The time that is past, thou canst not recall: of that which is to come, thou must not presume: measure that, that is present, and take that for thine ⟨p. 127⟩own. And this is the very instant, and moment of time, shorter then can be spoken of: and therefore a short time will serve for to measure it. But put all together, and because thou shouldest not be emboldened to sin, neither expect by presumption any time to come, the most sacred word of God showeth that it is but short. Holy Job saith:1 Man that is borne of a woman, hath but a short time to live. Which Paul confirmeth, saying:2 This I say brethren, because the time is short, &c. The shortness whereof, is further made manifest by divers Similitudes. For mans life is compared to a Flower of the field. To a grass. To a shadow. To a vapour. A vapour vanisheth, a shadow fadeth, grass withereth, the flower falleth, all are soon gone: and the days of man consume apace, and pass very swiftly. Therefore they be compared unto a thought: To wind: To a Weavers shuttle: To a post: To most swift ships: and to an Eagle. Then which, what is swifter? and then man, what is brittler?3 Wherefore he is called an earthen vessel, which is suddenly broken. ⟨p. 128⟩Therefore David measuring out man's life, he saith:4 Thou. 1. God hast made my days as an hand breadth, and my age is nothing in respect of thee: Surely every man living is altogether vanity: yea lighter then vanity it self. Now if I did show you, what great consideration the very heathen have had of the shortness of mans life, and the condition thereof: I should not speak it, without as great shame to those that do so lightly regard it, as I may show it, to the praise of them that so truly thought of it. Shall not they condemn thee? They made account & assurance of it, but like a bubble of water, which is suddenly up, and suddenly down. Pindarus called man, the dream of a shadow. And what is that? Sophocles, a breath, and a shadow only. Horace, Puluis & umbra, dust and a shadow. That this is true, thou canst not deny: and yet thy wilful infidelity, thy deeds do descry. For men live as though there were no death: or as though they cared not for any reckoning to be had after death: as if there were neither God to consume them in his wrath: nor devil or hell to torment ⟨p. 129⟩them in the flame with Dives.
The time that is past, thou canst not recall: of that which is to come, thou must not presume: measure that, that is present, and take that for thine ⟨p. 127⟩owne. And this is the very instant, and moment of time, shorter then can be spoken of: and therefore a short time will serue for to measure it. But put all together, and because thou shouldest not be imboldened to sinne, neither expect by presumption any time to come, the most sacred word of God sheweth that it is but short. Holy Iob saith:1 Man that is borne of a woman, hath but a short time to liue. Which Paul confirmeth, saying:2 This I say bretheren, because the time is short, &c. The shortnesse whereof, is further made manifest by diuers Similitudes. For mans life is compared to a Flower of the field. To a grasse. To a shadow. To a vapore. A vapore vanisheth, a shadow fadeth, grasse withereth, the flower falleth, all are soone gone: and the dayes of man consume apace, and passe verie swiftly. Therefore they be compared vnto a thought: To wind: To a Weauers shittle: To a poste: To most swift ships: and to an Eagle. Then which, what is swifter? and then man, what is britler?3 Wherefore he is called an earthen vessell, which is suddenly broken. ⟨p. 128⟩Therefore Dauid measuring out manlife, he saith:4 Thou. 1. God hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and my age is nothing in respect of thee: Surely euery man liuing is altogether vanitie: yea lighter then vanitie it selfe. Now if I did shewe you, what great consideration the verie heathen haue had of the shortnesse of mans life, and the condition thereof: I should not speake it, without as great shame to those that do so lightly regard it, as I may shew it, to the praise of them that so truly thought of it. Shall not they condemne thee? They made account & assurance of it, but like a buble of water, which is suddenly vp, and suddenly downe. Pindarus called man, the dreame of a shadow. And what is that? Sophocles, a breath, and a shadow onely. Horace, Puluis & vmbra, dust and a shadow. That this is true, thou canst not denie: and yet thy wilfull infidelitie, thy deeds doo descrie. For men liue as though there were no death: or as though they cared not for any reckning to be had after death: as if there were neither God to consume them in his wrath: nor diuell or hell to torment
- 1Job. 14.1.Iob. 14.1.
- 21. Cor. 7.29.
- 3Psal. 39.5.
- 42. Cor. 4.7
