A sermon preached at the funeral of the Rt Honorable John Earl of Rochester, who died at Woodstock-Park, July 26, 1680, and was buried at Spilsbury in Oxford-shire, Aug. 9 by Robert Parsons ...
         Parsons, Robert, 1647-1714.
      
       
         
           1680
        
      
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             A sermon preached at the funeral of the Rt Honorable John Earl of Rochester, who died at Woodstock-Park, July 26, 1680, and was buried at Spilsbury in Oxford-shire, Aug. 9 by Robert Parsons ...
             Parsons, Robert, 1647-1714.
          
           [4], 48 p.
           
             Printed at the Theater for Richard Davis and Tho. Bowman,
             Oxford [Oxfordshire] :
             1680.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Rochester, John Wilmot, -- Earl of, 1647-1680.
           Funeral sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           PREACHED
           At
           the
           Funeral
           of
           the
           R
           t
           HONORABLE
           JOHN
           Earl
           of
           ROCHESTER
           ,
           Who
           died
           at
           Woodstock-Park
           ,
           July
           26.
           1680
           ,
           and
           was
           buried
           at
           Spilsbury
           in
           Oxford-shire
           ,
           Aug.
           9.
           
        
         
           By
           
             Robert
             Parsons
          
           M.
           A.
           Chaplain
           to
           the
           Right
           Honorable
           ANNE
           Countess-Dowager
           of
           ROCHESTER
           .
        
         
         
           OXFORD
           ,
           Printed
           at
           the
           THEATER
           for
           
             Richard
             Davis
          
           and
           
             Tho
             :
             Bowman
          
           ,
           In
           the
           Year
           ,
           1680.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honourable
           ANNE
           ,
           and
           ELIZABETH
           ,
           DOWAGER-COVNTESSES
           OF
           ROCHESTER
           .
        
         
           
             Right
             Honorable
             ,
          
        
         
           YOur
           Ladiships
           ,
           or
           any
           else
           ,
           cannot
           think
           meaner
           of
           this
           Performance
           than
           I
           my self
           do
           ;
           for
           besides
           the
           great
           hurry
           and
           disorder
           that
           I
           was
           in
           upon
           the
           loss
           of
           such
           a
           Patron
           us
           my
           Lord
           ,
           I
           am
           sufficiently
           conscious
           how
           unfit
           I
           am
           to
           appear
           in
           public
           ,
           especially
           upon
           such
           a
           nice
           and
           great
           Subject
           .
           As
           his
           Lordships
           particular
           Commands
           brought
           me
           to
           the
           Pulpit
           ,
           so
           Yours
           only
           have
           brought
           me
           to
           the
           Press
           .
           And
           therefore
           I
           hope
           ,
           whatever
           usage
           the
           following
           Discourse
           may
           meet
           with
           abroad
           ;
           I
           shall
           always
           find
           a
           shelter
           in
           your
           Ladiships
           Favours
           :
           and
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           you
           can
           ,
           both
           of
           you
           ,
           largely
           attest
           the
           truth
           of
           most
           of
           the
           remarkable
           Occurrences
           that
           I
           have
           taken
           notice
           of
           during
           his
           Lordships
           Penitential
           sickness
           .
           
           I
           shall
           adde
           nothing
           more
           ,
           but
           wish
           You
           may
           never
           forget
           the
           goodness
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           who
           (
           through
           this
           whole
           melancholy
           Scene
           )
           has
           signalized
           his
           good
           Providences
           to
           You
           both
           :
           and
           that
           You
           may
           ever
           live
           under
           the
           special
           protection
           thereof
           ,
           is
           the
           constant
           prayer
           of
        
         
           
             Your
             HONORS
             Most
             Faithful
             and
             most
             obedient
             humble
             Servant
             ,
             
               ROBERT
               PARSONS
            
             .
          
           
             Adderbury
             ,
             
               Aug.
               30.
               1680.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             St.
             LUKE
             15.7
             .
          
           
             
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               that
               likewise
               joy
               shall
               be
               in
               heaven
               over
               one
               Sinner
               that
               repenteth
               ,
               more
               than
               over
               ninety
               and
               nine
               just
               persons
               that
               need
               no
               repentance
               .
            
          
        
         
           IF
           ever
           there
           were
           a
           subject
           that
           might
           deserve
           and
           exhaust
           all
           the
           treasures
           of
           Religious
           Eloquence
           in
           the
           description
           of
           so
           great
           a
           Man
           ,
           and
           so
           great
           a
           Sinner
           as
           now
           lies
           before
           us
           ;
           together
           with
           the
           wonders
           of
           the
           Divine
           goodness
           ,
           in
           making
           him
           as
           great
           a
           Penitent
           ;
           I
           think
           the
           present
           occasion
           affords
           one
           as
           remarkable
           as
           any
           place
           or
           age
           can
           produce
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           so
           great
           and
           full
           a
           matter
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           t
           is
           too
           big
           to
           come
           out
           of
           my
           mouth
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           not
           all
           of
           it
           fit
           or
           needful
           so
           to
           do
           .
           The
           greatness
           of
           his
           Parts
           are
           well
           enough
           known
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           Sins
           too
           well
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           and
           neither
           my
           Capacity
           ,
           nor
           Experience
           ,
           nor
           my
           Profession
           will
           allow
           me
           to
           be
           so
           proper
           a
           judge
           ,
           either
           of
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           .
           Only
           as
           God
           has
           been
           pleased
           to
           make
           me
           a
           long
           while
           a
           sad
           Spectator
           ,
           and
           a
           secret
           Mourner
           for
           his
           Sins
           ;
           so
           has
           he
           at
           last
           graciously
           heard
           the
           prayers
           of
           his
           nearest
           Relations
           ,
           and
           true
           Friends
           ,
           for
           his
           Conversion
           
           and
           Repentance
           :
           and
           t
           is
           the
           good
           tidings
           of
           that
           especially
           ,
           what
           God
           has
           done
           for
           his
           Soul
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           now
           to
           
             publish
             and
             tell
             abroad
             to
             the
             world
             ,
          
           not
           only
           by
           the
           obligations
           of
           mine
           Office
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           had
           the
           honour
           to
           be
           a
           weak
           Minister
           to
           it
           ,
           but
           by
           his
           own
           express
           and
           dying
           Commands
           .
        
         
           Now
           altho
           ,
           to
           describe
           this
           worthily
           ,
           would
           require
           a
           Wit
           equal
           to
           that
           with
           which
           he
           lived
           ,
           and
           a
           Devotion
           too
           ,
           equal
           to
           that
           with
           which
           he
           died
           ,
           and
           to
           match
           either
           will
           be
           a
           very
           hard
           task
           ;
           yet
           besides
           that
           I
           am
           not
           sufficient
           for
           these
           things
           ,
           (
           for
           who
           is
           ?
           )
           and
           that
           my
           thoughts
           have
           been
           rather
           privately
           busied
           to
           secure
           a
           real
           repentance
           to
           himself
           ,
           whilst
           living
           ,
           than
           to
           publish
           it
           abroad
           to
           others
           in
           artificial
           dress
           after
           he
           is
           dead
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           besides
           all
           this
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           shall
           have
           less
           need
           to
           call
           in
           the
           aids
           of
           secular
           Eloquence
           .
           The
           proper
           habit
           of
           Repentance
           is
           not
           fine
           Linnen
           ,
           or
           any
           delicate
           Array
           ,
           such
           as
           are
           used
           in
           the
           Court
           ,
           or
           Kings
           Houses
           ,
           but
           Sack-cloth
           and
           Ashes
           :
           And
           the
           way
           which
           God
           Almighty
           takes
           to
           convey
           it
           ,
           
             is
             not
             by
             the
             words
             of
             mans
             wisdome
             ,
          
           but
           by
           the
           plainness
           of
           his
           written
           Word
           ,
           assisted
           by
           the
           inward
           power
           and
           
             demonstration
             of
             the
             Spirit
          
           :
           and
           the
           effects
           it
           works
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           it
           discovers
           it self
           ,
           are
           not
           any
           raptures
           of
           wit
           and
           fancy
           ,
           but
           the
           most
           humble
           prostrations
           both
           
           of
           soul
           and
           spirit
           ,
           and
           the
           captivating
           all
           humane
           imaginations
           to
           the
           obedience
           of
           a
           despised
           Religion
           ,
           and
           a
           crucified
           Saviour
           .
        
         
           And
           t
           is
           in
           this
           array
           I
           intend
           to
           bring
           out
           this
           Penitent
           to
           you
           ;
           an
           array
           which
           I
           am
           sure
           he
           more
           valued
           ,
           and
           desired
           to
           appear
           in
           ,
           both
           to
           God
           and
           the
           World
           ,
           than
           in
           all
           the
           triumphs
           of
           Wit
           and
           Gallantry
           ,
           And
           therefore
           (
           waving
           all
           these
           Rhetorical
           flourishes
           ,
           as
           beneath
           the
           Solemnity
           of
           the
           occasion
           ,
           and
           the
           majesty
           of
           that
           great
           and
           weighty
           Truth
           I
           am
           now
           to
           deliver
           )
           I
           shall
           content
           my self
           with
           the
           office
           of
           a
           plain
           Historian
           ,
           to
           relate
           faithfully
           and
           impartially
           what
           I
           saw
           and
           heard
           ;
           especially
           during
           his
           Penitential
           sorrows
           ;
           which
           if
           all
           that
           hear
           me
           this
           day
           had
           been
           spectators
           of
           ,
           there
           would
           then
           have
           been
           no
           need
           of
           a
           Sermon
           to
           convince
           men
           ,
           but
           every
           man
           would
           have
           been
           as
           much
           a
           Preacher
           to
           himself
           of
           this
           Truth
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           ,
           except
           these
           sorrows
           :
           And
           yet
           even
           these
           Sorrows
           should
           be
           turn'd
           into
           Joys
           too
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           only
           do
           what
           we
           pray
           for
           ,
           that
           the
           
             will
             of
             God
             may
             be
             done
             in
             earth
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             in
             heaven
          
           :
           for
           so
           our
           Blessed
           Lord
           assures
           us
           ;
           
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             that
             likewise
             joy
             shall
             be
             in
             heaven
             over
             one
             sinner
             that
             repenteth
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           From
           which
           I
           shall
           consider
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Sinner
           particularly
           that
           is
           before
           us
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Repentance
           of
           this
           Sinner
           ,
           together
           with
           
           the
           means
           ,
           the
           time
           ,
           and
           all
           probable
           sincerity
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           joy
           that
           is
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           on
           Earth
           ,
           for
           the
           Repentance
           of
           this
           Sinner
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           comparative
           greatness
           and
           preeminence
           of
           this
           joy
           ,
           on
           the
           account
           of
           his
           Example
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           for
           the
           Repentance
           of
           this
           Sinner
           ,
           more
           than
           for
           the
           constant
           and
           uniform
           virtuousness
           of
           any
           good
           liver
           ;
           which
           will
           naturally
           lead
           me
           to
           my
        
         
           Fifth
           and
           last
           particular
           ,
           to
           a
           speciall
           address
           or
           application
           to
           all
           that
           hear
           me
           ;
           that
           they
           would
           all
           joyn
           in
           this
           joy
           ,
           in
           praise
           and
           thanksgivings
           to
           God
           for
           the
           conversion
           of
           this
           Sinner
           ;
           and
           if
           there
           be
           any
           that
           have
           been
           like
           him
           in
           their
           sins
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           also
           speedily
           imitate
           him
           in
           their
           repentance
           .
        
         
           And
           1.
           let
           us
           consider
           the
           Person
           before
           us
           ,
           as
           he
           certainly
           was
           ,
           a
           great
           Sinner
           .
           But
           because
           man
           was
           upright
           before
           he
           was
           a
           sinner
           ,
           and
           to
           measure
           the
           greatness
           of
           his
           fall
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           necessary
           to
           take
           a
           view
           of
           that
           height
           from
           wich
           he
           fell
           ;
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           go
           back
           a
           little
           to
           look
           into
           the
           rock
           from
           which
           he
           was
           hewn
           ,
           the
           Quality
           ,
           Familie
           ,
           Education
           ,
           and
           Personal
           Accomplishments
           of
           this
           Great
           man.
           In
           doing
           of
           which
           I
           think
           no
           man
           will
           charge
           me
           with
           any
           design
           of
           customary
           flattery
           ,
           or
           formality
           ;
           since
           I
           intend
           only
           thereby
           to
           shew
           the
           greatness
           and
           unhappiness
           of
           his
           
           folly
           ,
           in
           the
           perverting
           so
           many
           excellent
           abilities
           and
           advantages
           for
           virtue
           and
           piety
           in
           the
           service
           of
           sin
           ,
           and
           so
           becoming
           a
           more
           universal
           ,
           insinuating
           ,
           and
           prevailing
           example
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           his
           Family
           ,
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           from
           which
           he
           was
           descended
           ,
           they
           were
           some
           of
           the
           most
           famous
           in
           their
           generations
           .
           His
           Grandfather
           was
           that
           excellent
           and
           truly
           great
           man
           ,
           Charles
           Lord
           Wilmot
           ,
           Viscount
           Athlone
           in
           
             Ireland
             .
             Henry
          
           his
           Father
           ,
           who
           inherited
           the
           same
           Title
           and
           Greatness
           ,
           was
           by
           his
           late
           Majesty
           King
           CHARLES
           the
           I.
           created
           Baron
           of
           Adderbury
           in
           Oxfordshire
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           present
           Majesty
           Earl
           of
           Rochester
           .
           He
           was
           a
           man
           of
           signal
           Loyalty
           and
           Integrity
           indeed
           ;
           and
           of
           such
           Courage
           and
           Conduct
           in
           Military
           affairs
           as
           became
           a
           great
           General
           .
           But
           my
           endeavours
           of
           this
           kind
           are
           superseded
           ,
           tho
           I
           had
           time
           ,
           by
           my
           want
           of
           abilities
           to
           declare
           it
           worthily
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           by
           the
           notoriety
           of
           these
           severals
           ;
           and
           that
           person
           must
           be
           very
           ignorant
           of
           the
           late
           Transactions
           in
           the
           three
           Kingdoms
           ,
           and
           the
           misfortunes
           of
           our
           present
           King
           ,
           who
           understands
           not
           the
           service
           and
           value
           of
           that
           eminent
           Subject
           .
           His
           Mother
           (
           of
           whom
           I
           might
           speak
           great
           and
           worthy
           things
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           that
           I
           avoid
           the
           imputation
           of
           flattery
           )
           was
           the
           Relict
           of
           Sir
           
             Francis-Henry
             Lee
          
           of
           Ditchly
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Oxford
           Baronet
           ,
           
           Grandmother
           to
           the
           present
           Right
           Honourable
           Earl
           of
           Litchfield
           ,
           and
           the
           Daughter
           of
           that
           Generous
           and
           Honourable
           Gentleman
           Sir
           
             John
             St.
             Johns
          
           of
           Lyddiard
           in
           the
           County
           of
           Wilts
           Baronet
           ,
           whose
           Family
           was
           so
           remarkable
           for
           loyalty
           ,
           that
           several
           of
           his
           Sons
           willingly
           offer'd
           themselves
           in
           the
           day
           of
           battel
           ,
           and
           died
           for
           it
           ;
           and
           whilst
           the
           memory
           of
           the
           English
           or
           Irish
           Rebellion
           lasts
           ,
           that
           Family
           cannot
           want
           a
           due
           veneration
           in
           the
           minds
           of
           any
           person
           ,
           that
           loves
           either
           God
           or
           the
           King.
           
