fuch Men are in Health, they are very uneafy, and know not what to judge of themfelves; but they fall into much greater Perplexities, when they are alarmed with the near Approaches of Death and Judgment. And what a deplorable State is this, when

are a dying, to be uncertain and anxious what will become of us to Eternity? Now there is no poffible Way to prevent these Fears when we come to die, but by giving all Diligence to make our Calling and Election fure, by living fuch holy and innocent Lives, that our Confciences may not condemn us; and then we shall have Confidence towards God.

1 John iii.

20, 21.

But this is fuch a Remedy, as few of these Men like: They would be glad to be fure of Heaven, but yet would go as near Hell as they can, without Danger of falling into it; they will ferve God, but muft referve a little Favour and Indulgence to their Lufts; tho' they dare not take full Draughts of fenfual Pleasures, yet they must be fipping now and then, as often as they can pacify their Consciences, and get rid of the Fear of God, and of another World; and therefore they are very inquifitive after other Cures for an accufing and condemning Confcience; are mighty fond of fuch Marks and Signs of Grace, as will fecure them of Heaven, without the Severities of Mortification, or the conftant and uniform Practice of an univerfal Righteousness: And

a great many fuch Signs have been invented, which like ftrong Opiates affwage their Pain and Smart, 'till their Confciences awake when it is too late in the next World.

10.

For all this is Cheat and Delufion, as St. John affures us, Little Children, Let no man deceive you; he that doth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth fin, is of the devil, for the devil finneth from the beginning: For this purpose the Son of God was manifefted, that he might destroy the 1 John, iii works of the devil. Whosoever is born 7, 8, 9, of God, doth not commit fin; for his Jeed remaineth in him, and he cannot fin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifeft, and the children of the devil; whofoever doth not righteousness is not of God, neither be that loveth not his brother. This is the only fure Evidence for Heaven ; and therefore every Sin Men commit, makes their State doubtful, and this must fill them with Perplexities and Fears: Men may cheat themselves with vain Hopes and Imaginations when they come to die; but nothing can be à folid Foundation for Peace and Security, but an univerfal Righteousness.

The

F

The CONCLUSION.

OR the Conclufion of this Difcourfe, I shall only obferve in a few Words, That it must be the Bufinefs of our whole Lives to prepare for Death: Our Accounts must be always ready, because we know not how foon we may be called to give an Account of our Stewardship; we must be always upon our Watch, as not knowing what Hour our Lord will come. A good Man, who has taken care all his Life to please God, has little more to do when he fees Death approaching, than to take leave of his Friends, to blefs his Children, to fupport and comfort himself with the Hopes of immortal Life, and a glorious Refurrection, and to refign up his Spirit into the Hands of God and of his Saviour: His Lamp is full of Oil, and always burning, tho' it may need a little Trimming when the Bridegroom comes; Matth. xxv. fome few Acts of Faith and Hope, and fuch devout Paffions as are proper to be exercised at our leaving the World, and going to God: But when the Bridegroom is at the Door, it is too late with the foolish Virgins to buy Oil for our Lamps: Unless we be ready when the Bridegroom comes, to enter in with him to the Marriage, the Door will be fhut against us; Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

4

I, &c.

Some

Some Men talk of preparing for Death, as if it were a thing that could be done in two or three Days, and that the proper Time of doing it were a little before they die; but I know no other Preparation for Death but living well: And thus we must every Day prepare for Death, and then we shall be well prepared when Death comes; that is, we shall be able to give a good Account of our Lives, and, of the Improvement of our Talents; and he who can do this, is well prepared to die, and to go to Judgment; but he who has spent all his Days wickedly, whatever Care he may take when he comes to die, to prepare himself for it, it is certain he can never prepare a good Account of his paft Life, and all his other Preparations are little worth.,

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The E N D.