A Preparation for Judgment

through the Son of God, who is both God and man, the heir of all things. Thus, we become co-heirs with Him. However, I must conclude here.

This sermon was preached on April 21, 1641.

A Preparation for Judgment "But after this the judgment." - Hebrews 9:27, (the latter end of the verse).

The scope of the Holy Spirit in this Epistle is to prove the excellence of Christ, that He is the Messiah who was to come into the world, and that all the types and shadows of the law pointed to Him. A special part of the Epistle is to show the superiority of Christ's Priesthood over the Priesthood of Aaron. Among other considerations, it is pointed out that the Priests offered sacrifices frequently, whereas

Christ offered Himself only once. This one offering of Himself is eternally effective and requires no further offering. The Holy Spirit illustrates this by comparing the efficacy of Christ's sufferings with the efficacy of human actions in this world. Just as the actions of people in this world, whether good or evil, have eternal consequences, and what a person does in this life determines their eternal state, so the death of Christ is eternally efficacious. It is appointed for men to die once, and then comes judgment.

By "judgment" here, I do not believe the Holy Spirit primarily refers to the judgment of the final day (although it is true that after death,

the judgment of the final day will follow, and all people must face judgment). However, I will not speak further about the judgment of that day. Instead, I believe the Holy Spirit's intention here is to refer to the individual judgment that occurs immediately after death, which determines the soul's eternal condition, either of happiness or misery.

While people are alive, their eternal condition is not definitively determined by any act of God, even though God's eternal purpose remains unchanged. Even the saints themselves often experience fears and doubts about their eternal state during their earthly lives.

They would eagerly seek deliverance from these fears and doubts, as they are burdensome. After death, however, this longing will be fulfilled. This is the benefit that death brings to believers: after death, they will face judgment, meaning they will be securely established in their eternal state, free from all hazards, fears, doubts, and temptations. They will never fear or doubt again about their eternal destiny, nor will they lose any of the blessings they possess. This is the judgment that awaits the saints after death.

On the contrary, wicked men in this world may hold hopes and confidence that everything will be well for them. However, after death, judgment awaits them. This means that when a wicked person dies, their hopes perish. They are irrevocably placed in a condition where they will never have hope of anything good again. They are beyond any hope or possibility of receiving further mercy from God.

This is the meaning of the verse on both sides: "But after this the judgment." Regardless of people's conditions in this world, the saints, who may have many fears and doubts about their eternal destiny, will be securely established in eternal happiness immediately after death, free from all doubt. Conversely, despite the hopes and confidence that wicked people may have in this world, all

such hopes will vanish immediately after death when judgment comes. Job expresses a similar sentiment in Job 8:14, "The hope of the hypocrite is like the spider's web; he weaves a cunning web out of his own spirit, but the broom of death sweeps it all away in an instant. For immediately after death, judgment awaits."

This, then, is the doctrinal conclusion that we need to discuss based on these explained words:

The only opportunity men have to secure their eternal condition is during their earthly life. If it is not done in this life, there is no help afterwards, because judgment follows after death.

I would like to address this point in a way that can inspire and motivate you to take action during your lifetime to ensure your relationship with God. After death, judgment awaits.

This point that I am about to address is one of the most solemn matters concerning humanity. It is often one of the first things that the Lord impresses upon the hearts and consciences of those He converts to Himself. When a person who has been living in sinful and destructive ways suddenly stops and reflects, asking questions like,

"Lord, where am I? What am I doing? What will become of me? Why was I born? Why did I come into this world? What is my purpose here?" God answers by saying, "Your purpose here is to make provisions for eternity. It is about this significant task—to reconcile all matters between you and God. Be diligent in it, for although your life is short and uncertain, this crucial task hinges on the brief and uncertain period of your earthly existence. If it is neglected during this limited time I have given you, you are lost and doomed forever, because judgment follows immediately after death. You will then be placed in a position where there can be no alteration. The Schoolmen have observed that what happened to the Angels who sinned is

analogous to what happens to wicked men in death. Just as the Angels were irreversibly condemned upon their first act of sin, so are wicked men when they die. While we live in this world, even in our sinful state, our condition is considered better than that of the fallen

Angels. We are not definitively and irreversibly judged in our earthly life. However, once death arrives, a wicked person's condition becomes identical to that of the fallen Angels: irrevocable, certain, and unchangeable. While we preach to people, no matter how wicked and ungodly they may be, we offer grace and mercy in Christ because they have not yet faced the judgment described in the text. But if this offer is repeatedly ignored, and the fragile thread of your life is eventually severed, then you are eternally lost. For judgment swiftly follows after death."