        
         
           As
           for
           his
           Education
           ,
           it
           was
           in
           Wadham
           College
           in
           Oxford
           ,
           under
           the
           care
           of
           that
           wise
           and
           excellent
           Governour
           Dr.
           Blanford
           ,
           the
           late
           Right
           Reverend
           Bishop
           of
           Worcester
           ;
           there
           it
           was
           that
           he
           laid
           a
           good
           foundation
           of
           learning
           and
           study
           ,
           though
           he
           afterwards
           built
           upon
           that
           foundation
           hay
           and
           stubble
           .
           There
           he
           first
           suck'd
           from
           the
           breasts
           of
           his
           Mother
           the
           University
           those
           perfections
           of
           Wit
           ,
           and
           Eloquence
           ,
           and
           Poetry
           ,
           which
           afterwards
           by
           his
           own
           corrupt
           stomach
           ,
           or
           some
           ill
           juices
           after
           ,
           were
           turn'd
           into
           poison
           to
           himself
           and
           others
           :
           which
           certainly
           can
           be
           no
           more
           a
           blemish
           to
           those
           Illustrious
           Seminaries
           of
           Piety
           and
           good
           Learning
           ,
           than
           a
           disobedient
           Child
           is
           to
           a
           wise
           and
           virtuous
           Father
           ,
           or
           the
           fall
           of
           Man
           to
           the
           excellency
           of
           Paradise
           .
        
         
         
           His
           Quality
           I
           shall
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           ,
           there
           being
           so
           much
           of
           what
           was
           excellent
           and
           extraordinary
           in
           this
           great
           Person
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           no
           room
           for
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           common
           to
           him
           with
           others
           .
        
         
           A
           Wit
           he
           had
           so
           rare
           and
           fruitful
           in
           its
           Invention
           ,
           and
           withall
           so
           choice
           and
           delicate
           in
           its
           Judgment
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           wanting
           in
           his
           Composures
           to
           give
           a
           full
           answer
           to
           that
           question
           ,
           what
           and
           where
           Wit
           is
           ?
           except
           the
           purity
           and
           choice
           of
           subject
           .
           For
           had
           such
           excellent
           seeds
           but
           fallen
           upon
           good
           ground
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           pitching
           upon
           a
           Beast
           or
           a
           Lust
           ,
           been
           raised
           up
           on
           high
           ,
           to
           celebrate
           the
           mysteries
           of
           the
           Divine
           Love
           ,
           in
           Psalms
           ,
           and
           Hymns
           ,
           and
           Spirtual
           songs
           ;
           I
           perswade
           my self
           we
           might
           by
           this
           time
           have
           receiv'd
           from
           his
           Pen
           as
           excellent
           an
           Idea
           of
           Divine
           Poetry
           ,
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           useful
           to
           the
           teaching
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           especially
           in
           this
           generation
           ,
           as
           his
           profane
           Verses
           have
           been
           to
           destroy
           it
           .
           And
           I
           am
           confident
           ,
           had
           God
           spared
           him
           a
           longer
           life
           ,
           this
           would
           have
           been
           the
           whole
           business
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           I
           know
           it
           was
           the
           vow
           and
           purpose
           of
           his
           Sickness
           .
        
         
           His
           natural
           talent
           was
           excellent
           ,
           but
           he
           had
           hugely
           improved
           it
           by
           Learning
           and
           Industry
           ,
           being
           throughly
           acquainted
           with
           all
           Classick
           Authors
           ,
           both
           Greek
           and
           Latin
           ;
           a
           thing
           very
           rare
           ,
           if
           not
           peculiar
           to
           him
           ,
           
           amongst
           those
           of
           his
           quality
           .
           Which
           yet
           he
           used
           not
           ,
           as
           other
           Poets
           have
           done
           ,
           to
           translate
           or
           steal
           from
           them
           ,
           but
           rather
           to
           better
           ,
           and
           improve
           them
           by
           his
           own
           natural
           fancy
           .
           And
           whoever
           reads
           his
           Composures
           ,
           will
           find
           all
           things
           in
           them
           so
           peculiarly
           Great
           ,
           New
           ,
           and
           Excellent
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           easily
           pronounce
           ,
           That
           tho
           he
           has
           lent
           to
           many
           others
           ,
           yet
           he
           has
           borrowed
           of
           none
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           has
           been
           as
           far
           from
           a
           sordid
           imitation
           of
           those
           before
           him
           ,
           as
           he
           will
           be
           from
           being
           reach'd
           by
           those
           that
           follow
           him
           .
        
         
           His
           other
           personal
           accomplishments
           in
           all
           the
           perfections
           of
           a
           Gentleman
           for
           the
           Court
           or
           the
           Country
           ,
           whereof
           he
           was
           known
           by
           all
           men
           to
           be
           a
           very
           great
           Master
           ,
           is
           no
           part
           of
           my
           business
           to
           describe
           or
           understand
           :
           and
           whatever
           they
           were
           in
           themselves
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           were
           but
           miserable
           Comforters
           to
           him
           ,
           since
           they
           only
           minister'd
           to
           his
           sins
           ,
           and
           made
           his
           example
           the
           more
           fatal
           and
           dangerous
           ;
           for
           so
           we
           may
           own
           ,
           (
           nay
           I
           am
           obliged
           by
           him
           not
           to
           hide
           ,
           but
           to
           shew
           the
           rocks
           ,
           which
           others
           may
           avoid
           )
           that
           he
           was
           once
           one
           of
           the
           
             greatest
             of
             Sinners
          
           .
        
         
           And
           truly
           none
           but
           one
           so
           great
           in
           parts
           could
           be
           so
           ;
           as
           the
           chiefest
           of
           the
           Angels
           for
           knowledge
           and
           power
           became
           most
           dangerous
           .
           His
           Sins
           were
           like
           his
           Parts
           ,
           (
           for
           from
           them
           corrupted
           they
           sprang
           ,
           )
           all
           
           of
           them
           high
           and
           extraordinary
           .
           He
           seem'd
           to
           affect
           something
           singular
           and
           paradoxical
           in
           his
           Impieties
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           his
           Writings
           ,
           above
           the
           reach
           and
           thought
           of
           other
           men
           ;
           taking
           as
           much
           pains
           to
           draw
           others
           in
           ,
           and
           to
           pervert
           the
           right
           ways
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Primitive
           Saints
           ,
           
             to
             save
             their
             own
             souls
             ,
             and
             them
             that
             heard
             them
             .
          
           For
           this
           was
           the
           heightning
           and
           amazing
           circumstance
           of
           his
           sins
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           so
           diligent
           and
           industrious
           to
           recommend
           and
           propagate
           them
           ;
           not
           like
           those
           of
           old
           that
           
             hated
             the
             light
          
           ,
           but
           those
           the
           Prophet
           mentions
           ,
           Isaiah
           3.9
           .
           
             who
             declare
             their
             sin
             as
             Sodom
             ,
             and
             hide
             it
             not
             ,
          
           that
           
             take
             it
             upon
             their
             shoulders
             ,
             and
             bind
             it
             to
             them
             as
             a
             Crown
          
           ;
           framing
           Arguments
           for
           Sin
           ,
           making
           Proselytes
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           writing
           Panegyricks
           upon
           Vice
           ;
           singing
           Praises
           to
           the
           great
           Enemy
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           casting
           down
           Coronets
           and
           Crowns
           before
           his
           Throne
           .
        
         
           Nay
           so
           confirm'd
           was
           he
           in
           Sin
           ,
           that
           he
           lived
           ,
           and
           oftentimes
           almost
           died
           ,
           a
           Martyr
           for
           it
           .
           God
           was
           pleased
           sometimes
           to
           punish
           him
           with
           the
           effects
           of
           his
           folly
           ,
           yet
           till
           now
           (
           he
           confessed
           )
           
             they
             had
             no
             power
             to
             melt
             him
             into
             true
             Repentance
          
           ;
           or
           if
           at
           any
           time
           he
           had
           some
           lucid
           intervals
           from
           his
           folly
           and
           madness
           ,
           yet
           (
           alas
           )
           how
           short
           and
           transitory
           were
           th●●
           ?
           all
           that
           
             goodness
             was
             but
             as
             a
             morning
             cloud
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             early
             
             dew
             which
             vanishes
             away
          
           ;
           he
           still
           return'd
           to
           the
           same
           excess
           of
           riot
           ,
           and
           that
           with
           so
           much
           the
           more
           greediness
           ,
           the
           longer
           he
           had
           fasted
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           even
           this
           desperate
           Sinner
           ,
           that
           one
           would
           think
           had
           made
           
             a
             covenant
             with
             Death
             ,
             and
             was
             at
             an
             agreement
             with
             Hell
             ,
          
           and
           just
           upon
           the
           brink
           of
           them
           both
           ;
           God
           ,
           to
           magnifie
           the
           riches
           of
           his
           grace
           and
           mercy
           ,
           was
           pleased
           to
           snatch
           as
           a
           brand
           out
           of
           the
           fire
           .
           As
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           tho
           
             before
             a
             blasphemer
             ,
             a
             persecutor
             ,
             and
             injurious
             ,
          
           yet
           
             obtein'd
             mercy
             ,
             that
             in
             him
             Christ
             Jesus
             might
             shew
             forth
             all
             long-suffering
             ,
             for
             a
             pattern
             to
             them
             that
             should
             hereafter
             believe
             on
             him
             to
             everlasting
             life
             .
          
           1
           Tim.
           1.13.16
           .
           so
           God
           struck
           him
           to
           the
           ground
           as
           it
           were
           by
           a
           light
           from
           heaven
           ,
           and
           a
           voice
           of
           thunder
           round
           about
           him
           .
           Insomuch
           that
           now
           the
           scales
           fall
           from
           his
           eyes
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           from
           St.
           Pauls
           ;
           his
           stony
           heart
           was
           open'd
           ,
           and
           streams
           of
           tears
           gusht
           out
           ,
           the
           bitter
           but
           wholsome
           tears
           of
           true
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           this
           may
           appear
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           necessary
           to
           account
           for
           these
           three
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           the
           means
           of
           it
           :
           that
           it
           was
           not
           barely
           the
           effect
           of
           Sickness
           ,
           or
           the
           fear
           of
           Death
           ;
           but
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           also
           working
           in
           them
           and
           by
           them
           manifestly
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           For
           the
           time
           of
           it
           :
           that
           though
           it
           was
           a
           Death-bed
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           therefore
           full
           of
           danger
           ,
           and
           the
           
           utmost
           hazard
           ;
           yet
           was
           it
           not
           impossible
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           nor
           absolutely
           desperate
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           For
           the
           sincerity
           of
           it
           :
           that
           what
           was
           thus
           possible
           to
           be
           good
           and
           true
           ,
           probably
           was
           so
           ;
           which
           though
           none
           but
           God
           that
           sees
           the
           heart
           ,
           can
           tell
           certainly
           ,
           yet
           man
           even
           also
           may
           and
           ought
           to
           believe
           it
           ;
           not
           only
           in
           the
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           ,
           but
           of
           moral
           Justice
           ,
           from
           all
           evident
           signs
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           were
           possible
           to
           be
           given
           by
           one
           in
           his
           condition
           .
        
         
           And
           first
           for
           the
           Means
           or
           method
           of
           it
           .
           That
           which
           prepared
           the
           way
           for
           it
           was
           a
           sharp
           and
           painful
           Sickness
           ,
           with
           which
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           visit
           him
           ;
           the
           way
           which
           the
           Almighty
           often
           takes
           to
           reduce
           the
           wandring
           Sinner
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           God
           and
           of
           himself
           :
           
             I
             will
             be
             unto
             Ephraim
             as
             a
             Lion
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             young
             Lion
             unto
             the
             house
             of
             Judah
             ;
             I
             even
             I
             will
             tear
             and
             go
             away
             ,
             and
             none
             shall
             relieve
             him
             ;
             I
             will
             go
             and
             return
             to
             my
             place
             ,
             till
             they
             acknowledge
             their
             offence
             ,
             and
             seek
             my
             face
          
           ;
           and
           
             in
             their
             affliction
             they
             will
             seek
             me
             early
             .
             Hos.
          
           5.14
           ,
           15.
           
