to Adam to see how he would name them Ge. 2.19.20 so might Adam shew them to his childrē according to the wisedome given him at the first cōferre againe of their natures the reason of their names with those his childrē created in the same image of God with him taught of God that he might rejoyce in them also as they with him Though Solomon spake of trees from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssope on the wal also of beasts fouls creeping things fishes was wiser thē all the philosophers in the degenerate corrupt world 1. Kin. 4 29-34 yet was his wisedome but ignorance in comparison of that primitive estate the wisedome given to Adam at the first After this a multitude of other pleasures they might have returned loaden with blessings filled with comfort as much as their heart could hold And if at any time Adam Evah would in like manner have gone abroad on progresse to have visited their children what comfort should this have bene unto their children to have entertained that most royall honourable person above all others that right Catholick King or universal Monarch father of the whole world with Evah their Queene-mother therefore to have bene reverenced loved obeyed by all How would they have receyved him as an angel of God to the unspeakable joy both of him them mutually m And as the glory of this communion might thus be observed in the persons allyed in a right line both descendēt ascendent so also in the collaterall line extended on each side both farre neere to brethren sisters an hundred other degrees of kinred further off among all which if man had continued in his estate wherein the Lord placed him there should then have bene a most loving pleasant conversation more then can be imagined It had bene as easy for these to have travelled a thousand miles to embrace their friends as it is now for us to goe one small dayes-journey While there was no evill of sinne there should have bene no evill of paine or trouble in any of their labours And besides in the state of innocency great help comfort should have bene afforded unto man by the service of other creatures as hath bene shewed before Even in this corrupt degenerate estate of man beast all kinde 2. Cor. 6.18 behold my spouse my wife my bride Ioh. 3.29 Rev. 19.7 21.2 All the speciall bands of love union whether in the root of marriage or in the branches of kinred whether in the degrees ascending descending or any way extending themselves either in the right line or in the side line they are all found in Christ all meet together are combined in him He alone the new Adam is instead of all the fathers mothers brethren or sisters sonnes or daughters the comfort of all more fruits of love then all the kinred of the old world could have afforded unto us is to be enjoyed in the kingdome of Christ And looke how Christ esteemes of his elect so shall they be esteemed loved of all others there where his word requiring it must needs be performed Ioh. 13.34 15.12.13 And therefore looke how many Saints Angels there be in heaven so many sweet fountaines of loving communion there be for every soule to drinke at farre passing all the love of friends ever tasted in the lower world From every one shall flow rivers of water of life Ioh. 7.38 Christ Iesus being the headspring of all for then shall that all the rest of his promises be fullfilled in the highest degree It is matter of more joy even now to sit at the table of the Lord to receive the Sacrament of the New Testament then it was to pluck apples from the tree of life in paradise greater benefits are sealed even Christ is herein exhibited unto us a gift more excellent then all those that were confirmed unto Adam by the tree of life but then especially shall the difference appeare when the faythfull shall partake in the marriage supper of the Lambe in heaven when they shall be brought before the Lord the ancient of dayes the everlasting God before whom Adam though alive at this day should be as a child of yesterday a thousand yeares being but as one day in his sight when they shall heare him speake tell of his eternall love of us before the world in his decrees of election and predestination so often poynted at in Scripture and the like precious thoughts of his grace to us ward this shall be the fullnes of joy infinitely exceeding all the supposed delights of the old world As for the pleasant journeys motions we may not thinke that the godly shall be there as in a prison together in heavenly places in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.6 CHAP. VII Hovv God calleth men to remember the latter end of Reprobates The fearfulnes greevousnes of the second death set forth by a The deserving cause