In reflecting on this point, it seems to me that I cannot help but envision God as looking upon all the children of men in their fallen, lost, sinful, and miserable state with pity and compassion. He might say, "Poor creatures, they have sinned against me and have made themselves liable to eternal wrath, which they do not comprehend and cannot bear. Well, I will grant them a little time to seek their pardon and reconcile with me. I will provide them with the means to do so. However, they must take heed, for their eternal destiny will be determined by how they use the time I give them. If they neglect it, they are lost forever, and mercy will be of no avail to them. The way we all hold our lives is like that of a condemned malefactor granted a temporary reprieve by the favor of the Prince. He is given a little time and the possibility of seeking a pardon, and his fate depends on how he spends that time—whether it leads to life or death. Similarly, our lives are held on this uncertain ground. We are all condemned before the Lord, but God, in His infinite grace, has provided a way of salvation for humanity. He grants us a limited time (however long we

live, be it two or three days) to make peace with Him. If we neglect this opportunity, all is lost, and we are doomed forever. Great consequences hinge upon this brief, uncertain period of our lives.

Alexander the Great was said to set up a burning lamp and proclaim that whoever sought favor and life while the lamp was burning would find it. But those who waited until the lamp went out were condemned to death and could expect no mercy. Brothers and sisters, God has set up a lamp, and that lamp is our life. God proclaims that whoever seeks His mercy while this lamp is burning will find it. But if you wait until the lamp goes out, only eternal misery awaits. Your life's lamp may not only go out when its oil is consumed but also by accidental means. If this lamp is extinguished and your work is unfinished, you are lost forever. Solomon, when preparing the Temple, made everything ready in advance so that there was no noise of axe or hammer heard there. Likewise, those whom God intends as living stones in the glorious Temple of Heaven are shaped and fitted here. There is no room for repentance and sorrow for sin after this life; what needs to be done must be done here. Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." The way you fall when you die is the way you will lie eternally: toward God, and He will be yours forever; or toward sin, and misery and destruction will be yours forever. Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

The souls of wicked men also return to God, the One who gave them, but it is to receive the sentence of their eternal doom and be established in their everlasting condition. There is a profound change in the soul immediately after it departs from the body and stands before the glorious God to be settled in its eternal state. There are twelve hours in the day, as Christ says, during which a man can work, but the night comes when no one can work (John 9:4). The time of

this life is your working time, but the night is approaching, and then no one can work. Revelation 6:8 speaks of a pale horse, and the one who sat on it was Death, followed by Hell. Hell immediately follows death for those who are caught in their natural state without having completed the work of making peace with God. 2 Corinthians 5:10 reminds us, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." It is not based on what we do afterward but on what we have done in the flesh that determines our eternal destiny. There can be no repentance or belief after this life, as the body and soul are separated, making the whole person incapable of a work of God upon them.

Moreover, immediately after death, God removes all means of salvation. You will never hear another sermon, receive admonition, or have good counsel. There will be no more working of God's Spirit to draw your souls to Christ.

Not only that, but God also withdraws Himself completely in terms of all the common works of His Spirit. This results in a kind of entrenchment of the soul in sin (which, in relation to God, cannot properly be called sin but rather evil). It becomes impossible for you to do anything but sin. Just as the saints, while alive, have many lusts and corruptions within them, yet immediately after death, their souls are so fully possessed by the Spirit that they cannot sin. Conversely, though wicked individuals may have various common gifts of God's

Spirit and many restraints while alive, immediately after death, they are so utterly separated from God, and He so completely withdraws from them, that they can do nothing but sin, rebel against God, and blaspheme Him to His face. In Adam's state of innocence, there was a possibility not to have sinned; in our current state while living in this world, it is impossible not to sin. However, in the world to come,

the saints have an impossibility of ever sinning, just as the wicked have an impossibility of ever doing anything but sin. Therefore, the wicked must inevitably be situated in an everlasting evil condition.

Damned souls in hell cannot do anything but blaspheme God, just as saints in heaven cannot sin against Him.

Furthermore, on the great day, Christ delivers the kingdom to the Father, and there will be a different form of administration than before. Christ will no longer mediate for those for whom He did not mediate in this life. Immediately after the separation of the soul from the body, the Spirit of God completely departs from the soul, and God's wrath is poured out so fully upon it that it breaks the soul and fills every part of it. Due to the overwhelming current of divine wrath carrying the soul along with it, it becomes impossible for the soul to be engaged in anything for all eternity except bearing torment and divine wrath. Just as the saints will be filled with God's presence and carried along by a strong current of divine mercy, making it impossible for their souls to engage in anything other than enjoying

God and living for His praise, the opposite is true for the wicked.

