doth trouble disturbe the minde and disables it that it cannot orderly quietly dispose it selfe unto godly comfortable meditations but being overcome with impatiēce frets murmures is tossed up downe without fruit Therefore are these extremities of anguish compared to a cup of intoxicating wine making men as it were drunken with greefe Esa 51.17 21.22 Lam 4.21 and even mad with woe sorrow that they know not what to doe Deut. 28.34 Ier. 25.16 Eccles 7.7 And what folly is it then for men to be unprepared through forgetfulnes of their latter end to remaine drunken with security all their life till they be drowned in a gulfe of misery Perplexity extreme anguish may justly come as a snare upon them that abuse their present peace ease promising themselves liberty power to dispatch all that is needfull for their salvation in one moment of their last distresse g And commonly when death approcheth our adversary the devill that prince of darknes that hath gone about as a roaring lyon watching to devoure us at all opportunities before doth thē especially rage knowing that his time is short Rev. 12. 12. and withall seekes to take advantage by the present infirmitie of the sick persons insinuating himselfe into each of the former troubles adding fearfull dreames to their slumbers strong fancies to their distraction aggravating their paines with divers terrours Experience shewes what great temptatiōs many have undergone upon their death-bed And therfore the consideratiō of this last great combat should warne every one betimes to arme thēselves to gather strēgth every day against the last day to furnish thēselves with grace to seek truth righteousnes faith patience store of comfortable promises out of the word of God layd up in their hearts kept in readines to nourish themselves in hope to watch pray uncessantly that having concluded this last combat obtained the victory they may then be translated from a state militant to a state triumphant for ever h THese forewarnings are such as serve chiefly for the instruction of those that feele them on whose persons they are inflicted but beside these forewarnings the dead leave unto the living many after-warnings of their mortality which admonish the succeeding generation that they must follow their praedecessours And here first of all observe how it is ordered by divine providence that in death the soule body be separated one from the other In this separation the Soule is carried away invisibly no man knoweth how nor whither No humane sense cā discerne the spirit of man ascending Ecc. 3.21 The Lord in his unsearchable counsell would have the opening of the gates of the second world to be kept secret close from us If godly parents should see the soules of their children carried away to destruction in the clawes of an hellish dragon crying unto them with a lamentable and desperate voyce what horrour woe would this be unto them to make their dayes more uncomfortable so lōg as they should live on earth God in great mercy conceales it from them If wicked ungodly men should see their children or companions soules haled away by evill spirits after they were separated frō their bodies withall should heare thē shrike cry curse their cōpany what a stroke of terrour might this be unto them but God in justice hides these things from thē will not satisfy the curiosity of profane men that despise his Gospell and the means of life revealed therein This secret manner of translating the separated soules in carrying some close prisoners to Hell and transporting others in covered wagons invisible chariots unto Glory serves to warne and admonish us by the very forme thereof so much the more to remember the other evident monuments of our frailety When secret things are restrayned to the Lord the things revealed are immediately thereupon the more enforced upon us to observe the same Deut. 29.29 When the Spirit recordes how some persons men or angels have vanished out of the sight of those they had spoken withall we are to observe how they were occasioned thereby to thinke the more of that which they had seene heard from such and not to prye into that which was withdrawne from them Luke 24.31.32 Act. 8.39 Iudg. 6.21.22 c. Yea the Lord appointed that they should not be suffered to live which went about to talke with the dead soule or to rayse the spirits Levit. 20.27 1. Sam. 28.8 9. c. But by all this we are so much the more led to observe the common visible memorials of mortality shewed unto us in them that die before us i It is further to be observed that when the spirit is carried away presently to God that gave it yet the body remains behinde returnes to dust from whence it came Eccles 12.7 If God by death had taken away both the soule the body together at the same time if it had pleased God to take away all men as Henoch Elias were Heb. 11.5 Gen. 5.24 2. Kin. 2.11.17 or to bury all men so as Moses was Deut. 34.6 namely so that their bodies should be seene no more among men yet even then there were cause enough to remember that wonderfull great finall translation but now seing every man departing this life leaves a peece of himselfe among his friends on earth yea the one halfe of his person and that halfe which is the visible part even the body that was best knowne among men the Lord by this fragment of man that is left gives us occasion to thinke what is done with the rest and to keepe in memory the death past to prepare us for death to come As Elias ascending to heaven let his mantle fall for a remembrance so much care for our bodies as we doe for the soules according to this example