446 DIRECTIONS AND PERSUASIONS not God deserve some of them ? Was it not worth now and then an hour's time, no, not one hour's study in all thy life, to bethink thee in good sadness how to make sure of a life of endless joy and glory, and how to escape the flames of hell ? This is not an equal dis- tribution of thy thoughts, as thou wilt confess at last in the horror of thy soul. 8. It is the end of your present time and warnings, that you may consider, and prepare for your everlast- ing state. What have you to do on earth, but to con- sider how to get well to heaven ? O that you did but know what a mercy it is, before you enter upon an endless life, to have but time to bethink you of it, and to make your election sure ! If you were to be called away suddenly this .night, and the angel of the Lord should say to any of you, Prepare; for within this hour thou must die, and appear before the living God : then would you not cry out, O not so suddenly, Lord ? Let me have a little more time to consider of my condition : Let me have one month longer, to bethink me of the case of my soul, and to make sure that I am justified from the guilt of my sins : Let me have one day more at least to prepare for my everlast- ing state ; for, alas, I am yet unready ! Would not these be your cries, if God should call you presently away? And yet now you have time, you will not consider of these matters, and prepare. 9. Moreover, is it not time for you to consider your ways, when God doth consider them ? If he would forget them, or did not regard them, you might regard them the less yourselves: but be sure of it, he doth observe them whether you do or not, and he remem- bereth them though you forget them. Dost thou not know that all the sins of thy life are still on record be- fore the Lord? Thou nurcherest my steps : dost thou not watch over my sin? My transgression is seated up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniçuity.(l) Do you think that God fotgets your sins as you forget them ? Saith the Lord by the prophet Hosea, They consider not in (l) Job xiv. 16, 17.
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