Twelve Single Sermons, Sermon 4
Sermon, IV. THE Day of LIFE Improv'd, before the Night of Death comes.
JOHN IX. 4.
I muſt work the Works of him that ſent me, while it is Day: The Night cometh when no Man can work.
THeſe Words were ſpoken by our Holy Redeemer, when he was about to work a Miracle. The Context tells us, that our Saviour ſaw a Man Blind from his Birth; and that he miraculouſly gave Sight to him. When our Saviour ſaw this Blind Man, his Diſciples ask'd him, v 2. Who ſinned, this Man or his Parents, that he is born blind? They reckon'd, that ſome extraordinary Sin had procured this extraordinary Affliction of Blindneſs. v. 3. Jeſus anſwered, neither hath this Man ſinned, nor his Parents; but that the works of God ſhould be made manifest in him. The meaning is, 'twas no remarkable, extraordinary Sin, either in this Man or his Parents that procured this remarkable extraordinary Affliction, of his being born Blind. God ſees ſo much Sin in any, in all, in the beſt, that he can without any Injuſtice or Unrighteouſneſs bring great and remarkable Afflictions on them; Witneſs, Job. All meer Men are Sinners, and the Wages of Sin is Death, even Eternal Death; and all that Men have on this ſide ſuch Miſery, is better than they deſerve. It is of the Lords Mercy that we are not conſumed. — Wherefore doth a living Man complain, a Man for the puniſhment of his Sins? Lam. 3.22, 39. Our Lord having anſwered Negatively, that it was no particular, remarkable Sin, that procured this remarkable Affliction of this Perſon's being born Blind; he then anſwers Affirmatively, giving the ſpecial Reaſon of it, viz. That the works of God ſhould be made manifeſt in him. The meaning ſeems to be plainly this, The ſpecial Reaſon of Gods ordering this Perſon to be born Blind was, that Jeſus Chriſt the Son of God, might have this ſpecial Opportunity and Occaſion, to manifeſt his own divine, miraculous Power, in giving Sight unto him; and by this Miracle (together with many others) confirm his own divine Miſſion and Doctrine. And therefore he adds in our Text, I muſt work the works of him that ſent me, while it is Day.
As if he had ſaid,
God, my Eternal Father (whoſe only begotten Eternal Son I am) has ſent me into the World to Redeem Sinners, to teach them the Way of Life and Salvation; and has commiſſioned me to work Miracles, to confirm this Miſſion, and the truly Divine Doctrine which I Preach: This is the Work God has ſent me about, and this Work I muſt follow, while the Day of Life laſteth. Therefore I'll give Sight to this blind Man, that by this Miracle (as well as many others) ye may know that God has ſent me, that the Doctrine I Preach is true, that I am the true and only Saviour of Sinners, long ago foretold by the Prophets.
Though our Saviour was to Die for the Redemption of Sinners, and riſe from the Dead, and ſo manifeſt himſelf to be the Son of God with Power; yet before this Night of Death came, he would take all proper Opportunities to do the Work God had ſent him about, to Preach Divine Truths, and confirm them by Miracles. And in the cloſe of the Verſe, gives a general Reaſon which extends to all Men, viz. The Night cometh when no Man can work. The Day, while the Sun gives Light, is the moſt convenient time for Men to Work in: The dark Night renders it impoſſible for them to follow at leaſt ſome ſorts of Work. In alluſion to what is thus univerſally known to, and regarded by Men, our Saviour compares the time of Mans Life in this World, to the Day and Death to the Night; and plainly intimates, that Men ſhould diligently mind and perform the Work God requires of them, while the Day of Life laſts, before the Night of Death puts a ſtop to their Work. From the Words therefore we may obſerve this
DOCTRINE. Men ſhould diligently do the Work of God, while the Day of Life lasts; becauſe the Night of Death comes, wherein no Man can work.
Here are Three Propoſitions, viz.