After death, both are placed in their respective states.

I will not dwell further on the explanation of this point but will proceed to its application, as this point is more applicable than doctrinal. I will content myself with three or four aspects of application and conclude.

First and foremost, we can see the reason we have to thank God for the continuation of our lives, especially those present today who have not yet fully made peace with God and are uncertain about securing their eternal destinies. If there remains any doubt in your heart concerning your eternal condition, and if you have felt the fears of eternity in your spirit, then from the points I have briefly discussed,

you will have reason to bless God profoundly, bowing your face to the ground, adoring His abundant grace that you are alive at this moment. Why? Because your life is the time for reconciling with God; it is the time to secure your eternal condition. If your life comes to an end and this work is incomplete, then all is lost, and judgment arrives, leaving you in an irrevocable and ruined state. Therefore, it is truly a blessing that you are alive today. Just as a person with a significant matter to attend to, concerning their entire estate or life, and it must be done in a very short time, would consider it a favour to have their time extended, even if only a little, because their business is of immense importance, and they think to themselves, "If I fail in this, I am lost forever." Likewise, anyone who has ever had serious concerns about the infinite consequences depending on their lives here on earth cannot help but sit down and thank God for extending their lives. For the time of this life is a fortunate time, a day of grace, and a day of salvation. How happy would those individuals, on whom this judgment has already been passed, who are firmly situated in their eternal condition, consider themselves if they could have just one day to make provisions for their eternal estate! They were in your position not long ago, and therefore, know how to value your life. The lives of men and women, especially those who have not yet completed this great work, are worth more than a thousand worlds. I recall hearing about a remark from a great gentleman who was very ill, and when physicians informed him that death was the only way, he said, "Oh, that I might live, even if only as a toad!" Indeed, what man or woman is there who, without having a thorough and scriptural assurance that this great work, making peace with God, has been completed, may, upon being afflicted with sickness, wish to live, even if only as a toad? This is because such significant things hinge upon their lives in this world. Therefore, brethren, just say this to your own hearts when you seriously contemplate what I am currently discussing. What if God were to

come now to this congregation and say to each one of you, "Well, the time I have granted you to provide for your eternal estate has come to an end. If you have completed your work, that is good, and you will be saved and inherit eternal glory. However, you will be judged according to what you have done." I fear that if such a message were to come from heaven to many of us, it would cause our hearts to ache, and we would cry out, "O Lord, grant me a little more time before I depart and am seen no more! O that I might have a little more time." Imagine that God had taken you when He took away one of your relatives, neighbours, or friends, and death had arrived, and judgment had been passed at that moment; which way do you think you would have been cast? Can't some of you remember that if God had taken you away at such a time or when someone you knew died, you were in such a condition that you have cause to think you would have been certainly situated in a condition of eternal misery?

Therefore, bless God that you are alive today to hear such a doctrine as this one; as long as you live, God gives you time to secure your eternal estate. Psalm 78:38 says, "But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath." When sickness befalls men and women, a portion of God's anger is revealed; however, if God had unleashed His anger just a little more, what would have become of you? You would have been lost forever.

But God was pleased to withhold His anger, not stirring up all His wrath. Bless God for sparing you at such a time; certainly, if you had died then, your condition would have been as irretrievable as that of the devils themselves. Now is a day of grace, a day when you have the voice of the Gospel and the good news of salvation ringing in your ears. But then you would have been beyond the time of grace, beyond prayer and repentance. Now, as long as you are not beyond this day, you must value your lives. And brethren, understand where the worth of your lives and their continuation lies. Some individuals

display terrible impudence, wishing to prolong their lives merely to further satisfy their lusts. Did God grant you life for this purpose?

No, the reason you should desire to live is to have more time to make provisions for something of such infinite consequence. If this is not accomplished, it would have been better for you to have been a toad, serpent, or the vilest creature that ever lived. O, if only we had hearts to give God glory for our lives and to appreciate our lives properly, extraordinary results would follow if our hearts were moved in this manner.

