A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

1. Speedily: Now or never must it be done: We must set upon this Work speedily upon two Grounds; because time to come is uncertain, and it is not fit to neglect it. (1.) Time to come is uncertain: We have nothing to command but this Instant; that which is to come is not in our Power. One being invited to a Feast the next Day, made Answer, Ego à multis annis crastinum non habui; For these many Years I never had a to Morrow. The present Time is put into thy Hands, thou hast no Security for the next Day but thy own Word; and how is he the better assured that is Security to himself? When you promise your selves many Years, you are liberal upon another Man's Goods; and it is the Fashion of Mad-men to reckon other Mens Estates to be theirs. The Father hath reserved Times and Seasons in his own Power, and taken them into his own Hands. We are not Masters of a Day; therefore now or never must we set upon this Work of living soberly, righteously, godly. O how sad is it to be surprised, and Death to find us unprovided! 2 Pet. 3.14. Wherefore Beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in Peace. This is the great Business of our Lives, to be found in a Condition pleasing to God. A Man should live every Day as he would be found of God, for usually Death comes by way of Surprise, it finds us before we look for it, and steals upon us ere we are aware. (2.) Because it is not fit to neglect it till Death, and to provide Work for that time when we need Cordials: the Infirmities of Age and Sickness need Supports, and not Work. O how sad is this, that many times we are going out of the World before we begin to think why we came into it! Our great Business here is to save our Souls; and when Time is gone, then we begin to think of it. He is a foolish Traveller that would set out at Night, and begin his Journey when the Sun is setting, and the Darkness of the Night is coming on: so when Time appointed is gone, then to think of saving our Souls. It is too late to be sparing when we have spent all upon Prodigality. The foolish Virgins came to buy Oil too late. Who would expect to conquer then, when his Enemy is strongest, and himself weakest, or purposely delay it till such a time? If you do not presently set about the Work, you do but provide Grief and Sorrow for your last Age, when you are least able to bear it.

1. Speedily: Now or never must it be done: We must set upon this Work speedily upon two Grounds; because time to come is uncertain, and it is not fit to neglect it. (1.) Time to come is uncertain: We have nothing to command but this Instant; that which is to come is not in our Power. One being invited to a Feast the next Day, made Answer, Ego à multis annis crastinum non habui; For these many Years I never had a to Morrow. The present Time is put into thy Hands, thou hast no Security for the next Day but thy own Word; and how is he the better assured that is Security to himself? When you promise your selves many Years, you are liberal upon another Man's Goods; and it is the Fashion of Mad-men to reckon other Mens Estates to be theirs. The Father hath reserved Times and Seasons in his own Power, and taken them into his own Hands. We are not Masters of a Day; therefore now or never must we set upon this Work of living soberly, righteously, godly. O how sad is it to be surprized, and Death to find us unprovided!