I. The Night of Death is coming on all Men.
II. When this Night comes, no Man can work.
III. Therefore Men ſhould diligently do the Work of God, while the Day of life lasteth.
PROP. I. The Night of Death is coming on all Men.
Death ſeems undeniably to be meant, by the Night ſpoken of in our Text. When Night comes, that's the proper Time for Sleeping; and ſo Death it ſelf is ſometimes compar'd to Sleep. Pſal. 13.3. Conſider and hear me, O Lord my God; lighten mine eyes, leſt I ſleep the ſleep of Death. Pſal. 76.5. The stout-hearted are ſpoiled, — they have ſlept their ſleep. That is, they are Dead. And as Death is compar'd to Sleep; ſo in our Text 'tis compar'd to Night, the proper Time for Sleep. Death may be compar'd to Night, inaſmuch as then Men commonly ceaſe from Working: Pſal. 104.23. Man goeth forth to his Work and to his Labour, until the Evening. When Night comes, Men commonly leave Working, eſpecially without Doors: Some Works can't be done in the Night. So, when Death comes, Men can work no more (as the next Propoſition will ſhow) and on this account it may be compar'd to the Night.
Now this Night, to wit, of Death, is coming on all Men The Day of Life laſts but a while with them, the Night of Death is approaching to all Men. 'Tis appointed for Men once to die, Heb. 9.27. This is the Statute-Law of Heaven, no Man can avoid or evade the Force of it. No Man hath power over the ſpirit, to retain the ſpirit; neither hath he power in the day of Death, and there is no Diſcharge in that war, Eccl. 8.8. Though the Earth abides for ever, yet the Inhabitants of it do not; for one Generation goes and another comes. Men are Born to Die: Sin has made Men Mortal, the Body is Dead becauſe of Sin. By one Man ſin entered into the world, and Death by ſin; and ſo Death hath paſſed upon all Men, for that all have ſinned, Rom. 5.12. All are Sinners, and therefore all muſt Die; the Godly and Ungodly muſt Die. Pſal. 49.10. He ſeeth that the wiſe Men die, likewiſe the Fool, and the bruitiſh Perſon periſh. Indeed, the Saints found Alive when Chriſt comes to Judgment, ſhall not Die; but ſhall ſuddenly be Changed, and be like the glorious, raiſed Saints, 1 Cor. 15.51, 52. But excepting thoſe then remaining alive, all muſt have their Bodies and Souls parted from one another. Men and Women, Young and Old, High and Low, Rich and Poor, Learned and Unlearned, Godly and Ungodly; all muſt Die: They muſt Sleep the Sleep of Death: The Night of Death will ſoon overtake them. And how ſoon it will overtake any particular Perſons, they don't know: Tho' Death certainly will come, yet 'tis uncertain how ſoon. Iſaac once ſaid, Gen. 27.2. I know not the day of my Death. Every one that can ſpeak, may truly ſay the ſame of himſelf. Prov. 27.1 Boaſt not thy ſelf of to morrow, thou knoweſt not what a day may bring forth. So, Jam. 4.14. Ye know not what ſhall be on the morrow: For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little while, and then vaniſheth away. The Day of Life is like a Vapour, a Smoak or Fog; no one knows how ſoon it may diſappear and be gone. It is evident therefore, that the Night of Death is coming on all Men, though none of them know how near it may be to them.
PROP. II. When this Night comes, no Man can work.
