CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

¹3. God hath appointed an hour or time for judgement to judge the whole world: To call all men to their accounts, that the counsels and thoughts of all mens hearts may be made manifest. This is an hour, a day, a set time, that the word of God doth often speak of, pressing every one to watch and pray lest it take us in our sins, Luk. 12, 12, 39, 49. &c. how large and admirable is our Saviour in telling us such an hour is coming, and that it will come unawares, and that if any man knew at what hour of the night a Thief would come to rob and spoil, he would watch and prepare, how much rather now when this time is uncertain, and the matter is of such everlasting consequence, should we tremble and look to our selves? and for this end God hath left the knowledge of that day and hour secret from men and Angels, that every one might prepare themselves: Oh how little do men think of this hour, our Saviour saith it will come upon most men, as the deluge did to those that were eating, drinking, and making merry, or as a Snare to the Bird which is taken, while she is skipping and hopping up and down. Look we then to our selves, Art thou in such a condition, hast thou so repented of thy sins and made thy peace with God, that if this hour were to come immediately thou couldst think of it with joy, and go out with lamp and oil enough to meet the Bridegroom?

¹3. God hath appointed an hour or time for judgement to judge the whole world: To call all men to their accounts, that the counsels and thoughts of all mens hearts may be made manifest. This is an hour, a day, a set time, that the word of God doth often speak of, pressing every one to watch and pray lest it take us in our sinnes, Luk. 12, 12, 39, 49. &c. how large and admirable is our Saviour in telling us such an hour is coming, and that it will come unawares, and that if any man knew at what hour of the night a Thief would come to rob and spoil, he would watch and prepare, how much rather now when this time is uncertain, and the matter is of such everlasting consequence, should we tremble and look to our selves? and for this end God hath left the knowledge of that day and hour secret from men and Angels, that every one might prepare themselves: Oh how little do men think of this hour, our Saviour saith it will come upon most men, as the deluge did to those that were eating, drinking, and making merry, or as a Snare to the Bird which is taken, while she is skipping and hopping up and down. Look we then to our selves, Art thou in such a condition, hast thou so repented of thy sinnes and made thy peace with God, that if this hour were to come immediatly thou couldst think of it with joy, and go out with lamp and oil enough to meet the Bridegroom?