with looking after the Mat. 24. 12. things which are comming on the world yet iniquity doth abound and the whole Earth seemeth to be filled with Gen. 6. 11. violence and wickednes and most men live as if there were neither God nor Devil Heaven nor Hell It is true these things are continually sounding in our ears and is it not as true and wo and alas that it is so they do for the most part as soon passe through the ears of the hearer as from the mouth of the speakerâ— Whence Vox audita perit Amos 6. 3. else is it that wicked men approach to the seat of iniquity but that they put far from them the evill day Whence is it that they cry peace peace and sing a requiem to their Souls with the fool in the gospel but 1 Thess 5. 3. 2. that they forget that sudden destruction is at hand and Luk. 12. 19 20 this night their soules may bee taken from themâ— whence is it that good mens hearts shake so at the present Heb. â—2 27. â—8 shaking of things in the world but that they have forgotten the Kingdome that cannot be shakenâ— whence is it that the good and bad both slumber and watch not but that they have forgotten that the comming of the Lord is nigh and he will come as a Mat. 25. 1 2 3 c. Thief in the night And whence is it thaâ— there is such an overflowing of sin in the world but from hence that men think not enough of these things For the prevention and cure therefore of these epidemicall evils I have gathered and bound up together these heavenly truths as medicine made of many ingredients and give it you in writing And oh that now we could perswade you to turn aside from youâ—â—ageâ— Litera Scripta manet pursuit of earthly things and come and see what it is and try what it wiâ—l do And for this may we prevail with you to look into them and keep them as a signe upon your hands as fronâ—â—eâ—s between your eyes that you will write them on the posts of your houses and your gates or rather on the tables of your hearts that they being ever in your sight may be never out of Deut. 6. 6 7 8. your minde Remember and forget not that very shortly the grieâ—ly Serjeant Deaâ—h will aâ— rest you and clap you up in the Prison of the grave where you shal by and by heare the dreadfull voâ—ce of the last Tâ—umpâ— crying a wake ye dead and come to judgment look sometimes in at Hâ—ll gates and think of the wrath to come and at other times take a view of the Heavenly Canaan and walk a turn or two in the Paradice of God If the thought of one of these how much more shall the thought of them all make us apply our hearts to wisdome Thâ—se thoughts wâ—ll 〈◊〉 lesse much settle the hearts of Saint in this shaking time 1 Cor 15. 31. Psal 1. 1. 5. Mat. â— 15. Col. 1. 12. Deut 32. 39. make them active for God careful to 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 so that they may be alwayes ready to dye able to stand in the Judgment sure to escape the damnation of Hell and to be made meet for the inheritance of the Saints in heaven And oh that men were thus wise to understand this to consider their latter end Thy Christian friend W. S. Of the foure last and great things Death Judgement Heaven and Hell and the things that concern the same Of Death DOCTRINE All men must die or There is an unavoidable necessity of dying laid upon all men Hebr. 9. 27. It is appointed to men once to die Psal â—9 48. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death not a man Eccles 6. 6. Doe not all go to one place Job 30. 23. I know thou wiâ—â— bring me to death and to the house appointed for all living FOr the opening of this point we must say something to these three things First what this death whereof we speak is Secondly What necessity there is that all men must die this death Thirdly Wherefore this necessity is imposed upon mankinde and wherefore it is so For the first By death here we mean not the privation of our communion with God or the separation of soul and body from Gods favour in this world which is caused by sin and is called an alienation from the life of God or the second death or spirituall death Luke 1. 79. Ephes 2. 1 2 4. 18. or the separation of the whole man from Gods heavenly presence and glory to be punished with everlasting fire in Hell called eternall death or the perdition of soul and body in Hell or the second death And this is proper onely to wicked men and cannot touch the godly Rom. 6. 23. Revel 20. 6. 4. Rom. 8. 6. 2 Thess 1. 9. Matth. 10. 28. Rev. 2. 11. But by death in this place we intend the privation of the life of the body or the separation of the soul from the body for sin or the change of this mortall for an immortall life And this is called a bodily or worldly death or the first death And this death is common to all men good and bad Heb. 9. 27. 1 Cor. 15. 32. Gen. 5. 24. 35. This death is either naturall i. when a man liveth out his full daies and then dieth or violent i. when a mans death is hastened by some violent accident that a man doth kill himself or is killed by another Also it is said to be common and ordinary when it is by an ordinary or usual means or extraordinary when it is by some strange or unusuall mâ—ans Numb 16. 29. 〈◊〉 The necessity we here speak of is not absolute but limitâ—ed to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For he may if he please dispense with his own Law and the penalty thereof and exempt some men from this common lot of mankind as once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who is said to be translated that he did not 〈◊〉 death Hebr. 11. 5. Gen. 5. 24. so afterwards Eliâ—h 2 Kings 2. 11. and as again he will do with those which shall be a live at Christs comming to judgement 1 Thess 4. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 51. Wâ— shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed But in an ordinary way God hath appointed to all men once to die and to this law of the King of Kings must all men young and old rich and poor without difference of necessity submit For the third thing 1. That it is so and must be so that all men must die these reasons may be given for it 1 God in his eternall counsell hath decreed it Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed to men once to die And his counsell standeth fast for ever and the thoughts of his heart unto all generations Psal 33. 11. Esay 46. 10. We read in â—say 28. 15. of some that had made a Covenant with death That it should not come â—igh
hath respect to two times First to all the time of amans life Secondly to the time a little before his death First all the time of a mans life Generally a man is to labour to be a new Creature by faith and repentance and to live a good life endeavouring to be better and better still and 〈◊〉 to be sure to do a good dayâ— work whilst he doth live for he that lives well cannot do amiâ—s and he that lives the life shall be sure to die the death of the righteous 2 Pet. 16. 7. 11 c. 2 Tim. 4. 7 8. 2 Pet. 3. 14. Gal. 6. 6. More especially we must labour for First peace with God in Christ and peace in our own Consciences Rom. 5. 1. 2 Pet 3. 14. Secondly the saving knowledge of God in Christ Ioâ— 17. 3. 3. A life regulated by Gods spirit and word Rom. 8. 14. Phil. 4. 7. There are degrees of life eternall and it is begun here the resurrection out of sin to holynesse of life is the beginning of eternall life Rev. 20. 6. Col. 1. 13. Gal. 2. 20. More particularly let us doe these things First let us get unto Christ by faith and thereby make our peace with God and get an assurance of a better life when this is at an end Rev. 14. 13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord i. in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. 22. As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive i. As by Adam sin and death came over all so by Christ grace and life came to all beleevers 2 Pet. 3. 14. â—uke 2. 28 29. Now let thy â—ervant depart in peace for mine eyes have seene thy Salvation i. I doe willingly and chearfully leave this present life Heb. 11. 13. Ioh. 8. 24. He is the â—â—tter to leave his old when he knowes where to have a new and a beâ—â—r dwelling 2 Cor. 5. 1. 2. c. Secondly let us pray continually that God will fit us for death say with Moses Psal 9. 12. Lord teach me to number my dayes so as to apply my heart to wisedome Thirdly let us labour to mortifie our sinnes daily for here in lyeth the strength of death 1 Cor. 15. 