        
         
           And
           tho
           to
           forsake
           our
           sins
           then
           ,
           when
           we
           can
           no
           longer
           enjoy
           them
           ,
           seems
           to
           be
           rather
           the
           effect
           of
           impotency
           and
           necessity
           ,
           than
           of
           choice
           ,
           and
           so
           not
           so
           acceptable
           or
           praise-worthy
           ;
           yet
           we
           find
           God
           Almighty
           uses
           the
           one
           to
           bring
           about
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           
           improves
           a
           forced
           abstinence
           from
           sin
           ,
           into
           a
           settled
           loathing
           and
           true
           detestation
           of
           it
           :
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           give
           two
           noted
           Instances
           .
           The
           first
           out
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           in
           that
           famous
           case
           of
           Manasseh
           ,
           2
           Chron.
           33.
           (
           the
           nearest
           parallel
           that
           I
           can
           find
           ,
           both
           to
           the
           Sin
           ,
           and
           Repentance
           of
           the
           Person
           now
           before
           us
           ,
           )
           when
           
             he
             did
             that
             which
             was
             evil
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             more
             than
             all
             the
             Kings
             of
             Judah
             before
             him
             ,
             and
             had
             made
             Judah
             and
             all
             the
             inhabitants
             of
             Jerusalem
             to
             erre
             ,
             and
             do
             worse
             then
             the
             Heathen
             whom
             the
             Lord
             had
             destroyed
             before
             them
          
           ;
           yet
           we
           see
           God
           made
           use
           even
           of
           this
           way
           to
           reduce
           him
           to
           true
           Repentance
           ,
           for
           we
           read
           at
           the
           11.
           v.
           of
           this
           Chapter
           :
           
             Wherefore
             the
             Lord
             brought
             upon
             them
             the
             Captains
             of
             the
             host
             of
             the
             King
             of
             Assyria
             ,
             which
             took
             Manasseh
             among
             the
             thorns
             ,
             and
             bound
             him
             with
             fetters
             ,
             and
             carried
             him
             to
             Babylon
          
           ;
           and
           it
           follows
           in
           the
           next
           verse
           ,
           
             When
             he
             was
             in
             affliction
             he
             besought
             the
             Lord
             his
             God
             ,
             and
             humbled
             himself
             greatly
             before
             the
             God
             of
             his
             fathers
             ,
             and
             prayed
             unto
             him
             ,
             and
             he
             was
             entreated
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             heard
             his
             supplication
             ,
             and
             brought
             him
             again
             to
             Jerusalem
             ,
             and
             unto
             his
             Kingdom
             ;
             then
             Manasseh
             knew
             that
             the
             Lord
             was
             God
             ,
          
           v.
           13.
           and
           the
           truth
           of
           his
           Repentance
           ,
           tho
           occasioned
           first
           by
           his
           affliction
           ,
           appeared
           afterwards
           by
           the
           following
           reformation
           which
           he
           wrought
           ;
           for
           
             he
             took
             away
             the
             strange
             Gods
             ,
          
           v.
           15.
           
        
         
         
           The
           second
           instance
           I
           shall
           give
           of
           a
           true
           ,
           tho
           forced
           Repentance
           ,
           is
           in
           that
           well
           known
           case
           of
           the
           Prodigal
           son
           ,
           which
           follows
           my
           Text
           in
           this
           chapter
           :
           tho
           
             he
             had
             wasted
             all
             his
             substance
             with
             riotous
             living
             ,
          
           and
           was
           forced
           back
           to
           his
           fathers
           house
           only
           by
           extreme
           hunger
           and
           necessity
           ;
           yet
           was
           he
           joyfully
           received
           by
           him
           ,
           for
           
             his
             father
             ran
             and
             fell
             upon
             his
             neck
             ,
             and
             kissed
             him
             ,
          
           v.
           20.
           and
           
             the
             fatted
             calf
          
           was
           killed
           for
           him
           ;
           and
           when
           his
           elder
           brother
           was
           angry
           at
           it
           ,
           the
           good
           father
           justifies
           his
           procedure
           ,
           v.
           32.
           
           
             It
             was
             meet
             that
             we
             should
             make
             merry
             and
             be
             glad
             ,
             for
             this
             thy
             brother
             was
             dead
             ,
             and
             is
             alive
             again
             ,
             was
             lost
             and
             is
             found
             .
          
        
         
           And
           truly
           t
           is
           one
           good
           sign
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           now
           taking
           men
           into
           the
           number
           of
           his
           children
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           fixing
           upon
           them
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           badges
           and
           characters
           of
           them
           ;
           for
           therefore
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             we
             are
             chastened
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             not
             be
             condemned
             with
             the
             world
          
           ;
           whilst
           those
           who
           are
           reserv'd
           for
           destruction
           hereafter
           ,
           do
           usually
           in
           this
           life
           
             come
             into
             no
             misfortune
             ,
             nor
             are
             plagued
             like
             other
             men
             .
          
           For
           God
           ,
           
             does
             not
             afflict
             any
             willingly
             ,
             nor
             grieve
             the
             children
             of
             men
             :
          
           but
           as
           he
           is
           grieved
           himself
           for
           the
           sufferings
           of
           his
           children
           ,
           (
           for
           
             in
             all
             their
             affliction
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
             he
             was
             afflicted
          
           ,
           )
           so
           he
           doth
           not
           usually
           punish
           wicked
           men
           both
           here
           and
           hereafter
           :
           and
           therefore
           they
           who
           are
           
           to
           be
           punished
           with
           everlasting
           destruction
           ,
           God
           suffers
           to
           
             enjoy
             their
             portion
             in
             this
             life
          
           without
           disturbance
           .
           And
           because
           the
           days
           of
           darkness
           must
           be
           many
           ,
           therefore
           does
           he
           suffer
           the
           sinner
           many
           times
           to
           
             die
             an
             hundred
             years
             old
          
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           take
           his
           full
           swinge
           of
           what
           he
           hath
           set
           his
           affections
           upon
           ;
           and
           after
           a
           long
           and
           prosperous
           life
           here
           ,
           without
           any
           check
           in
           his
           career
           of
           wickedness
           ,
           he
           lets
           him
           drop
           down
           into
           hell
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           apprehension
           of
           danger
           .
           So
           that
           in
           that
           sense
           it
           is
           true
           which
           the
           Poets
           say
           ,
           when
           they
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           descent
           into
           hell
           is
           easie
           and
           pleasant
           .
        
         
           And
           therefore
           on
           the
           contrary
           we
           may
           reasonably
           presume
           ,
           that
           tribulation
           and
           anguish
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           born
           with
           patience
           ,
           and
           resignation
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           when
           it
           works
           a
           serious
           Reformation
           ,
           will
           certainly
           minister
           to
           us
           an
           entrance
           into
           everlasting
           rest
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           greater
           our
           sufferings
           have
           been
           ,
           the
           more
           abundant
           and
           much
           more
           grateful
           shall
           the
           rest
           be
           .
        
         
           Affliction
           ,
           as
           it
           
             rises
             not
             out
             of
             the
             dust
             ,
          
           but
           descends
           from
           that
           God
           ,
           at
           whose
           hands
           we
           receive
           evil
           as
           well
           as
           good
           ;
           so
           neither
           is
           it
           design'd
           to
           deject
           us
           thither
           ,
           but
           to
           raise
           us
           up
           to
           God
           from
           whence
           it self
           comes
           .
           The
           pains
           of
           the
           Cross
           ,
           as
           well
           that
           Cross
           which
           we
           must
           bear
           our selves
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           our
           Saviour
           bore
           ,
           do
           in
           some
           sense
           open
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           
           heaven
           to
           all
           believers
           ;
           and
           to
           some
           ,
           as
           the
           Penitent
           Thief
           ,
           the
           hope
           of
           Paradise
           is
           not
           given
           till
           their
           last
           hour
           ;
           and
           those
           who
           come
           in
           then
           ,
           God
           is
           often
           pleased
           to
           make
           equal
           to
           them
           who
           
             have
             born
             the
             burden
             and
             heat
             of
             the
             day
          
           ;
           nay
           oftentimes
           to
           give
           them
           more
           ,
           for
           he
           
             will
             love
             much
             to
             whom
             much
             is
             forgiven
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           there
           are
           such
           stubborn
           natures
           ,
           that
           like
           clay
           are
           rather
           hardned
           by
           the
           fire
           of
           afflictions
           ;
           ungracious
           children
           ,
           that
           fly
           in
           the
           face
           of
           their
           heavenly
           Father
           in
           the
           very
           instant
           when
           he
           is
           correcting
           them
           ;
           or
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           like
           those
           children
           under
           the
           rod
           ,
           who
           promise
           wonders
           then
           ,
           and
           presently
           after
           forget
           all
           .
           Such
           as
           these
           we
           have
           described
           Ps.
           78.34
           ,
           35
           ,
           36
           ,
           37.
           
           
             When
             he
             slew
             them
             ,
             then
             they
             sought
             him
             ,
             and
             they
             return'd
             and
             enquired
             early
             after
             God
             ;
             then
             they
             remember'd
             that
             God
             was
             their
             rock
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             high
             God
             was
             their
             redeemer
             :
             nevertheless
             they
             did
             but
             flatter
             him
             with
             their
             mouth
             ,
             and
             lied
             unto
             him
             with
             their
             tongues
             ,
             for
             their
             heart
             was
             not
             right
             with
             him
             ,
             neither
             continued
             they
             stedfast
             in
             his
             covenant
             .
          
           And
           t
           is
           probable
           this
           has
           been
           the
           case
           formerly
           of
           this
           person
           .
           But
           there
           was
           an
           evident
           difference
           betwixt
           the
           effects
           of
           this
           sickness
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           before
           :
           
             He
             had
             other
             sentiments
             of
             things
             now
             ,
          
           (
           he
           told
           me
           )
           
             and
             acted
             upon
             quite
             different
             principles
          
           ;
           he
           was
           not
           vext
           with
           it
           as
           it
           was
           painful
           ,
           or
           hinder'd
           
           him
           from
           his
           sins
           ,
           which
           he
           would
           have
           
             roll'd
             under
             his
             tongue
          
           all
           the
           while
           ,
           and
           long'd
           again
           to
           be
           at
           it
           ;
           but
           he
           
             submitted
             patiently
             to
             it
             ,
             accepted
             it
             as
             the
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             was
             thankful
             ,
             blessing
             and
             praising
             God
             not
             only
             in
             ,
             but
             for
             his
             extremities
             .
          
           There
           were
           now
           no
           cursings
           ,
           no
           railings
           or
           reproaches
           to
           his
           servants
           ,
           or
           those
           about
           him
           ,
           which
           in
           other
           sicknesses
           were
           their
           usual
           entertainment
           ,
           but
           he
           treated
           them
           with
           all
           the
           meekness
           and
           patience
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           begging
           pardons
           frequently
           of
           the
           meanest
           of
           them
           but
           for
           a
           hasty
           word
           ,
           which
           the
           extremity
           of
           his
           sickness
           ,
           and
           the
           sharpness
           of
           his
           pain
           might
           easily
           force
           from
           him
           .
           His
           Prayers
           were
           not
           so
           much
           for
           ease
           or
           health
           ,
           or
           a
           continuance
           in
           life
           ;
           as
           for
           grace
           ,
           and
           faith
           ,
           and
           perfect
           resignation
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God.
           So
           that
           I
           think
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           only
           charitably
           but
           justly
           conclude
           ,
           that
           his
           Sickness
           was
           not
           the
           chief
           Ingredient
           ,
           but
           through
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           an
           effectual
           Means
           of
           a
           true
           ,
           tho
           late
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           for
           that
           I
           am
           to
           account
           in
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           I
           mean
           the
           time
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           to
           make
           out
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           tho
           it
           was
           a
           Death-bed
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           therefore
           full
           of
           danger
           ,
           and
           the
           utmost
           hazard
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           not
           wholly
           impossible
           to
           be
           true
           ,
           nor
           absolutely
           desperate
           .
        
         
           That
           it
           was
           hugely
           dangerous
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           utmost
           hazard
           to
           defer
           it
           so
           long
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           granted
           by
           all
           
           all
           wise
           and
           considering
           men
           :
           I
           wish
           all
           men
           were
           so
           wise
           as
           seriously
           to
           consider
           it
           ,
           and
           provide
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           For
           should
           God
           have
           snatch'd
           him
           away
           in
           the
           very
           act
           of
           his
           sin
           ,
           and
           that
           ,
           like
           Zimri
           and
           
             Cozhi
             ,
             Dathan
          
           and
           
             Abiram
             ,
             Ananias
          
           or
           Sapphira
           ,
           he
           had
           gone
           down
           quick
           into
           hell
           ;
           yet
           we
           must
           have
           acknowledged
           ,
           that
           
             righteous
             art
             thou
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             and
             clear
             when
             thou
             art
             judged
             .
          
           If
           God
           had
           taken
           him
           from
           the
           land
           of
           the
           living
           ,
           either
           by
           some
           sudden
           accident
           ,
           by
           a
           raging
           Feaver
           ,
           or
           by
           some
           stupid
           Lethargy
           or
           Apoplexie
           ,
           when
           he
           had
           had
           no
           time
           for
           reflection
           or
           repentance
           ;
           in
           what
           a
           dreadful
           condition
           had
           his
           Soul
           been
           for
           ever
           ?
           Or
           if
           God
           had
           vouchsafed
           him
           (
           as
           he
           did
           )
           some
           sharp
           lingring
           Sickness
           ,
           when
           he
           might
           have
           had
           leisure
           to
           repent
           ;
           yet
           what
           assurance
           was
           there
           that
           such
           a
           Repentance
           would
           have
           followed
           ?
           or
           if
           it
           had
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           have
           been
           accepted
           ?
           Was
           it
           not
           more
           likely
           that
           he
           would
           still
           have
           cried
           with
           the
           Wise
           man's
           Sluggard
           ,
           
             yet
             a
             little
             sleep
             ,
             and
             a
             little
             slumber
             ,
             till
             poverty
             ,
          
           a
           dismal
           poverty
           ,
           
             came
             upon
             him
          
           .
        
