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Thirdly, “How Repentance is to be exercised." Repentance, in the general state of Christian life is such a sorrow for sin as produces a change of manners; and an amendment of life. It is that disposition of mind, which he who stole, steals no more; by which the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness, and doth that which is lawful and right. And to the man thus formed, it is expressly promised, that he shall save his soul alive: Of this repentance the proof; are visible, and the reality certain, always to the penitent, and commnonly to the church with which he communicates; because the state of the mind is discovered by the outward actions. But of the repentance which our conditions requires and admits, no such evidence can appear; for to us many crimes and many virtues are made, impossible by confinement; and the shortness of the time which is before us, gives little power even to ourselves, of distinguishing the effects of (illegible text) from those of conviction; of deciding whether for present sorrow for sin, proceeds from ⟨abhorance⟩ of guilt, or dread of punishment; whether the violence of our inordinate passions be totally subdued by the fear of God, or only crushed and retrained by the temporary force of present calamity.
Our repentance is like that of other sinners on their death-bed; but with this advantage that our (illegible text) is not greater, and our strength is more. Our ⟨abilities⟩ are not impaired by weakness of body. We (illegible text) to the great work not withered by pains, (illegible text) by the (illegible text) of disease but with minds (illegible text) of continued attention, and with bodies of which need have no care! We may therefore better off ⟨pu⟩rge this tremendous duty, and better judge of our ⟨own⟩ performances.
Of the efficacy of a death-bed repentence many have (illegible text), but we have no leisure for controversy (illegible text) in your minds this decision Repentence is a change of the heart, of an evil to a good disposition, (illegible text) change is made, repentence is complete.
