I. The force of the expression, ' In this present world.' It implies three things — timely beginning, zealous discharge, and final persever- ance. Whatever we are to do upon the teaching of grace, we are to do it speedily, earnestly, constantly. Speedily, now or never, take hold of the present occasion ; earnestly, it is the work of our lives, where- fore we are sent into the world ; and constantly, that is, all the time of our living here.
1. Speedily; now or never must it be done. We must set upon this work speedily upon two grounds — because time to come is uncer- tain, and it is not fit to neglect it. (1.) Time to come is uncertain. We have nothing to command but this instant ; that which is to come is not in our power. One being invited to a feast the next day made answer, Ugo a multis annis crastimcm non habui — For these many years I never had a to-morrow. The present time is put into thy hands ; thou hast no security for the next day but thy own word ; and how is he the better assured that is security to himself ? When you promise yourselves many years, you are liberal upon another man's goods ; and it is the fashion of madmen to reckon other men's estates to be theirs. The Father hath reserved times and seasons in his own power, and taken them into his own hands. We are not masters of a day ; therefore now or never must we set upon this work of living soberly, righteously, godly. Oh ! how sad is it to be surprised, and death to find us unprovided ! 2 Peter iii. 14, ' Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace.' This is the great business of our lives, to be found in a condition pleasing to God. A man should live every day as he would be found of God, for usually death comes by way of surprise; it finds us before we look for it, and steals upon us ere we are aware. (2.) Because it is not fit to neglect it till death, and to provide work for that time when we need cordials ; the infirmities of age and sickness need supports, and not work. Oh ! how sad is this, that many times ^ we are going out of the world before we begin to think why we came
VeR. 12.] SERMONS UPON TITUS II. 11-14. 165
into it ! Our great business here is to save our souls ; and when time is gone, then we begin to think of it. He is a foolish traveller that would set out at night, and begin his journey when the sun is setting, and the darkness of the night is coming on ; so when time appointed is gone, then to think of saving our souls. It is too late to be sparing when we have spent all upon prodigality. The foolish virgins came to buy oil too late. Who would expect to conquer then when his enemy is strongest and himself weakest, or purposely delay it till such a time ? If you do not presently set about the work, you do but provide grief and sorrow for your last age, when you are least able to bear it.
2. Earnestly. It is the reason why we are sent into the present world. It is the work of our lives. We were not put into the world as leviathan was put into the sea, to take our fill of pleasure ; but we were sent into the world for our trial a-nd for our exercise. For this end was life given us ; not to get wealth and honour, and great estates, or only to eat, drink, and sleep, and so live as if we were never to die, and then die as if we were never to live more ; such lose the end of their lives. God hath appointed a time for everything under the sun, and the time of life is appointed to work out our salvation ; and there- fore it is but reason that our best business should have the greatest share of our time and strength, and that this work should go forward according to our years ; still should you increase and be bettering yourselves in the great business of your lives. It is some work of grace to raise the soul to desire things within the veil ; it is more to hope for them ; it is more to seize upon them as our right and portion, and ' lay hold of eternal life,' 1 Tim, vi. 19. This is the great work of our lives, first to raise up the soul and carry it within the veil, to be always increasing our assurance of heaven, and looking after a better life : John ix. 4, ' I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day ; the night cometh, when no man can work.' Hereafter there is no prophecy, nor labour, nor faith, nor repent- ance. We have a little time, and a great deal of work, and a great many temptations. It is a great work to get out of a state of nature into a state of grace, to fit ourselves for a better world. Now, because we have no long continuance here, we should be doing it with all our might ; therefore let us not forget the main thing, that which is the business and employment of our lives ; let not your time pass unfruitfuUy, for ' the night cometh, wherein no man can work.'