56. For this purpose let us confesse it be humbled for it cry to God for pâ—rdon of and power against it and effectually apply by faith the death of Christ against it so shall we be sure that God will redeeme our souls from the power of the grave and receive us Psal 19. 15. Fourthly let us enure our selves to die by little and little that is not only live every houre as if we were dying but by our afflictions as lesser deaths prepare for our great death 1 Cor. 15. 3â— I die daily i. I am not only in danger of death daily but I doe thereby enure and prepare myself to die daily By undergoing a lesser we shall be prepared to undergoe a greater burden so men that are to run a large race prepare themselves for it by the running of a shorter race For this cause did Bilney the Martyr oft times before his burning put his little finger in the candle thereby the better to be prepared to suffer the burning of his whole body 2 Cor. 11. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. Fifthly let us alwayes watch and wayt for Christs comming to us in particular by our death that is shaking of security as we would shake of sleep let us take great heed that we not overcome by sin or Satan and looking always for death be in a dying posture and live every houre as if it were our last houre Iob. 14. 14. All the dayes of my appointed time I will wait till my change come Luk. 2. 25. Motives 1. It will be very profitable for us so to watch 2. It will be very dangerous for us to neglect it See Mat. 24. 42. to the end of that chapter and Mat. 25. 1. to verse 14. Sixthly let us be able to looke beyond death into heaven and the glory thereof Heb. 11. 25. 2 Cor. 5. 1. He will not care much to be turned out of the house he dwels in when he knows where to have a better house at hand to goe into Seventhly let us keep our hearts from being glued by overmuch love to the world or any thing in it for by how much the more we love by so much the more we shall grieve when we leave it 2 Sam. 18. 33. Eightly let us get as much of the tast of heaven here as we can that the sweetnesse thereof may make us more to desire the full fruition of it The preparation to be made a little before and at the time of a mans death lyeth in these things First to God-wâ—â—d Secondly to man-ward To God-ward â— If sicknesse goe before death we are the◠〈◊〉 to looke upon it as Gods hand and that for our sin Lam. 3. 39. Ioh. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 11. 20 21. and 30. 2. We are to labour to renew our saith and repentance and so to get a renewed assurance of Gods favour by an earnest seeking of him by prayer so David Psa 32. Psal 38. Psal 39. 2. To man-ward our selves and others when we be sick we are to call in help from the prayers and counsel of good people who are able to help us herein Mark 2. 4. Iam. 5. 14. Heb. 3. 1. 2. We are to use the best outward meanes we can for the recovery of our health 2 King 20. 7. Luk 1â— 3 4. Matt. 9. 12. 3. We are to set our house in order i. to make our will if it be not made before and give direction what we will have done after our death 2 Sam. 23. Gen. 25. 5 6. 4. We are as much as we may to endeavour to be reconciled to our Neighbours with whom we are at difference Matt. 5. 25. Rom. 12. 8. 5. We are to get and make use of all the comfortable meditations we can think of against the fear of death 6. If we be Magistrates or Ministers we are to do what we can to further the well ordering of the Common-wealth and Church after our death Deut. 32. 2. 1 Kings 2. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 5. In death it self or being about to die we are to give up our souls to God i. to his care and keeping being his by redemption Psal 31. 5. Luk. 23. 46. Acts 7. 59. And this we are to do 1. Beleevingly as Stephen Acts 7. â—6 59. died in the embracements of the Lord Jesus Christ and calling upon his name Iob. 13. 15 1 Sam. â—0 6. Heb. 11. 21. 22. 13. These 〈◊〉 in faith 2. Charitably so Stephen Acts. 7. 20. Lord â—ay not this sinne to their charge and Christ Luk. 23. 34. 〈◊〉 forgive them 3. Patiently 2 King 20. 2. Iam. 5. 7 8. 4. Obediently and submissively so Christ Matt. 26. 39. not as I will but as thou wilt Phil. 〈◊〉 defecta 〈◊〉 c. 2 8. Rom.
14. 7 8. 5. And we are then like the Swan to endeavour to sing sweetest by our devout prayers and praises to God and gratious speeches to men So Iacob Gen. 49. David 2 Sam. 23 Christ Luke 23. 34. Stephen Acts 〈◊〉 56. Isaac Heb. 11. 22. Iob. Iob. 1. 21. we shall say somewhat more to this pâ—â—nt in the next branch which we are now to descend unto 4. The fourth thing we are to be exhorted unto from this doctrine of the necessity of dying is to make a virtue of this necessity and not to fear death but when we see our time is come to die let us resolutely patiently and willingly undergo â—t A naturall and moderate fear of it as it is an Enemy to nature 〈◊〉 be chaâ—ged as an evill upon us being no other but what was in the 〈◊〉 hâ—â—rt of Christ Jesus but an immoderate afflicting distracting fear of it is to be avoyded of all Christians And for the Cure hereof and our further fitting for death let us be well instructed in the nature thereof to a beleever as it is set forth in the Gospell wherein we have these considerations 1. That there is a necessity of it and it cannot be avoyded Psal 49. 7. 2. It is sanctiâ—ed and sweetned by Christs death so as it is not now a curse but a blessing a passage a departure a change of roomes a going out of a worse place into a better 3. Assoon as the body goeth out of this world it goeth to a place of rest where it shall be troubled no more and then Gods Covenant of peace shall be made good to it And to speak properly the beleeving Christian doth not die he lyeth down to sleep in his bed for his death is but the bodies going to bed and to sleep after the many labours of the day of this life are ended out of which he shall awake after the night of death is past at the morning of the râ—surrection to everlasting life and no sâ—oner is the soule out of the body then it is in possession thereof Esay 57. 2 3. The righteous are taken away c. he shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds c. 2 King 32. 20. Thou shal s be gathered to thy fathers inâ—eace Matt. 9. 24. Acts 7. 60. He fell asleepe 4. The body by death is not reduced to nothing as the body of a beaâ—t is but it is only resolved to earth again where the â—otting of it is only to refine it that as the Corne which first diâ—â—h it may arise more glorious 1 Cor. 15. 36. Gen. 3. 19. So that death to the Saints is neither totall but of the body only nor perpetuall but for a time only Rom. 8. 10. 5. God is as much the God of the dead as of the living beleever Mat. 22. 34. God is not the God of the dead but of the living i. his Covenant is with them to make them happy in communicating to them grace life and glory and this Covenant is with the body as well as with the soul Rom. 14. 8. Whether we live or die we are the Lords 6. The body and soul of a beleever notwithstanding the death of the body is still a member of Christ Ephe. 5. 30. Rom. 14. 8. Death devides us not from God but brings us home to him 7. God hath the power of death and the grave and his providence doth dispose thereof and of everything therein and he will be with the beleever in this estate to support him under and deliver him out of it and to turn it to his good and he wâ—â— not leave him till he hath settled his soul and body in heaven Rev. 18. I have the Keyes of Hell and Death i. power to keep from or deliver to death Iude verse 9. Acts 4. 28. Psalm 16. 10. 11. Thou wiâ—â— not leave my Soule in grave nor suffer thiâ—â— holy one to see corruption Heb. 2. 14 15. Acts 2. 24. Psalm 116. 15. The death of his Saints is pretious to him 1. either God will preserve them from wicked hands or will sharply revenge their death on them that kill them Acts 20. 24. 2 Kings 1. 13. Psal 72. 14. 8. The death of the beleever cannot seperate his soul from Christs love to it or its love to Christ Iohn 11. 5. 20. 3. 1. Rom. 8. 38. 39. What shall sepâ—rate us from the love of Christ Shall death c. 9. Death reacheth to the body only and not to the soul Mat. 10. 28. Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the Soule c. 10. By death God requireth again of us that soul he â—â—usted us with and every honest man will willingly deliver up his trust when it is required Eocles 12. 