         
           But
           if
           he
           had
           resolved
           at
           that
           time
           to
           break
           off
           his
           sins
           by
           Repentance
           ,
           yet
           alas
           how
           improper
           a
           time
           was
           that
           for
           it
           ?
           T
           is
           not
           easie
           to
           be
           present
           and
           consistent
           to
           our selves
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           surrounded
           with
           disquieting
           if
           not
           stupifying
           pains
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           a
           necessary
           
           decay
           and
           dulness
           of
           spirits
           ,
           a
           short
           memory
           ,
           flat
           and
           low
           affections
           ;
           and
           at
           the
           same
           time
           a
           more
           then
           ordinary
           hurry
           and
           surcharge
           of
           worldly
           business
           ;
           a
           house
           to
           be
           set
           in
           order
           ,
           children
           to
           be
           provided
           for
           in
           their
           fortunes
           and
           education
           ;
           creditors
           to
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           amidst
           the
           cries
           and
           mournings
           of
           our
           nearest
           relations
           and
           friends
           about
           us
           .
           And
           certainly
           we
           must
           think
           Repentance
           a
           very
           easie
           task
           ,
           if
           we
           reckon
           ordinarily
           ,
           that
           he
           that
           is
           disabled
           from
           all
           other
           things
           else
           ,
           shall
           yet
           be
           fit
           to
           perfect
           and
           complete
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           allowing
           our
           thoughts
           to
           be
           as
           clear
           or
           clearer
           in
           our
           sickness
           than
           in
           our
           calmest
           and
           strongest
           seasons
           ,
           (
           which
           yet
           I
           think
           no
           man
           in
           his
           wits
           will
           believe
           )
           yet
           after
           all
           ,
           what
           security
           have
           we
           that
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           improve
           or
           employ
           it
           to
           a
           true
           repentance
           ?
           It
           may
           be
           ,
           before
           we
           come
           to
           that
           ,
           the
           measure
           of
           our
           iniquities
           is
           fill'd
           up
           already
           ,
           and
           the
           irreversible
           sentence
           is
           gone
           out
           ,
           tho
           not
           executed
           against
           us
           :
           My
           Patience
           
             shall
             not
             always
             strive
          
           (
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           as
           the
           LXX
           )
           
             with
             men
             ;
             Cut
             it
             down
             ,
             why
             cumbreth
             it
             the
             ground
             ?
          
           it
           may
           be
           curs'd
           and
           devoted
           ,
           tho
           we
           do
           not
           see
           it
           actually
           wither'd
           and
           destroy'd
           .
        
         
           But
           supposing
           this
           also
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           allow'd
           a
           farther
           time
           and
           means
           for
           repentance
           ;
           yet
           alas
           ,
           no
           ordinary
           means
           will
           serve
           us
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           been
           thus
           
           harden'd
           by
           customary
           sinning
           :
           and
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           should
           God
           proceed
           with
           us
           by
           the
           measure
           of
           strict
           justice
           ,
           he
           might
           rather
           take
           from
           us
           even
           that
           which
           we
           have
           ,
           then
           give
           us
           any
           extraordinary
           assistances
           which
           we
           have
           so
           abused
           .
        
         
           And
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           if
           God
           shall
           give
           us
           such
           extraordinary
           assistances
           ,
           whatever
           allowances
           God
           may
           make
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           still
           no
           certain
           security
           or
           comfort
           to
           any
           dying
           death-bed
           Penitent
           ;
           
             Charity
             hopeth
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             believeth
             all
             things
             ,
          
           and
           the
           relaxations
           of
           the
           censures
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           Absolution
           on
           probable
           signs
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           must
           follow
           the
           judgment
           of
           Charity
           ;
           yet
           the
           certainty
           of
           the
           Sinner's
           Absolution
           with
           God
           in
           heaven
           ,
           depends
           only
           upon
           the
           inward
           real
           sincerity
           of
           his
           Repentance
           ,
           and
           consequently
           upon
           the
           approving
           of
           it
           by
           his
           future
           conversation
           ;
           and
           therefore
           God
           Almighty
           ,
           who
           only
           knows
           what
           the
           one
           is
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           what
           the
           other
           will
           be
           ,
           can
           be
           a
           competent
           judge
           of
           it
           .
           And
           certainly
           t
           is
           enough
           for
           such
           a
           Penitent
           if
           he
           be
           secured
           at
           last
           of
           entring
           into
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           heaven
           ,
           tho
           he
           has
           very
           rarely
           ,
           if
           at
           all
           ,
           the
           present
           comfortable
           experience
           and
           assurance
           of
           it
           on
           a
           death-bed
           Repentance
           ,
           which
           indeed
           is
           reserv'd
           as
           the
           reward
           of
           a
           constant
           virtuous
           ,
           and
           holy
           life
           .
        
         
         
           But
           tho
           what
           I
           have
           said
           be
           enough
           to
           conclude
           a
           Death-bed
           repentance
           infinitely
           hazardous
           ,
           and
           therefore
           hugely
           unfit
           for
           any
           wise
           man
           to
           depend
           upon
           ;
           yet
           will
           it
           not
           be
           sufficient
           to
           prove
           it
           absolutely
           impossible
           .
           No
           sober
           man
           certainly
           would
           hazard
           his
           life
           upon
           the
           chance
           of
           a
           Die
           ,
           when
           t
           is
           a
           thousand
           to
           one
           but
           he
           miscarries
           ;
           or
           venture
           into
           a
           crazy
           Cock-boat
           out
           of
           a
           sound
           Ship
           ,
           when
           t
           is
           but
           barely
           possible
           he
           may
           be
           saved
           ;
           and
           yet
           no
           wise
           man
           neither
           but
           will
           allow
           a
           possibility
           of
           being
           sav'd
           both
           for
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           :
           and
           it
           is
           only
           this
           bare
           possibility
           of
           a
           Death-bed
           Repentance
           that
           I
           am
           now
           pleading
           for
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           this
           Possibility
           was
           produced
           into
           act
           ,
           and
           so
           render'd
           very
           probable
           also
           in
           the
           case
           of
           this
           Person
           here
           before
           us
           ,
           will
           best
           be
           judged
           by
           the
           marks
           I
           am
           now
           to
           give
           you
           of
           the
           sincerity
           of
           his
           Repentance
           ;
           for
           which
           I
           am
           in
           the
           next
           place
           to
           account
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           t
           was
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Divine
           Grace
           ,
           and
           of
           that
           only
           ,
           that
           brake
           through
           all
           these
           obstacles
           that
           I
           have
           now
           mention'd
           ;
           that
           God
           (
           who
           is
           a
           God
           of
           infinite
           compassion
           and
           forbearance
           )
           allow'd
           him
           leisure
           and
           opportunity
           for
           Repentance
           ;
           that
           he
           awaken'd
           him
           from
           his
           Spiritual
           slumber
           by
           a
           pungent
           Sickness
           ;
           that
           he
           gave
           him
           such
           a
           presence
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           both
           to
           provide
           prudently
           for
           his
           worldly
           affairs
           ,
           and
           
           yet
           not
           to
           be
           distracted
           or
           diverted
           by
           them
           from
           the
           thoughts
           of
           a
           better
           world
           ;
           that
           lengthened
           out
           his
           day
           of
           grace
           ,
           and
           accompanied
           the
           ordinary
           means
           of
           salvation
           ,
           and
           the
           weak
           ministry
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           with
           the
           convincing
           and
           over-ruling
           power
           of
           his
           Spirit
           to
           his
           Conscience
           ;
           which
           Word
           of
           God
           became
           to
           him
           
             quick
             and
             powerful
             ,
             sharper
             than
             any
             two-edged
             sword
             ,
             piercing
             even
             to
             the
             dividing
             asunder
             of
             his
             soul
             and
             spirit
          
           ;
           and
           at
           last
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             God
             witnessed
             to
             his
             spirit
             ,
          
           that
           now
           he
           was
           become
           
             one
             of
             the
             children
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           Now
           if
           the
           Thief
           upon
           the
           Cross
           (
           an
           instance
           too
           much
           abused
           )
           was
           therefore
           accepted
           ,
           because
           accompanied
           with
           all
           the
           effects
           of
           a
           sincere
           Convert
           ,
           which
           his
           condition
           was
           capable
           of
           ;
           as
           confession
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           blasphemies
           of
           Pharisees
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           lewd
           companion
           ,
           and
           desertion
           even
           of
           Christ's
           Disciples
           ;
           if
           his
           repentance
           be
           therefore
           judged
           real
           ,
           because
           he
           seems
           to
           be
           more
           concern'd
           in
           the
           remembrance
           of
           Christ's
           future
           Kingdom
           than
           his
           own
           death
           ;
           if
           St.
           Paul
           was
           approv'd
           by
           the
           same
           more
           abundant
           labours
           which
           he
           commended
           in
           the
           
             Corinthians
             ,
             yea
             what
             zeal
             ?
             what
             fear
             ?
             what
             vehement
             desire
             ?
          
           2
           Cor.
           7.11
           .
           I
           think
           I
           shall
           make
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           the
           Repentance
           of
           this
           Person
           was
           accompanied
           with
           the
           like
           hopeful
           symptoms
           :
           and
           I
           am
           so
           sensible
           of
           that
           awful
           Presence
           both
           
           of
           God
           and
           man
           before
           whom
           I
           speak
           ,
           who
           are
           easily
           able
           to
           discover
           my
           failings
           ,
           That
           I
           shall
           not
           deliver
           any
           thing
           ,
           but
           what
           I
           know
           to
           be
           a
           strict
           and
           a
           religious
           truth
           .
        
         
           Upon
           my
           first
           visit
           to
           him
           ,
           (
           May
           26.
           )
           just
           at
           his
           return
           from
           his
           journey
           out
           of
           the
           West
           ,
           he
           most
           gladly
           received
           me
           ,
           shew'd
           me
           extraordinary
           respects
           upon
           the
           score
           of
           mine
           Office
           ,
           
             thank'd
             God
             ,
             who
             had
             in
             mercy
             and
             good
             providence
             sent
             me
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             so
             much
             needed
             my
             prayers
             and
             counsels
             ;
             acknowledging
             how
             unworthily
             heretofore
             he
             had
             treated
             that
             order
             of
             men
             ,
             reproaching
             them
             that
             they
             were
             proud
             ,
             and
             prophesied
             only
             for
             rewards
             ;
             but
             now
             he
             had
             learnt
             how
             to
             value
             them
             ;
             that
             he
             esteem'd
             them
             the
             servants
             of
             the
             most
             High
             God
             ,
             who
             were
             to
             shew
             to
             him
             the
             way
             to
             everlasting
             life
             .
          
        
         
           At
           the
           same
           time
           I
           found
           him
           labouring
           under
           strange
           trouble
           and
           conflicts
           of
           mind
           ,
           his
           spirit
           wounded
           ,
           and
           his
           conscience
           full
           of
           terrors
           .
           Upon
           his
           journey
           he
           told
           me
           ,
           
             he
             had
             been
             arguing
             with
             greater
             vigor
             against
             God
             and
             Religion
             than
             ever
             he
             had
             done
             in
             his
             life
             time
             before
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             was
             resolved
             to
             run
             'em
             down
             with
             all
             the
             argument
             and
             spite
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             but
             ,
          
           like
           the
           great
           Convert
           St.
           
             Paul
             ,
             he
             found
             it
             hard
             to
             kick
             against
             the
             pricks
             .
          
           For
           God
           at
           that
           time
           had
           so
           struck
           his
           heart
           by
           his
           immediate
           hand
           ,
           that
           presently
           he
           
           argued
           as
           strongly
           for
           God
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           as
           before
           he
           had
           done
           against
           it
           .
           That
           God
           strangely
           open'd
           his
           heart
           ,
           creating
           in
           his
           mind
           most
           awful
           and
           tremendous
           thoughts
           and
           Ideas
           of
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           ,
           with
           a
           delightful
           contemplation
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           and
           Attributes
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           loveliness
           of
           Religion
           and
           Virtue
           .
           
             I
             never
          
           (
           said
           he
           )
           
             was
             advanced
             thus
             far
             towards
             happiness
             in
             my
             life
             before
             ,
             tho
             upon
             the
             commissions
             of
             some
             sins
             extraordinary
             I
             have
             had
             some
             checks
             and
             warnings
             considerable
             from
             within
             ,
             but
             still
             struggled
             with
             'em
             ,
             and
             so
             wore
             them
             off
             again
             .
             The
             most
             observable
             that
             I
             remember
             was
             this
             :
             One
             day
             at
             an
             Atheistical
             Meeting
             ,
             at
             a
             person
             of
             Qualitie's
             ,
             I
             undertook
             to
             manage
             the
             Cause
             ,
             and
             was
             the
             principal
             Disputant
             against
             God
             and
             Piety
             ,
             and
             for
             my
             performances
             received
             the
             applause
             of
             the
             whole
             company
             ;
             upon
             which
             my
             mind
             was
             terribly
             struck
             ,
             and
             I
             immediately
             reply'd
             thus
             to
             my self
             .
             Good
             God!
             that
             a
             Man
             ,
             that
             walks
             upright
             ,
             that
             sees
             the
             wonderful
             works
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             has
             the
             uses
             of
             his
             senses
             and
             reason
             ,
             should
             use
             them
             to
             the
             defying
             of
             his
             Creator
             !
             But
             tho
             this
             was
             a
             good
             beginning
             towards
             my
             Conversion
             ,
             to
             find
             my
             Conscience
             touch'd
             for
             my
             sins
             ,
             yet
             it
             went
             off
             again
             ;
             nay
             ,
             all
             my
             life
             long
             I
             had
             a
             secret
             value
             and
             reverence
             for
             an
             honest
             man
             ,
             and
             lov'd
             Morality
             in
             others
             .
             But
             I
             had
             form'd
             an
             odd
             Scheme
             of
             Religion
             to
             my self
             ,
             which
             would
             solve
             all
             that
             God
             or
             Conscience
             
             might
             force
             upon
             me
             ;
             yet
             I
             was
             not
             ever
             well
             reconciled
             to
             the
             business
             of
             Christianity
             ,
             nor
             had
             that
             reverence
             for
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             as
             I
             ought
             to
             have
             .
          
           Which
           estate
           of
           mind
           continued
           ,
           till
           the
           53d
           .
           Chapter
           of
           Isaiah
           was
           read
           to
           him
           ,
           (
           wherein
           there
           is
           a
           lively
           description
           of
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           the
           benefits
           thereof
           )
           and
           some
           other
           portions
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           by
           the
           power
           and
           efficacy
           of
           which
           Word
           ,
           assisted
           by
           his
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           God
           so
           wrought
           upon
           his
           heart
           ,
           that
           he
           declar'd
           ,
           that
           
             the
             mysteries
             of
             the
             Passion
             appeared
             so
             clear
             and
             plain
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             ever
             any
             thing
             did
             that
             was
             represented
             in
             a
             Glass
          
           ;
           so
           that
           that
           Joy
           and
           Admiration
           ,
           which
           possess'd
           his
           Soul
           upon
           the
           reading
           of
           Gods
           Word
           to
           him
           ,
           was
           remarkable
           to
           all
           about
           him
           ;
           and
           he
           had
           so
           much
           delight
           in
           his
           Testimonies
           ,
           that
           in
           my
           absence
           he
           begg'd
           his
           Mother
           and
           Lady
           to
           read
           the
           same
           to
           him
           frequently
           ,
           and
           was
           unsatisfied
           (
           notwithstanding
           his
           great
           pains
           and
           weakness
           )
           till
           he
           had
           learned
           especially
           the
           53.
           of
           Isaiah
           without
           book
           .
        