of God who shewes more love respect to the soules taking them first into his heavenly Kingdome glory when as he suffers the body so long a time after to lodge in dishonour to remaine in the pit of corruption 1. Cor. 15.43 l The sequestration of the body from the place where the soule is and the corruption of it being separate are memorialles wrought immediately by Gods owne hand beside these there are other after-warnings of death effected by the providence of God mediately by the services of men that seeke the honour of the dead comfort of the living For honour of the dead holy men of old have shewed great care to provide sepulchers tombes monuments for them Such were the cave of Machpelah purchased by Abraham Gen. 40.30.31 and 23. the pillar on Rachels grave that Iaakob set up Gen. 35.20 that continued so many generations to Samuels time 1. Sam. 10.2 the title on the sepulcher of the man of God that prophesied of Iosias 2. Kin. 23.17.18 the sepulcher of David that continued twise fourteene generations from David to
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
ourselves with zeale of the Lord to drive away that lukewarmnes of our soules that is so abhominable in the sight of God Rev. 3.16 The Apostle teacheth us to make this use of the aforesaid considerations for the change of our conversatiō unto all holines godly life 2. Pet. 3.11 And from hence may we learne patience in suffering as well as obedience in doing the will of God as the Spirit teacheth us if the Lord be at hand if the end of all things be at hand such an end why should not our patient minde our moderation and sobriety be made knowne unto all upon all occasions Phil. 4.5 1. Pet. 4.7 Though injuries be done vnto us great dayly in extraordinary manner both unchristian inhumane dealing yet seing the comming of the Lord draweth nigh the Iudge is at the doore at the threshold and entrance of our house and there is but a step betwixt us him but an inch of time betwixt our sufferings and his judgement therefore he requireth of us that we be patient establish our hearts in him Iam. 5.8.9 Have we other losses troubles in the world whether we winne or loose it skilles not much whether we purchase buy with increase of gaine or whether we sell for necessity whether we be rich or poore it is no great matter seing the earth all the works thereof are in a moment to be burnt up 2. Pet. 3.10 seing the end hasteneth the world passeth away let not the buyer rejoyce nor the seller mourne Ezek. 7.12 All the happines of man stands in being delivered from this everlasting fire kindled by the fierce wrath of God against sinne We have enough may well be content while we have our soule saved as a prey from this great destruction f If yet we be dull of hearing cannot see the dreadfulnes of this death in the causes thereof the sinne of man deserving it the wrath of God inflicting it if yet we desire a plainer evidence thereof let us then looke upon the effects thereof consider how the smart of this second death shall make the children of hell to crye waile take up eternall lamentations without any measure or end By the effects of sorrow Ieremy thus describeth the affliction of Ierusalē in her captivity that of a princesse being become a desolate widow she did weep sore in the night that her teares were on her cheekes that they rā downe as a river night day the apple of her eye never ceassing that her elders her infāts young men virgines did mourne together that the priests prophets did sigh their eyes being dimmed fayling with teares their bowels troubled their liver powred thus roare faint in themselves under this burden of sorrow how can any men or Giants that are but flesh undergoe the same When the Lord shall pleade against the proud covetous cause his wrath to smoake against hypocrites dissemblers against profane men drunkards adulterers malicious men how can their heart endure or their hands be strong Ezek. 22.14 Though they were as stout as the devils they shall be crushed broken together with them Now many skorners make a mock of religion now the epicures make a sport of sinne now the obstinate persons despise admonition hate to be reformed they set their faces as Adamants in their obstinacy But though their bones were brasse their strength of stones their heart as hard as the nether milstone yet shall they be ground to peeces with this wrath of God that grindes the very Devils to powder makes them to howle yell before him Above all other the most terrible effect of Gods wrath was that which was shewed upon Christ Iesus the Lord of men angels when as he being become our surety bearing our sins did groane under the burden when he cryed out with strong cryes teares Heb. 5.7 when in the trouble of his soule with great astonishment feare he sayd What shall I say Ioh. 12.27 as if he had felt a sorrow not to be uttered when in the sense of Gods anger due unto us he not onely cryed day night but even with words of roaring Psa 22.1.2 finally uttered the most sorrowfull voyce that ever sounded in the world My God My God vvhy hast thou forsaken me Mat. 27.46 If all the dolefull complaints lamentations of all miserable men were layd together upon the ballance they would be found lighter then this complaint of Christ because the iniquities of us all were layd together upon him Esa 53.6 he bore the curse of them Gal. 3.13 If we could see into the bowels of Hell or could lay our eare to any low vault to heare the howling of the spirits in that prison yet no wofull voyce ought to moove us so much as these cryes of our Saviour in his agony No weeping