12. 11. The sting of death is now taken away to the beleever that it cannot hurt him 1 Cor. 15. 55. Buzze it may snake whose sting â—â— pulled out 1â— The Angels will be ready to receive and carry the beleevers sould into the presence of the God of peace in Heaven Luke 16. 22. 23. Death shall be destroyed and it is the last Enemy that shall be destroyed â—evel 20 v. 14. â— Câ—rinâ—h 15. v. 26. Rev. 20. 14. 14. The body of the beleever shall be gloriously raised after death to die no more for then death shall be swallowed up into victory and body and soul united and placed in eternall felicity for the soul being loosed out of prison the body may not be kept in prison 2 Cor. â— 1. Rev. 21. 4. 20. 13. 1 Thes 4. 13. Psalm 49. 14 15 16. 8 9. 1 Cor. 15. 43. Iohn 6. 39. Rom. 8. 11. To say all in one word death to the beleever makes a happy change and doth infinitly better his condition for it â—reeth him from all evill and puts him in possession of all good It â—reeth him from the evill of sin and punâ—â—â—ment felt and feared present and to come and puts an end to all his cares fears teares labours griefs combats with sin the world and the Devill for in death he gets beyond and above them all It is a passage and going from Aegyt to Canaan out of an old rotten house wherein a man hath no estate at all into a glorious Mansion and Kingly pallace of his own inheritance the going out of a base prison to a glorious liberty the return from a banishment to his own Country and home the comming to the haven after a long and dangerous voyage by sea It is a going to bed after a man hath laboured hard all day and is â—yred and weary It is a going from corruption to incorruption from mortallity to immortallity from death to life from earth to heaven from a miserable to a happy life It is the putting off a mans old ragged Cloathes to put on princely robes It is a loosing from the shore and a lanching out into the main to take possession of a Kingdome It is the
a Covenant with death that it shall not come nigh to him And doth he not say with them in Amoz 9. 10. evill shall not overtake me Albeit they see wise men die and likewise the foollish is it not their thought that their houses shall continue for ever Psal 42. 11. It is certain this lesson no man can learne till God teach it him otherwise Moses had not need in a time of mortallity when so many fell on his right hand and on his left hand to pray Psal 90. 12. Lord teach us to number our dayes It is a pâ—ant of Gods own planting in mans heart sadly and seriously to thinke and be perswaded of the vanity and shortnesse of mans life that it is but a Tale a Shaddow a Sleep a Race a Bubble a Smoak a Wind a Flower to think how many wayes and how easie a man may take his death that our life is short and much of it past already that the day of our death is at hand that our Sun is about to set that our Shaddow declineth and is ready to vanish that it is certain we must die but uncertain when we must die these and such like thoughts as these Gods spirit only suggesteth and the Devill with all his might opposeth Esay 28. 15. Luk 12. 19. Psal 30. 4 5. Let us then thinke of it that death is the common condition of mankind and that our selves are mortall and may and must die shortly and let us say with Barzillai 2 Sam. 19. 37. How long have I to live If it be asked How we must thinke of it We answer first daily and continually not once a week much lesse is once a moneth or once a yeare sufficient to entertain this meditation of death 1 Cor. 15. â—1 I die daily 2 Cor. 21. 23. in deaths often First death hangeth over my head continually and I doe incessantly prepare my self for it Psal 119. 109. Secondly seriously and sadly as of a thing that doth most of all concern us not cursorily scornfully or prophanely as the Gentles 1 Cor. 15. 32. Esay 22. 13. Let us eate and drinke for tomorrow we shall die Thirdly profitably so as to make some advantage thereby to our soules Psalm 90. 12. Teach us so to number our dayes as to apply our hearts to wisdome Fourthly let us thinke of it as neere and at the doores and not with those in Amoz 6. 3 and the evill servant Mat. 24. 28. as farre of as a thing delayed or prolonged Ezek. 12. 22. 11. 11. Prov. 7. 19. To quicken us up to this duty let us consider these things First this meditation of death will keepe the heart in a good frame First in a repenting frame Jon. 3. 4. 5. 6. c. Secondly in a patient and a contented frame Job 1. 21. 2 Sam. 12. 23. Thirdly in a sober frame towards the vain delights of this world we shall not easily be intemperate in the use of that we looke upon as perishing in the using Eccles. 6 11. 12. chap. â— â— 2. chap. 5. 9 10. 15. Fourthly in an humble frame for we will not be lifted up with any thing we have or thinke we have whilst we are perswaded we must shortly leave it Gen. 18. 27. Acts 14 15. 5. This will keep the heart in a watchfull and carefull temper 2 Cor. 5. 6. 9. 2 Tim. 4 5. 6. Secondly this meditation wil be a preservative unto us to keep us from doing evill and a spurr to provoke us to good Amoz 6. 3. 2 Tim. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 5 6 7. 2. Pet. 1. 13 14 15. Thirdly this meditation will make us to take care to provide for death and keep us from being surprised thereby unawares which will be dangerous to us Mat. 24. 48 49 50. Helps To help us in this meditation let us use these meanes First let us have our Coffins alwayes ready in our houses Remember to die Written in great Letters before us and if we may have our Sepulchers in our gardens Ioâ— 19. 41. Mat. 27. 57 58 59 60. Secondly let us read oft those Scriptures and Bookes that treat of mans mortallity Thirdly let us look often upon the examples of mortallity Eccles. 7. 4. It is better to goe to the house of mourning then to the house of feasting because this is the end of all men and â—â—e living will â—â—y it to heart Let us looke much on our dying and think much on our dead friends and say as David I shall goe to them Fourthly pray that God will mind us of it Psal 90. 12. Thirdly the third main duty we are from hence to be exhorted to is to prepare for death before it come we use to provide for a great journey when we are to undertake it a great while before and before we go out of one house we use to take care where we may have another And thâ—â— is great reason for this 1. because it is a needfull care 2. It is a wise care it is a high point of holy wisdome so to do and extreame folly to neglect it Pro. 10. 5. 3. It is a glorious care it will be much to the honour and praise of him that doth take it and to the shame and reproach of him that doth neglect it 4. It is a profitable care for this will much joy the heart and aswage the evill of death when it comes Fiftly we if we be found unprepared for death when it comes are undone for ever If you shall desire to know when this preparation must be made We answer this work of preparation for death being the work of a beleever must be set upon presently and without delay and may not be put of to the morrow much lesse to the time of old age or of or after mens death For 〈◊〉 although it be certain that a 〈◊〉 shall â—â—e yet it is uncertain when he shall die Secondly no man knows what a day may bring forth perhaps he may not have to morrows time to do it Thirdly he will be lesse â—it to morrow then he is to day Fourthly â—he latest preparation is never to late but the late preparation is seldome true Fifthly it will be hard late to do any thing to it when death comes for we shall be then most of all unfit for the work Sixtly old age is also a most unfit time for 〈◊〉 Eccles. 12. 1. 2. Seventhly when we come to dâ—â— we shall find it enough to doe that work it will therefore be our wisdome to have nothing else to do at that time but to die Eightly It will be too late to do any thing after death for there is then no time of amendment of any thing for as death leaves mâ—n so judgment will find them Ec. 9. 10. Ninthly we read but of one that did put of this care to the last and prospered in it and this instance is extraordinary If now you shall ask how this preparation must be made We answer It
