Fifthly, we must often consider with our selves, and that most seriously, of that straight account, and reckoning of all our thoughts, words, and actions, which we must make unto God at the last day of judgement. This is the principal consideration of all, and the want hereof a fearful sin, arguing great negligence, ignorance, blindness of mind, and hardness of heart: If a Traveller come into an Inn, having but one penny in his purse and call for all manner of dainty fare, and provision, spending sumptuously, will not all men judge ⟨p. 224⟩him void of all consideration, sith he hath nothing to pay, when his account is to be made? lo, this, or worser is the most mens case, who in this life pursue their profits and pleasures, with all eagerness, they care not how, never regarding that reckoning which they must make unto God, at his terrible day of accounts with all the world: and therefore though the former considerations will not, yet let this take place in our hearts, to move us to a daily forehand reckoning with God in the practise of true repentance, and to employ the good gifts and blessings we receive from God, like good servants, unto the best advantage of his glory, that when this account is to be made, ⟨p. 225⟩we may give it with joy, and not with fear. And that this consideration is effectual to this purpose, Solomon teacheth in using it as his farewell with dissolute youth, with whom otherwaies he hath little hope to prevail, sayingo go too thou young man, take thy pleasure in thy youth, yet know, that for all this, thou must come to Judgement. But how powerful it is with Gods child, we may see in Paul, pwho professeth of himself that in regard of this account, he endeavoured to have alway a clear conscience towards God, and towards men.
Fiftly, we must often consider with our selues, and that most seriously, of that straight account, and reckoning of all our thoughts, words, and actions, which we must make vnto God at the last day of iudgement. This is the principall consideration of all, and the want hereof a fearfull sinne, arguing great negligence, ignorance, blyndnes of mind, and hardnes of heart: If a Traveller come into an Inne, hauing but one penny in his purse and call for all manner of dainty fare, and prouision, spending sumptuously, will not al men iudge ⟨p. 224⟩him void of all consideration, sith he hath nothing to pay, when his account is to bee made? loe, this, or worser is the most mens case, who in this life pursue their profits and pleasures, with all eagernes, they care not how, neuer regarding that reckonning which they must make vnto God, at his terrible day of accounts with all the world: and therefore though the former cōsiderations will not, yet let this take place in our hearts, to mooue vs to a daily forehand reckonning with God in the practise of true repentance, and to imploy the good gifts and blessings we receiue from God, like good seruants, vnto the best advantage of his glorie, that when this account is to be made, ⟨p. 225⟩we may giue it with ioy, and not with feare. And that this consideration is effectuall to this purpose, Salomon teacheth in vsing it as his farewell with dissolute youth, with whome otherwaies he hath little hope to preuaile, sayingo goe too thou young man, take thy pleasure in thy youth, yet know, that for all this, thou must come to Iudgement. But how powerfull it is with Gods child, we may see in Paul, pwho professeth of himselfe that in regard of this account, he endeauoured to haue alway a cleere conscience towards God, and towards men.
- oEcclesiast. 11. 9.
- pAct. 24. 15.