As we have hinted once and again, when Night comes Men commonly ceaſe from Work; ſome Works eſpecially muſt then be left. So, when Men Die, then their working Time is ended for ever. When Men Die, they don't ceaſe to be, their Souls, ſubſiſt in a ſeparate State. When the Wicked Die, their Souls go to Hell Torments, till the Reſurrection of their Bodies; at which time, their Bodies and Souls together ſhall be caſt into Hell for ever. When the Godly Die, their Souls go into Abrahams Boſom, that is, into Heaven; and there follow that bleſſed and happy Work, which God appoints them: In … Work they ſhall be employed till the Reſurrection of their Bodies; and then their Reunited Bodies and Souls, ſhall be eternally and inconceivably Happy and Bleſſed. But notwithſtanding all this, yet when the Night of Death comes, no Man can work. That is, he can no more, no longer do any of thoſe Works which are proper and peculiar to this World, to this preſent ſtate of Life upon Earth. When a Man Dies he ceaſes from all the external Works, Affairs, Concerns of this Life. He's never more concerned abo… Plowing, Sowing, Reaping, Merchandizing, or any other ſuch outward Affairs. Pſal. 146.4. His breath goeth forth, he …urneth to his earth; on that very day … periſh. When his Breath goes forth, then all his Thoughts, Plots, Schemes, Contrivances about worldly Matters, they pe…ſh, they ceaſe for ever; he's no more concern'd about theſe Matters. Eccl. 9.10. There is …o work, nor device, … …nowledge, nor wiſdom in the grace whither thee …. Nay, when the Night of Death comes, then Men can do no …re for the Everlaſt…n… Welfare of their Souls. In the place where the tree falleth, there it ſhall be, Eccl. 11.3. So, according as Men Die in the ſtate of ſaving Faith, or damning Unbelief; ſo it is like to be with them for ever. It is appointed for Men once to die, and after Death the Judgment, Heb. 9.27. When Men Die, their Souls go to their particular Judgment, and are doom'd to a ſtate of Miſery or Glory, according to what their Works and Behaviour in this World were. When Pious Lazarus Died, his Soul went to Abraham's Boſome, to a ſtate of Happineſs: When the wicked Rich Man Died, his Soul was ſent to Hell-Torments, and the great Gulf was then fixed; he was ſtak'd down (as it were) in Miſery, he could not poſſibly eſcape or get out of it, Luk. 16.22, &c. He was beyond the Poſſibility of Mercy, all his Cries, Prayers, Tears could not obtain the leaſt Relief for him. He beg'd for one ſmall Drop of Water (as much as would hang on the tip of a Finger) to cool his tormented Tongue; but could not obtain it. 'Twas but a ſmall thing he ask…d for; he did not ask to be Releas'd from thoſe ſcorching Flames, nor ask that ſome living Spring or running River of Water might be afforded for his Relief: No, he ask'd only for one Drop, a ſmall Pittance indeed, and yet could not get it. Oh, there's not one Drop of Mercy for thoſe that Die Chriſtleſs and Graceleſs, though they plead and beg never ſo much for it. If Death finds a Man Chriſtleſs, the Day, the Seaſon for working out his Salvation, is ended for ever. Time was, that if he had heartily Repented of Sin, Believed in Chriſt, and given up himſelf to him; it would have been for his advantage, he ſhould have been accepted, pardoned, ſaved for ever. But the Graceleſs Sinner, will not do any ſuch works as theſe after Death; no Invitations of Grace or offers of Pardon, will then be made to him. No, now is the accepted time, now … the day of ſalvation: to day while it is called to day, if ye will hearken to his voice, harden not your hearts. When a graceleſs Sinner dies, the things of his peace are hidden from his eyes for ever. After death, Men can do nothing to prepare for Eternity: nothing towards the obtaining of peace with God, and endleſs happineſs in his favour. If Men obtain peace with God in their Life time, then death can't take it away. Death can't ſeparate them from the love of God. But if peace with God be not obtain'd before death, it can never be had at all. Bleſſed are the dead that die in the Lord, Rev. 14.13. It is as true, Curſed are the dead that die out of the Lord, alienated from him by reigning wickedneſs. Tis evident therefore, that when the Night of death comes, no Man can work.
PROP. III. Therefore Men ſhould diligently do the work of God, while the day of Life laſteth.
Here are Two Things.
(1.) There is a work which God ſets Men about, or requires of them.
(2.) The thoughts of Death and what follows it, ſhould make them diligent in this work.
