UPON THE CONSIDERATION OF Our Latter End; AND THE Danger and Mifchief OF Delaying Repentance. By ISAAC BARROW, D. D. Formerly Published by his Grace, JOHN The Second Edition. LONDON, Printed for Brab. Aylmer; And Sold (1) SERMON I The Confideration of our latter End. PSALM X 12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. T HIS Pfalm is upon feveral peculiar accompts very remarkable; for its antiquity, in which it perhaps doth not yeild to any parcel of Scripture; for the eminency of its Authour, Mofes the Man of God the greatest of the ancient Prophets (most in favour, and (as it were) moft B ; most intimate with God:) 'Tis alfo remarkable for the form and matter thereof, both affording much usefull inftruction. In it we have a great Prince, the Governour of a numerous People fequeftring his Mind from the management of pub lick Affairs to private Meditations from beholding the present outward appearances, to confidering the real nature and secret caufes of things; In the midst of all the Splendour and Pomp, of all the ftir and tumult about him he obferves the frailty of humane condition, he difcerns the Providence of God justly ordering all; this he does not onely in way of wife confideration, but of ferious devotion, moulding his obfervations into pious acknowledgments, and earnest Prayers to God; thus while he cafts one eye upon Earth viewing the occurrences there, lifting up the other to Heaven; there seeing God's all-governing Hand, thence feeking his gracious Favour and Mercy. Thus doth here that great and good ་ good Man teach us all, (more particularly men of high Eftate, and much Bufinefs) to find opportunities of withdrawing their thoughts from those things, which commonly amuse them (the Cares, the Glories, the Pleafures of this World) and fixing them upon matters more improvable to devotion; the tranfitoriness of their Condition, and their fubjection to God's just Providence; joining alfo to thefe Meditations futable acts of Religion, due acknowledgments to God and humble Prayers. This was his practice among the greatest encumbrances that any Man could have; and it fhould also be ours. Of those his devotions, addreffed to God, the Words are part, which I have chofen for the fubject of my meditation and prefent difcourfe; concerning the meaning of which I fhall firft touch fomewhat; then propound that obfervable in them, which I defign to insist upon. |