The Christian in Complete Armour

Use 2 It reproves these, who if they think of the evil day, yet it is so far off, that it is to little purpose. They will be sure to set it at such a distance from them, as shall take away the force of the meditation, that it shall not strike them down in the deep sense and fear of it. That cannon, which if we stood at the mouth of it would shatter limb from limb, will not so much as scare them that get out of its reach. The further we put the evil day, the weaker impression it makes on us. 'Tis true (say sinners) it cannot be helped, we owe a debt to nature, it must be paid; sickness will come, and death follow on that, and judgement brings up the rear of both. But (alas!) they look not for these guests yet, they prophesy of these things a great while hence to come. Many a fair day they hope will intervene. Thus men are very kind to themselves. First, they wish it may be long before it comes, and then because they would have it so, they are bold to promise themselves it shall be so; and when once they have made this promise, no wonder if they then live after the rate of their vain hopes, putting off the stating of their accounts, till the winter-evening of old age, when they shall not have such allurements to gad abroad ⟨p. 364⟩from the pleasures of this life, O then they will do great matters to fit them for the evil day. Bold man! who gave thee leave to cut out such large thongs of that time which is not thine but Gods? Who makes the Lease, the Tenant or the Landlord? or doest thou forget thou farmest thy life, and art not an Owner? This is the device of Satan, to make you delay, whereas a present expectation of the evil day, would not let you sit still unprepared. O why do you let your souls from their work, make them idle and rest from their burdens, by telling them of long life, while death chop in upon you unawares? O what shame will your whorish hearts be put to, (that now say your husband is gone afar off, you may fill your selves with loves) if he should come before he is looked for, and find you in bed with lusts? And let me tell you, sudden destruction is threatened, especially to such secure ones. Read Matth. 24.48, 50, 51.

Ʋse 2 It reproves these, who if they think of the evil day, yet it is so far off, that it is to little purpose. They will be sure to set it at such a distance from them, as shall take away the force of the meditation, that it shall not strike them down in the deep sense and fear of it. That cannon, which if we stood at the mouth of it would shatter limb from limb, will not so much as scare them that get out of its reach. The further we put the evil day, the weaker impression it makes on us. 'Tis true (say sinners) it cannot be help't, we owe a debt to nature, it must be paid; sickness will come, and death follow on that, and judgement brings up the reare of both. But (alas!) they look not for these guests yet, they prophesy of these things a great while hence to come. Many a faire day they hope will intervene. Thus men are very kind to themselves. First, they wish it may be long before it comes, and then because they would have it so, they are bold to promise themselves it shall be so; and when once they have made this promise, no wonder if they then live after the rate of their vain hopes, putting off the stating of their accounts, till the winter-evening of old age, when they shall not have such allurements to gad abroad