theâ— But God tels them v. 18. That he would disaâ—â—ull their Covenant for the Lord bringeth the counsell of the heathen to â—ought and maketh the devises of the people of none â—ffect 2. Mans sin hath deserved it Gen. 2. 17. In the day thou â—â—test thereof thou shalt surely die Rom. 5 12. As by one man sin â—ntred into the world and death by sin so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Rom 6. 23. 1 Cor. 15. 22. As in Adâ—m all die i. sin and death came upon all men 3. Man in his nature is mortall and corruptable as the Trees as therefore these however some of them as Oaks and the like live longer then others yet do all of them in time by age wither and die and none of them live for ever because they are of a dying nature so it is with men though some of them live longer then others yet experience shews uâ— that they all dye at one time or other Eccles 6. 6. 7. Though â—e live a thousand year◠〈◊〉 Do not all go to one place 4. Unlesse the body die it cannot be capable of that state to which it is ordained For the wicked man must have such a body as is fitted everlastingly to burn without consumption and the godly man must have such a body as is capable of the everlasting enjoyment of the glory of heaven which the present body cannot doe As therefore the seed which is â—own is not quickened unlesse it die so unlesse these bodies of the Saints die they cannot have those new bodies prepared for them which are bodies with new qualities 1 Cor. 15. 37 39 40 c. It is â—own in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowâ— in dishonour raised in glory sown in weaknesse raised in power sown a naturall raised a spirituall bodie The bodies of the Saints shall be then sound and of a nature that cannot corrupt glorious and comâ—ly without any deformity powerfull that is able to continue without the humane helps of meat drink and cloths without which they cannot new be kept they must put off their old ragged cloths of mortality if ever they mean to put on the princely â—obes of immortality and life 2. And thus God will have it and his providence hath disposed of it for the manifestation of his own glory the glory of his Justice in the punishment of mans sin the glory of his Truth in making good his word and the glory of his power in the resurrection of the bodies of men Io. 9. 3. 11. 39 40. It is needfull that we answer one objection ere we go further If death be Object the wages of sin and Christ hath given satisfaction for the sins of his people how comes it to passe that they die To this we answer 1. This objection may be made against all the afflictions Answer of Gods people 2. Christ never promised by his Word nor intended by his Death to free his people from afflictions and so from death but fâ—om the evill and hurt thereof onely and so he doth free his people from death insomuch as it is not now a curse but a blessing a token of Gods love and means of mans good Christ as he took not away sin it self but the guilt thereof so he took not away death it self but the sting thereof Revel 14. 13. Rom. 8. 28. Hebr. 12. verse 8. 10. Revel 3. verse 19. 1 Corinth 15 〈◊〉 56. If any man shall ask now when he must die We must answer him that we know not when for as there is nothing in iuest Qâ—â— Answer the world more certain then death so there is nothing more uncertain then the time when men shall die this God hath kept in his owne hands This only is certain that at the longest it will not be long for mans age is but short Psal 9. 5. As a hand breadth and as nothing before God Iob 14. 1 2. Man that is borne of a woman is of â—ew dayes c. He commeth forth like a flower and is cut downe He fleeth also as a shaddow and continueth not Psal 102. 11. 03. 15. 144. 4. Psal 89 47. Remember how short my time is Iob 7. 6 7. 20. 16. 22. Iam. 4 14. Esay 48 6. All flesh is grasse Psal 90 10. Isa man liâ—â— to 〈◊〉 or by reason of strength to 80. yet is it soone cut of and we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And how much of this in thy life is spent already But perhaps thou mayest not live out halfe thy dayes for men like sheep die of all ages Psalm 55. 23 and this doth commonly fall out that the longer men think to live the lesse while they have to live 1 Thes 5. 3. Luke 12. â— 20. This pâ—ynt being cleared let us now see what use may be made of it Vse 1 And first it may serve us for exhortation to divers things and this two wayes First as having reference to our owne death Secondly as having reference to the death of others As having reference to our owne death it doth serve to exhort and perswade us to these things First to beleeve it let us beleeve it that we must die and that of all this world of men women and children now alive there will not after a few yeares one be left Scarcely will a man beleeve that seeth a great apple-tree thick of clusters that ever these will fall one by one and yet being ripe how soone will they be all dropt downe and gone So it is of men one generation passeth and another commeth Eccles. 1. 4. Secondly to think of it let us meditate and consider of this that we must die For however it may be thought a vaine and needlesse perswasion to perswade men to beleeve and think they shall die and every man will be ready to say he doth beleeve this and it is never out of his thought and who doth not so Yet it is more then manifest by most mens lives that they doe not so For doth that man that taketh nothing about him to defend him against â—oule weather beleeve he shall meet with it in his journey Doth he that makes no provision for a new beleeve he shall shortly be put out of his old house Doth he beleeve he must shortly put of his old that makes no provision for new cloathes Doth the Thâ—â—fe or Murderer beleeve there is a Prison and Gallâ—wes for Theeâ—es and Murderers whilst he doth kill or steale Or doth that Servant while he wasteth or spoileth his Masters goods or abuseth his follow Servants thinke of his Masters comming to call him to an account Nor doth he that neglecteth all the care of provision for another life thinke of it that he must shortly goe out of this life Can it be that the profane Scorner cruell Oppressor licentious Epicure or sâ—â—â—re Libertine should be perswaded that he must shortly die and after death come to judgement Hath he not rather with them in Esay 28. 15. made
of the field Prov. 23. 9. Iob 38. 22. they are rather the shaddow and appearances of things then the things themselves 1 Cor. 7. 3â— The fashion of this world passeth away It is as one saith like the water of a river that runs by a City or as a fair picture drawn upon the Yee that melts away with it The pompe of this world is but a fantasie and the glory of it an opinion there is nothing of any firmnes or solid consistency in the creature it is but a surface outside or empty promise all the beauty of it is but a skin deep Psal 39. 6. Surely every man walketh in a vain shaddow i. he leadeth an imaginary life rather then a life it self It is but an igâ—is fatuus a walking fire that leads men into brakes and ditches so the hue of this world deceiveth and carâ—yeth them another way out of the right way for both the words and shews of the woâ—ld are full of fraud 5. That which is good and reall in it is as transitory as a hastie head-long river The posting â—un of all wordly pleasure after a short gleam of vain glistering sets in the Ocean of endlesse sorrow sic transit gloriâ— mundi 6 All these things are but a piece of vanitie Eccles 1. 3. vainitie of vanitiâ—s and all is vanitie i. most vain and exceeding full of vanitie it hath no continuance soliditie or profit in it but is full of unprofitable travaile and false deceit men come to the worlds felicitie as to a lotterie with heads full of hopes but return with hearts full of blanks 7 They are not onely vain but veâ—ing they do not only not satisfie but torture and torment the mind as the body is tormented being set on a raâ—k or bed of thorns the care of getting the fear of keeping and the grief of spending and loosing like three vultures do continually feed upon and â—at up the heart 1 Tim. 6. 10. Ephes 6. â—â— 5. 1â— Psal 127. 2. 8 They are most uncertain things 1 Tim. 6. 17. Trust not in uncertain riches Job 38. 22. For happily they may be taken from us and leave us before we die Prov. 23. 