Sinne which is especially aggravated by the wisedome authority goodnes other attributes of God b The inflicting cause the wrath of God from which the whole misery all the circumstances of the second death have their denominations c compared unto fire yet different from common fire unquenchable most piercing largely extending it selfe taking hold on the greatest in the world d This fire the fiercenes of it made plaine by the observation of sundry fires already kindled in the bowels of the earth in vegetative sensitive creatures in the body of man in the aire firmament in the angels e but chiefly in the course of Gods just indignation against sinners seriously to be considered of all that desire to escape it f The effects dolefull cryes lamentations of the tormented of the Devils themselves yea even of our blessed Saviour in his sufferings g Particular manifestations of Gods wrath against particular sinnes transgressions of every commandement both of the first second table THe end of all flesh hath bene represented unto us of God by a basket of summer fruit ripe for the harvest ready to be gathered The blessed end of the godly hath bene shewed in the basket of good figs very good there remaines yet the basket of rotten figs very naught to be marked of us for that sight is also propounded unto us of God he calles us to remember the end of the wicked thereby whiles that basket was in vision also set before the Temple of the Lord. Ier. 24.1 It is an hideous fearefull sight to opē the graves where the greene carcases of dead men doe lye to behold the grieslines lothsomnes of death in them and who doth not flie from it But much more horrour it is to looke upon the dead soules in Hell their torment lothsome estate being an hundred times more worse to be endured then the sight of any rotten carcasses in the grave Yet
wisedome power goodnes of God shining in his creatures even the least of them the many profitable lessons which may be learned from them whereabout he had many singular observations and secondly the blessed condition of the Saints glorifyed touching which he had many divine and heavenly speculations towards his end spake so effectually of these things what appertaines thereunto that to them that were with him he seemed to be in heaven already insomuch as they wished themselves in the same way wherein he was carried on so cheerfully His sufficiency abilities for the worke of the ministery wherein he laboured above fourty yeares how mighty he was in the Scriptures how skilfully profound in expounding difficult places applying them to the benefit of soules with what evidence and power his preaching wrought into the consciences of his hearers how cleerly and fully he could refute convince an adversary of the trueth how prudent and judicious he was in mannaging Church affaires giving counsel advise in weighty businesses these the like pearles shining in that crowne of pastorall endowments wherewith he was qualifyed above many others are abundantly testifyed by those that have bene most interessed therein doe in great measure appeare in what is here and elswhere published may be in like manner further manifested as occasion serves if need were could be confirmed by the testimonies of the learnedest of our age For other maine helpes whereby men are fitted for the ministery his skill was rare in the languages that conduce unto the understanding of the Originall text of the Scriptures the severall interpreters thereof Besides what is ordinarily required in this kinde he could to good purpose with much ease make use of the Chaldean Syriack Rabbinicall Thalmudicall Arabick Persian versions commentaries Now whereas the station which God had appointed unto him was for the chiefe latter part of his time at Amsterdam yet as the godly learned have professed none hath more soundly oppugned that insolent sect for which that place hath bene so much reproached by many in our native country Witnesse his Arrow against the Separation of the Brownists which yet stickes in the sides heart of their cause though some impenitēt of their Schisme gnaw their tongues and cease not to blaspheme the Churches of Christ If he had bene as forward to send forth what he had done in those controversies as they are to trouble the presse with their pamphlets the world had seen at least thrice so much as it hath already of his paines in this kinde As for the unhappy differences raysed of later yeares in about the Church committed to his charge what ever some have deemed they that have bene rightly informed and impartially weighed what hath bene done have approoved his wisedome faithfulnes uprightnes in the whole carriage of those businesses We that have