         
           At
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           discoursing
           of
           his
           manner
           of
           life
           from
           his
           youth
           up
           ,
           and
           which
           all
           men
           knew
           was
           too
           too
           much
           devoted
           to
           the
           
             service
             of
             sin
          
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           
             lusts
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             of
             the
             eye
             ,
             and
             the
             pride
             of
             life
             ,
          
           had
           captivated
           him
           :
           He
           was
           very
           large
           and
           particular
           in
           his
           acknowledgments
           about
           it
           ,
           more
           ready
           to
           accuse
           himself
           
           then
           I
           or
           any
           one
           else
           can
           be
           ;
           publicly
           crying
           out
           ,
           
             O
             Blessed
             God
             ,
             can
             such
             an
             horrid
             Creature
             as
             I
             am
             be
             accepted
             by
             thee
             ,
             who
             has
             deny'd
             thy
             Being
             ,
             and
             contemn'd
             thy
             Power
             ?
          
           asking
           often
           ,
           
             Can
             there
             be
             mercy
             and
             pardon
             for
             me
             ?
             Will
             God
             own
             such
             a
             Wretch
             as
             I
             ?
          
           and
           in
           the
           middle
           of
           his
           sickness
           said
           ,
           
             Shall
             the
             unspeakable
             joys
             of
             Heaven
             be
             confer'd
             on
             me
             ?
             O
             Mighty
             Saviour
             !
             never
             but
             through
             thine
             infinite
             Love
             and
             Satisfaction
             !
             O
             never
             but
             by
             the
             purchase
             of
             thy
             Bloud
          
           !
           adding
           ,
           
             That
             with
             all
             abhorrency
             he
             did
             reflect
             upon
             his
             former
             life
             ;
             that
             sincerely
             and
             from
             his
             heart
             he
             did
             repent
             of
             all
             that
             folly
             and
             madness
             which
             he
             had
             committed
             .
          
        
         
           Indeed
           he
           had
           a
           true
           and
           lively
           sense
           of
           God's
           great
           mercy
           to
           him
           in
           striking
           his
           hard
           heart
           ,
           and
           laying
           his
           Conscience
           open
           ,
           which
           hitherto
           was
           deaf
           to
           all
           Gods
           calls
           and
           methods
           ;
           saying
           ,
           
             if
             that
             God
             ,
             who
             died
             for
             great
             as
             well
             as
             lesser
             sinners
             ,
             did
             not
             speedily
             apply
             his
             infinite
             merits
             to
             his
             poor
             soul
             ,
             his
             wound
             was
             such
             as
             no
             man
             could
             conceive
             or
             bear
             ,
          
           crying
           out
           ,
           
             that
             he
             was
             the
             vilest
             Wretch
             and
             Dog
             that
             the
             Sun
             shined
             upon
             ,
             or
             the
             earth
             bore
             ;
             that
             now
             he
             saw
             his
             error
             in
             not
             living
             up
             to
             that
             Reason
             which
             God
             endued
             him
             with
             ,
             and
             which
             he
             unworthily
             vilify'd
             and
             contemn'd
          
           ;
           wish'd
           he
           
             had
             been
             a
             starving
             Leper
             crawling
             in
             a
             ditch
             ,
          
           that
           he
           
             had
             been
             a
             Link-boy
             or
             a
             Beggar
             ,
             or
             for
          
           his
           
             whole
             life
             time
             confin'd
             to
             
             a
             dungeon
             ,
             rather
             than
             thus
             to
             have
             sinned
             against
             his
             God.
             
          
        
         
           How
           remarkable
           was
           his
           Faith
           ,
           in
           a
           hearty
           embracing
           and
           devout
           confession
           of
           all
           the
           Articles
           of
           our
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Divine
           mysteries
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ?
           saying
           ,
           that
           
             that
             absurd
             and
             foolish
             Philosophy
             ,
             which
             the
             world
             so
             much
             admired
             ,
             propagated
             by
             the
             late
             Mr.
          
           Hobbs
           ,
           
             and
             others
             ,
             had
             undone
             him
             ,
             and
             many
             more
             ,
             of
             the
             best
             parts
             in
             the
             Nation
          
           ;
           who
           ,
           without
           Gods
           great
           mercy
           to
           them
           ,
           may
           never
           ,
           I
           believe
           ,
           attain
           such
           a
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           I
           must
           not
           omit
           to
           mention
           his
           faithful
           adherence
           to
           ,
           and
           casting
           himself
           entirely
           upon
           ,
           the
           mercies
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           free
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           declared
           to
           repenting
           sinners
           through
           him
           ;
           with
           a
           thankful
           remembrance
           of
           his
           Life
           ,
           Death
           ,
           and
           Resurrection
           ;
           begging
           
             God
             to
             strengthen
             his
             faith
          
           ,
           and
           often
           crying
           out
           ,
           
             Lord
             I
             believe
             ,
             help
             thou
             mine
             unbelief
             .
          
        
         
           His
           mighty
           love
           and
           esteem
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           his
           resolutions
           to
           read
           them
           frequently
           ,
           and
           meditate
           upon
           them
           if
           God
           should
           spare
           him
           ,
           having
           already
           tasted
           the
           good
           Word
           ;
           for
           having
           spoken
           to
           his
           heart
           he
           acknowledgd
           ,
           
             all
             the
             seeming
             absurdities
             and
             contradictions
             thereof
             ,
             fancied
             by
             men
             of
             corrupt
             and
             reprobate
             judgements
             ,
             were
             vanished
             ,
             and
             the
             excellency
             and
             beauty
             appeared
             ,
             being
             come
             to
             receive
             the
             truth
             in
             the
             love
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
         
           His
           extraordinary
           fervent
           Devotions
           in
           his
           frequent
           Prayers
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           most
           excellent
           and
           correct
           ;
           amongst
           the
           rest
           ,
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           manner
           as
           became
           a
           dutiful
           Subject
           ,
           and
           a
           truly
           grateful
           Servant
           ;
           for
           the
           Church
           and
           Nation
           ,
           for
           some
           particular
           Relations
           ,
           and
           then
           for
           all
           Men
           ;
           his
           calling
           frequently
           upon
           me
           at
           all
           hours
           to
           pray
           with
           him
           ,
           or
           read
           the
           Scriptures
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           towards
           the
           end
           of
           his
           sickness
           would
           heartily
           desire
           
             God
             to
             pardon
             his
             infirmities
             ,
             if
             he
             should
             not
             be
             so
             wakefull
             and
             intent
             through
             the
             whole
             duty
             as
             he
             wish'd
             to
             be
          
           ;
           and
           that
           
             tho
             the
             flesh
             was
             weak
             ,
             yet
             the
             spirit
             was
             willing
             ,
             and
             hoped
             God
             would
             accept
             that
             .
          
        
         
           His
           continual
           invocation
           of
           God's
           grace
           and
           holy
           Spirit
           to
           sustain
           him
           ,
           to
           keep
           him
           from
           all
           evil
           thoughts
           ,
           from
           all
           temtations
           and
           Diobolical
           suggestions
           ,
           and
           every
           thing
           which
           might
           be
           prejudicial
           to
           that
           religious
           temper
           of
           mind
           ,
           which
           God
           had
           now
           so
           happily
           endued
           him
           withall
           ,
           crying
           out
           ,
           one
           night
           especially
           ,
           
             how
             terribly
             the
             Temter
             did
             assault
             him
             ,
             by
             casting
             upon
             him
             lewd
             and
             wicked
             imaginations
             ,
             but
             I
             thank
             God
          
           (
           said
           he
           )
           
             I
             abhor
             them
             all
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             power
             of
             his
             grace
             ,
             which
             I
             am
             sure
             is
             sufficient
             for
             me
             ,
             I
             have
             overcome
             them
             ;
             t
             is
             the
             malice
             of
             the
             Devil
             ,
             because
             I
             am
             rescu'd
             from
             him
             ;
             and
             the
             goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             frees
             me
             from
             all
             my
             spiritual
             enemies
             .
          
        
         
         
           His
           great
           joy
           at
           his
           Ladies
           conversion
           from
           Popery
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           (
           being
           ,
           as
           he
           term'd
           it
           ,
           
             A
             faction
             supported
             only
             by
             Fraud
             and
             Cruelty
             ,
          
           )
           which
           was
           by
           her
           done
           with
           deliberation
           and
           mature
           judgment
           ;
           the
           dark
           mists
           of
           which
           have
           for
           some
           months
           before
           been
           breaking
           away
           ,
           but
           now
           cleared
           ,
           by
           her
           receiving
           the
           blessed
           Sacrament
           with
           her
           dying
           Husband
           ,
           at
           the
           receiving
           of
           which
           no
           man
           could
           express
           more
           joy
           and
           devotion
           than
           he
           did
           ;
           and
           having
           handled
           the
           word
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           seen
           the
           salvation
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           preparation
           of
           his
           mind
           ,
           he
           was
           now
           ready
           
             to
             depart
             in
             peace
          
           .
        
         
           His
           hearty
           concern
           for
           the
           pious
           Education
           of
           his
           Children
           ,
           wishing
           that
           his
           
             Son
             might
             never
             be
             a
             Wit
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           (
           as
           he
           himself
           explain'd
           it
           ,
           )
           
             one
             of
             those
             wretched
             Creatures
             ,
             who
             pride
             themselves
             in
             abusing
             God
             and
             Religion
             ,
             denying
             his
             Being
             ,
             or
             his
             Providence
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             might
             become
             an
             Honest
             and
             Religious
             man
             ,
             which
             could
             only
             be
             the
             support
             and
             blessing
             of
             his
             Family
          
           ;
           complaining
           
             what
             a
             vitious
             and
             naughty
             world
             they
             were
             brought
             into
             ,
          
           and
           that
           
             no
             Fortunes
             or
             Honours
             were
             comparable
             to
             the
             Love
             and
             Favour
             of
             God
             to
             them
             ,
          
           in
           whose
           Name
           he
           blessed
           them
           ,
           pray'd
           for
           'em
           ,
           and
           committed
           them
           to
           his
           Protection
           .
        
         
           His
           strict
           charge
           to
           those
           persons
           ,
           in
           whose
           custody
           his
           Papers
           were
           ,
           
             to
             burn
             all
             his
             profane
             and
             lewd
             Writings
             ,
             
             as
             being
             only
             fit
             to
             promote
             Vice
             and
             Immorality
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             had
             so
             highly
             offended
             God
             ,
             and
             shamed
             and
             blasphemed
             that
             Holy
             Religion
             into
             which
             he
             had
             been
             Baptiz'd
             ;
             and
             all
             his
             obscene
             and
             filthy
             Pictures
             ,
             which
             were
             so
             notoriously
             scandalous
             .
          
        
         
           His
           readiness
           to
           make
           restitution
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           his
           power
           to
           all
           persons
           who
           he
           had
           injur'd
           ;
           and
           for
           those
           whom
           he
           could
           not
           make
           a
           compensation
           to
           ,
           he
           prayed
           for
           Gods
           ,
           and
           their
           pardons
           .
           His
           remarkable
           justice
           in
           taking
           all
           possible
           care
           for
           the
           payment
           of
           his
           debts
           ,
           which
           ,
           before
           ,
           he
           confessed
           he
           had
           not
           so
           fairly
           and
           effectually
           done
           .
        
         
           His
           readiness
           to
           forgive
           all
           Injuries
           done
           against
           him
           ,
           some
           more
           particularly
           mention'd
           ,
           which
           were
           great
           and
           provoking
           ;
           nay
           annexing
           thereto
           all
           the
           assurance
           of
           a
           future
           friendship
           ,
           and
           hoping
           he
           should
           be
           as
           freely
           forgiven
           at
           the
           hand
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           How
           tender
           and
           concern'd
           was
           he
           for
           his
           Servants
           about
           him
           in
           his
           extremities
           ,
           (
           manifested
           by
           the
           beneficence
           of
           his
           Will
           to
           them
           ,
           )
           pittying
           their
           troubles
           in
           watching
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           attending
           him
           ,
           treating
           them
           with
           candor
           and
           kindness
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           his
           Intimates
           !
        
         
           How
           hearty
           were
           his
           endeavours
           to
           be
           serviceable
           to
           those
           about
           him
           ,
           exhorting
           them
           to
           
             the
             
             fear
             and
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             make
             a
             good
             use
             of
             his
             forbearance
             and
             long-suffering
             to
             sinners
             ,
             which
             should
             lead
             them
             to
             repentance
             .
          
           And
           here
           I
           must
           not
           pass
           by
           his
           pious
           and
           most
           passionate
           exclamation
           to
           a
           Gentleman
           of
           some
           character
           ,
           who
           came
           to
           visit
           him
           upon
           his
           Death-bed
           :
           
             O
             Remember
             that
             you
             contemn
             God
             no
             more
             ,
             He
             is
             an
             avenging
             God
             ,
             and
             will
             visit
             you
             for
             your
             sins
             ;
             will
             in
             mercy
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             touch
             your
             conscience
             sooner
             or
             later
             as
             he
             has
             done
             mine
             ;
             You
             and
             I
             have
             been
             Friends
             and
             Sinners
             together
             a
             great
             while
             ,
             therefore
             I
             am
             the
             more
             free
             with
             you
             ;
             We
             have
             been
             all
             mistaken
             in
             our
             conceits
             and
             opinions
             ;
             our
             perswasions
             have
             been
             false
             and
             groundless
             ,
             therefore
             God
             grant
             you
             repentance
             .
          
           And
           seeing
           him
           the
           next
           day
           again
           ,
           he
           said
           to
           him
           ,
           
             Perhaps
             you
             were
             disobliged
             by
             my
             plainness
             to
             you
             yesterday
             ;
             I
             spake
             the
             words
             of
             truth
             and
             soberness
             to
             you
             ,
          
           and
           (
           striking
           his
           hand
           upon
           his
           brest
           )
           said
           ,
           
             I
             hope
             God
             will
             touch
             your
             heart
             .
          