5. Wilt thou set thine eye upon that which is 〈◊〉 For riches certainly make themselves wings and fly away as an Eagle towards heaven Prov. 27 4. Riches are not for ever and doth the Crown endure to every generation But were we sure they could continuâ— with us we may not continue with them for our life itself is most uncertain this onely is certain that we must shortly die and leave all these things behinde us and go as naked out of the world as we came into the world Job 1. 21. Psal 49. 16 17. He shall take nothing away when he dieth neither shall his pomâ—â—â—â—scend after him Eccles 6. 11. and being once dead we shall live no more this life Iob 14. 14. If a man die shall belive again Yea let us be hence perswaded not much to desire or care for life it self but use it as if we used it not Let us desire it onely for Gods glory and his peoples good and so long as it may serve in order thereunto otherwise let us desire and choose rather to die Phil. 1. 23. Psal 10 2. 26. Esay 5. 17. 2 Pet. 3. 12. 6 The next thing to which we are to be exhorted is That since it is certain we must die and that we cannot tell how soon this may be and that after death there is no more time or place of doing good to our selves or others That from hence we be stirred up to be active and industrious in Gods service while we live as men that have much work to do work so much the faster by how much the neerer they see the night approach Gal. 6. 10 As we have then opportunitie let us do good Eccles 9. 10. All that thine hand shall finâ—e to doe doâ— it with all thy power for there is neither worke nor invention nor knowledge â—â—r wisdome in the grave whither thou goest Eccles 12. 1. Remember i know love fear and serve thy 〈◊〉 in the dayes of thy youth c. before dust return to dust verse 7. Death is the night whereâ—o no man can work old age the evening and latter part of the day when it is ill working To provoke us hereunto let us set before us 1. the example of good men 2. The examples of Devils and bad men Of good men Pâ—â—d 2 Tim. 4. 5. I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departing is at hand watch therefore c. Peter 2 Pet. 1. 10. 14 15. I shall not be negligent to put you alwayes in remembrance c. And I think it meet to stirre you up c. Seeing I know the time is at hand that I must lay down this my taâ—ernacle c. 2 Pet. 1. 5. Christ Luke 12. 31 32. Paul Acts 20. 28 25. The Devil also and wicked mee by how much the more short they doe perceive their time is by so much the more they doe bestir themselves to improve that time to ouâ— work the children of light in a quick dispatch of the works of darknes Rev. 12. 12. Luke 16. 4 5. Mat. 8. 29. And thus we have done with the exhortations deduced from this point as it hath reference to our own death Now there follows an exhortation draw from this point as it hath reference to the death of others And so it is usefull to exhort and perswade us to these things 1. As to our friends 2. as to our enemies As to our friends 1. living let us look upon and make use of them as mortall and dying friends and such as were born to die 1 Cor. 7. 29. Let them that have wives be as though they had none 2. Dead let us not mourn for them above measure and as without hope 1 Thes 4. 13. Against this disease let us applp a remedie by these considerations 1. be they good or bad friends that are dead it is Gods pleasure to have it so and this we must patiently abide Psal 90. 3. Ezech. 24. 5. 2. They must have died one time or other for man is born to die and cannot avoid it Iob 14. 1 2. 3. It may be we had them long and therefore we should be content now to let them go 4. They were â—ent us of God and there is great reason we should be content to let him have them again when he requires them 5. Our dead friends are not at all sensible of our grief 6. Our case herein is not singular but common to the Saints and to men 1 Pet. 5. 9. 7. This affliction cannot hinder Christs love 10. 11. 5. 8. Christ is sensible of our sorrow and mourneth with us 10. 11. 33 34. But if they be Saints that are departed there are some other things to be said for our quiet and comfort 9 They have made a blessed and happy change as we
for wisdom make the face of man to 〈◊〉 What with the glory of the soul and thâ— body together it is an exâ—eeding weight of glory It is said therefore Dâ—n 12. 2 They shall 〈◊〉 as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father And therefore it is that they are compared to Kings 〈◊〉 21. 26. There is glorie in this therefore it is called a glorious inheritance Ephes 1. 1â— And a glorious libertie Rom. 8. 21. And this shall be of the whole man bodie and soul 2. The honour of the Saints in Heaven wherein another part of their happinesse shall consist shall be in these things 1. As conquerours and 〈◊〉 by whom their spirituall enemies have been vanquished as Judges by whom the world hath been judged they sit down in triumph for ever Rev. 16 1 Cor. 6. 2. Psal 49. 14. The righteous shall have domâ—â—ion over them i. The wicked In the morning for their beautie shall consume c. Rev. 21. 2. 2. They shall be Citizens and freemen of a stately and glorious Citie Hebr. 11. 10. Rev. 21. They shall be members of a glorious society and company of the blessed Trinity holy angels and just and perfect men Heb. 12. 22 23 24. 3. They shall inhabit a great and glorious house John 14. 2 3 4 They shall have the estimation approbation and commendation of God Angels and good men Mal. 3. 17. Matth. 25. 21. 23. 34. Well done good servants c. Come ye blessed c. Matth. 19. 28. They shall stand in the presence of God and attend as it were upon him in his privie chamber and they shall do nothing but serve him their work shall be to praise God and if it be an honour thus to serve in the presence of a King what honour is it thus to serve in the presence of the King of Kings Psal 17. 15. I shall be satisfied with his 〈◊〉 c. See a little of all this as in a Glasse in the example of Mordecai a man though in himself and towards the people of much worth and merit yet despised and rejected of men and now for his goodnesse and fast â—â—â—â—ving to his God in great distresse and much danger by and by quit of all his miserie and advanced to great honour to wear the Kings own Royall Ring and apparrell and to ride upon the Kings own horse and to be the next man to the King Esther 5. 6. Also in the example of Ioseph this day in the prison in the dungeon under much contempt and to morrow advanced to great honour to be the second man of the kingdom c. Gen. 41. 14. 42 43. So the Saints by their death shall be taken from all their contempt and miserie here and carried to much honour and happinesse as was Lazarus Luke 16. 20. 1. And this of God who raiseth the begger from the dunghill to set him amongst Princes 1. Sam. 2. 8. This honour shall be to all the Saints Psal 139. 9. And thus shall it be done to the man whom the King shall honour Esther 6. 9. The third tearme by which the happinesse of heaven is expressed is Peace which indeed doth comprehend all good things to the soule and body called in Psalm 16. 11. Fulnesse of joy and pleasures And this is in divers perticulers For 1. There will be joy delight and contentment there will be true and solid joy there will be plentifull and ample delight there there will be a pure and perfect delight every man shall have as much as he would he shall desire no more nor yet shall he be glutted with what he hath every vessel of mercie shall be as full of mercy as it can hold and it must needs be so for heaven is a place ordained for joy and delight 2. There is nothing but happinesse there 3. It is the consummation of all happinesse and joy 4. The persons there to be entertained are the persons of Gods singular love â—ight deâ—â— unto him What feast think we then will God make for the entertainment of his deerest friends If an earthly king would make such a royall feast as Esther 1. What feast can the King of kings make Matth. 25. 23. Iohn 16. â—2 â—4 Psalm 16. 11. Râ—â— 21. 4. Good measure pressed down shaken together and ranning over Luke 6. 