Secondly; We are to consider the Circumstance of Time, his coming quickly. 'Tis verified by universal Experience, that no carnal Principle does more fortify Sinners in a false Security, than putting the evil day far from them, and the Presumption that they are not in present danger of God's Displeasure, when inevitable and great Evils are looked upon as remote, they make a slight Impression, but the Propinquity of such Evils inspires Terrors. We have an Instance of this in Cain, who (after God had denounced his Punishment for his bloody crying Sin) full of Perplexity ⟨p. 21⟩and Despair breaks forth, My Punishment is greater than I can bear! and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me, shall slay me. But when he was secured from present Revenge, and expected a long Life in this World, he freely indulged his sensual Desires, and built a City, to drown the noise of his accusing Conscience. The World follows this way of Cain, and freely pursues the Satisfaction of their Lusts. When Men look upon the Divine Judgment at an immense distance, and when the evil Servant shall say in his Heart, 1my Lord delays his coming, he will satisfy both the angry and voluptuous Appetites, ⟨p. 22⟩he will smite his fellow-Servants, and eat and drink with the drunken. To awaken therefore Mens drowsy Spirits to prepare for the Judgment of the great Day, to check their exorbitant Lusts, their Lasciviousness, excess of Wine, and Revealing 'tis threatened, they shall give an account of them, 2to him who is ready to judg the Quick and the Dead. And to induce a patient Temper and assuage Sorrow, the Apostle James encourages afflicted Christians, that the Judg stands before the door.
Secondly; We are to consider the Circumstance of Time, his coming quickly. 'Tis verified by universal Experience, that no carnal Principle does more fortify Sinners in a false Security, than putting the evil day far from them, and the Presumption that they are not in present danger of God's Displeasure, when inevitable and great Evils are look'd upon as remote, they make a slite Impression, but the Propinquity of such Evils inspires Terrors. We have an Instance of this in Cain, who (after God had denounced his Punishment for his bloody crying Sin) full of Perplexity ⟨p. 21⟩and Dispair breaks forth, My Punishment is greater than I can bear! and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me, shall slay me. But when he was secured from present Revenge, and expected a long Life in this World, he freely indulged his sensual Desires, and built a City, to drown the noise of his accusing Conscience. The World follows this way of Cain, and freely pursues the Satisfaction of their Lusts. When Men look upon the Divine Judgment at an immense distance, and when the evil Servant shall say in his Heart, 1my Lord delays his coming, he will satisfy both the angry and voluptuous Appetites, ⟨p. 22⟩he will smite his fellow-Servants, and eat and drink with the drunken. To awaken therefore Mens drowsy Spirits to prepare for the Judgment of the great Day, to check their exorbitant Lusts, their Lasciviousness, excess of Wine, and Reveling 'tis threatened, they shall give an account of them, 2to him who is ready to judg the Quick and the Dead. And to induce a patient Temper and asswage Sorrow, the Apostle James encourages afflicted Christians, that the Judg stands before the door.
- 1Mat. 24.
- 21 Pet. 14. 1, 3.