1. There is a Work which God ſets Men about, or requires of them. God has made all things for himſelf, he requires a revenue of Glory from all His Creatures, according to the various natures he has endow'd them with. All thy works ſhall praiſe thee, O Lord; and thy Saints ſhall bleſs thee, Pſal. 145.10. All Men ſhould Obey God, that in general is the work he requires of them. I'm now ſpeaking more eſpecially of thoſe, who Injoy God's revealed Will, His Written Word: they have greater advantages to know God's Will, and greater Motives to do it, than meer Heathens have. God has ſhewed them what is good, and what he requires of them; To do juſtly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God, Mic. 6.8. In general, 'tis their duty to believe all that God declares, and to do all that He commands. Thus He ſaid to Iſrael: Jer. 11.4. — Obey my voice and do them, according to all that I cammand you. Would we know what is the work God requires of us? Tis this in general, That we ſhould obey His Voice, do all that He bids us; yield ſincere, univerſal, unwearied Obedience to His holy Precepts: this is the work He calls us to, and ſets us about. And there is One particular Momentous Command of God, which we ſhould Obey, elſe we can't obey any other ſo as to find acceptance with Him; and that is, to Believe in Jeſus Chriſt, to accept of and ſubmit to Him on Goſpel Terms as Prince and Saviour. 1 Joh. 3.23. This is his commandment, that we ſhould believe in the Name of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. When the Jews ask'd our Saviour, What ſhall we do that we may work the works of God? He reply'd, This is the work of God, that ye believe in him whom he hath ſent, Joh 6.28, 29. This indeed is the work, the great work, the moſt abſolutely neceſſary work that God calls all under the Goſpel unto, and requires of them. Oh Man, Woman, whoever thou art, there's a work, an Important work which the Great GOD calls thee to, and ſets thee about, even thee, thee in particular whoever thou art; and this work is, that thou ſhouldſt heartily Repent of all thy Sins, and heartily Submit to the Lord Jeſus as the only Prophet, Prieſt and King of thy Soul. This is the great call of God in the Goſpel to thee, if thou doſt not heartily. Obey this call, this Command of God; then thou canſt not poſſibly do any one particular work, that he will accept and be pleaſed with. Heb. 11.6. Without faith, it is Impoſſible to pleaſe God, Rom. 8.8. They that are in the fleſh, (that is, Unregenerate) cannot pleaſe God. And as God requires all under the Goſpel, to believe in Chriſt, accept of Him as Prince and Saviour; ſo their doing this Implies in it, their taking Him for their Lord and Lawgiver, and ſo their yielding unfeigned Obedience to his Precepts. The Goſpel teaches them, to deny ungodlineſs and worldly luſt; and to live Soberly, Righteuoſly, Godlily in this preſent World, Tit. 2.12. To cleanſe themſ…l…es from all filthineſs of fleſh and ſpirit, perfecting holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1. God requires them alſo, to do the duties of thoſe ſeveral Capacities, Stations, Relations which His Providence has ſet them in. 1 Cor. 7.24. Let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God. We ſhould heartily do all that God ſets us about, relying on His Grace thro' the Mediation of Chriſt for acceptance. This in general, is the work God ſets us about, and requires of all under the Goſpel.