in great part bene privy to his retiredest thoughts demeanour at those times have had assured evidence of the integrity of his heart therein which he hath also witnessed unto the end For the controversies themselves God hath therein greatly pleaded his cause sundry wayes both at the very time of their rising since especially And as opportunity shall require others may in due time behold what he hath done in defence of himselfe the trueth against that which is published by others But of those and the like his paines in their season now somewhat must be sayd of this Treatise which is here put into thy hands It containes the summe of that which was delivered in divers sermōs to his owne flock in the yeare 1628. At the same time it was penned in such manner as we found it after his decease Divers passages especially towards the end were reserved for second thoughts when he might returne to a further survey Though he had bene often importuned by others to publish these his Meditations yet partly by his owne slownes to come abroad in that manner partly by the urgency of other occasions their desires could not then take place But being moved againe when his end drew neere his weaknes would not suffer him to review it and perfect what was wanting he was content I should set it forth in such manner as I could Albeit I have had some trouble in bringing together what was scatteredly set downe in some places extending into plaine words what was left in concise notes and short intimations yet I have purposely avoyded the adding of any thing that was not in the Authors Manuscripts though I should leave some abruptnes in the discourse and harshnes in the phrase I have onely adventured to set downe the contents at the beginning of every Chapter so as thou mayest with ease possesse thy minde with the whole matter of it readily turne unto what thou desirest I need not here discourse of the excellency usefulnes of this Treatise When thou hast read it attentively without prejudice then judge whether the matter intended be not carried along with all soundnes of judgement and demonstration of the spirit of life power whether here be not pithily comprised the summe of what the Scriptures afford of life death whether most poynts of Christian Religion be not here illustrated with some singular observations and in a word whether the whole doe not argue that he was a Scribe excellently instructed unto the kingdome of God The God of all grace glory make thee wise in closing thy thoughts with these Meditations happy in the enjoyment of that blessed end unto which they give directions Thine in the Lord R. PAGET The order observed in this Treatise The first part declareth How God calleth men to Remember Death in generall by the memorials of it in Gods shortening the dayes of man Cha. I. pa. 1 Persons times places of all sorts Cha. II. pa. 18 Man himself what appertaines to him Cha. III. pa. 44 The approch of death about the dead Cha IV. pa. 72 Particularly the death latter end of the Godly the happines of their condition Cha. V. pa. 93 compared with the primitive estate of the old world Cha. VI. pa. 112 Vngodly their woefull wretched end Cha. VII pa. 154 beheld in the visible memorials of Hell Cha. VIII pa. 188 The second part prepareth for death by Generall instructions touching Life and happines the Well fountaine of it in God Cha. I. pa. 229 Sure onely way unto it by Christ Cha. II. pa. 269 The motions of grace in the exercise of Mortification the Nature acts enemies of it Cha. III. pa. 303 Meanes whereby it is wrought Inward the Spirit of grace Cha. IV. pa. 326 Outward the Ordinances Workes of God Cha. V. pa. 349 Vivificatiō the nature working of it Cha. VI. pa. 377 Particular directions concerning Peculiar preparatives unto death Cha. VII pa. 395 The feare of death helpes against it Cha. VIII
thereunto The ordinary Sacraments of the old Testamēt were Circumcision the Passeover In circumcision there was a painefull cutting off of the foreskinne a marke for the mortification of the flesh printed in the body of man for a perpetuall memoriall of this duety so that the Holy Ghost under the phrase of circumcision doth oft describe our mortification unto us as Deu. 30.6 Ier. 4.3.4 Rom. 2.28.29 Col. 2.11 Godly sorrow is a knife of mortification to circumcise the heart to cut off the foreskin superfluities of sinfull lusts In the passeover the separation of the lambe from the tenth day unto the fourteenth day the killing of it sprinkling of the blood the rosting of it eating it with sowre herbes unleavened bread Exod. 12.4.6.7.8 c. did represent the deadlines of sin purged in such manner even by the blood of Christ the undefiled lambe slaine for us