Secondly, if the only time we have to prepare for eternity is during this earthly life, then how should those be reproved who waste and squander this precious time on frivolities and neglect the crucial purpose for which they were sent into the world? If such momentous matters hinge on our lives, then the loss of time in our lives is a truly dreadful loss. We all acknowledge that time is precious, and it is indeed so. Understanding and applying this point properly would make us realize just how valuable time truly is. Even if all the pearls in the world were condensed into one, it still wouldn't be as precious as this time of our lives because what depends on it is infinitely more valuable than ten thousand worlds. Yet, despite the significance of time, many people trivialize it, frittering it away in leisure and neglecting their true purpose.

Every moment that you misspend, for all you know, could be the very moment upon which your eternal destiny hinges. When you go out, enjoy yourself, and waste your time, you may be abusing the very moment upon which your eternal fate hangs. If we truly understood this doctrine, we would recognize the great evil and foolishness of misusing our precious time. People often live as if their only purpose in this world is to cater to their physical desires.

Imagine a man coming to a city for a matter of life and death, and the time he has to accomplish it is very limited. How diligently do you think he would spend that time? Each stroke of the clock would weigh heavily on his heart. Now, suppose God were to resurrect a damned soul from hell and give it another chance in the world. God says, "You will live for a quarter, half a year, or even just a month or a week. I will give you an opportunity to make peace with me and escape the misery you're in." How do you think such a soul would spend its time? As you are convinced in your consciences about how such a soul would act, strive to use your time in a similar manner.

Many people seek guidelines to navigate their lives. Consider this rule: if a damned soul could be sent back into the world and have a chance at a different fate, then do what you believe such a soul would do. If someone were to offer him crowns, kingdoms, or even the entire world in exchange for his time, even if it were just a week or a day, he would scoff at such an offer and value one more day above a thousand worlds. Now, you have had days and weeks, one after another, and yet you do not know if you have more than a week or a day left before your eternal fate is sealed upon you. Therefore, there is a pressing need for you to make the most of your time.

How few contemplate the passage of their time or recognize the tremendous significance of the time they have in this world!

Consider this: You would deem it utter folly and madness if a person possessed a precious oil worth a thousand pounds a pint and used it to light a lamp for idle talk, play, or frivolous pursuits. Surely, such valuable oil should be reserved for weightier matters. Brethren, the time of your lives is like that lamp, illuminated and sustained by this precious oil. Do not waste it on trifles and vanities. There are matters of infinite importance that you must attend to during your time on earth. This neglect of time is a grave charge against Jezebel in

Revelation 2:21, where Christ says, "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, but she repented not."

I recall the expression of a woman who was in great distress of conscience. When some tried to reassure her that there was hope for her, she gazed at them with a ghastly countenance and said, "Call time again, call time again." It was as if she meant, "If you can call time back, then perhaps there is hope for me." Clearly, we do not fully appreciate the importance of time. An enlightened conscience places great value on time. Nothing can instill a more serious disposition in a person than realizing the worth of their time.

Imagine a group of people sailing at sea, reaching a small island thousands of miles from any other land. They stop to rest on the island, but the mariner warns them not to stray too far, saying, "I will not wait for any of you." The older individuals may be cautious not to wander too far, but the younger ones trust in their swiftness.

However, when the mariner departs, they are left behind and perish.

Similarly, while we are in this world, we take the opportunity to refresh ourselves. But God says, "Be ready when I call," and God's call is the moment of death. When God calls, some are not ready, and they perish eternally.

The loss of the time of your lives will one day be a dreadful regret. It will pierce your souls to realize that you had a day of grace, but now you have no time left. Judgment has been pronounced, and there is no remedy. There is a story of a woman whose house was on fire. She was busy attending to trivial matters while her child lay in the cradle, forgotten. Later, when she looked at what she had saved, she found a few insignificant things, but then the thought struck her: "What has become of my child?" She feared her child had perished (though it was saved) and was overwhelmed with regret, realizing that she had

wasted time on unimportant things and forgotten her child. Beware that this does not become your story. You have been told that time is precious and that there are important matters concerning your souls and eternal condition to attend to. Yet, you spend your time accumulating wealth, seeking pleasure, or pursuing worldly honors.

When the final reckoning comes, and God asks, "Now that your time has ended, what have you accomplished in this world?" You may be able to say, "Lord, I have acquired wealth, and I have led a joyous life." But amid all of this, what have you done for your soul? What have you done for eternity? What have you done to make peace with God? What have you done regarding matters of infinite weight and consequence? Your heart will be burdened with the thought that you neglected your soul, spending more time playing than praying to God in private to reconcile with Him. Though you may pass your time merrily here, it will be a dreadful realization in the future when you understand the purpose of your time and why you were born.

