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Put not the Evil day far from you; Familia∣rize Death unto your Soul by frequent Me∣ditation of it. Look not upon it at a di∣stance, but even at the door; let the Thoughts of it dwell with you. O how soon, how suddenly will winged Time rush into Eter∣nity? Our Lord comes, not only in a Day, but in an Hour we think not of (t), and none but He could ever say, Mine Hour is not yet come. We are not sure to be further from our Grave on our Feet, than on our Sick
Bed. Serve up a Skeleton at your Table; walk upon Mount Calvarie: Present to your Soul a frequent view of the Black Scene you go through, when you go off the Stage. Be still stooping down, and looking into your Sepul∣chre. Fancy you see a Grave gaping for you, your crazy Tabernacle falling upon your Head. your Breath growing Cold, your Eye-strings breaking; The vitall Lamp just spent, and ready to go out. How fast Time is Eating you out of Possession of all here. Such Thoughts will not only cool our pas∣sionate fondness to Earthly things, make us sober and indifferent in their use, and habi∣tually ready to part with them; but take off the Horror of the Apprehensions and ap∣proach of Death; we shall find it, not a Stranger, but an intimate Acquaintance, an expected Friend: we shall make no more of it, than of going through a dark Entry to our Father, of falling into the Arms and Em∣braces of our Mother, and Sister. No guest comes unlookt for, to him that keeps a Con∣stant Table. A little warning serves a Tenant that's provided for, who is often thinking of a Remove.
Mat. 24.44.50.