to be applyed unto us sprinkled upon us to be eatē with sowre herbs of godly sorrow for sin a purging out of the old leaven of maliciousnes putting off the old man his workes that we might be a new lump 1. Cor. 5.7.8 That which the Sacraments represented unto them was in like manner signifyed by the Sacrifices of the old Testament by laying handes upon the head of the beast that was slaine burnt for sacrifice Lev. 1.4.5 c. and these of many kindes in great number every day upon divers occasions and especially upon their feast dayes when many thousands were sometimes sprinkled him with water to make him cleane Num. 19.14.21.22 but a dead beast did not defile all that came into the tent or stable where it was IV. Not the carcasses of all beasts but onely of those that were uncleane beasts did defile men not the carcasses of sheep oxen goates doves harts hindes roes c. but the carcasses of swine camels vultures c. Lev. 11. but for men the carcasses of all men whosoever cleane or uncleane good or bad did defile all that touched them Num. 19.11 V. The bodies of uncleane beasts did not defile but onely when they were dead otherwise it was lawfull to ride upon horses mules camels and asses as Christ did according to the prophesy Zech. 9.9 with Matt. 21 2-7 but the bodies of uncleane men while they were living did defile other men many wayes as we see in the lepers and such as were defiled with other naturall uncleannesses Levit. 13.46 15.5 c. 2. Cor. 6.17 To have touched a venomous toad had lesse defiled then the touch of a most glorious king or the touch of the fairest woman though but the hemme of their garments without the least motiō or lust of evill when they were but ceremonially polluted VI. He that was defiled with the carcasse of an uncleane beast was not required to wash more then his clothes but he that was defiled with the carcasse of a dead man or some other uncleane persons was required to bathe himselfe in water also Num. 19.19 Lev. 15.13 VII Those that touched the carcasses of uncleane beasts were purged with common water Lev. 11.25.28 those that were defiled by touching of the dead were not to be purged but by water and blood to wit by a speciall water of purification made with the ashes of a red heifer Num. 19 2-9.17 By all this it appeares how marvellous great the pollution of mans sinne is which God would have him so many wayes to be put in minde of to avoyd the tent and company of wicked men that by so many exercises of mortification he might learne to touch no uncleane thing As David in detestation of himselfe sayd unto the Lord I vvas as a beast before thee Psal 73.22 so we are here taught to consider and confesse that we are worse then beasts as it is also elswhere noted for our mortification Esa 1.3 Ier. 8.7 Prov. 6.6 c. f Moreover whereas it is a speciall very sight of the creation which way soever we turne us might serve to abase and humble men before the Creatour To this end are they propounded by the Spirit of God unto us the height of the heavens the depth of hell the length of the earth bredth of the sea Iob 11.8.9 The terrour evē of some creatures is such that man is ready to die and perish at the sight of them The sight of an Angel made the watchmen and keepers of the grave to quake and become as dead men Mat. 28.4 When the Disciples thought they saw a spirit they were troubled and cryed out for feare Matt. 14.26 At the sight of the Leviathan men are cast downe when he rayseth up himselfe the mighty are afraid because of breakings and terrours beginne to purify themselves to confesse their sinnes to pray for the pardon of them and to seek reconciliation with God Iob 41.9.10.25 This hath God ordained for the mortificatiō of sinners that hereby they might conceive how unable they are to stand before him Whē the Lord would make Iob to be vile in his owne sight and to abhorre himself in dust ashes he sets before him the glory of the creation and his majesty shining therein and leads him along in the spirit to behold the cheef of them ranked in order before him Iob 38. 39. 40. 