Whilst we are here in this World to provide for Heaven hereafter. [ 1259]
THere is mention made of a Nation,* 1.1 that use to chuse their Kings every year, and whilst they are in their annuall government, they live in all abundance of State, have all the fulnesse their hearts can wish; but when the year is once o∣ver, all their pomp and glory is over too,* 1.2 and they banished into some obscure remote place for ever: One King hearing this, being called to rule over that Na∣tion, made such use of his time, that in the year wherein he raigned as King, he was not lavish in spending his Revenues, but heaped up all the Treasure he could get together, and sent it before him to that place, whither he should be banished; And so in that year of his Goverment, made a comfortable provision for all his life time afterwards:* 1.3 Thus it is that God hath given to every one of us a time to live here in this world, and but a little time at the most, it may be not a week, not a day, not an hour; It will be then the greatest part of our wisdome, that whilst we are here in the way to salvation, and suck at the breasts of those Ordinances that may feed us to eternall life, and draw at those Wells, called in Scripture, The wels of Salvation; now to lay up for the time of our banishment, before we go hence and be no more seen; and be sure that whilst we are in this world, to provide for Heaven hereafter.