Bernard once made a noteworthy statement about people calling to one another, saying, "Let us be merry until an hour has passed." He responded with indignation, "What will you do thus and thus until an hour has passed, until time has passed? Will you squander that which the mercy of your Creator has granted you for repentance, for obtaining grace, and for seeking pardon? Will you waste the time in which you should be striving for the life and blessedness you have lost?" It is fitting for those who have not made peace with God to spend their days lamenting their sinful and miserable condition rather than engaging in revelry and wantonness. How will you wish one day that you had spent your time in mourning and lamentation?

As Abraham said to Dives, "Son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy pleasures." This life is not meant solely for sensual pleasures but for reconciling with God. When God graciously grants us time for such significant purposes in this world, He expects all His

children to seek His face, make peace with Him, value His mercy, and admire the richness of His grace and goodness in His Son.

However, this is not what we observe in most people. It is sheer folly to squander precious time when everything hinges on it.

Thirdly, if after death comes judgment, certainly when death finds any man unprepared in a state of unregeneracy, who has not made his peace with God, it must indeed be exceedingly dreadful because it brings judgment and establishes such an individual in their eternal condition. In Job 18:14, death is referred to as the "King of terrors," and rightfully so, for it is the most terrifying thing in the world to those who grasp the implications of their sinful state and condition.

There is enough in this realization to humble even the proudest and most stubborn individual on Earth, as they consider that they are now venturing into the abyss of eternity with little preparation. It may even be the abyss of the infinite wrath of God they are entering, and where they must remain forever. Certainly, except you have a firm assurance of reconciliation between God and your soul, the sight of the infinite abyss you are entering immediately after death cannot help but make you emit a dreadful shriek when you realize that you are now likely to be eternally lost.

When death seizes an ungodly person, it is nothing less than the severing of the thread upon which they hung over the pit of eternal misery. It is the opening of the floodgates of God's eternal wrath.

While afflictions may seem like small trickles of God's wrath, death, when it arrives and finds them unprepared, opens the floodgates, and the torrents of Almighty's wrath engulf them. For them, death will be like a sergeant of the Lord of hosts, leading them to prison. It will be like raising the drawbridge, casting them into a dismal and dreadful sunset that ushers in an eternal night of darkness, with no prospect of dawn. Know that at death, the day of grace and salvation

sets for you, and an eternal night of dismal blackness and darkness descends upon you. When you depart this world without making peace with God, you must bid farewell to all comforts and joys, and everything you once enjoyed. Farewell to the precious truths of God that were revealed to you, farewell to the gracious teachings of God's ministers. Farewell to all the dear friends you cherished, farewell to the times of mercy you experienced. Farewell to your spouse, children, and loved ones, for you shall never see their faces again.

Farewell to your worldly possessions, house, land, and all delights.

Farewell to the sun, moon, stars, and the entire world. You will never see them again until you behold them all ablaze on the great and dreadful day of Christ. At death, the day of grace and salvation sets for you, and you enter into an eternal night of pitch-black darkness, never to see the light again.

I am reminded of a statement by Pope Adrian when facing death. He said, "O my soul, my soul, where are you going? You shall never be merry again as you once were." It is a mournful thing for a wretched creature, whose time has run out, not to know where they are going.

They think of past pleasures and delights, knowing they will never experience them again. When I contemplate the death of an ungodly person, I recall Isaiah 10:3: "And what will you do in the day of visitation?" You may live luxuriously in the world now, indulging in pleasure and having your way, scorning the truths of God spoken by His ministers. But what will you do in the day of visitation when your time in this world comes to an end? Oh, the change that will come over your spirit! God will regard you with indignation, saying, "O wretched creature, who spent your days in vanity, you shall continue in this world no longer. The wrath of the Almighty is now unleashed upon you." You will be on your sickbed, tormented by an awakened conscience that accuses you of past wickedness in specific times and places. You will curse yourself for your foolishness and for neglecting

the day of grace and salvation. Your time will be almost gone, and your sickness will intensify. Your friends will gather around, mourning for you. You will grow pale, breathe shallowly, and the devil will await his prey. Your mouth will fall, your soul will depart, and it will be the end of you. An end to all your pride, stubbornness, vanity, and wickedness. This is the fate of those who have not made

God their portion. Mercy had its time, but you neglected it, and now you are gone forever.

We often speak of the mercy of God, but is it not a rich mercy for God to grant you, a wretched and sinful creature, such a blessed opportunity for repentance in this world? God called out to you, offering grace, pardon, and peace. He did not extend such an offer to the angels who sinned; when they committed a single sin against God, He cast them away and did not negotiate with them for peace.

