A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

There is a generation of men amongst us, Christians, yea the most ardent and furious Christians, that blame our Liturgy for that prayer; From sudden death Lord deliver us. These men are so sure of heaven, that let God take them where he will and when he will, they are for him. Presumptuous men! do they sin, and would they in that sin be taken away? There is a time when the dearest Saints […] God had rather live then die.^a What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? he was sick, but at that time had no heart to die. Elisha, when he […] in Spirit, that the King had sent a messenger to kill him, bade them^b shut the […] and hold him fast. Sick Hezekiah wept and prayed to live. Jonah cries from the dismal prison not to die yet, but to be forborne to a longer day. These Sai•• would not die then: they found some sins yet burdening their consciences, […] scour off which they wished the convenience of farther time.^c Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, before I go whence I shall not return. It was a violent and swift departure which David and Job deprecated: but alas, what do you compare David and Job to these men; mere dwarfs to these giants? They have cast up their accounts as well as Paul, and are every moment prepared; their reckoning is ever ready in their pockets: they know themselves chosen, the spirit told them so, and then the elect cannot perish.⁴ It is true indeed, that not death amongst the re••, death of what kind soever, lingering or sudden, can separate true believers from Christ: yet pardon me, if I be charitably jealous of such presumers of sanctification. Do they never lie to their neighbour, never lust after forbidden flesh, never rankle another's credit with malicious report, never pamper the groom with feeding, never covet penny of another mans, are they never puffed up with a self-opinion? Suppose God strike thy proud heart in this act of sin, when thou hast not so much leas••• or sense as to say, Lord have mercy on me; goes not thy soul then to the Judgement seat without a prepared answer? We leave thy censure and sentence to him that knows thy heart: but though charity hopes a mercy inter pontem et fontem; ter actum culpae, et ictum paenae: yet be not angry with me for praying; God keep my soul from such a venture.