An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

Therefore saith Paul, I need not write of times and seasons, in which these things shall be done. Your selves have been taught the word of God, you have learned what his will is: you know the day of the Lord shall come upon you as a thief. And how cometh a thief? not in the day time, not when a man hath company about him, not when he is watched: but in the night, in the darkness, when all light is out, when the good man of the house taketh his rest, when the servants are asleep. Even so when the light of the truth is taken away, when the hart of the goodman of the house is at rest, and his eyes are darkened, that they cannot see: and all his senses drowned in worldly ⟨p. 182⟩pleasures, when we care for nothing, and think of nothing, when we say, peace and safety: then will the Son of man come to judgement, then shall destruction suddenly fall upon us. Therefore let us be ready, for in the hour that we think not, will the Son of man come.

Therefore saith Paul, I néede not write of times and seasons, in which these things shall be done. Your selues haue béene taught the word of God, you haue learned what his wil is: you know the day of the Lord shal come vpon you as a théefe. And how commeth a théefe? not in the day time, not when a man hath company about him, not when he is watched: but in the night, in the darkenesse, when al light is out, when the good man of the house taketh his rest, when the seruants are asléepe. Euen so when the light of the truth is taken away, when the hart of the goodman of the house is at rest, and his eies are darkened, that they cannot sée: and al his senses drowned in worldlie ⟨p. 182⟩pleasures, when we care for nothing, and think of nothing, when we say, peace and safety: then wil the sonne of man come to iudgement, then shal destruction sodainly fal vpon vs. Therfore let vs be readie, for in the houre that we think not, wil the sonne of man come.

Mark that Paul saith, ye have no need that I write unto you of times and seasons: & that our saviour saith, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons. What may we think then of them that write books & almanacs, and say, such a year, and at such a time, Christ shall come, and with these speeches fray and mock the world? Paul was the Apostle of Christ, an elect vessel of the holy ghost, he said, I have no need to write of it, you cannot know it. What need is there now that such books and pamphlets should be written? why should the world be troubled with such vanities?