Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (1).pdf/13

( 13 ) “ſent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.” That is, death is approaching, therefore I muſt work.—It is clear alſo, 2 Peter I. 12. compare with verſe 14. In verſe 12. Peter is exceeding diligent in his duty; and the ground of his diligence is in verſe 14. “Knowing, that ſhortly I muſt put off this tabernacle,” &c. Yet it is even the Epicure’s argument, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.” And, ſhould not the Chriſtian much more cry out, Let me watch and pray, for tomorrow I may die? I ſay, if the Epicures did make uſe of this notion, to make them vigorous in the purſuit of their pleaſures, O how much more ſhould a Chriſtian improve it, for making him vigorous in the purſuit of duty?—Therefore I ſay unto you all, O be ye diligent, for your night is drawing near,—O Chriſtians, and expectants of heaven are ye not afraid leſt ye be nighted before ye have walked the half of your journey? For, if ye be nighted on yoar journey to heaven, before ye come up to the end of your race, there is no retiring place where-unto ye may turn aſide to lodge. Therefore O work, work, work, while it is to-day; for, behold death is approaching, and then ſhall we all be called to an account.

Second. The faith of approaching death, will make a Chriſtian exceeding active in