2. The thoughts of Death and what follows, ſhould make them diligent in this work. All of us ſhould be greatly mov'd and quicken'd, ſpeedily and heartily to Repent of all our Sins, to Believe in the Lord Jeſus, ſubmitting to Him on Goſpel Terms. The calls and offers of the Goſpel will ſoon be ended with us; therefore we ſhould forthwith hate and forſake all our Sins, and give up our ſelves to the unfeigned, conſtant practice of Godlineſs. We can't poſſibly be too ſpeedy, hearty, diligent, reſolute, conſtant in this work, this neceſſary work. This indeed is the One Thing needful, the great Important buſineſs we ſhould be chiefly concern'd about. We ſhould ſhow unutterable Folly, and be unſpeakably Miſerable, if we neglect this work till the Night of Death overtakes us. What ſhall it profit a man, if he gain the whole World, and loſe his own Soul? Or what ſhall a man give in exchange for his ſoul? Mat. 16.26. Many are greedy after much of the World, as tho' they could never have enough of it; but if a perſon might be ſuppos'd to gain the whole World, and yet loſe his Soul by neglecting the work of God, he would then be a moſt miſerable loſer. Thoſe who entertain'd themſelves with worldly pleaſures and profits, tho' they had never ſo great a meaſure of them; yet by neglecting to get into the Ark, they periſhed when the Flood drowned the old World. So, if Men get never ſo much of this World's good, yet if they neglect the work of God, neglect getting an Intereſt in Chriſt, till the Night of Death comes, then they'l periſh for ever. How often are Servants beaten, and that very juſtly, for Playing, for Idling away their Day-time, not doing what their Maſters bid them; and when Night comes on, their Stint, their Work is not done? God ſets us a Ta…k to do, and a moſt reaſonable profitable Task it is; but if we ſtand all the day Idle neglecting our buſineſs till the Night of Death comes, we ſhall then be beaten, and that moſt Juſtly and terribly with many Stripes. Our tender hearted Redeemer, once wept over Jeruſalem for neglecting the things of their Peace in the proper Seaſon of them, ſaying, Luk. 19.41, 42. If thou hadst known, even thou, at leaſt in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are had from there eyes. The day of Gods Patience is yet extended to us, He waits to be Gracious; but i… in this our day we neglect the things of our Peace, we're then undone for ever: it would have been good for us that we had never been born. It's ſaid of Jeruſalem, Lam. 1.9. —— She remembreth not her latter end, therefore ſhe came down wonderfully: She had no comforter. Surely, thoſe will come down wonderfully, down indeed, down to hell it ſelf; and will have no comforter, who dont remember their latter end ſo as to prepare for it. Well then, let us work the work of God, while it is Day; becauſe the Night comes wherein no Man can work.
Here therefore a few things may be mention'd, by way both of Motive and Direction, viz. Seriouſly conſider,
1. Death moſt certainly will come, and 'tis uncertain how ſoon. This is ſo plain a Truth, that doubtleſs none will dare to deny it; yet 'tis not ſo duely and ſeriouſly thought on as it ſhould be. Oh let us daily think of Death, let it be often in our Thoughts: our thinking daily and frequently on it, need not take up our Time ſo as to hinder us from any proper buſineſs. Death will moſt certainly come. It may be we ſometimes fear theſe and thoſe Outward troubles, think they will come, yet 'tis not certain that they'll come, poſſibly they may not. But as for Death, it certainly will come, whether we expect and fear it or no, yet it will come, there's no eſcaping it. Yea, 'tis coming nearer and nearer to us, every Day, Hour and Moment. The longer it is ſince Sun riſe, the nearer it is to Sun-ſet. Every time the Clock-strikes, it ſhows that ſo much of the Day is gone already; and therefore there is the leſs remaining before Night comes. Every ſtep we take, and every breath we draw, brings us ſo much nearer to the end of our Time, of our Life. But as it's certain Death will come, and that 'tis every Moment approaching nearer to us; yet 'tis uncertain how near it may be. Many are apt to put far away the evil Day, when they think of Death, they ſtill think of it as at ſome Years diſtance: But alas, Such Thoughts are groundleſs. As 'tis commonly ſaid, Old Man muſt die; ſo 'tis as true, Young Man may die. The Young and Stout and Strong, are often ſuddenly cut down by the Stroke of Death. Art thou Young and Strong? Poſſibly Death may not come to thee for theſe ſeveral Years; yet on the other hand, thou doſt not know that thou haſt a Day longer to live. The Rich Senſualiſt in the Goſpel, reckon'd upon living many Years, to eat drink and be merry; but God ſaid to him, Thou fool, this night ſhall thy ſoul be required of thee, Luk. 12.19, 20. He was a Fool, for flattering himſelf with thoughts of long Life, when he knew not how near Death was to him. It's probable, there are many ſuch Fools in the World. Oh, What Sciences do they form in their own Minds? They reckon upon long Life, they plot and contrive to buy and ſell and get Gain; to get ſuch and ſuch deſirable Enjoyments, to obtain much worldly Grandeur and Pleaſure; but Death comes and nips them in the Bud, cuts them off before ever they poſſeſs'd what they thus vainly promis'd to themſelves. Therefore let us meditate much on the certainty of Death, and the uncertainty when 'twill come: This tends to quicken us to the Work of the Day in the Day. If a Perſon would ſeriouſly think thus,
I don't know but this Day may be my last Day, I don't know that I ſhall have any more Time to prepare for an endleſs Eternity in; I don't know but God may require my Soul of me, and doom me to an Eternal State before I'm a Day older.