Therefore, since you have already had your time, let all the angels in heaven, saints, creatures, and even demons acknowledge that God showed mercy to this person, despite the judgment now upon them.

O my brethren, the thought of death in this light has much power to affect your hearts. I recall hearing of a person who prayed six times a day. When asked why he spent so much time in prayer, his response was simple: "I must die, I must die." The approaching end of his life, upon which so much depended, was his motivation. O that we had hearts to contemplate this truth, to understand the things concerning our eternal peace even now, in our day, before it is too late. Brethren, these matters are of infinite importance to your immortal souls. May the Lord grant that they have a profound impact on each one of us.

We can apply the dreadfulness of death, which follows from contemplating the point I have been discussing, to various groups of people. Firstly, it should have a significant impact on the hearts of elderly individuals. Your time is near, and you must ensure that your

work is completed, for you have little time left to make peace with God. It is like three or four o'clock in your day of grace, and the sun is setting. If a man is about to embark on a journey critical to his life, and he has neglected the morning and much of the afternoon, seeing the sun sinking low, he thinks, "I must hurry now, for if the sun sets before I reach my destination, I am lost, and my life is over."

Likewise, those who cross areas where the sea is dry at one time and floods at another, but if they miss by just half an hour, they face death, and when they realize the time is nearly up for the waters to return, their hearts sink, and they say to one another, "We must hurry, for time is almost up." Old men, consider this. You have neglected the time of your youth, and now your time is nearly spent.

Take hold of the opportunity while it is still day to understand the things that lead to your peace. Double your diligence now. It is a dreadful sight to see an old wicked man, an old sinner, an old scoffer, an old worldly individual who never comprehended the great purpose for which they came into the world.

Secondly, this applies to all profane individuals who, instead of fulfilling the purpose of their time and preparing for their eternal state, are moving in the opposite direction, widening the gap between God and their souls. If a man must embark on a journey for his life before the sun sets but chooses to go in the opposite direction, he will eventually realize his error and say, "Where am I? If the sun sets before I reach my destination, I am doomed." The same goes for those who persist in profane ways. God has placed you here to live for His glory and to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, but you have gone in the opposite direction, spending your time making yourself even more deserving of His wrath. Take heed, for if you die in your state of profanity, you are lost forever.

Thirdly, this message is for those who once made progress on the path of life and salvation, experiencing a stirring of conscience but, due to the force of their desires, turned back and fell from their previous state. Imagine a man who must cross the sea for his life by a certain time. Initially, he has a favourable wind, but as he approaches the haven, a great gust of wind pushes him back. How sorrowful is the condition of such a man! Similarly, there was a time when you had a favourable wind. God graciously worked in you through His

Spirit, and you seemed to be making progress in the purpose for which you were born. However, the gust of sin and the power of lust pushed you back further than before. Let this awaken you to use your time and opportunities to the fullest for the good of your soul.

Furthermore, this message is relevant to those who, in moments of discontent, wish for death, like some peevish individuals who wish for the grave whenever anything goes wrong. Foolish man or woman, do you realize what you are doing by wishing for the end of your life?

You may encounter a different kind of discontentment than what you've experienced here, for after death comes judgment (Amos

5:18). Woe to you if you desire the day of the Lord in a fit of anger, for it may not be a day of light but rather a day of darkness for you.

Instead of giving thanks to God for your life, do you wish for death with every sullen mood? This is a great dishonour to the grace and mercy of God extended to you.

Furthermore, this concerns those who, on every occasion of drunkenness or a few heated words, are willing to risk their lives. It is true that fools may endanger their lives for trivial matters because they do not understand their true worth. However, those who comprehend the value of their lives will not do so. I recall a tale about a philosopher who was at sea and faced a life-threatening situation. He was extremely fearful, while the sailors were not afraid

at all. They asked him, "Why, are you, a philosopher, afraid when we, uneducated sailors, are not afraid?" He replied, "There is a reason for my fear; if I die, a philosopher is lost. But for you, your lives are not worth much." Thus, those who are willing to risk their lives in a drunken quarrel, yet will risk nothing for God and a righteous cause, do not appreciate the value of their lives, which is why they are so willing to squander them.