        
         
           Likewise
           his
           Commands
           to
           me
           ,
           
             to
             preach
             abroad
             ,
             and
             to
             let
             all
             men
             know
          
           (
           if
           they
           knew
           it
           not
           already
           ,
           )
           
             how
             severely
             God
             had
             disciplin'd
             him
             for
             his
             sins
             by
             his
             afflicting
             hand
             ;
             that
             his
             sufferings
             were
             most
             just
             ,
             tho
             he
             had
             laid
             ten
             thousand
             times
             more
             upon
             him
             ;
             how
             he
             had
             laid
             one
             stripe
             upon
             another
             because
             of
             his
             grievous
             provocations
             ,
             till
             he
             had
             brought
             him
             home
             to
             himself
             ;
             that
             in
             his
             former
             visitations
             he
             had
             not
             that
             blessed
             effect
             he
             was
             
             now
             sensible
             of
             .
          
           He
           had
           
             formerly
             some
             loose
             thoughts
             and
             slight
             resolutions
             of
             reforming
             ,
             and
             design'd
             to
             be
             better
             ,
             because
             even
             the
             present
             consequences
             of
             sin
             were
             still
             pestering
          
           him
           ,
           
             and
             were
             so
             troublesome
             and
             inconvenient
             to
          
           him
           ;
           
             but
             that
             now
          
           he
           had
           
             other
             sentiments
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             acted
             upon
             other
             principles
             .
          
        
         
           His
           willingness
           to
           dye
           ,
           if
           it
           pleased
           God
           ,
           
             resigning
             himself
             always
             to
             the
             Divine
             disposal
             ;
             but
             if
             God
             should
             spare
          
           him
           
             yet
             a
             longer
             time
             here
          
           ,
           he
           
             hoped
             to
             bring
             glory
             to
             the
             name
             of
             God
             in
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             and
             particularly
             by
             his
             endeavours
             to
             convince
             others
             ,
             and
             to
             assure
             them
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             their
             condition
             ,
             if
             they
             continued
             impenitent
             ,
             and
             how
             graciously
             God
             had
             dealt
             with
          
           him
           .
        
         
           His
           great
           sense
           of
           his
           obligations
           to
           those
           Excellent
           men
           ,
           the
           Right
           Reverend
           my
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           Oxford
           ,
           and
           Dr.
           Marshal
           ,
           for
           their
           charitable
           and
           frequent
           Visits
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           Prayers
           with
           him
           ;
           and
           Dr.
           Burnet
           ,
           who
           came
           on
           purpose
           from
           London
           to
           see
           him
           ,
           who
           were
           all
           very
           serviceable
           to
           his
           Repentance
           .
        
         
           His
           extraordinary
           duty
           and
           reverence
           to
           his
           Mother
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           grateful
           respects
           to
           her
           imaginable
           ,
           and
           kindness
           to
           his
           good
           Lady
           ,
           beyond
           expression
           ,
           (
           which
           may
           well
           enhance
           such
           a
           loss
           to
           them
           ,
           )
           and
           to
           his
           Children
           ,
           obliging
           them
           with
           all
           the
           endearments
           that
           a
           good
           Husband
           or
           a
           tender
           Father
           could
           bestow
           .
        
         
         
           To
           conclude
           these
           Remarks
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           read
           to
           you
           his
           dying
           Remonstrance
           ,
           sufficiently
           attested
           and
           sign'd
           by
           his
           own
           hand
           ,
           as
           his
           truest
           sense
           ,
           (
           which
           I
           hope
           may
           be
           useful
           for
           that
           good
           end
           he
           design'd
           it
           ,
           )
           in
           manner
           and
           form
           following
           .
        
         
           
             
               
                 FOr
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 all
                 those
                 whom
                 I
                 may
                 have
                 drawn
                 into
                 sin
                 by
                 my
                 example
                 and
                 encouragement
                 ,
                 I
                 leave
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 this
                 my
                 last
                 Declaration
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 deliver
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 knows
                 the
                 secrets
                 of
                 all
                 hearts
                 ,
                 and
                 before
                 whom
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 appearing
                 to
                 be
                 judged
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 That
                 from
                 the
                 bottom
                 of
                 my
                 soul
                 I
                 detest
                 and
                 abhor
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 my
                 former
                 wicked
                 life
                 ;
                 that
                 I
                 think
                 I
                 can
                 never
                 sufficiently
                 admire
                 the
                 goodness
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 has
                 given
                 me
                 a
                 true
                 sense
                 of
                 my
                 pernicious
                 Opinions
                 and
                 vile
                 Practices
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 I
                 have
                 hitherto
                 lived
                 without
                 Hope
                 ,
                 and
                 without
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 have
                 been
                 an
                 Open
                 Enemy
                 to
                 Jesus
                 Christ
                 ,
                 doing
                 the
                 utmost
                 despite
                 to
                 the
                 holy
                 Spirit
                 of
                 Grace
                 .
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 greatest
                 testimony
                 of
                 my
                 Charity
                 to
                 such
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 warm
                 'em
                 in
                 the
                 Name
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 they
                 regard
                 the
                 welfare
                 of
                 their
                 Immortal
                 Souls
                 ,
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 deny
                 his
                 Being
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 Providence
                 ,
                 or
                 despise
                 his
                 Goodness
                 ;
                 no
                 more
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 mock
                 of
                 Sin
                 ,
                 or
                 contemn
                 the
                 pure
                 and
                 excellent
                 Religion
                 of
                 my
                 ever
                 Blessed
                 Redeemer
                 ,
                 thro
                 whose
                 Merits
                 alone
                 ,
                 I
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 Greatest
                 of
                 Sinners
                 ,
                 do
                 yet
                 hope
                 for
                 Mercy
                 and
                 Forgiveness
                 .
                 Amen
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Declared
                 and
                 Sign'd
                 in
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 
                   
                     ANNE
                     ROCHESTER
                     .
                  
                   
                     ROBERT
                     PARSONS
                     .
                  
                
                 
                   Jun.
                   19.
                   1680.
                   
                
                 
                   J.
                   ROCHESTER
                
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
         
           And
           now
           I
           cannot
           but
           mention
           with
           joy
           and
           admiration
           that
           steddy
           temper
           of
           mind
           ,
           which
           he
           enjoy'd
           through
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           his
           Sickness
           and
           Repentance
           ;
           which
           must
           proceed
           ,
           not
           from
           a
           hurry
           and
           perturbation
           of
           mind
           or
           body
           ,
           arising
           from
           the
           fear
           of
           Death
           ,
           or
           dread
           of
           Hell
           only
           ,
           but
           from
           an
           ingenuous
           love
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           an
           uniform
           regard
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           (
           suitable
           to
           that
           solemn
           declaration
           of
           his
           ,
           
             I
             would
             not
             commit
             the
             least
             sin
             to
             gain
             a
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           )
           with
           all
           possible
           symptoms
           of
           a
           lasting
           perseverance
           in
           it
           ,
           if
           God
           should
           have
           restored
           him
           .
           To
           which
           may
           be
           added
           his
           comfortable
           perswasions
           of
           God's
           accepting
           him
           to
           his
           mercy
           ,
           saying
           three
           or
           four
           days
           before
           his
           death
           ,
           
             I
             shall
             die
             ,
             But
             Oh
             ,
             what
             unspeakable
             glories
             do
             I
             see
             !
             what
             joys
             ,
             beyond
             thought
             or
             expression
             ,
             am
             I
             sensible
             of
             !
             I
             am
             assured
             of
             Gods
             mercy
             to
             me
             through
             Jesus
             Christ.
             Oh
             how
             I
             long
             to
             die
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             with
             my
             Saviour
             !
          
        
         
           The
           time
           of
           his
           Sickness
           and
           Repentance
           was
           just
           nine
           weeks
           ;
           in
           all
           which
           time
           he
           was
           so
           much
           master
           of
           his
           reason
           ,
           and
           had
           so
           clear
           an
           understanding
           ,
           (
           saving
           30
           hours
           ,
           about
           the
           middle
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           was
           delirous
           ,
           )
           that
           he
           never
           dictated
           or
           spoke
           more
           composed
           in
           his
           life
           :
           and
           therefore
           if
           any
           shall
           continue
           to
           say
           ,
           his
           Piety
           was
           the
           effect
           of
           madness
           or
           vapours
           ;
           let
           me
           tell
           them
           ,
           t
           is
           highly
           disingenuous
           ,
           and
           
           that
           the
           assertion
           is
           as
           silly
           as
           it
           is
           wicked
           .
           And
           moreover
           that
           the
           force
           of
           what
           I
           have
           delivered
           may
           not
           be
           evaded
           by
           wicked
           men
           ,
           who
           are
           resolv'd
           to
           harden
           their
           hearts
           ,
           maugre
           all
           Convictions
           ,
           by
           saying
           ,
           
             This
             thing
             was
             done
             in
             a
             corner
          
           ;
           I
           appeal
           ,
           for
           the
           truth
           thereof
           ,
           to
           all
           sorts
           of
           persons
           who
           in
           considerable
           numbers
           visited
           and
           attended
           him
           ,
           and
           more
           particularly
           to
           those
           eminent
           Physicians
           who
           were
           near
           him
           ,
           and
           conversant
           with
           him
           in
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           his
           tedious
           sickness
           ;
           and
           who
           ,
           if
           any
           ,
           are
           competent
           judges
           of
           a
           Phrensy
           or
           delirium
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           many
           more
           excellent
           things
           in
           my
           absence
           which
           have
           occasionally
           dropt
           from
           his
           mouth
           ,
           that
           will
           not
           come
           within
           the
           narrow
           compass
           of
           a
           Sermon
           ;
           these
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           will
           sufficiently
           prove
           what
           I
           produce
           them
           for
           .
           And
           if
           any
           shall
           be
           still
           unsatisfied
           herein
           in
           this
           hard-hearted
           generation
           ,
           it
           matters
           not
           ,
           let
           them
           at
           their
           cost
           be
           Unbelievers
           still
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           this
           Excellent
           Penitent
           enjoys
           the
           comfort
           of
           his
           Repentance
           .
           And
           now
           from
           all
           these
           admirable
           signs
           we
           have
           great
           reason
           to
           believe
           comfortably
           ,
           that
           his
           Repentance
           was
           Real
           ,
           and
           his
           End
           happy
           ;
           and
           accordingly
           imitate
           the
           neighbours
           and
           Cosens
           of
           Elizabeth
           ,
           (
           Luke
           1.58
           .
           )
           who
           ,
           
             when
             they
             heard
             how
             the
             Lord
             had
             shewed
             great
             mercy
             upon
             her
             ,
             came
             and
             rejoyced
             with
             her
             .
          
        
         
         
           For
           so
           we
           must
           learn
           ,
           like
           the
           Ambassadors
           to
           some
           new
           Prince
           ,
           to
           turn
           our
           condolances
           into
           congratulations
           ,
           in
           conformity
           to
           an
           heavenly
           example
           ;
           
             For
             there
             is
             joy
             in
             heaven
             over
             one
             sinner
             that
             repents
          
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           A
           joy
           to
           
             God
             the
             Father
          
           ,
           who
           has
           solemnly
           sworn
           ,
           that
           he
           
             delights
             not
             in
             the
             death
             of
             a
             sinner
             ,
             but
             rather
             that
             he
             should
             repent
             and
             live
             ;
             who
             would
             have
             all
             men
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             and
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             truth
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           A
           joy
           to
           
             God
             the
             Son
          
           ,
           that
           good
           Shepherd
           ,
           mention'd
           in
           the
           verse
           before
           my
           Text
           ,
           who
           
             left
             the
             ninety
             and
             nine
          
           just
           persons
           
             in
             the
             wilderness
             ,
             and
             went
             after
             that
             which
             was
             lost
             ,
             till
             he
             had
             found
             it
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             had
             found
             it
             ,
             he
             laid
             it
             on
             his
             shoulders
             rejoycing
          
           ;
           and
           
             when
             he
             cometh
             home
             ,
             he
             calls
             together
             his
             friends
             and
             his
             neighbours
          
           (
           on
           heaven
           and
           earth
           ,
           )
           
             saying
             unto
             them
             ,
             Rejoyce
             with
             me
             ,
             for
             I
             have
             found
             my
             sheep
             which
             was
             lost
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           A
           joy
           to
           
             God
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           ,
           after
           he
           had
           been
           so
           often
           griev'd
           ,
           so
           
             despitefully
             treated
          
           ,
           and
           so
           long
           resisted
           .
        
         
           And
           4.
           a
           joy
           to
           the
           whole
           Court
           of
           Heaven
           
             in
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             holy
             Angels
             ,
          
           v.
           10.
           those
           
             ministring
             Spirits
             ,
             sent
             forth
             to
             minister
             to
             those
             who
             shall
             be
             heirs
             of
             salvation
          
           ;
           to
           see
           that
           now
           at
           last
           
             their
             labour
             is
             not
             in
             vain
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           but
           that
           there
           is
           one
           more
           Subject
           gained
           to
           the
           obedience
           of
           their
           and
           our
           common
           Lord
           ,
           deliver'd
           from
           the
           slavery
           ,
           and
           admitted
           to
           
           fill
           up
           the
           vacancy
           of
           Apostate
           Spirits
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           our
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           our
           proper
           or
           natural
           Citizenship
           or
           
             conversation
             is
             in
             heaven
          
           ;
           so
           should
           our
           joys
           too
           be
           conformable
           to
           those
           of
           our
           fellow-citizens
           .
           And
           therefore
           after
           the
           Relations
           and
           Friends
           of
           this
           great
           Person
           have
           paid
           their
           natural
           tribute
           of
           tears
           to
           so
           near
           a
           Relation
           ,
           they
           should
           then
           turn
           their
           sorrows
           into
           joys
           ,
           by
           the
           comfortable
           consideration
           of
           his
           being
           a
           Penitent
           upon
           earth
           ,
           and
           a
           Saint
           in
           heaven
           .
        
