An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of…

This is an experienced truth; but I rather take the words as we render, The day of darkness is ready at hand; that is, it is near, and will shortly seize upon him.

This is an experienced truth; but I rather take the words as we render, The day of darknesse is ready at hand; that is, it is neer, and will shortly seize upon him.

Hence Observe.

First, Many a wicked man grows into an assurance of his approaching misery: It is as hard to persuade some wicked men that their state is naught, as it is to persuade some good men that their state is good; yet as many of the Saints conquer unbelief, and come not only to have some hopes, but high assurances, that there is a day of mercy at hand for them, that they are in a present happy state, and eternal happiness wait for them; so a wicked man (after long debate) may have his unbelief conquered, and though he hath been sowing pillows under his own elbows, though he hath slighted all the Counsels, Admonitions, and threatenings of faithful Friends, though notwithstanding all this, he continue long, speaking peace to his own soul, and saying, all is well, yet (I say) this man may have his unbelief conquered, and know at last that there is a day of darkness ready at hand; when his eyes are opened to see what he hath done, and what he hath been; he sees that God hath rejected all his confidences, and that he shall never prosper in them.

First, Many a wicked man growes into an assurance of his approaching misery: It is as hard to perswade some wicked men that their state is naught, as it is to perswade some good men that their state is good; yet as many of the Saints conquer unbeleife, and come not onely to have some hopes, but high assurances, that there is a day of mercy at hand for them, that they are in a present happy state, and eternall happinesse waite for them; so a wicked man (after long debate) may have his unbeleife conquered, and though he hath been sowing pillowes under his owne elboes, though he hath slighted all the Counsells, Admonitions, and threatnings of faithfull Freinds, though notwithstanding all this, he continue long, speaking peace to his owne soule, and saying, all is well, yet (I say) this man may have his unbeleife conquered, and know at last that there is a day of darknesse ready at hand; when his eyes are opened to see what he hath done, and what he hath been; he sees that God hath rejected all his confidences, and that he shall never prosper in them.