Moreover, it pertains to those who, in times of trouble and torment of conscience, are inclined to harm themselves and take their own lives. One would think that this point, when explained and applied as such, should deter such temptations in the future. What an immensely desperate folly it is that someone who is aware of God's wrath and fears it should do something that could lead them irrevocably into it and place them in eternal damnation, as those who take their own lives do. If anyone in the world should desire the preservation of their lives and hold them in high regard, it should be those troubled in conscience. They should pray as David did in Psalm

39:13, "O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more." Use God's own reasoning as found in Psalm 103:13-14, which states that God is merciful to His people because He remembers they are but dust. Therefore, plead with God, saying, "O

Lord, spare me, for I am but dust, like the passing wind that shall never return. Now is the time when You have promised to hear. Let my life be extended, for if this time is over, I am gone forever."

Lastly, this concerns those who have believed themselves to be on their deathbeds, facing what they thought was imminent death, and have contemplated this truth. They have seen eternity ahead of them, believed they were in danger of eternal damnation, and felt the judgment in their hearts. However, God has shown great mercy to them and restored their health. Perhaps, when you were in that

condition and believed your time was running out, you made promises and said, "Oh, if God would spare my life, I would be a different person! I would use my time differently than before." Well,

God has granted you a second chance, and what have you done since? Now, you might be taking God's patience and mercy for granted. Beware, for when your days come to an end, and judgment arrives, it will fall upon you with great severity.

Therefore, my brethren, allow me to address all of you (for I have not come here today merely to spend an hour with you but to benefit your souls). Be aware that this is your day, the day of grace and salvation. Once again, in the name of God, I declare to you this truth

(even if you have heard it many times before): there is not a single person in this congregation, no matter how wicked, who has come before God today through His providence, without the possibility of your sins being pardoned. It is possible for your soul to be saved, for God to be reconciled to you. Today, it is once again proclaimed to you that you are not yet destined for eternal misery, a fate that might have been yours by now. I implore you that when you return home, you would enter your private chambers, kneel before God, and thank

Him for this message, once more preached to you.

Beloved, if I or any servant of the Lord were sent by God to the gates of hell with this message, "O damned spirits, know from the Lord that there is a possibility for you to be saved," they would surely listen with joy. However, this message cannot be preached to them, but it can be and is preached to the vilest and wickedest wretch, the enemy of God and goodness in this congregation. God now declares this to you. But how long it will be before judgment comes to determine your fate, you cannot tell. Therefore, know in this day the things that lead to your eternal peace. Who knows what might depend on one day? Prayers and tears may still do you good, but if

you delay, even though you cry and howl to God for eternity, it may never suffice. Therefore, recognize the urgency of this moment. It is a fortunate thing for a person to accomplish a task during the right time; among humans, even if a task is completed, if not done in its season, it loses some of its worth and effectiveness. Similarly, prayers, tears, mourning, and pleading for God's mercy lose their efficacy unless they are done in the right time. For all you know, unless you do them today, or tomorrow, or very soon, they may do you no good at all. Therefore, seize this opportunity. God proclaims to each one of you today, "Poor creatures, if you ever expect to receive mercy on the Day of Christ, pay attention now. The golden scepter is extended now. This is the acceptable time, the day of grace and salvation. Come and accept the offers and invitations of grace and mercy now, or you may be lost forever."

Therefore, let this reminder dispel any indifference in your hearts and those wandering tendencies of your spirits that chase after vanities. Just as if a man with wandering thoughts and roving eyes were told, "Sir, consider what you are doing, for it concerns your life; if you go astray, you are a dead man," it would make him collect his thoughts and compose his spirit. Likewise, if you have a light and wandering heart, take this to heart today, my friend, dear soul.

Understand what you are doing; even the actions of this day concern your life and your eternal condition. Detach yourself from all worldly concerns until you have completed such a great task. As the Apostle says in 1 Corinthians 7:29-32, "Brethren, the time is short. It remains that both they that have wives be as if they had none; and they that weep as though they wept not; and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy as though they possessed not; for the time is short." The word used here is that the time is "wrapped up" or "folded up," like cloth tightly folded even to the very end. Therefore, let your hearts be detached from worldly matters. Truly, brethren,

those who truly understand themselves would not risk remaining in an unconverted state for even half an hour, even for the wealth of ten thousand worlds. They know that when death comes, judgment also arrives.

And for those of you who are poor, living in hardship and extreme conditions in this world, remember that as long as you live here, your situation is still favorable. You have time to accomplish the work that holds immense significance for the welfare of your souls. Indeed, contemplating this matter should redirect your hearts away from worldly pursuits. It is better for a man to remain here to accomplish that great work, even if it's like a stock or log in the fire, than to be taken away before completing the purpose for which he was sent into the world. When people are in pain, they may desire to die, but if they knew the state and condition of a wicked person immediately after death, they would rather choose to live, even in the most wretched earthly condition.