41. ch with ch 41.4 42.6 And even unto this day God doth sometimes speak unto us as it were out of the whirlewind and by the sight of the heavens the earth the seas doth call us unto mortification The Lord sometime giveth dayes of darknes and gloominesse of cloudes and thick darknesse Zeph. 1.15 he clothes the heavens with blacknes and makes sackcloth their covering Esa 50.3 in their mournefull countenance they call us to thinke what cause of mourning we have Yea in them the wrathfull countenance of God is as it were pourtrayed before us a smoak is sayd to come out of his nostrils and devouring fire out of his mouth when he thunders from heaven sendeth forth his lightnings for the terrour of sinners and for the mortification of their corrupt and wicked lusts Psal 18 8-14 29.1 c. 97.2.3.4 1. Sam. 12.16.17.18 By the sight of the raging roaring sea bounded within the sands the Lord cals mē to feare before him to trēble at his presence Ier. 5.22 And whereto serve the storms upon the sea if not for the mortification contrition of heard-hearted serve to humble them and call to their minde their owne unworthines which then especialy by comparison of Gods free love with their contrary deserts doth more appeare unto them So it was with David humbling himselfe before God in the consideration of his mercies 2. Sam. 7.18.19 even as Mephibosheth had done to him in another case 2. Sam. 9.7.8 so did Elizabeth Luk. 1.43 If Abigail might say of her marriage with David Let thine handmaid be a servant to vvash the feet of
leads men with comfort through the gates of death overcomes the pangs thereof ferries conveyes men over all the floods of sorrowes a This grace of Vivification is to be considered in six especiall degrees answerable to those six degrees of Mortification before noted each of them may better be understood when they are mutually compared together I. The first degree of Vivification is a new disposition or habit of quickening grace infused by the Spirit of God whereby they are inclined to imbrace Christ to glory in his merit to live unto him This new disposition is like a new borne babe or at least as a babe newly conceived in the wombe of the soule is called the new creature Gal. 6.15 the new man Eph. 4.24 the inward man Rom 7.22 the law of their minde vers 23. the newnes of spirit vers 6. the consideration of this gift is cause of great joy thankesgiving unto the faithfull that doe therefore break out into the praise of God and blesse him that hath begotten them againe 1. Pet. 1.3 As it is matter of joy unto a mother to have a living childe borne though for that present it lie bound in swadling clothes without stirring hand or foot so it is great joy unto the regenerate to have this new habit of life though they doe not alwayes feele it actually stirring within them Yea this is a comfort that supporteth the godly in the midst of manifold temptations when notwithstanding their great imperfections present impotency unto good they yet can remember this habit of spirituall life formerly discerned in themselves by sundry joyfull apprehensions fruits of faith in time past This is that seed of God which remaineth abideth ever in those hearts where it is once sowne 1. Ioh. 3.9 This is that heavenly drop of divine grace which being once distilled into the soule is never dryed up but becomes a fountaine of living water springing up into everlasting life Iohn 4.14 This is that precious spark of spirituall life which though it be sometimes raked under the ashes of worldly cares and feares yet is it never extinguished but upon occasion breakes forth burnes more bright then before II. A second degree of vivification of the new man consisteth in the motions of new life and in the stirrings of the spirit which are a further comfort demonstration of spirituall life As the mother that hath conceived in her wombe yet for a long time together feeles not her childe to stirre within her doth then begin to feare and to doubt of the life thereof so the godly having bene long without the lively motions of the spirit beginne to feare sometimes and to doubt of their estate But upon the new motions of the spirit they are filled with comfort thereby feele their sweet babe the new creature as it were to spring in their wombe againe These motions are divine inspirations whereby the minde is illuminate to discerne and know the will of God to give assent and approbation unto it when it is knowne and to remember it also when it is approoved Eph. 1.17.18 Phil. 1.9.10 Col. 1.9 Without these gracious operations of the spirit many having the truth propounded unto them doe not apprehend it others apprehending the meaning thereof approove not of it others approoving of it doe yet forget the same and so it vanisheth and is lost As the Spirit of God is sayd to moove Samson at certaine times and to ring in his eare like a bell as the originall word imports Iud. 13.25 with Exod. 28.33.34.35 so these motions and impulsions of the spirit in the godly are as the sound of an heavenly bell ringing them many peales of consolation and exhortation for their warning night day These are the counsels of God and whisperings of the H. Spirit like divine cymbals and high sounding cymbals tinckling and ringing in the eares of the regenerate Psal 16.7 and 51.6 Esa 30.21 for which they give thankes