A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

The fourth means is, that we continually remember the day of our death, not as though it were far off, but near approaching, and even knocking at our doors. For our lives are short and momentany, and this short time so uncertain, that we have no assurance that we shall live another day, no not so much as the next minute. When we go abroad, we know not whether we shall return home; nor when we are at home, whether we shall live to go abroad; when we go to bed, we cannot tell whether we shall ever rise; and when we rise, whether we shall again go to bed. For many have been thus suddenly taken away, going well out of doors, and never returning; lying down securely to take their rest, have been found dead the next morning. Now seeing that which befalleth one, may happen to any, and that which hath been the case of many, may probably betide any one; let it be our wisdom to stand continually upon our watch, that we may be found in readiness, seeing it is a matter that concerns us no less, then the everlasting salvation or damnation of our souls. And seeing we are not sure of living another day, let us think that every day may be the last, and so take occasion to watch carefully over our ways, that we may, when God pleaseth to call, be prepared to go unto him with cheerfulness and joy: and when we are enticed to commit any sin; as to love the world immoderately, to increase our riches by fraud and deceit, or violence and oppression, to swear, lye, and profane the Lords Day, to drink drunken, commit filthiness, or any other sin; let us say unto our own souls, Would I commit this or that sin, if I were sure that this day were my last? Far would it be from me, if I were thus persuaded. And therefore let me be now as far from giving way willingly unto any of these, or the like sins, seeing, for ought I know, it may be the last minute. And thus when we find our selves slack and backward unto any duties of Gods service, let us examine our own hearts, whether we would not shake off all sluggishness, and go about them with all care and diligence, if we were persuaded that we should not live another day; and then if we be wise, we will be as circumspect and careful that we neglect no good duty which may bring comfort to our hearts, peace to our consciences, and assurance of salvation