I ſay, if he would frequently thus think with himſelf, doubtleſs he would not omit Duty and commit Sin, ſo readily as he often does. To think when we go to Bed, I don't know that I ſhall live till Morning; and when we riſe in the Morning, I don't know that I ſhall live till Evening: Surely thus to think, tends to make Perſons ſerious, and to make them mind their Duty. Deut. 32.29. O that they were wiſe, that they understood this, that they would conſider their latter end. 'Tis a great Point of Wiſdom, and tends to make Perſons yet more Wiſe, ſeriouſly to conſider their latter End; ſeriouſly to conſider Death, and what's like to follow after it. Pſal. 90.12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to Wiſdom. If we would but ſeriouſly conſider, that much of our precious Time is gone already, and we know not how little remains; this ſurely would make us do better than we often do. Again, let us conſider,
2. The Eye of God our Judge is continually upon us. Servants will often work diligently while their Maſter's Eye is on them, though they are too often Idle when he is abſent, Well, the Great GOD our Maker is our Judge; he'll call us to an Account for all our Thoughts, Words and Deeds in this World. Eccl. 12.14. God will bring every work into Judgment, with every ſecret thing, whether it be good or evil. Now this God who will Judge all Men according to their Works, has his Eye continually upon all Men: He critically obſerves all their Thoughts, Words and Actions. The Eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good, Prov. 15.3. There is no Good nor Evil done by Men, but what God takes exact Notice of. His Eyes are upon the Ways of all the Children of Men; there's not a Word in their Tongue, but he knows it, altogether; yea, he knows the things that come into their Minds, even every one of them. He ſearches the Hearts, tries the Reins of the Children of Men, even every one of them; to give to every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings, Jer. 17.10. How often does the Preſence of a Parent or Maſter, or ſome grave Superior, Reſtrain Perſons from ill Practices, and Incite them to a proper Behaviour? Surely then, if we frequently and ſeriouſly conſider'd, that the Eye of God, our Holy and Glorious Judge is always upon us, and that we know not how ſoon Death and Judgment will come; this would tend to quicken us to our Work, while the Day of Life laſteth.