gnashing of teeth by those reprobates can so expresse the power fiercenes of Gods wrath as this weeping and sorrowfull teares of the in the second commandement the Lord threatens such a change that they shall be most ashamed of that which they adored shall cast their Idoles to the Moles to the Bats Esa 2.20 creatures that love darknes the one for place living under the earth the other for time comming abroad in the night The Idolaters shall wish their idoles were hidden in utter darknes for ever But as Moses once despited the Idolaters by burning their Idoll grinding it to powder strowing it on the waters making them drinke thereof to their further shame Exod. 32.20 so shall the Lord force the Idolaters by remorsefull remembrance evermore to drinke the powder of their images of their owne inventions The Lord through a secret antipathy of nature doth sometimes worke such a strange terrour in some men as experience shewes that at the sight of some creatures or dishes of meat set before them on the table though the creatures be good in themselves lawfull for use to other men comfortable yet these men quake tremble sit astonished with gastly countenances full of perplexity anguish gaping sweating at the sight their haire standing upright on their head their spirits appalled not able to speake a word nor to stirre out of their place but like men confounded remaine bound in the chaines of amazement as terribly affrighted as was Belshazzar when he saw the palme of a hand writing his destruction upon the wall Dan. 5.5.6 And hereby we may conceive the power of Gods wrath for the torment of idolaters by representing unto their mindes those unlawfull images which they worshipped to their eternall affright and horrour The Lord knoweth how to engrave all the sinnes of men with the point of a diamond upon the table of their heart for their vexation woe and so in speciall to pourtray their images idoles upon the broad plate
sayd to bring forth thousands in our streets Psa 144.13 doe cloth the pastures with their multitude Psa 65.13 are made types of the flock of God that multiply by his blessing Ezek. 34.11.31 doe every one bring forth twinnes none being barren among them Sol. song 4.2 They are also likened to the doves that bring forth almost every moneth come by flights unto their windowes Esa 60.8 See this also in the shadow of mankinde endued with a reasonable life As the fathers mothers are called the fountaines of life from whence the children doe flow Psa 68.26 Esa 48.1 so the Lord communicating spirituall life to his children is sayd to beget them againe Iam. 1.18 they are the dew of his youth Psa 110.3 he is the living father of many children Ioh. 6.57 Heb. 2.10 Yea God is able even of stones to raise up children to Abraham Matt. 3.9 as once of old at first he hewed them out of the dry hard rock of Abrahams decayed body Sarahs dead wombe Esa 51.1.2 Rom. 4.18.19 after that againe tooke the stony heart out of their bodies Ezek. 11.19 as in time to come he is yet once more of the stony-hearted obstinate Iewes to raise up a new holy generation Rom. 11.7.8 24.25.26 And hereby it is evident what a power of life is in God that the well of life is not elswhere to be sought or found then in him alone be with men he will dwell with them God himselfe shall be with them be their God Rev. 21.3 He will rejoyce over them with joy quiet or rest himselfe in his love he will joy over them with singing or shouting as the word also signifies Zeph. 3.17 And what cause have they to sing shout clap their hands for joy eternally for whom the Lord doth sing shout joyfully Esa 12.6 Psa 47.1 how honourable are they whom the Father doth honour Ioh. 12.26 whom the Sonne doth confesse before the Angels for ever Luk. 12.8 And if these promises have their beginning here be made unto men in their pilgrimage be in part enjoyed in this life what shall their complement full performance be when they come to the wel-head of all this life glory hereafter which for the present is hidden with God Coll. 3.3 i What then remaines for us to be done what doth the Lord require of us but that we come to this well of life It is therefore shewed unto us that we might desire it in desiring seeke it in seeking finde it to our everlasting happines And before we come unto it even in the meane time by dayly comfortable meditation we may behold looke upon it yea tast it walking upon the bankes of this river of life sometimes as it were sayling upon these waters being carried with the Spirit of God blowing upon us by faith If any despise this call of God contemne the infinite felicity that is herein revealed unto them if any will forsake the Lord the fountaine of living waters dig unto themselves cisternes even broken cisternes that can hold no water if they will rather runne to the stinking puddles of sinful pleasures marke what the Lord sayth concerning their madnes O ye heavens be astonished at this be horribly afraid utterly confounded or very desolate sayth the Lord. Ier. 2.12.13 And what then is that unspeakable astonishment horrour confusion that shall come upon the despisers of this grace when heaven earth together shall be so affected at the sight of their miserable folly And if any fearefull hearts doe either despaire or doubt they can never obtaine such a divine glorious estate in respect of their basenes unworthines if they k If any fainting spirits be still afraid though they will not speake it out yet think thus within themselves Not our poore meane estate but our wickednes our sinnes that are both great many doe deprive us of hope take