38. Every part of body and soul shall be filled with wonderfull sense of delight and sweetnesse Yea even the whole man shall drink down rivers of pleasures and in the fulnesse thereof be made drunk There we shall enjoy the Sabbath of our thoughts and that sweet tranquility of minde which we shall receive from the presence and fruition of that good whereunto our desires have carried us when they shall have reached their object when they shall be really and eternally present with and united to it Every passion and faculty of the soul shall have its happinesse for it shall be freed from all that may disturb it The soul must neeâ—s be wonderfully contented and pleased wâ—â—h that excellent glory wherewith the shall be invested Then will be that sweet tranquilitie of minde resting in the fâ—uition and possâ—ssâ—â—n of good The boâ—y must neeâ—s be marvelously taken with 〈◊〉 singular happinessâ— wherewith it is 〈◊〉 For every sence thereof shall be â—â—lled with its severall singularity and excellencies of ad pâ—ssible pleasure and perfection The eye shall be delighted in the beatificall beholding of God the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost the blessed Angels and Saints The ear with the mellodious harmony of that Halleluâ—aâ— The smell with the odoriferous perfume of all the flowers of the Paradise of God of all that may delight it And the taste with that bread of life which shall so satisfie him that eateth thereof that he shall not hunger or thirst any more If you ask whence this joy and delight which the Saints in heaven shall have ariseth we shall answer you From that Glory and honour and the rest of the happinesse of the Saints before spoken of which the glorified person shall have 2. From peace for he shall have peace internalâ— with God and his own conscience that blessed peace that passeth all understanding Phil. 4. 7. Wherein a part of Gods Kingdom is Rom. 14. 17. part of Christs Legacy John 14. 27. a continuall feast Prov. 15. 15. Which the world can neither give nor take away Peace externall with good men against Satan persecutours wicked men all the creatures Iob 5. 23. His enemies shall be at peace with him Prov. 16. 7. Peace without war a safety without an enemy For the last enemy which shall be destroyed iâ— death and therefore this peace shall be eternall also It is the complaint of Gods people Psalm 120. 5 6. That they live amongst them that hate peace Woe is me c. My soul hath too long dwelt with him that hateth peace They shall then be freed of this misery 3. From the blessed vision of God 1. For the glorified person shall
so great gain certainly every man will think him so Should not a man rather sell all that he hath to gain this Matth. 13. And account all but durg in comparison of this Phil. 3 Jerome What saith the father fire gallowes c. All the torments of hell so I may enjoy the pleasures of heaven Who doth not then marvell at the wisdom of the men of this world rightly tearmed folly that embrace straw and contemn gold set their hearts upon that which is not and so greedily follow after shadowes and neglect that which is and let go enduring substances what folly and madnesse is this 2. Exhorta To divers duties 1 Let us labour to see know and beleeve this But you will say of this as of death is there any man alie that makes a question of this whether he shall die or whether there be a hell or a heaven or no Yes certainly it is more then manifest that most men doe not know nor beleeve this truth for if they did it is not possible they should live as they doe To know is to know by causes and for our selves and to apply to our selves and our own private profit what we know which is the knowledge we are pressed to in this place To beleeve because the God of truth hath said it in his word that there is a heaven to reward the righteous and a hell to punish the wicked that we must all die and after death come to judgement and to live so as those that expect such things 2 Pâ—t 3. 14. Wherefore beloved seeing that ye look for such things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blamelesse Let us consider it well spend many thoughts upon it enter into deep meditations of the inestimable glorie of it and view that heavenly Canaan well And to help us herein let us pray with the Apostle Ephes 1. 18. That we may be enlightened to see what is the riches and glory of this inheritance These things beleevingly thought upon will bring us much profit 1 They will expell other thoughts 2 They will keep us from sin we shall say then shall I sin and for a few base lusts loose such a place as heaven is 3 They will provoke us to good works and make them more easie to us 4 They will make us bear the crosse the more patiently as they did the Martyr who said well Though I have a sower breakfast I shall have a sweet supâ—â—â— 5 They will more inflame us with the love 〈◊〉 this felicity and consequently make us more to strive to attain it 2 In the second place this may exhort us to use the means and take the course to attain to this happy estate 2 To get assurance that we belong to this estate and shall come at the last to it For the first of these we are to see that we labour and strive to get into this golden citie where streets gates walls and all are gold and pearl Nay where pearl and all is but as mire and dirt and nothing worth 2 Pet. 3. 13. 14. And now and now onely is the time to do this And to move us hereunto we are to consider thâ—se things 1 It is a thing to be done heaven may be had if we seek after it Matth. 7. 7. 2 It is an excellent condition as we have shwed 3 It is an everlasting happy condition 4 Else we perish everlastingly If now you shall ask how you may attain or which way you may come to it we must answer you We must goe the way And herein there are 2 things 1 That we know the path that leadeth to this blessednesse 2 that we tread this path untill we do attain it As he that would goe to any place heere must first know and then go the way thither and not another way If you desire to be shewed this way we must first of all shew you that is the way that Gods word prescribeth that a man that will come to heaven must walk this is the King of kings high way Iames 2. 8. That leads to true blessednesse he then that means to come thither must be acquainted with the word of God both Law and Gospel And for that purpose he must be a diligent hearer reader and meditatour of it Psalm 1. Psalm 119. Iohn 〈◊〉 39. Acts 20. 32 And this is that that sheweth us the way it sheweth us Christ who is the way it gives us grace and makes us sit for glory this is as the starre that brought the wisemen to Christ See Matth. 7. 24. Rom. 10. 14. Ephe 4. 11 1 13. 2 Cor. 5 19. Heb. 1. 1. If you desire yet to be farther instructed in this point you must observe with us 3 things 1 some lets or hinderances that do keep men from heaven and the way which must be removed 2 Some helps and furtherances as provision for the journey that do help onwards in the way to heaven that must be used 3 the steps of this way it self The hinderances and impediments are many But to give you some 1 All sin in generall is a hinderance to mens attainment of true blessednesse for every sin is a step in the contrary way and leadeth towards hell But there are some speciall things that lâ—t as 1 Infâ—delitie the Jâ—ws could not enteâ— into the earthly Canaan because of their unbeleef Heb. 3. 19. And the Christian will be kept out of the heavenly Canaan by his unbeleef Iob. 3. 18. 2 Pride James 4 6. God refâ—â—teth â—e prâ—â—d When mâ—n are puffed up and 〈◊〉 so big with the conceit of their own externall oâ— internall worth they cannot get into heaven Matth. 19. 24. It is easier for a Caâ—â—ll to goe through the eye of anâ—â—dle c. 3. Trusting to a mans self and his own righteousnesse Rom. 10. 3 Gal. 2. 17. 4 A râ—misse and carelesse seeking of it men will not give enough for it he that would have heaven must go beyond all men Luke 13. 24. 5. Presumtuous security whereby a man is content in his present condition presuming all is well when it is not so Matth. 25. 43. 44. and v. in the parable of the â—ive â—â—â—lish virgins The helps and furtherances that must be used are 1 Resolution as a man that prepares for a journey doth gird up the loyns c 2 All the means and ordinances of grace And the spiritual traveler can no more go to heaven without the constant and conscionable use of thâ—se then a travaâ—ler here can go a great journey without a guide food and other provision for his journey These means are the Word and Sacraments prayer and the rest iâ— the Sanctification of the Sabbath all which being the means to beget increase and cheâ—â—â— grace which is he way and means to attain to glorie must be carefully and constantly used of all those thâ—t look to â—â—me to glory Ioâ—nâ— 6. 24. Actâ— 20. 32. Iohn 5. 29. Rom. 10.