         
           Thus
           his
           dear
           Mother
           should
           rejoyce
           ,
           that
           the
           Son
           of
           her
           love
           and
           of
           her
           fears
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           her
           bowels
           ,
           is
           now
           born
           again
           into
           a
           better
           world
           ;
           adopted
           by
           his
           heavenly
           Father
           ,
           and
           gone
           before
           her
           to
           take
           possession
           of
           an
           eternal
           inheritance
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           His
           truly
           loving
           Consort
           should
           rejoyce
           ,
           that
           God
           has
           been
           so
           gracious
           to
           them
           both
           ,
           as
           at
           the
           same
           time
           to
           give
           him
           a
           fight
           of
           his
           errors
           in
           point
           of
           Practice
           ,
           and
           her self
           (
           not
           altogether
           without
           his
           means
           and
           endeavours
           )
           a
           sight
           of
           hers
           in
           point
           of
           Faith.
           And
           truly
           ,
           considering
           the
           great
           prejudices
           and
           dangers
           of
           the
           Roman
           Religion
           ,
           I
           think
           I
           may
           aver
           that
           there
           is
           joy
           in
           heaven
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           on
           earth
           ,
           for
           Her
           conversion
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           His.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           His
           Noble
           and
           most
           hopeful
           Issue
           should
           rejoyce
           ,
           as
           their
           years
           are
           capable
           ;
           not
           that
           a
           dear
           and
           loving
           
           Father
           has
           left
           them
           ,
           but
           that
           since
           he
           must
           leave
           them
           ,
           he
           has
           left
           them
           the
           example
           of
           a
           Penitent
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           a
           Sinner
           ;
           the
           Blessing
           of
           a
           Saint
           ,
           in
           recommending
           them
           to
           an
           All-sufficient
           Father
           ,
           and
           not
           entailing
           on
           them
           the
           fatal
           Curse
           that
           attends
           the
           posterity
           of
           the
           wicked
           and
           impenitent
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           All
           good
           men
           should
           rejoyce
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           triumphs
           of
           the
           Cross
           in
           these
           latter
           days
           ,
           and
           the
           words
           of
           Divine
           Wisdom
           and
           Power
           .
           And
           bad
           men
           certainly
           ,
           when
           ever
           they
           consider
           it
           ,
           are
           most
           of
           all
           concern'd
           to
           joy
           and
           rejoyce
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           a
           condemn'd
           Malefactor
           is
           ,
           to
           hear
           that
           a
           fellow-criminal
           has
           got
           his
           Pardon
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           may
           do
           so
           too
           ,
           if
           he
           speedily
           sue
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           joy
           of
           all
           will
           still
           be
           the
           greater
           ,
           if
           we
           compare
           it
           with
           the
           Joy
           there
           is
           in
           the
           case
           of
           Just
           persons
           ,
           that
           need
           no
           Repentance
           ,
           viz.
           that
           need
           not
           such
           a
           solemn
           extraordinary
           Repentance
           ,
           or
           the
           whole
           change
           of
           heart
           and
           mind
           ,
           as
           great
           Sinners
           do
           :
           and
           of
           this
           my
           Text
           pronounces
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           
             greater
             joy
             in
             heaven
             over
             one
          
           such
           
             sinner
             that
          
           truly
           
             repenteth
             ,
             than
             there
             is
             over
             ninety
             and
             nine
             just
             persons
             that
             need
             not
          
           such
           
             a
             repentance
          
           .
           And
           the
           reason
           we
           may
           conceive
           to
           be
           this
           ;
           that
           since
           all
           Joy
           arises
           from
           Admiration
           and
           Surprize
           ,
           as
           from
           something
           that
           is
           new
           and
           unexpected
           ;
           accordingly
           the
           joy
           that
           proceeds
           from
           the
           repentance
           and
           
           new
           life
           of
           a
           notorious
           Sinner
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           greater
           then
           that
           which
           rises
           from
           the
           constant
           piety
           of
           a
           good
           man
           ,
           which
           we
           have
           seen
           every
           day
           ;
           as
           a
           resurrection
           from
           the
           dead
           is
           more
           remarkable
           then
           our
           first
           life
           .
           Besides
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           Penitent's
           former
           failings
           ,
           are
           ordinarily
           the
           occasion
           of
           a
           greater
           and
           more
           active
           piety
           afterwards
           ;
           as
           our
           Convert
           earnestly
           wish'd
           ,
           
             That
             God
             would
             be
             pleased
             to
             spare
             him
             but
             one
             year
             more
             ,
             that
             in
             that
             he
             might
             honour
             his
             Name
             proportionably
             to
             the
             dishonour
             done
             to
             God
             in
             his
             whole
             life
             past
             .
          
           And
           we
           see
           St.
           
             Paul
             laboured
             more
             abundantly
          
           than
           all
           the
           Apostles
           in
           the
           planting
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           because
           he
           had
           raged
           most
           furiously
           before
           in
           the
           destruction
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           our
           Saviour
           himself
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             to
             whom
             much
             is
             given
             they
             will
             love
             much
             ,
             but
             to
             whom
             little
             is
             forgiven
             they
             will
             love
             little
          
           ;
           and
           we
           know
           ,
           a
           Commander
           will
           love
           a
           Soldier
           more
           that
           redeems
           his
           former
           cowardise
           ,
           by
           doing
           some
           brave
           and
           daring
           action
           ,
           then
           him
           ,
           who
           never
           had
           that
           taint
           upon
           him
           ,
           but
           yet
           never
           atchieved
           any
           thing
           remarkable
           .
           A
           Husbandman
           more
           rejoyces
           at
           the
           improvement
           of
           briars
           and
           thorns
           into
           an
           excellent
           crop
           ,
           from
           which
           once
           he
           had
           but
           little
           expectation
           ,
           than
           for
           such
           a
           soil
           as
           was
           remarkable
           neither
           for
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           T
           is
           certainly
           the
           more
           safe
           ,
           indeed
           the
           only
           safe
           way
           
           to
           be
           constantly
           virtuous
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           is
           wise
           indeed
           ,
           i.
           e.
           
             wise
             unto
             salvation
          
           ,
           will
           endeavour
           to
           be
           one
           of
           those
           that
           
             need
             no
             repentance
          
           ;
           I
           mean
           that
           entire
           and
           whole
           work
           of
           beginning
           anew
           ,
           but
           will
           draw
           out
           the
           same
           thred
           through
           his
           whole
           life
           ,
           and
           not
           let
           the
           Sun
           go
           down
           upon
           any
           of
           his
           sins
           ;
           but
           then
           the
           other
           Repentance
           is
           the
           more
           remarkable
           ,
           and
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           real
           ,
           the
           more
           effectual
           ,
           to
           produce
           a
           fervent
           and
           a
           fruitful
           piety
           ;
           besides
           the
           greater
           glory
           to
           God
           in
           the
           influence
           of
           the
           example
           .
           Which
           may
           probably
           be
           a
           farther
           reason
           of
           the
           excessive
           joy
           of
           Angels
           at
           the
           Conversion
           of
           such
           a
           Sinner
           ;
           because
           they
           ,
           who
           are
           better
           acquainted
           with
           humane
           nature
           than
           we
           ;
           and
           knowing
           it
           apt
           ,
           like
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           to
           demand
           a
           Sign
           from
           heaven
           ,
           for
           the
           reformation
           of
           corrupted
           customs
           ;
           they
           discern
           too
           ,
           that
           such
           desperate
           Spiritual
           recoveries
           ,
           will
           seem
           so
           many
           Openings
           of
           the
           Heavens
           in
           the
           descent
           of
           the
           holy
           Dove
           ,
           visibly
           to
           the
           standers
           by
           ;
           and
           accordingly
           will
           have
           the
           greater
           influence
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           t
           is
           this
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           to
           recommend
           to
           all
           that
           hear
           me
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           And
           having
           thus
           discharg'd
           the
           office
           of
           an
           Historian
           ,
           in
           a
           faithful
           representation
           of
           the
           Repentance
           and
           Conversion
           of
           this
           great
           Sinner
           ;
           give
           me
           leave
           now
           to
           bespeak
           you
           as
           an
           Ambassador
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           in
           
           his
           name
           earnestly
           
             perswade
             you
             to
             be
             reconcil'd
             to
             him
             ,
          
           and
           to
           follow
           this
           Illustrious
           person
           ,
           not
           in
           his
           Sins
           any
           more
           ,
           but
           in
           his
           Sorrows
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           his
           forsaking
           them
           .
           I
           hope
           better
           things
           of
           you
           ,
           my
           Brethren
           ,
           then
           to
           think
           that
           all
           that
           now
           hear
           me
           ,
           have
           need
           of
           such
           a
           repentance
           ,
           tho
           all
           have
           need
           of
           some
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           are
           most
           sensible
           of
           it
           .
           But
           if
           there
           be
           any
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           or
           elsewhere
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           drawn
           into
           a
           complacency
           or
           practice
           of
           any
           kind
           of
           sin
           from
           his
           example
           ,
           let
           those
           especially
           be
           perswaded
           
             to
             break
             off
             their
             sins
             by
             repentance
             ,
          
           by
           the
           same
           example
           ;
           that
           as
           he
           has
           been
           
             for
             the
             fall
          
           ,
           so
           he
           may
           be
           now
           
             for
             the
             rising
             again
             of
             many
             in
             Israel
             .
          
           God
           knows
           there
           are
           too
           many
           that
           are
           wise
           enough
           to
           discern
           and
           follow
           the
           examples
           of
           evil
           ,
           but
           to
           do
           good
           from
           those
           examples
           they
           have
           no
           power
           ;
           like
           those
           absurd
           flatterers
           we
           read
           of
           ,
           who
           could
           imitate
           Plato
           in
           his
           crookedness
           ,
           Aristotle
           in
           his
           stammering
           ,
           and
           Alexander
           the
           Great
           in
           the
           bending
           of
           his
           neck
           ,
           and
           the
           shrilness
           of
           his
           voice
           ,
           but
           either
           could
           not
           ,
           or
           would
           not
           ,
           imitate
           them
           in
           any
           of
           their
           perfections
           ;
           or
           like
           to
           those
           bad
           stomachs
           ,
           that
           delight
           in
           dirt
           and
           charcoal
           ,
           but
           nauseate
           savory
           and
           wholsome
           food
           .
           Such
           as
           these
           I
           would
           beseech
           ,
           in
           their
           cooler
           seasons
           ,
           to
           ask
           themselves
           that
           question
           ,
           
             What
             fruit
             had
             you
             in
             those
             things
             whereof
             you
             are
             now
             ashamed
             ,
             for
             the
             
             end
             of
             these
             things
             is
             death
             ?
          
           And
           if
           any
           incourage
           themselves
           in
           their
           wickedness
           from
           this
           example
           ,
           resolving
           however
           to
           enjoy
           the
           good
           things
           that
           are
           present
           ;
           
             to
             fill
             themselves
             with
             costly
             wines
             ,
             and
             to
             let
             no
             part
             of
             pleasure
             pass
             by
             them
          
           untasted
           ,
           supposing
           with
           the
           Gospel
           rich
           man
           ,
           that
           when
           
             one
             comes
             to
             them
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
          
           when
           Sickness
           or
           old
           Age
           approches
           ,
           that
           then
           
             they
             will
             repent
          
           ;
           let
           such
           as
           these
           consider
           the
           dreadful
           hazard
           they
           run
           by
           such
           pernicious
           counsels
           .
           It
           may
           be
           (
           and
           it
           is
           but
           just
           with
           God
           it
           should
           be
           )
           that
           whilst
           they
           are
           making
           
             provisions
             for
             the
             flesh
             to
             fulfill
             the
             lusts
             thereof
             ,
          
           and
           are
           saying
           to
           their
           souls
           ,
           
             Soul
             thou
             hast
             much
             goods
             laid
             up
             for
             many
             years
             ,
          
           therefore
           
             take
             thine
             ease
             ,
             eat
             ,
             drink
             ,
             and
             be
             merry
          
           ;
           perhaps
           just
           then
           at
           the
           same
           time
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           may
           be
           writing
           upon
           the
           walls
           of
           their
           habitations
           that
           fatal
           sentence
           ,
           
             Thou
             fool
             ,
             this
             night
             shall
             thy
             soul
             be
             required
             of
             thee
             ,
             and
             then
             whose
             shall
             all
             those
             things
             be
             ,
             which
             thou
             hast
             provided
             ?
          
           And
           what
           sad
           reflections
           must
           such
           a
           one
           needs
           make
           upon
           his
           own
           folly
           ,
           when
           he
           sees
           that
           all
           that
           mirth
           and
           ease
           ,
           which
           he
           has
           promised
           himself
           for
           so
           many
           years
           ,
           must
           be
           at
           an
           end
           in
           a
           very
           few
           hours
           ?
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           that
           mirth
           turn'd
           into
           howlings
           ,
           and
           that
           ease
           into
           a
           bed
           of
           flames
           ;
           when
           the
           soul
           must
           be
           torn
           away
           on
           a
           sudden
           from
           the
           things
           it
           
           loved
           ,
           and
           go
           where
           it
           will
           hate
           to
           live
           ,
           and
           yet
           cannot
           die
           .
           And
           were
           it
           not
           better
           for
           us
           to
           embrace
           cordially
           the
           
             things
             which
             belong
             to
             our
          
           everlasting
           peace
           ,
           before
           
             they
             are
             hid
             from
             our
             eyes
             ?
          
           Were
           it
           not
           better
           for
           us
           all
           to
           be
           wise
           betimes
           by
           preventing
           such
           a
           danger
           ,
           then
           to
           open
           our
           eyes
           ,
           as
           the
           unhappy
           rich
           man
           did
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           in
           the
           place
           of
           torment
           ?
        
         
           Be
           perswaded
           then
           with
           humble
           ,
           penitent
           ,
           and
           obedient
           hearts
           to
           go
           out
           of
           your
           sinful
           selves
           ,
           and
           meet
           the
           Blessed
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           is
           now
           on
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           comes
           to
           us
           in
           the
           person
           and
           in
           the
           bowels
           of
           a
           Saviour
           ,
           woing
           us
           to
           accept
           those
           easie
           conditions
           of
           pardon
           and
           peace
           offer'd
           in
           his
           holy
           Gospel
           ,
           rather
           then
           to
           stay
           till
           he
           become
           our
           Adversary
           and
           our
           Judge
           too
           ,
           when
           he
           will
           
             deliver
             us
             over
             to
             the
             tormentors
             ,
             till
             we
             have
             paid
             the
             utmost
             farthing
             ,
          
           i.e.
           to
           all
           eternity
           :
           when
           those
           who
           have
           made
           a
           mock
           at
           sin
           all
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           laugh'd
           at
           the
           pretended
           cheats
           of
           Religion
           and
           its
           Priests
           ,
           shall
           find
           themselves
           at
           last
           the
           greatest
           fools
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           sadly
           cheated
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           for
           God
           will
           then
           
             laugh
             at
             their
             calamity
             ,
             and
             mock
             when
             their
             fear
             cometh
             ,
             when
             it
             cometh
             as
             desolation
             ,
             and
             their
             destruction
             as
             a
             whirlwind
             .
          
