II. That upon this Account, every Man should be so Wise, as to take continual Notice of his continual Drawing nearer and nearer to his Death in this World, and to his Judgment in the next; which are (both of them) unavoidable.

III. & lastly, That if it be (as it really is) the greatest Concern, which Men in general can have in this Mortal State, to be always preparing for a better, even that which is Blessed and Immortal; it certainly imports them, in a more especial and urgent manner, to make this necessary Preparation, without delay, who have visibly but a few Days to live in this World, and have so much to do to provide for their Everlasting Happy State in the World to come. And this is (said I to the Condemn'd) This is your very Case.

On the last LORD's Day, the 25th instant , I preach'd again to them, both in the Morning and Afternoon, and took my Text out of the first Lesson for that Morning-Service, viz. Isa. 55. 6, 7. Seek ye the LORD, while He may be found: Call ye upon Him while He is near. Let the Wicked forsake his Way, and the Unrighteous Man his Thoughts, and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have Mercy upon him; and to our GOD, for He will abundantly Pardon.

In my Explanation of this Text, I shew'd (both from it and the Context.)

First, in general, That herein the Prophet endeavours (by many Words and Arguments) to encourage the Jews to Repentance; who were highly Guilty of Idolatry, Apostacy, and many other grievous and enormous Sins; which when they once came seriously to consider, by a Thorough Examination of Themselves, how they had liv'd in Opposition to GOD, and contrary to his Just and Holy Laws, they would then be apt to fall into Despair, and conclude, That GOD would never Pardon such notorious Offenders, as they had been. This was the melancholy and lamentable State they were then in. And this Despair of Mercy, which occasion'd their unspeakable Trouble, we often find to be the sad Condition of Old hardned Sinners, who have offended GOD, Days and Ways without number. Therefore next to a Life as free from Sin as our frail Mortality will permit, the best thing which a Man can do for himself, (who has been unhappily engag'd in a Sinful Course) is to get out of it, as soon as possible, and repent before it be too late; Seeking the LORD, while he may be found; and calling upon Him, while He is near: And (in a Word) returning to Him, while He is offering Mercy.

To encourage my Hearers (and particularly the Condemn'd) to the Performance of this their great Duty, and Furtherance of their Everlasting Concern, I laid down many Arguments before them, shewing them, both the infallible Way, and absolute Necessity of speedy Repentance.

And for their better understanding the whole Meaning of the Text, I shew'd them,

Secondly, in particular, That in it, GOD, by his Prophet, endeavours to perswade Men to hearken to his gracious Call, and to seek him in good earnest; i. e. To labour diligently after the Knowledg of his Reveal'd Will, and the obtaining his Grace for the due Performance of it: Neither of which are attainable but in and through JESUS CHRIST, the Saviour of the World.

To illustrate this Doctrine, and make it still plainer to my Auditory, I discoursed upon these Four Things contain'd in the Text.

I. A Command to seek and call upon GOD; shewing, That we are to seek GOD in his Works, in his Word, and in his Sacraments: And to call upon Him with devout Prayers and earnest Supplications.