The Christian in Complete Armour

Use 1 First, it reproves those that are so far from providing for the evil day, that they will not suffer any thoughts of that day to stay with them, they are as unwilling to be led into a discourse of this subject, as a child to be carried into the dark, and there left. It is a death to them to think of death, or that which leads to it. As some foolishly think, they must needs die presently when they have made their Will, so these think they hasten that sorrowful day by musing on it. The meditation of it is no more welcome to them, then the company of Moses was to Pharaoh. Therefore they say to it as he to Moses, Get thee from me, and let me see thy face no more; the sear of it makes them to butcher and make away all those thoughts which conscience stirs up concerning it, And at last they get such a mastery of their consciences, that they arrive to a kind of Atheism, it is as rare to have them think or speak of such matters, as to see a fly busy in Winter. Nothing now but what is frolic and jocund is entertained by them. If any such thoughts come as prophesy mirth ⟨p. 363⟩and carnal content, these (as right with their hearts) are taken up into the chariot to sit with them, but all other are commanded to go behind. Alas, poor-spirited wretches! something might be said for you, if this evil day of death and judgement were such entia rationis, as had no foundation or being but what our fancies give them, (such troubles there are in the world, which have all their evil from our thoughts, when we are disquieted with the scorns and reproaches of men, did we but not think of them they were nothing) but thy banishing the thoughts of this evil day from thy mind, will be a poor short relief, Thou canst neither hinder its coming, nor take away its sting when it comes by thy slighting it. Thou art like a Passenger in a ship sleep or wake, thou are going thy voyage. Thou doest but like that silly bird, who puts her head into a reed, and then thinks she is safe from the Fowler because she sees him not. Thou art a fair mark for Gods vengeance, he sees thee, and is taking his aim at thee, when thou seest not him, yea, thou puttest thy self under an inevitable necessity of perishing, by not thinking of this day. The first step to our safety, is consideration of our danger.

Ʋse 1 FIrst, it reproves those that are so far from providing for the evil day, that they will not suffer any thoughts of that day to stay with them, they are as unwilling to be led into a discourse of this subject, as a childe to be carried into the dark, and there left. It is a death to them to think of death, or that which leads to it. As some foolishly think, they must needs die presently when they have made their Will, so these think they hasten that sorrowful day by musing on it. The meditation of it is no more welcome to them, then the company of Moses was to Pharaoh. Therefore they say to it as he to Moses, Get thee from me, and let me see thy face no more; the seare of it makes them to butcher and make away all those thoughts which conscience stirs up concerning it, And at last they get such a mastery of their consciences, that they arrive to a kinde of Atheisme, it is as rare to have them think or speak of such matters, as to see a flie busie in Winter. Nothing now but what is frolick and jocund is entertained by them. If any such thoughts come as prophesie mirth