have lefs Ground to expect any Share of it, than these. But were it ever fo probable, that even fuch Offenders might come to amend their Doings, yet there is an awful Obfervation, arifing from the History before us, which remains to be infifted on,

V. That Wickednefs, even after it is forfaken, and after it is forgiven, produces neverthelefs very often Confequences fo lamentable, that for this Caufe, amongst others, Innocence is greatly preferable to the fincereft and completeft Repentance, that ever was.

In the very fame Breath, that Nathan tells David, the Lord had put away his Sin, he tells him also of a trying Affliction, and a very trying one it proved, that he should immediately undergo, on Account of that Sin. Howbeit, because by this Deed thou haft given great Occafion to the Enemies of the Lord to blafpheme, the Child, that is born unto thee, shall furely die". Nor could the moft fervent Interceffions of the Royal Penitent reverfe the Decree. Nay, the threatening Prediction, which the Prophet made to him before his Repentance, that becaufe he had killed Uriah with the Sword, the Sword should not depart from his House; and

m 2 Sam. xii. 14.

as

as he had polluted his Wife, his own fhould be polluted in the Sight of the Sun", was permitted to befall him, notwithstanding his Repentance, with great Exactnefs. Nor doth there need much Reflexion upon what paffes in the World to fee, that Providence, to this Day, frequently fuffers Events of a like Nature to happen : partly to complete the Humiliation of the Sinner, partly that others may bear and fear.

Sometimes no immediate Connexion between the Tranfgreffion and the Suffering is vifible, that it may feem to be the Hand of God, rather than a natural Effect; though indeed, would Men confider, every Effect proceeds from his Hand: but commonly they are closely linked, to deter Men from committing Iniquity, by fhewing them before-hand, what Fruits they must expect it to produce. Indeed, were only the Pain infeparable from Repentance, the Feeling of having done ill and deferved ill, to diftinguish the Condition of him who returns to his Duty, from his who has always adhered to it; the Diftinction would be very interefting and important. For how wide is the Difference between

hating and approving ourfelves: between thinking of God with Dread and Shame,

A 2 Sam. xii. 9--12.

Deut. xiii. 1.

and

and rejoicing in him as our Trust from our Youth', and our Portion for ever! But long after Peace is reftored within, which yet will never be so restored to great Offenders, as not to leave Matter of melancholy Reflexion; long after Penitents are at Ease with Respect to their future State; afflicting Confequences, with Refpect to the prefent, will flow from what they have done amifs. Often they have hurt themfelves, alienated their Friends, loft their Time and Opportunities of doing well in the World, injured their Characters, their Fortunes, their Healths: often they have hurt others, fet mifchievous Examples, inticed, betrayed, oppreffed, provoked those around them, and destroyed, perhaps, by fhort Follies, what the Endeavours of the reft of their Days will never be able to repair. These, indeed, are Confiderations, under which they fhould not defpond: but furely others ought to take Warning from them, and learn of how unspeakable Value it is, to keep Innocency, and take Heed to the Thing that is right', from the very firft. firft. Life was not intended to be led inconfiftently; one Part in doing Wrong, the other in being forry for it. Uniform Obe

* Pfal. Ixxi. 5.

9 Ib. lxxiii. 16.

Ib. xxxvii. 38.

dience is our Maker's Demand: and whoever departs from it wilfully, though he may return, will affuredly be made to know and fee, one Way or other, that it is a Thing evil and bitter, that he hath forfaken the Lord his God". Let those then, who experience this in themfelves, fubmit to it with Patience, and revere his Juftice: let thofe, who fee it in others, thankfully make Ufe of the Inftruction it was graciously defigned to give them; and let us all preserve a lively Senfe upon our Souls, that Evil purfueth Sinners, but to the righteous Good fhall be repaid.

Jer. ii. 19.

t Prov. xiii. 21.

SER

SERMON XV.

EPH. V. II.

And have no Fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness: but rather reprove them.

I

F the Practice of their Duty were general

amongst Men, it would appear to all of us as we come forward into Life, notwithstanding our prefent Proneness to finful Indulgences, extremely natural and easy. For as its Reasonableness always recommends it to our Understandings, and its Amiableness to our Affections, when unbiaffed: fo, in thefe. Circumstances, the public Example of Goodnefs would engage our Imitation, the univerfal esteem of it excite our Ambition, and its beneficial Confequences plainly fhew it to be our true prefent Intereft. Allurements to unlawful Pleasures would then be comparatively few; Provocations to mutual Injuries none; Conscioufnefs of right Behaviour would make Men pleased with themselves; reciprocal Acts of Juftice and Kindness would

make