are the Vessels of mercy prepared to glory and on whom God will declare the riches of his glory even them whom he hath called Rom. 9. 22 23 24. The evidence of this is 1. when the soul doth answer to God in every thing he doth require Psal 27. 8. 2. when a man is made a new creature by the powerfull work of regeneration 5. In our Faith that gift of God whereby the regenerate heart receiveth Christ and all his bâ—nefits to it self as they are offered by the word or that tift whereby the believer is perswaded that the word of God is true and doth belong all unto it self And those onely that have a true justifying Faith here in their hearts shall be saved hereafter and none others and those shal be saved for God hath promised salvation to them Jo. 3. 36. He that believeth shall be saved 1 Pet. 1. 9. receiving the enâ—â—o your Faith even the salvation of your Souls for this bringeth us unto and into Christ who is the way to salvation and hath the Keys of Heaven doors that openeth and no man shutteth io â—4 6 Rev. 14. 13. Acts 16. 30 31. And this Faith may be found by these signes 1. It is bred by the word Rom. 10. 17. Law and Gospel 2. It gives a power against the powerfuâ—l work of Satan Ephes 6. v. 16. 3. It makes a man earnestly desire reconciliation with God and assurance of his favour Psal 106 4. 31. 16. 4. It makes a man carefull to please God though he displease himself in it Heb. 11. 5. Gen. 22. 10. 5. It makes us to long for Christ for a more abundant tast and participation of his heavenly grace and gifts Cant. 1. 11. 6. It raiseth in us a heavenly and spirituall joy 1 Pet. 1. 8. 7. It purgeth the heart of sin Acts 15. 9. 8. It moveth in us a love to God and all his People 1 Pet. 1. 8. Gal. 5. 5. Iames 2. 6. In our Iustification in the forgivenes of our sins by the sufferings of Christ and the imputation of righteousnes by his obedience through faith for whosoever is justified shall be saved and so è converse Rom. 8. 30. Whom he justified them hee also glorified This doth consist in the pardon of sin which may be known to be ours if we have repented of it 1 John 1. 9. and of the imputation of Christs righteousenes which may be known by such a peace of Conscience as 1. doth follow or accompany trouble of Conscience 2. As doth make one carefull to preserve a good Conscience Rom. 5. 1. Heb. 13. 8. 2 Corinth 1. vers 12. 7. In our adoption which is the taking of a man the childe of wrath by nature to be a childe of God by grace For they that are to inherit heaven hereafter are the children of God here and so è converso Rom. 8. 15 16 17. If we be children then are 〈◊〉 heirs of God and joynt heirs with Christ which we may know by these things 1. If we do partake of the divine nature by Regneration Io. 1. v. 13. 2 Pet. 1. 4. 2. If we have such spirituall affections towards God as children have naturall affections towards Parents 3. If we have the Spirit of Adoption that giâ—t of the spirit assuring us of our Adoption Rom. 8. 15. 4. If we doe willingly submit unto and desire wholly to be governed by the spirit of God Rom. 8. 14. 5. If we do in some sort resemble God 8. In a true love that holy affection of the heart causing us to delight in God for his gâ—odnesse sake and in our neighbours for Gods sake Iam. 1. 12. The Lord hath promised the Crown of life ot them that love him And this we may know by these thing 1. That we desire a more neer union to him 2. we are well pleased in him 3. We much esteem him 4. we are careful to please him 5. we hate that he hatheth 6. Wee are zealous for him 7. we love his ordinances and servants by which we have intercourse withhim 9. In a true love to Gods people whereby a man is moved to wish them well and labour their good 1 Io. 3. 14. Hereby we know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren which may be known by these things 1. That we love them all those that have no respect to us as well as the rest 2. That we love them for their goodnes sake Psalm 16. 3. 1 Cor 12. 26. 3. That we have a fellow feeling with them in their misery 4. That we are willing and ready to do them all the good we can do help and succour them in their misery Matt. 5. 34 35. I was sick and yee visited me c. they that shall rest Esay 57. 1 2. are mercifull men 10. In the true filial frear of God Psal 145. 19. that holy affection of the heart awing us and making us loath to displease God by sin in respect of his great goodnes and mercy and for a love we bear to righteousenes The Lord hath promised to 〈◊〉 the desire of them that fear him And that he will hâ—ar their cry and save them And this fear those men have that 1 doe love God 2. that are truly humbled Gen. 33. 3. 3. that are afraid of sin Exod. 4. 3. Psal 16. 8. 4. that hate sin Prâ—v 8. 13. 5. that depart from evill Prov. 3. 7. Luke 1. 74. 75. 11. In true saving knowledge in the clear and distinct understanding of heavenly truth contained in the word by the spirit Io. 1â— 2. This is life eternall to know thee the true God c. and then it is true 1. when it is distinct 2. universall of all truths in a good measure 3. it is humbling 4. it is experimentall 5. it is joyned with practise 12. In new obedience when a man is ready to do Gods will in all things though never so much against heart Rom. 6. 17. Psal 119 6. And this must be 1. of the whole man inward and outward 2. it must be to the whole word 3. it must be always in all places times and companies 13. In a true joy a sweet motion of delight in the soul raised by the sense of Gods favour in Christ whereof the sould by good grounds is assured A glimpse of heaven upon earth 1 Pet. 8. 9. Saint Peter speaks of such as rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory That they shall receive the end of their Faith even the salvation of their souls which is known by these things 1. it goeth with faith 2. it followeth godly sorrow 3 it is in heavenly and spirituall things 4. it is the fruit of the spirit 〈◊〉 it is a lasting joy 6. it is a victorious joy 7. and it is a solid joy 14. In patience under the Crosse when a man is able to bear the crosse quietly with a ready submission to Gods will who will have it so for his
own ends Jam. 1. 12. Bâ—essed is the man that endureth tentation for when he is â—ried he shall receive the crown of life 2. Thess 1. 8. And this patience we shall know to be â—â—ue by these things I when a man doth finde fault with the least inclination to impatiency 2 When he doth not go about to limit God 3 When a man doth more fear the evil of sin then he doth the evill of punishment 4. When a man is the better for the crosse Rom. 5. 8. Psalm 119 67. Dan 12. 10. 5. When he doth wholly resign up himself to God in it Heb. 12. 9. David 〈◊〉 Elâ—e 15 In the earnest of the SPirit in their heâ—rts whereby they are sealed upto the day of redemption and assured of heaven 1 Cor. 1 22. Ephes 1. 14. 4. 30. Rom. 8. 16. 17. Which beareth witnesse with our spirits that we are Gods children and knâ—wâ— by the fruits thereof as love joy peace long-suffering and the rest Galla. 〈◊〉 22. 16. In their Spirituall povertie or humbleheartednesse in the sight and sense of their own spirituall wants when a man is tamed by affliction so that he hath a lively feeling of his spirituall poveritie and want and is humbled and made low thereby Matth. 5. 3. Blessed are the poor in Spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God 17 In their holy mourning for their own and others sins and the miseries of Gods people Matth. 5. 4. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted They that mourn for spirituall things in a spirituall manner and upon spirituall motives Luke 6. 11. Blessed are they that weep c. 18 In humility when a man looking on his worseâ— part hath a mean esteem of himself and a higher esteem of others and doth walk humbly before his God in a patient bearing of evil and doing of good Prov. 18. 12. Before glory goeth lowlinesse Phillip 2. 7. 8 9. Matth. 5. 23. 4. Matth. 18. 12. 3 4 5. Whosoever shall humble himself as a little childe the same is greatest in the kingdom of heven 19. In their mercy and pity to them that are in misery When we pity and help and succour them in their miserie Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtain mercy Matth. 5. 7. Esay 57. 1. Mercifull men are taken away c. Matt. 25. 34. I was hungry and ye fed me c. Sell that ye have and give alms make you bags which wax noâ— old a treasure that can never fail in heaven c. Luke 12. 33. Where no theefe commeth nor moth corrupteth 20. In a lively hope to an assured expectation of all goodthings promised Rom. 8. 14. We are saved by hope This is an anchor to the soul sure and stedfast Heb. 〈◊〉 19. And then true when 1 it ariseth out of faith Heb. 11. 1. 2 It followeth 〈◊〉 effedtuall calâ—ing Ephes 1. 18. 3 It makes a man use all good means to have the thing hoped for 4 It makes a man sit himself for the thing hopes for he that hath this shall not be ashamed of it Rom. 5. 5. 1 Iohn 3. 3. 21 In a broken hearts and contrite Spirit when it is bâ—uâ—sed as it were to powder through deep grief from the apprehension of Gods wrath against him for 〈◊〉 Psal 34. 18 Psal 50. He 〈◊〉 such 〈◊〉 Psal 147. 3. Ezek. 6. 26. Rom. 7. 8 〈◊〉 Pâ—ritie and 〈◊〉 of heart that have hearts partly freed from the 〈◊〉 and endeavouring 〈◊〉 to be more 〈◊〉 from the guâ—lt and punishmeâ—â— of 〈◊〉 and from the power of sin by 〈◊〉 Matth. 