Furthermore, all you young ones, while God grants you time, should ponder this great task of making peace with Him. If a man were about to embark on a weighty business overseas, after he arrives on the shore, his first thought should be to secure his important task before indulging in merriment. If you have ensured the completion of this great work, that your peace with God is established, and your eternal estate is secure, then you can rejoice among your friends and live joyfully and comfortably all your days. It was once said that art is long, and life is short, but certainly, the art of preparing for eternity is a lengthy and challenging pursuit, while life is short and uncertain.

Therefore, do not postpone this great work, as some do. They are always about to take action, they plan and intend, but they never actually do it. I urge you, young ones, to start early. This understanding should drive you to wholeheartedly dedicate

yourselves to the great task of your souls. Whatever you do, do it with all your might, as encouraged by the Holy Ghost in Ecclesiastes 9:10:

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." If you ever had a task that required your utmost effort, do it here. Do not just have faint wishes and desires or fleeting good moods, as you might experience when hearing such truths as these. Instead, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, and seize every opportunity, for so much depends on the short span of your lives.

Just as it would be utter madness for a man to have a fair day and wind for crossing the sea for his life, yet decide to delay and neglect the wind, thinking he has a few more days to spare, only to find himself without wind when the last day comes. Many think they will repent when they are near death, but beware of neglecting the stirring of God's spirit, for if you do, you may later desire it with all your heart, but it will not return. Therefore, take heed not to neglect this great work. Strive to ensure it thoroughly. For if a man had a task that he could rectify if done poorly, he need not be so meticulous. However, if a man is entrusted with a task that he knows, once it's out of his hands, he can never amend, he will not be careless but strive to make everything certain. Understand that this is true for your eternal condition: what you do in this world must stand for all eternity; you cannot amend it later. If, after realizing your own condemnation, you were to plead with the Lord for more time and a chance to return to the world to correct your faults, God will reply, "No, you cannot return to the world." Therefore, it is of utmost importance to make everything certain while you have the time. Do not rely on blind hopes and reckless ventures, saying, "I hope things will turn out this way or that for me." Instead, entertain the thought, "What if it should turn out otherwise? What if I should fail?" This will greatly humble a person's heart, especially if they know that upon their failure, they are ruined forever.

Furthermore, my brethren, I urge you not to avoid any of God's ways out of fear of suffering. Be willing to endure any hardship for the sake of God's way. How does this follow? Allow me to explain: If the time of your life is the determining factor for your eternal condition, then it is crucial for you to persist in whatever comes your way. For example, imagine a man is on his way to a destination, and he must arrive there by a certain time to save his life. As he rides swiftly through the streets, the dogs bark at him (as dogs often do at those who move quickly). He pays little attention to the barking of the dogs because he is focused on his life-or-death journey. However, if a man is riding merely for leisure, the barking of dogs might trouble him a bit. When a man rides for his life, he won't turn back even if clouds gather and rain falls. He won't turn back if he encounters a dirty and muddy path; he will forge ahead or cross a slough because his life is at stake. But if a man rides solely for recreation and encounters strong winds, dark clouds, and storms, he will turn back. Sadly, it seems that the ways of most Christians in religion are as if they have taken them up for recreation and nothing more. Therefore, when a cloud of trouble and affliction appears, they regret their chosen path and quickly retreat. However, if God were to reveal to you the significance of eternity and what depends on the course of your life here, you would be willing to endure clouds, storms, tempests, and rough paths, all for the sake of your eternal destiny. In conclusion, whenever you are tempted to sin, remember what you have heard today and use it to resist temptation. Say to yourself, "God has shown me today the great purpose and mission for which I entered this world. I understand the immeasurable importance of the things that hinge on the time of my life. Should I then satisfy my own lusts and corruptions, appease the devil and the world, and, in the meantime, neglect that which is of such great importance for the well-being of my soul?" Once again, I wish that you all knew, on this very day, the

things that pertain to your eternal peace. Reflect on what has been said, and may the Lord grant you understanding hearts to apply it.

This sermon was preached on April 29, 1641. FINIS.

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Table of Contents

TO THE HONOURABLE, FRANCIS ROUS

To the Christian Reader The Incomparable Excellence and Holiness of God But Christ is all in all The glorious enjoyment of Heavenly things by Faith

The Natural man's bondage to the Law, and the Christians' liberty by the Gospel A Preparation for Judgment

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