32 The llnprofitablenefr of Sin in this Life, &c! Vol, IL no, they are never like to fie the Kingdom of God, who inftead of feeking it in the Ali place, make it their iaÍl refuge and retreat; and when they find the Sen- tence of Death upon them, only to avoid prefent Execution, do bethink them- felves of getting to Heaven, and fnce there is no other Remedy, are contented to petition the great King and Judge of the World, that they may be tranfported thither. Uponall there Confiderations, let us ufe no delay in a matter of fuch mighty confequenceto our eternal Happinefs, but let thecounfel which was given to Ne- buchadnez:',ar be acceptable tous ; let us break ofoar fins by rigbteoufnefs, and our iniquities byefheroing mercy to thepoor; iffo be it may be a lengthning ofour tranquil- lity. Repentance and Alms do well together ; let us breakofour fins by righte- oufnefs, and our iniquities by 'hewing mercy to the poor; efpecially upon this great occafion, whichhis Majefty's great Goodnefs to thofe diftreffed Strangers, that have taken San&uary amongus, hath lately prefented uswithal, remembring that we alfo are in the body, and liable to the like fufferings ; and confidering on the one hand that Gracious Prgmife ofour Lord, Blefed are the merciful, for they 'hall receive mercy ; and on the other hand, that terrible threatning in St. games, Hefhall have Judgment without mercy, that bath fhewed no mercy. Toconclude, from all that hath been faid, let us take up a prefent Refolution of a better courfe, and enter immediately upon it, to day whilfl it is called to day, le/i any ofyou be hardened through the deceitfulnefs o fin. O that men were wife, that they underflood this, that they would confider their latter end 1 And grant we be- feech thee Almighty God, that we may all know and do, in this our day, the things which belong to our peace, for thy mercy's fake in Jefas Chrifi, To whom with thee 0 Father, and the Holy Ghofi, be all Honour and Glory now and for ever. Amen. SERMON CIX The Shamefulnefs of Sin, an Argument for Repentance. R o M. VI. 21, 22. The firlt What fruit hadye then in thofe things, whereof ye are now afhamed? Ser thisïext For the end of thofe things is Death. But nowbeing made freefrom fin, and become Servants to God, ye have your fruit unto Bolinefs, and the end Everlafling Life. THERE are two Pallions which do always in Tome Degree or other accom- pany a true Repentance, viz. Sorrow and Shame for our Sins ; becaufe thefe are neceffary to engage Men to a Refolution of making that change where- in Repentance does confift : For till weareheartily lorry for what we have done, and afhamed of the evil of it, it is not likely that we fhould ever come to a firm and fleady purpofe of forfaking our evil ways, and betaking our felves to a bet- ter courfe. And there two Paffons ofSorrow andShame for our Sins, were wont antientr ly to be fignified by thofe outward expreflions of Humiliation and Repentance, which we find fo frequently mentioned in Scripture, of being clothed inSackcloth as a teftimony ofour forrow and mourning for our Sins, andof being f rinkled * upon
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