obtaining absolution under a false promise of amendment. The preachers will give testimony: We sought nothing but that man’s good and desired nothing but his salvation; we warned him often, zealously, and earnestly; we condemned his vices and wickedness according to our duty, and instructed him in all the ways of virtue; we have done all we could, with Thy help, O God! to deter him from sin, and to encourage him to enter on the path of virtue; many others were moved and induced to repent by what we said; many have derived much profit from it and begun to lead good lives, but with this man all our preaching was of no avail. If his conscience was touched now and then, he put the truth he had heard out of his mind as soon as possible, nay, actually turned it into ridicule; he heard with unwillingness what did not suit his taste; he went off with a bitter feeling at heart, and came no more. Most just Judge, pronounce the sentence!
Conclusion and resolution to accuse one’s self now in confession. Alas! whither shall I go? What shall become of the sinner in the midst of so many, and such powerful, hostile, and embittered accusers, many of whom shall be high in favor with the Judge?[1] What shall I then say in that miserable position, out-voted on all sides; what shall I say in excuse? Ah, there will be no escape for me! Wherever I turn I shall find my case a lost one, my situation desperate, my sentence eternal damnation! But it is not come to that yet! Like the unjust steward I know what I shall do. I will sigh forth with the sorrowing Job: “Shall not the fewness of my days be ended shortly? Suffer me, therefore, that I may lament my sorrow a little before I go and return no more.”[2] Just Judge, grant me still a little time that I may go and repent of my sins, accuse myself of them, and seriously amend my life before that great and terrible day comes; so that when the accusers shall stand forth against me and call out for vengeance on me because of my sins, I may be able fearlessly and truthfully to answer: it is true, ye demons, ye saints and angels, ye just and ye reprobate, ye apostles and disciples of Christ! it is true that you have reason to accuse me; but it is true also that I have repented, that I have accused myself, that I have atoned for all, that I have amended my life and died a happy death. Thus all your accusations are repelled; my cause is justified and won; my eternal inheritance is with the just, who