5. 〈◊〉 Blessed are the pureâ—â— heart for they shall see God Rev. 7. 14. These are theâ— which 〈◊〉 mâ—â—e them white c. ver 9. Clothed with white Roles in 〈◊〉 of puritie 1 Tim. 1. 5. 23. In their 〈◊〉 their mutuall concord and agreement with their brethren Matth. 5 9. Blessed are the peace makers Gal. 5. 24. Fruit of the Spirit is peace 24. In their sinceritie and uprightnesse when the heart is right towards God and man studying to doe all things to please God and not for any by 〈◊〉 Esay 57. 2. Vpright men are taken away 25. In doing good in every state and condition of life Rom. 2. 6. 7 Goâ— will reward every one according to his work That is to them who through patience in 〈◊〉 seek glory c. Eternall life ver 10. To every man that doth good shall be Glory Honour and Peace 26 Especially by fruitfulnesse in well doing Matth. 7. 19. When we forget what is past and prosse forward to more not trusting to what who have done Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit and he that honoureth him shall be honoured Phil. 3. 13. Iob. 15. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 30. Matth. 25. 37. 38. Christ shall say to them I was an hungrie and ye fed me c. And they shall say unto him Lord when saw we thee an hungry and fed thee c. 27 In picking close to God herein in improving all our talents and opportunities for this end and mightily opposing all that doth oppose us herein 2 Tim. 4. 7. 8. I have fought a good sight and have finished my course I have kept the faith From henceforth is â—aid up for me the crown of righteousnesse c. 1 Pet. 5. 4. Matth. 25. 21. 28 In labouring by their example and Counsell to convert others to righteousnesse Dan. 12. 2. And they that turn many to righteousnesse shall shine as the â—arres for ever and ever 29 In cherishing and furthering euerie good thing 30 In persâ—vering in good Mark 13. 13. He that continueth to the end shall be saved Rev. 2. 10. Be faithfull to the death and I will give thee a crown of life 31 In loving and â—onging for the appearing of the Lord Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 4. 8. Luke 21. 8. Rev. 22. 17. 20. Rom. 8. 10. 23. 32 In embracing and reverencing the truth 2 Thess 〈◊〉 10. If now upon all this we shall begin to think that this way is impossible to be gone we must answer and tell you in Christs words the way tâ— heaven is a narrow and a straight way Matth. 7. 13. 1 Pet. 4. 18 For 1 It is a persecuted way 2 Tim 3. 11. 12. 2 It is a way through many troubles Acts 14. 22 Iames 〈◊〉 12. 2 Cor. 4 17. Typed by the travell of the Israelites through the wildernesse 3 It will admit of no turning Acts 13. 10. 4 It crosseth all a mans corruptions 1 Cor. 1. 23. Rom. 5. 5 There are many enemies against them that walk in this way But all this is but to make us to doe as Christ doth exhort Strive to enter in c. Luke 13. 24. Use all meanes and be at any charge to attain it Esay 55. 1 Prov. 23. 23. Matth. 13. 44. And that we may not go without it Let us 1. beginne betâ—â—es to deal upon this purchase 2 Labour earnestly neglect no time nor means 3.
work And this is the condition of all these persons following 1. Such as in whom there is no change at all wrought but they are still in their pure naturals as they were born so they live and they mean to dye 2. Such in whom is there no desire after nor delight in the means of grace 2. Such as have neither will nor skill to any of Gods works as Prayer or the like 4. Such as have no holy motions for these are like the breath and beating of the Pulse that shew the naturall life and where they are not it is a signe the body is dead And to where those are not it is a signe the soul is dead and that there is no spirituall life begun in it 3. Impenetency in Sin it is not mans sin so much as his not repenting of his sin that damns and undoes him Manasseth and Paul sinned much but they repented and were saved Ezech. 18. â—1 Cast away all your transgressions c. For why will you die ô hous of Israel And this is then most pernitious when God cals Upon men to repent when men are exhorted and perswaded to 〈◊〉 and will not hear Matt. 11. 20 2â— 12. 41 Acts 17. 30. 2 Chron. 36. 11 12. 14 15 16. And they do continue in their impenitent estate 1. That do not see a filthines in sin but think it a beautifull thing 2. That are not burthened with sin though they have never so much upon them 3. They whose hearts are like a Vessel without a hole where into the word cannot Peirce 4. They who live in sin still and leave no sin 5. They that cry not out of their sin and bewaile it 6. That are untractable to Gods will Hebr. 3 13. Rom. 2. 5. 7. That will not endure a plain and sincere Ministery they will not be awaked out of sin as a man disturbed is angry doth shew he is willing to sleep on and not to be awaked so it shews these men are not willing to come out of their sin Better to endure the pain of Repentance here then everlasting pain hereafter for one of them must be endured Luke 13. 3. 5. Christs own words Except yee repent yee shall all likewise perish 4. An effectuall or outward calling when men are moved by the Word or afflictions to repent but do not such men as are still under the power of darknes such are they that hear the word but do not repent of sin nor believe the Gospel such are like to a man in a dead sleep when he is called who hears not and therefore lies snorting stil in his sin These answer not Gods call but put them off with delayes and excuses Luke 14. 16 17. Math. 20. 16. Prov. 1. 24. Because I have called and yee refused I have stretched out my hand and none would regard those that were called to the Supper one saith I have bought a farm another I have married a wise a third I have bought oxen 2. These continue still in their unregenerate state and are not changed at all 5. Infidelity the privation and utter want of Faith when Gods promises are wholly distrusted for such men as believe not are damned already that is as sure to go to hell as if they were there already Jo. 3. verse 36. Hee that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life And he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Rom. 1. verse 20. Heb 3. verse 2â— They could not enter in because of unbeliefe Marke 16. verse 16. He that believeth not shall be damned And this unbelief may be discerned by the effects thereof also which are 1. by a mans weaknes to withstand temptation that he is carried and hurried hither and thither with every temptation 2. That a man takes so little care and pains to be reconciled to God 3. That a man doth so little care to please God 4. That a man doth so little desire after grace 5. That a man hath no spirituall joy in him 6. That the heart is so foule and unclean still And 7. that they have so little love to God and his People 1 Iohn 3. 14 15. 6. In a mans own guiltines when a mans sins remain upon his soul being unpardoned because they are not repented of and he hath nothing to do with Christs righteousnes but must stand upon his own bottome the plague of wicked men Psal â—9 27. Lay iniquity upon iniquity and let them not come into thy righteousnes Matth. 22. 11 12. Man how camest thou in hither not having on thy wedding garment that knoweth not what a troubled Conscience for sin and quieted by Christs blood doth mean and therefore take no care use no pains to keep the Conscience quiet and good 7 If we continue still as we are by nature the base born of Satan by similitudinary resemblance we are said to be the Devils children such as bare his image and resemble him in malice and subtilty called children of wrath of the flesh of perdition of Death of Hell Iohn 8. 41. 44. You are of your father the Devil and his works will yee doe And thus it is when we have none of the divine nature in us nor any good affection towards God at all we are more like unto Satan than unto God and when Satan and not Gods Spirit hath filled our hearts and we are led by the Devill and not by the Spirit of God 8. In the warn of love ot or hatred of God the case of all wilful disobedient sinners for every man that is wicked as every man is in his estate of nature doth hate God Rom. 1. 30. which doth appear by his desire to have God depart from him Iob 20. by this that he doth not regard him nor care to please him that he careth not for Gods glory nor doth he regard his ordinances 9. In the hatred of Gods people when men have a settled malice against them without cause that they neither wish them well nor endeavour their good 1 Jo. 2. 11. He that hateth his brother is in death Vers 15. is a man slayer and yee know that no manslayer hath eternall life 1 Jo. 3. 13. 15. Psal 34 21. They that hate the righteous shall perish which may be thus discerned 1. That they love not one of them but for some respect 2. That they hate them for their goodnes sake 1 Jo. 3. 12. Because his own works were evill and his brothers good 3. That they rejoyce nover them and that they â—o not pitty them nor yeeld them any help in their misery Math. 25. I was hungry and yee fed me not sick and in prison and yee visited me not naked and yee cloathed me not c. Judgment mercilesse shall be to him that sheweth no mercy Jam. 2. 13. 10. In Presumption or the want of Gods feare either they fear him not at all or if they do it is as an angry Judge and with a