Heaven taken

2. When their trade doth so involve them in worldly business, that they cannot mind eternity, or make out one sally to the Throne of Grace. They are so much in the shop, that they cannot be in the closet. If there be such a trade to be found, doubtless it is unlawful; but let not men lay it upon their trade, but upon themselves; their trade would ⟨p. 156⟩give them leave to serve God, but their covetousness will not give them leave. O how many put a fallacy upon their own souls, and cheat themselves into Hell.

17. There is but a short space of time ¹granted us, therefore work the harder for Heaven before it be too late, Indeed we are apt to dream of a long life, as if we were not sojourners, but natives, and were to stay here always. The blossom of childhood hopes to come to the budding of youth; and the bud of youth hopes to come to the flower of age; and the flower of age hopes to come to old age; and old age hopes to renew its strength as the Eagle^*: But if we measure life by a pair of Scripture-compasses, it is very short: it is compared to a flying shadow, Job. 8. 17. to an hand-breadth, Psal. 39. 5. as if there were but a span between the cradle and the grave,—parum abest à nihilo—. Is the time of life so short, and may be shorter than we are aware? what need is there zealously to improve it before it be slipped away? if time runs, let us so run, 1 Cor. 9. 24. He that hath a great business in hand, and the ⟨p. 157⟩