3. Let us not allow our ſelves in any thing now, which we cannot reflect on with Comfort in a dying Hour. Men ſhould do nothing in the Day, but what in their ſerious Evening Thoughts, they may Reflect on without any Sting, or Regret of Conſcience. So, Men ſhould allow themſelves in nothing while here in this Day of Life, which they cannot reflect and think on with Comfort, when Death looks them in the Face, and God calls them into Judgment. If thou waſt now dangerouſly Sick, didſt apprehend Death very near thee, and thy ſoul ſpeedily to be doom'd to an Eternal State; if it were thus, couldſt thou reflect with Comfort upon thine Impenitence, thy neglecting of Chriſt, thy ſhameful neglect of reading and ſtudying Gods Word, thy neglect of Ordinances, Baptiſm or the Lords-Supper, thy neglect of Secret Prayer, or Family Prayer? Couldſt thou reflect with Comfort on thy Intemperance, thy needleſly ſpending thy Time and Money at Taverns, on thy unclean Practices, on thy Injuſtice and Unrighteouſneſs in thy Dealings, thy whiffling, ſhuffling, cheating Tricks, on thy Promiſe-beaking, on thy careleſs, ſlothful neglecting the Duties of thy Particular Calling, or the Duties of thoſe Particular Relations, whether of Huſband, Wife, Parent, Child, Maſter or Servant, which thou doſt ſuſtain: I ſay, if thou didſt apprehend the Night of Death and the Dooming Judgment very near, couldſt thou ſeriouſly Reflect with Comfort on ſuch things as theſe? No ſurely, thou couldſt not. Well them, think ſeriouſly of the Matter; and … allow thy ſelf in nothing now, which thou canſt not think of with Comfort when Death comes. Frequently conſider with thy ſelf, What Thoughts ſhall I have of theſe and thoſe Ways and Practices of mine, when Death looks me in the Face; can I then reflect on them with Peace and Comfort? And if they won't afford thee Peace at laſt, then don't allow them now. Conſider on the other hand, if thou doſt now diligently and heartily ſtrive to pleaſe God in all thy Ways; this will yield thee Comfort in After-Reflections. This is our rejoycing, even the teſtimony of our Conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not with fleſhly wiſdom but by the Grace of God, we have had our converſation in the world, 2 Cor. 1.12. It's peaceable, comfortable, joyful to look back on a life carefully ſpent in the Service of God. When the Apoſtle could ſay, I have fought a good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the Faith; when he could thus reflect on what was paſt, he could then look forward with holy Courage and Comfort, and ſay, henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteouſneſs, 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.
4. Let us get our Hearts more and more weaned, from Worldly Profits and Pleaſures. We are too apt to look on this World as our home, as our reſting place, and to reckon on a long abode here, and ſo to crave greedily after Worldly Injoyments; and theſe things hinder us from working the works of God. Let as therefore conſider, the Night of Death is coming on apace; we muſt ſoon part from this World, the Places that now know us will know us no more: we muſt ſoon leave our Houſes, our Gardens, Orchards, our whole Eſtates; our deareſt Relatives and we muſt ſoon part. We brought nothing into this World, and 'tis certain we can carry nothing out, 1 Tim. 6.7. Let theſe Conſiderations wean us from this World. Why ſhould we ſet our Eyes or Hearts, on things that are not? Col. 3.2. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. The more our Hearts are weaned from Worldly Profits and Pleaſures; the more likely we ſhall be to work the works of God while it is Day.
5. Let us neglect nothing now, which we ſhould be loath ſhould he left undone when Death comes. We know not how ſoon Death may arreſt us; well, is there this, that, or the other thing which we would not have undone, unaccompliſhed when Death comes? If ſo, then let us do thoſe things ſpeedily. As to Outward concerns, I would give this one Hint; thoſe who have any Eſtate to diſpoſe of by Will, ſhould always keep a Will by them: Death will come never the ſooner for this. And when they have a Will by them, if Death ſhould Suddenly ſnatch them away; yet ſuch their Will might prevent many Sinful Jangles and Quarrels among their Surviving Relatives. But further, wouldſt thou have Death come, before thou haſt Aſſurance of thine Intereſt in Chriſt? If not, then ſpeedily and diligently ſeek after Aſſurance. 2 Pet. 1.10. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election ſure. If Death ſhould come ſpeedily, would it not grieve thee that thou haſt not honoured God more with thy Subſtance, thy Eſtate; that thou haſt not done more for the Spiritual good of thy Relatives, thy Wife, Children, Servants, Neighbours? Well then, ſpeedily and carefully do all thoſe things, which thou wouldeſt be unwilling ſhould be found undone, unperformed, when Death comes; that when it does come, thou mayſt have nothing particularly to lie on thy Conſcience (no unrepented Sin, no neglected Duty) to be a grief and trouble to thee; but mayſt quietly ſay with him. Luk. 2.29. Lord, now …etteſt thou thy Servant depart in Peace.