentance; but this is surely the most pernicious doctrine that can be thought of, because it destroys religion and virtue, and is a plain declaration that there is no necessity for a good life. For if a man can be saved without it, by only repenting at the hour of death, where is the need of it?

The penitent thief is the history of one who died as a malefactor, and yet went to a state of happiness; so, I doubt not, many more who have died as malefactors have gone to a state of happiness; but if they had not repented before they came to die, it is much to be questioned whether they would not have gone to the place appointed for the damned, instead of entering into Paradise.

The scripture does not mention whether the penitent thief was a bad man for the most part of his life; nor does it appear but that he repented long before he was brought to execution. And allowing that he did not repent 'till the very time of his death; how do we know but it may be such an extraordinary favour as will be granted to no other sinner? It therefore must be a very groundless thing to apply his case to a man who has lived a wicked and abandoned life, upon the presumption of repenting at the hour of death..

This malefactor, when he was upon the cross, discovered a very amazing act of faith; he believed Jesus to be the son of God, and able to save him, therefore begged of him to remember

him when he came into his kingdom. His faith was even greater than that of Christ's disciples, for they did not understand that his kingdom was not of this world, but all forsook him and fled.

In short, we may look upon this man's conversion as miraculous as that of St. Paul's. St. Paul preached Christ after his conversion; so did this distinguished sufferer, and sealed a noble confession with his last breath.

And can a wicked and careless sinner, who has denied Christ all his life time, expect such a miraculous conversion as this man's? No, he has no reason to expect it, but rather must dread the vengeance of God for abusing his kind offers of mercy, and neglecting the day of grace.

I shall now, lastly, conclude with some proper inferences. And

First, Let us not deceive ourselves, and think, that after we have spent our youth in the service of the devil, God will be content with the lifeless service of our old age; for this is to suppose he will accept of a mere form of repentance, instead of real reformation.

The gospel, indeed, promises remission of sins upon condition of repentance. But would it not be madness in any one to presume from hence to live an immoral and abandoned life, and repent just when he thinks fit? For how does he know but even this night God may say to him as he said to the rich man in the Gospel, "Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee." Can any man be assured

this shall not be his case? And if it shouldf, what will become of his distant prospect of repentance? How can he avoid being doomed to the exquisite tortures of the damned, since Christ has told us, that except we repent, we shall all likewise perish?

But supposing that God should give us both time and warning to repent, by afflicting us with a lingering death-bed sickness, we shall find enough to do to possess our souls in a decent patience, without fretting, murmuring, or charging God foolishly. Therefore, however his conscience may sting the sinner with rẻ, morse, yet he will have no time to reform his ill conduct, and put his good resolutions into practice without which, there can be no surè evidence that his repentance is sincere; and it is sincerity only that can make it effectual, The divine mercy, to be sure, is inexhaustible; and there is no knowing how available a deathbed repentance may be, as it is the last shift of a poor unthinking mortal; but this we know, that such a state is extremely dangerous and uncertain.

Let us all, then, my brethren, look about us in time, and provide for this day of calamity; as well knowing that there is no work, no device, no repentance in the grave, whither we are all hastening. And let not the men of spirit and mettle laugh at, and despise such a warning as this; for however wanton and negligent, however bold and intrepid. they may be, now in their day of health and prosperity; yet the time will come when the scene must alter, and the

curtain of death will be ready to fall; at which time, assuredly, they will be obliged to think more seriously; and with too much reason perhaps, cry out, (in the language of Job) "Oh that we were as in the months past, as we were in the days of our youth."

But God grant that we may all be persuaded to a speedy repentance, and by that means prevent such an unavailing wish! through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, &c. Amen.