to God that illuminateth wakeneth their dead dark hearts thereby when as of themselves they are not sufficient to conceive or think any thing that is good holy 2. Cor. 3.5 Pro. 30. ◠3 As wicked motions are the messengers of Satan to buffet us so these are the messengers of God to quicken us therefore as welcome guests are to be welcomed entertained with all thankfulnes III. Besides the motions of spirituall life in the understanding judgement and memory there is a third degree of vivification to be observed when as this life is further spread abroad into the affections worship and care for the poore Saints harmlesse life and innocency in respect of all men and bowels of compassion towards them in necessity Esa 5.2.4.7 Hereby men shew that they are not strangers from the life of God but being rich in good workes the workes of spirituall life they doe hereby lay up in store for themselves a good foundatiō against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternall life 1. Tim. 6.18.19 VI. Lastly it is a further manifestation of spirituall life when after the former degrees of vivification the new creature beholding this grace of God in it selfe doth with all joyfull thanksgiving acknowledge the same cōtinually As David his people considering how God had opened their hearts quickened them to his service rejoyced with great joy because they had offered willingly praysed God because he had mooved them to praise him 1. Chron. 29.9.10.13.14.17.20 so the regenerate that are borne of God can rejoyce in the Lord doe know the joyfull shout they doe therefore againe rejoyce because they rejoyce Psal 89.15.16 And as one Rainebow by the reflexion doth often beget another that other sometimes begets a third so that three Rainebowes have sometimes appeared at once so in the new creature one joy begets another one light begets another and one grace is the seed of another Rom. 5.4.5 When Paul saw the constancy of the Thessalonians it quickened him when he saw their faith joy in the holy Ghost it made him give thankes for them and to conceive great joy 1. Thes 1.2.3.6 and when he considered the comfort of his owne joy for them it made him give new thankes againe unto God for that joy 1. Thes 3.8.9 And thus is spirituall life propagated multiplyed in the faithfull whē as both by the sense of quickening grace in themselves Coll. 1.12 by the sight of it in others they take new occasion of glorifying God for his unspeakable gift 2. Cor. 9 12-15 b The meanes whereby this grace of vivification is wrought in the elect is principally the Spirit of God which quickeneth and giveth life Ioh. 3.5 Rom. 8.10.11 2. Cor. 3.6 By it we are brought unto Christ Ioh. 16.14.15 15.26 comming unto him as unto a living stone we also are made living stones full of life 1. Pet. 2.4.5 We come unto him when we quicken
if we performe the like offices of love respect unto the poore servants of Christ we shal be fitter to goe with comfort into the society of Angels They that thus goe out of the world beforehand by leaving the fashions thereof become childrē againe shall have a more comfortable entrance into the kingdome of heaven Matt. 18.3 As new borne babes here on earth are first taken up by one then by another are delivered from one friends armes to another every one striving to have them in their armes to kisse them so the souls that are borne into heaven are translated by death first into the bosome of Angels carying thē then into the bosome of Abraham the Saints receiving them every one imbracing them with kisses of heavenly love above all into the bosome of the Lord of glory there to be satisfyed with his love in fulnesse of joy for evermore Esa 40.11 Psal 16. l. VI. Another work whereby men are prepared to die with comfort is the visitatiō of the sick others that are in misery For the promise is that he that considers the poore or visits the afflicted shall himself be preserved and delivered in time of trouble the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing he wil make all his bed in his sicknes Psal 41.1.2.3 By visiting the sick men both minister comfort unto others receive comfort themselves First they give comfort and minister a blessing unto those that are in distresse Thus to visit the fatherlesse the widowes in their affliction is pure religion undefiled before God and the Father Iam. 1.27 Onesiphorus is commēded for this Paul prayes heartily for him because he sought him out when he was in prison refreshed him ministred many things unto him 2. Tim. 1.16.17.18 Iob noteth the excellency of this whē he joineth him that cōforteth the mourners with a king even in the army when he useth greatest authority Iob 29.25 Whatsoever is done