cation, small advantages, and their being unaccustomed to talk on these subjects. It is better to err perhaps on the suspicious or doubtful side, than to give flattering hopes. Some may die in transports and raptures, and yet be far from making a good end. Deep humility, repenting, and believing, are surer evidences of salvation*, than confidence and transports. Notwithstanding the preceding caution not to give flattering hopes, the attendants on the sick should be very careful to animate and encourage those who appear to have been sincere in religion, though their capacities are weak.

An inquiry as to the temporal affairs of the Sick.

It may sometimes be necessary to take notice of this, especially if the sickness be of an alarming nature, Advise therefore a proper disposi tion of their affairs to be immediately made by will, if it be not already done. This perhaps may be of great importance to their relations, and others. If there be a reasonable suspicion that they have obtained any part of their property by fraud, urge them to restitution, as absolutely necessary. If they refuse to do this, little can be done farther than by praying for them.

* See the latter part of the ninety-seventh of the folio edi tion of Abp. Tillotson's Sermons, on Ecclesiastes viii. 12.

SECTION II.

HELPS FOR CONVERSING WITH THE SICK IN

DIFFERENT STATES, AND UNDER DIFFERENT
CIRCUMSTANCES.

Conversations on their spiritual state.
AS to their spiritual concerns, advice must be

given according to the state of the sick, whether bad, doubtful, or good.

Helps for conversing with one in a bad state.

1. Endeavour to convince him that his state is very dangerous indeed. In doing this, the arguments should be rested chiefly on the authority of Scripture, with his own representation of the case. If you find any one sin prevalent in his character, then rest your charge particularly on that. If a drunkard, liar, swearer, sabbathbreaker, &c. bring such texts as will shut him out of the kingdom of heaven. Represent the aggravation of his sin, his many religious advantages, &c.

2. Seem rather to lament over such an unhappy person than to upbraid him. Severity may produce hatred; and he will not care to have any thing more to do with you.

3. Be solicitous that you do not drive him into despair, especially when you see him begin to be awakened. While unawakened, urge the most dreadful things. Represent the wrath of God as inexpressibly dreadful. Take images from present circumstances; such as the burnings of a fever, tossings of a restless night, &c. how much more in bell! But (as I said before) do not drive him to despair, nor yet raise him up to vain and unreasonable confidences. Represent the mercy of God in Christ to penitent sinners; mention proper texts of comfort; and let him see it is

your design to bring him to a better state, which makes you thus represent his danger.

4. When you see something which looks like true repentance, be not too ready to admit personal consolation any otherwise than as conditional. There is great danger in authoritative absolution. Let him know, that, if he does not rest his soul on the mercy of God in Christ, there will be no room for hope. Remind him of what treachery he has found in his own heart, and what he has seen in others, who have appeared hopeful on a sick bed, but after their recovery returned to their former courses.

One of the chief carcs of a Minister about the sick (says Bishop Burnet, page 176, of the Pastoral Care) ought to be to exact of them solemn promises of a renovation of life, in case God should raise them up again; and these promises ought to be demanded not only in general words, but if they have been guilty of any scandalous disorders, or any other ill practices, there ought to be special promises made with relation to those. And on the recovery of such persons, the Minister ought to put them in mind of their engagements, and use all the due freedom of admonition and reproof on their breaking loose from them. In such a case he ought to leave a terrible denunciation of the judgements of God on them, and so at least the Minister acquits himself. Other helps for conversing with one in a bad state.

1. You should pray to God before hand, that you may be enabled to say something which may be the means of awakening him to a proper sense of his danger.

2. When you enter the chamber, let him see that you are concerned for him, and that you are more sensible of his danger than he is of his own.

3. Then, in order to bring him to a proper

sense of his state and danger, 1. put some close questions to him relating to the holy and righteous nature of God; 2. to his infinite hatred of sin; 3. to the absolute impossibility of being happy hereafter but in his favour; 4. the certainty of future judgment, "where God will "render to every man according to his works;" and, 5. the unspeakable importance of the soul's being safe for eternity.

4. Then instruct him not to deceive himself with vain hopes; but be willing to see the truth of his case, as it is represented to him in the unerring word of God, and, though he may shut his eyes against the danger, there is no possibility of escaping it.

5. If his distemper is likely to be fatal, let him know it. Tell him, that all which can be done to escape everlasting misery must be done immediately; that there is as yet some hope (though small) that this may possibly be done; that on this present time depends his future condition for ever.

6. If by these means his conscience should be awakened, and you observe some genuine relentings of heart, take that occasion to assist its workings, enforce its reproofs, and urge its convictions, till you see something like a true penitential remorse.

7. Then earnestly pray with him and for him, that God would continue to give him a just sense of his sin and danger, and that his grace and spirit may come on these convictions, till they end in a real change of heart.

8. Then take your leave of him in a tender and affectionate manner; not without giving him some hope, that, if the same feeling and penitent frame should continue, there may be mercy in reserve for him; but beg him, whilst he has the use of his reason, not to omit any opportu

nity of praying earnestly to God for mercy through the merits of his Son Jesus Christ.

9. In your next visit, (which should be soon after this,) if you find him penitent, exhort him to glorify God by making an ample confession of his sins in private, with all their heinous aggravations, and not be afraid to see the worst of himself.

10. If his penitential sorrow still continues, you may begin to administer the consolations of the Gospel so far as you may have reason to believe him sincere.

Helps for conversing with one in a doubtful state.

1. Exhort him to a diligent search into his own heart, in the words of the Psalmist, "Search "me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and "know my thoughts; see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." " Ps. cxxxix. 23 and 24. Represent the importance of knowing the true state of the case, and especially inculcate the deceitfulness of the heart.

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2. Incline him to be willing to know and fear the worst. Represent that he cannot make his case better by entertaining false hopes; shew him. the necessity of renewed acts of repentance, and in proportion to the doubtfulness of the case urge these things more strongly.

3. Give him your own judgment plainly and seriously. Remember particularly to pray to God that he would lead him into the knowledge of himself.

Other Helps for conversing with one in a
doubtful state.

In your conversation with such an one you cannot be too cautious, if there be no apparent danger of death.

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