understand, and would provide for their last end.[1]
Man. I acknowledge, O Lord, that the days of man are short, and that the number of his months are with thee; thou hast appointed his bounds, which cannot be passed.[2] I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every one that lives. And who am I, that I should answer thee, and contend with thee in my words? Thou art just, O Lord, if I plead with thee; but if thou wilt not be angry with the prayer of thy servant, I will, O Lord, ask of thee one thing: Make me know my end, and what is the number of my days, that I may know what is wanting to me.[3] How many are the days of thy servant, in which I shall be still in warfare upon the earth, until my change come?
§3. Timely preparation for Death.
Christ. It is not for thee, my son, to know the times or the moments which the Father has put in his own power;[4] it is for thee to watch, wait, and be ready at all hours. For thy last day is hidden, that thou mayest carefully guard them all, for there is not one among them all that may not be thy last. It is for thee to redeem the time, and to labour while it is day; for the night will come, when no man can work.[5] It is for thee to labour, that by good works thou mayest make sure thy calling and election.[6] Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.[7] His is the extreme of folly who lets the days that he has slip by, and promises himself others, and meanwhile is occupied with trifles, with pleasure, and with the cares of this world. But why wouldst thou know that which is not good for thee? Know this, and hold it for a truth, that my ordering the hour of men’s death to be uncertain is a signal proof of my goodness and mercy. For oh, how many, if it were known, would take from it occasion for security and slumber, and would be much more sluggish in providing for their salvation, and would put it off to the close of their lives, and to the time of their death? Is not this done everywhere already, although they have not a day, nor an hour, nor a moment that is secure from death? Alas! man knows not his own end, and yet he neglects the care of his end! And therefore, as fishes are taken with the hook, and as