unto the least member of Christ in this kinde he takes it as done unto himself therefore such shall be remembred honoured by him at the last day Matt. 25 34-40 Secondly by visiting those that stand in need of comfort men doe also receive instruction comfort unto themselves Eccl. 7.2.3.4 2. Kin. 13.14.15 c. Though we may not inquire at the dead Deut. 18.11 yet at the dying we may learne many wholesome lessons as of repentance from their complaints of their sins bewailed of faith from their joyfull professions of their hope the examples of their constancy and of our owne mortality frailety from their strength languishing their pale countenances their dimme eyes their faltering tongue their ratling throat their panting heart their short breaths their painfull convulsions the last pangs sneckes of death all the symptomes of death are so many warnings unto the living to watch and prepare for their end Whosoever would be well prepared for death let them often repaire to such mourning houses let them so visit others in these cases that withall they see learne themselves that which God doth there so plainely teach them That which Elias sayd unto Elisha whē he had prayed for a double portion of his spirit If thou see me when I am taken from thee it shall be so unto thee 2. Kin. 2.9.10 may in some measure in another respect be sayd unto us whē seeing others taken away that very act with the circumstances of their departure is a meanes to increase the spirit in us yea to double our care comfort in looking for our end VII Lastly it is also a work preparatory unto death to have our testament Wil in readines that we need not be troubled therewith at last When the message of death was sent unto Hezekias he was called upon to set his house in order Esa 38.1 Abraham was carefull to settle the affaires of his house and family before his death as appeares by his disposing of Isaak in marriage Gen. 24.1.2 c. his giving gifts to the sonnes of Keturah his second wife sending them away Gen. 25.6 But the cheef part of testaments legacies are godly exhortations charges and blessings which parents give unto their children This was Isaaks care long before his death though he forgot the oracle that had assigned the blessing unto the younger Gen. 27 1-4 Isaak was then an hundred yeares old Gen. 25.26 with ch 26.34 he lived in all an hundred fourscore yeares Gen. 35.28 so that his testament his blessing was givē fourescore yeares before he dyed Iacob gave speciall charges blessings unto his sonnes before he died Gen. 47.29 48. 49. ch Thus did Moses with the children of Israel Deut. 33.1 c. and Ioshua Iosh 23. 24. ch Thus David also in a solemne assembly exhorteth the people especially his sonne Solomon to feare the Lord encourageth him unto the work that was to be done after him 1. Chron. 28.1.8.9.10 Solomon had also received instructions from his mother to the same purpose which he himself hath recorded Prov. 31. ch In speciall the more to affect children friends by exhortations promises and comforts I would commend unto fathers friends the example of Elijah the Prophet who in his life time made a writing which he procured to be delivered unto Iehoram after his death 2. Chron. 21 12-15 with 2. King 3.11 thus there may still be a prophesying after death though not by way of foretelling things to come yet by charges admonitions consolations which being left with executours or speciall friends together with other devises noted in the Scriptures together with the grounds thereof their faith hope love Simeon rejoyceth at the approch of his end Luk. 2.29.30 where we may observe the reasons before named mooving him thereunto his faith in having seen the salvation of the Lord which was grounded upō the word of promise produced peace of conscience his hope when he calleth death a departing or loosing frō bonds for it is the same word that elswhere signifyes to loose or release a prisoner Mat. 27.15.17 his love of God when he calles himself his servant Paul also had a desire to depart upon these three grounds his hope Phil. 1.23 his faith love 2. Tim. 4 6.7.8 And as these so other faithfull servants of Christ have also for the same causes earnestly desired to be absent from the body to be present with the Lord. 2. Cor. 5.1.2.8 2. Tim. 4.8 with Rev. 22.20.17 a Yet for the better understanding of this poynt somewhat must be further cōsidered to prevent a double danger both of some that seeme not to feare death of others that confesse they feare it The first sort are those that despise their life cast it away without being calld of God These deny the Lordship of Christ because that as no man should live to himself so none should die to himself but to the