           And
           since
           they
           would
           not
           suffer
           his
           Mercy
           to
           rejoyce
           over
           his
           Justice
           ,
           nor
           cause
           any
           joy
           in
           heaven
           ,
           as
           the
           Text
           mentions
           ,
           in
           their
           conversion
           ;
           
           his
           Justice
           will
           certainly
           rejoyce
           over
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           cause
           joy
           in
           heaven
           (
           as
           it
           did
           at
           the
           fall
           of
           Babylon
           ,
           which
           
             would
             not
             be
             cured
             ,
             Rev.
          
           19.1
           .
           )
           in
           their
           confusion
           .
           And
           O
           that
           there
           were
           such
           a
           heart
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           consider
           this
           betimes
           :
           that
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           their
           carnal
           jollities
           they
           would
           but
           vouchsafe
           one
           regard
           to
           what
           may
           happen
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           what
           will
           certainly
           be
           the
           end
           of
           these
           things
           .
           For
           however
           the
           fruits
           of
           sin
           may
           seem
           
             pleasant
             to
             the
             eye
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             desired
             ,
             to
             make
             one
          
           seem
           wise
           and
           witty
           to
           the
           world
           ;
           yet
           alas
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           but
           emty
           and
           unsatisfactory
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           leave
           a
           mortal
           sting
           behind
           them
           ,
           and
           
             bitterness
             in
             the
          
           later
           end
           ;
           like
           the
           book
           St.
           John
           ate
           ,
           (
           Rev.
           10.10
           .
           )
           
             which
             in
             his
             mouth
             was
             sweet
             as
             honey
             ,
             but
             as
             soon
             as
             he
             had
             eaten
             it
             ,
             his
             belly
             was
             bitter
             .
          
           And
           tho
           God
           should
           please
           at
           last
           to
           bring
           men
           back
           in
           their
           old
           age
           from
           their
           sinful
           courses
           ,
           by
           a
           
             way
             of
             weeping
          
           ,
           to
           pluck
           them
           as
           fire-brands
           out
           of
           
             everlasting
             burnings
          
           ;
           yet
           if
           men
           consider
           how
           rare
           and
           difficult
           a
           thing
           it
           is
           to
           be
           
             born
             again
             when
             one
             is
             old
             ,
          
           how
           many
           pangs
           and
           violences
           to
           nature
           there
           must
           needs
           be
           ,
           to
           put
           off
           the
           habits
           and
           inclinations
           to
           old
           sins
           :
           as
           difficult
           (
           saith
           the
           Prophet
           )
           
             as
             for
             the
             Leopard
             to
             change
             his
             spots
             ,
             or
             the
             Ethiopian
             his
             skin
          
           ;
           and
           then
           when
           that
           's
           done
           ,
           what
           scars
           and
           weaknesses
           even
           a
           Cure
           must
           leave
           behind
           ,
           
           I
           say
           ,
           he
           that
           duly
           considers
           this
           ,
           will
           think
           it
           better
           to
           secure
           his
           salvation
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           present
           true
           comforts
           ,
           by
           preserving
           his
           innocency
           ,
           or
           alleviating
           his
           work
           by
           a
           daily
           repentance
           for
           lesser
           failings
           ,
           then
           to
           venture
           upon
           one
           single
           chance
           of
           a
           death-bed
           repentance
           ;
           which
           is
           no
           more
           to
           be
           depended
           upon
           ,
           for
           the
           performance
           ,
           or
           acceptance
           ,
           then
           it
           can
           encourage
           any
           man
           not
           to
           labour
           ,
           because
           Elias
           was
           fed
           by
           Ravens
           ,
           or
           the
           Israelites
           with
           Manna
           from
           heaven
           .
        
         
           If
           then
           there
           be
           any
           (
           tho
           alas
           that
           need
           not
           be
           asked
           )
           that
           have
           made
           the
           greatness
           of
           their
           Wit
           ,
           or
           Birth
           ,
           or
           Fortune
           ,
           
             instruments
             of
             iniquity
             to
             iniquity
          
           ;
           let
           them
           now
           convert
           them
           ,
           in
           their
           own
           conversion
           ,
           to
           that
           original
           noble
           use
           for
           which
           God
           intended
           them
           ,
           viz.
           to
           be
           
             instruments
             of
             righteousness
             unto
             holiness
          
           .
        
         
           To
           these
           especially
           that
           are
           thus
           great
           ,
           not
           onely
           God
           ,
           but
           this
           great
           Person
           also
           ,
           by
           my
           mouth
           ,
           
             being
             dead
             yet
             speaketh
          
           ;
           for
           as
           St.
           Paul
           seem'd
           more
           especially
           concern'd
           for
           his
           brethren
           and
           kinsmen
           according
           to
           the
           flesh
           ;
           and
           even
           the
           rich
           man
           in
           hell
           ,
           tho
           sufficiently
           distracted
           by
           his
           own
           sufferings
           ,
           yet
           seems
           hugely
           desirous
           that
           one
           might
           be
           sent
           from
           the
           dead
           to
           his
           brethren
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           
             testifie
             unto
             them
             ,
             lest
             they
             also
             come
             into
             that
             place
             of
             torment
          
           :
           so
           this
           Illustrions
           Convert
           ,
           after
           God
           had
           open'd
           his
           eyes
           to
           see
           his
           follies
           ,
           
           was
           more
           especially
           desirous
           of
           the
           salvation
           of
           those
           that
           were
           his
           brethren
           ,
           tho
           not
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           yet
           in
           the
           greatness
           of
           their
           quality
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           sins
           ;
           passionately
           wishing
           ,
           
             that
             all
             such
             ,
             were
             not
             only
             almost
             ,
             but
             altogether
             such
             as
             he
             now
             was
             ,
          
           saving
           his
           bodily
           afflictions
           ;
           and
           of
           great
           force
           ,
           me
           thinks
           ,
           should
           the
           admonitions
           of
           a
           dying
           friend
           be
           .
           The
           ingenious
           
             Michael
             de
             Montaigne
          
           reckons
           him
           the
           best
           Physician
           ,
           who
           himself
           has
           had
           the
           disease
           which
           he
           pretends
           to
           cure
           ;
           and
           behold
           a
           greater
           than
           he
           says
           to
           St.
           
             Peter
             ,
             when
             thou
             art
             converted
             strengthen
             thy
             brethren
          
           ;
           which
           assures
           us
           ,
           that
           they
           which
           have
           themselves
           been
           in
           a
           condition
           to
           need
           a
           remarkable
           conversion
           ,
           are
           not
           uncapable
           thereby
           ,
           but
           obliged
           ,
           and
           the
           better
           qualified
           for
           such
           a
           charitable
           work
           .
        
         
           Now
           these
           especially
           I
           would
           beseech
           ,
           as
           the
           Minister
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           as
           such
           ,
           
             tho
             we
             are
             reviled
             we
             bless
             ,
             tho
             we
             are
             defamed
             we
             intreat
             ,
          
           to
           
             suffer
             the
             word
             of
             Exhortation
          
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           not
           terminate
           their
           eyes
           upon
           the
           outward
           pomp
           and
           pageantry
           that
           attends
           them
           ,
           as
           the
           vulgar
           Jews
           did
           upon
           their
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           ;
           but
           (
           as
           the
           wiser
           Israelites
           ,
           who
           esteem'd
           those
           glittering
           formalities
           as
           the
           Types
           and
           Images
           of
           heavenly
           things
           ,
           )
           be
           quickned
           by
           them
           to
           the
           ambition
           of
           original
           honours
           ,
           and
           future
           glory
           .
           How
           much
           
           were
           it
           to
           be
           wish'd
           ,
           that
           such
           persons
           especially
           would
           be
           followers
           of
           God
           and
           goodness
           ,
           since
           whether
           they
           will
           or
           no
           men
           will
           be
           followes
           of
           them
           ;
           all
           of
           them
           according
           to
           their
           respective
           magnitudes
           ,
           like
           Stars
           ,
           casting
           a
           good
           or
           bad
           influence
           upon
           their
           inferiors
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           oftentimes
           upon
           their
           superiors
           too
           ;
           as
           the
           corrupt
           bloud
           in
           the
           feet
           ,
           in
           the
           course
           of
           its
           circulation
           ,
           after
           some
           time
           passes
           upwards
           into
           the
           head
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           an
           eminent
           station
           is
           liable
           to
           several
           mischiefs
           ,
           from
           which
           a
           mean
           condition
           is
           free
           ;
           but
           the
           God
           of
           order
           ,
           who
           has
           made
           dignity
           in
           place
           ,
           and
           affluence
           of
           riches
           necessary
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           has
           proportion'd
           his
           supports
           :
           and
           if
           the
           incitements
           to
           
             sin
             do
             abound
          
           unto
           the
           rich
           and
           noble
           ,
           
             the
             grace
             of
             God
          
           ,
           if
           they
           are
           careful
           to
           improve
           it
           ,
           
             will
             much
             more
             abound
          
           ,
           both
           to
           Gods
           glory
           and
           their
           own
           .
           Thus
           if
           the
           temtations
           of
           great
           persons
           be
           more
           ,
           and
           greater
           then
           those
           of
           inferiors
           ;
           their
           abilities
           and
           understandings
           are
           ordinarily
           greater
           too
           :
           and
           if
           they
           lie
           more
           open
           to
           the
           assaults
           of
           the
           Devil
           ,
           they
           have
           generally
           greater
           sagacities
           to
           foresee
           the
           danger
           ,
           and
           more
           powerful
           assistances
           to
           go
           through
           it
           .
           Nor
           is
           Piety
           inconsistent
           with
           Greatness
           any
           more
           then
           it
           is
           with
           Policy
           ,
           but
           is
           the
           best
           foundation
           and
           security
           both
           to
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           .
           The
           
           breeding
           of
           Moses
           at
           Court
           ,
           without
           doubt
           contributed
           much
           even
           to
           his
           Religious
           performances
           ,
           at
           least
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           them
           more
           useful
           and
           exemplary
           to
           others
           :
           but
           then
           he
           was
           sincerely
           virtuous
           all
           the
           while
           ,
           as
           well
           whilst
           reputed
           the
           Son
           of
           
           Pharoh's
           daughter
           ,
           as
           
           Jethro's
           Son
           in-law
           .
           The
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           was
           Nephew
           to
           a
           King
           ,
           and
           bred
           ,
           as
           is
           supposed
           ,
           in
           the
           Court
           ;
           whence
           we
           may
           observe
           his
           style
           is
           more
           majestic
           then
           the
           other
           Prophets
           ;
           as
           that
           of
           the
           great
           Doctor
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           who
           was
           bred
           at
           the
           feet
           of
           Gamaliel
           ,
           is
           then
           the
           other
           Apostles
           ;
           God
           making
           use
           of
           the
           natural
           tempers
           and
           educations
           of
           men
           ,
           to
           be
           assisting
           to
           supernatural
           purposes
           .
        
         
           We
           find
           Christians
           in
           
           Cesar's
           household
           as
           soon
           as
           any
           where
           else
           in
           Rome
           ;
           and
           when
           Christianity
           had
           once
           gain'd
           Constantine
           ,
           it
           spread
           it self
           farther
           over
           the
           Empire
           in
           a
           few
           years
           ,
           then
           before
           it
           had
           done
           in
           some
           Centuries
           :
           as
           waters
           running
           downwards
           spred
           themselves
           freer
           ,
           then
           when
           forced
           upwards
           against
           nature
           .
           Since
           then
           so
           much
           mischief
           depends
           upon
           Illustrious
           examples
           ,
           will
           it
           not
           better
           become
           men
           to
           draw
           the
           multitude
           after
           them
           to
           heaven
           ,
           by
           their
           piety
           ,
           then
           by
           infectious
           guilts
           be
           at
           the
           head
           of
           a
           miserable
           company
           of
           the
           Damn'd
           ?
        
         
           T
           is
           this
           piety
           ,
           a
           timely
           and
           exemplary
           piety
           ,
           that
           
           will
           perpetuate
           to
           men
           of
           birth
           and
           fortunes
           ,
           their
           Honors
           ,
           and
           their
           Estates
           too
           ,
           as
           well
           by
           deriving
           on
           them
           the
           blessing
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           true
           fountain
           of
           honour
           ;
           as
           by
           creating
           an
           awe
           and
           a
           reverence
           for
           them
           from
           all
           orders
           of
           men
           ,
           even
           to
           many
           generations
           ;
           a
           reverence
           which
           will
           be
           fresh
           and
           lasting
           ,
           when
           all
           the
           trophies
           of
           wit
           and
           gaity
           are
           laid
           in
           the
           dust
           .
           T
           is
           this
           piety
           that
           will
           be
           the
           guide
           of
           their
           youth
           ,
           and
           the
           comfort
           of
           their
           age
           ;
           for
           
             length
             of
             days
             are
             in
             her
             right
             hand
             ,
             and
             in
             her
             left
             hand
             riches
             and
             honour
             .
          
           T
           is
           this
           ,
           and
           this
           only
           ,
           that
           can
           make
           all
           outward
           blessings
           comfortable
           ,
           and
           indeed
           blessings
           to
           us
           ,
           by
           making
           them
           the
           steps
           and
           means
           of
           attaining
           the
           never
           fading
           honours
           and
           incomprehensible
           glories
           of
           that
           Kingdom
           which
           is
           above
           ;
           where
           there
           shall
           be
           no
           more
           sin
           ,
           nor
           sickness
           ,
           nor
           pain
           ,
           nor
           tears
           ,
           nor
           death
           ,
           but
           we
           shall
           rest
           from
           our
           labours
           ,
           and
           our
           works
           shall
           follow
           us
           .
        
         
           Unto
           which
           God
           of
           his
           infinite
           mercy
           bring
           us
           ,
           for
           the
           merits
           and
           for
           the
           mediation
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           our
           Saviour
           ;
           to
           whom
           with
           the
           Father
           and
           Holy
           Spirit
           ,
           ●et
           us
           ascribe
           all
           Praise
           and
           Adoration
           ,
           now
           and
           for
           ever
           .
           Amen
           .
        
         
           THE
           END
           .