Of Repentance. 99 that repentance, as it has been in this difcourfe S E R M. explained, fignifying an aéual Reformation IV. of life, breaking off our fins, and bringing forth the fruits of righteoufnefs, in the ap- proach of death, is impracticable : I have (hewn you that according to the fcriptural notion of it, it confiftits in a thorough uni- verfal change of the heart and affections of the difpofitions and manner of life ; at leaft, newnefs of life is abfolutely neceffary accord- ing to the gofpel declarations. But in the cafe fuppos'd, what opportunity is there for all this ? To be griev'd for our tranfgreffions, to acknowledge them with fhame, to change our inclinations and purpofes, and dec.' re, that if we were to live we would return to them no more, which is all the repentance dying men can exercife, is not to do what God indifpenfably requires as the terms of our acceptance, but to fubflitute fomething elfe in the place of it. Betides, if ever fo great ftrefs was to be laid on thefe things, the fincerity of them in dying men, is al- ways liable to fufpicion. How little can be attained of that calmnefs and deliberation which is neceffary to them, and how natu- ral is it to fear that in the prefect circum- ftances of diftrefs and conflernation, feem- H 2 ingly
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=