flame, and to keep light in the lamp: take heed lest that also be spent and consumed, and your life go out like a candle with an unsavoury snuff, and end in perpetual shame and misery. If yet you are not turned unto the Lord by sound repentance, and have not yet begun to do the work of God, then now while it is called to-day, hearken to the voice of God, and speedily turn unto him; defer not your setting about this work till to-morrow: lose not so many precious hours about the world, spend not so many in carnal delights and vain pleasures, in idle talk, or in doing nothing; so many in eating, drinking, and sleeping more than your weakness requireth: redeem time from all these; and the rather, because you know you have but a few steps to your grave. Whoever of us is appointed in the secret counsel of God to live longest here, yet the day is not long, the night of death is hastening upon us. The longest summer's day is soon at an end, and the longest life upon earth passes away, as a tale that is told. Let us then endeavour so to spend this short life, that it may be lengthened out with everlasting life and blessedness. God hath given us time to make our peace with him; and if that be neglected, all is lost, and we are undone for ever. It is reported of Alexander the Great, that when he marched against any city, his manner was to set up a burning lamp, and make proclamation, that whoever came in, and submitted whilst this lamp was burning, should find favour, and have his life; but whoever staid till this lamp was out, he was but a dead man, and must expect no mercy. Know ye, O readers, that God hath set up a lamp, and our life is this lamp, and God proclaims, that whoever comes in, whilst this lamp is burning, shall find mercy; but if you stay till the lamp is out, till your life be consumed, there is nothing but eternal woe to be expected. Now, this lamp of your lives may not only go out on the consumption of the oil, but it may be put out by accidental means; and if this lamp be once out, and your work not done, you are lost and undone for ever, Eccl. xi. 3. In the place where the tree falleth, there it lieth. Which way thou fallest when thou diest, that way you shall lie to eternity: if towards God, then God is thine for ever; if toward sin, misery and destruction are thine for ever. There can be no repenting nor believing after death; the soul and body being parted, the whole man is not capable of a work of God upon it. |