away our heart that we cannot looke for a portion in that grace of life that is so great for many others Let these consider how great pernicious an errour hath ensnared them let them labour with all care speedy diligence to have this black cloud of death infidelity hanging over their heads remooved from them It is indeed the uncomfortable estate of the greatest part of the world even of those licentious persons that seeme to boast often of the mercy of God yet not to beleeve his mercy Esa 53.1 Luk. 18.8 Psa 78.22.32.35.36 they feele it not in their hearts when they glory outwardly of it for had they faith it would soone have purifyed their hearts changed ther lives filled them with peace joy unspeakable glorious Act. 15.9 Rom. 5.1 1. Pet. 1.8 Let such consider that through unbeleefe men are broken off from God Rom. 11.20 they doe him the greatest dishonour that may be in not beleeving 1. Ioh. 5.10 for the healing of this sore let them set before them the rich precious promises of God by the meditation whereof they may be quickened have faith wrought in their hearts Psa 119.25.28.49.50.93 Though their sins be many that they cannot answer for one of a thousand Iob 9.3 there is mercy with God to blot out their sinnes as a thick cloud to take away their transgressions as a mist Esa 44.22 When the Lord proclaimed his glorious name he manifested himselfe by this mercy used twise so many titles to expresse it rather then his justice saying The Lord the Lord God mercifull and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodnes and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sinne that surely will not cleare the wicked visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the childrens children unto the third and fourth generation Exod. 34.5.6.7 For though the Lord in regard of himselfe be equally infinite in respect of all his attributes yet is it harder for men to beleeve his mercy then his justice as the event shewes it is a work more above the power of nature by true faith to apply the mercy of God with spirituall fornicatiō being carried away to dumbe Idoles 1. Cor. 12.2 when they turned from Idoles to serve the living God 1. Thes 1. 9 presently of most foule harlots they became the fairest among women even the Churches of God his most beauteous spouses Sol. song 5.9 They found mercy for all their sins which they confessed being baptised into the name of the Lord they arose up out of the water looked forth as the morning faire as the Moone pure as the Sunne Sol. song 6.9.10 they shone in glory as the great wonder in heaven like the woman cloathed with the Sunne treading upon the Moone with her feet crowned upon her head with the twelve starres Rev. 12.1 Manasses
us further by applying unto us the merit of his sufferings Then as the childe neesed seven times so the new creature the converted soule doth manifest the truth of life received by severall degrees at the first neesing a new disposition appeares at the second new motions at the third new affections at the fourth new will purpose at the fift new fruits and workes at the sixt new thankesgiving and praise in joy of the holy Ghost so much in this life at the seventh neesing the old man is utterly abolished the flesh shaken quite off and the spirit caryed into a heavenly kingdome clothed with a white robe of perfect righteousnes in Christ the fulnesse of spirituall life Therefore all is to be sought principally in Christ c The outward meanes whereby the Spirit quickeneth are the ordinances and workes of God The primary ordinances of God are his Word Prayer Sacraments and Discipline The word of God is the word of life Deut. 32.47 Ioh. 5.25 6.63.68 Act. 5.20 a tree of life Prov. 3.18 the immortall seed 1. Pet. 1.23 that quickeneth the soule which cleaves unto the dust melteth for heavines Psa 119.25.28 By prayer men finde life for themselves Ioel. 2.32 Rom. 10.13 Esa 38 2-5 give life to others 1. Ioh. 5.16 Baptisme shewes us the laver of regeneration or new birth Act. 2.38 with Tit. 3.5 Ioh. 3.5 and the dead-harted are quickened by meditation of the grace represented sealed thereby By the Table of the Lord the fainting spirits are relieved revived through that spirituall food which is there exhibited 1. Cor. 11.24 The admonitious of Discipline are the corrections of life Prov. 15.31 therein is consolation for those that are ready to be swallowed up of sorrw 2. Cor. 2.7 By these things men live in all these is the spirit of life vivification Esa 38.16 therefore as we would have the life of the new creature to be dayly increased within us so are we to attend upon that word of life night and day to pray incessantly to watch thereunto with all perseverance and thankesgiving to sanctify ourselves for an holy use of the Sacramēts from time to time to submit unto Discipline for mutuall edification so to wait for spirituall life thereby to be ministred unto us d The secondary ordinances of God for vivificatiō of the new man are an holy Feast a holy Watch unto the Lord. As mirth is compared to the song in the night when a holy solemnity was kept Esa 30.29 Paul Silas sang together at midnight Act. 16.25 till midnight did Paul continue his speech unto the disciples at Troas Act. 20.7 And such meanes are the godly still upon occasion to use for their quickening in their spirituall life sitting under the shadow of him that is the true vine Ioh. 15.1 drinking the wine of his promises plucking the grapes of his consolation cōforting the poore heavy hearted communicating their joy one to another using his gifts in all sobriety and thankfulnes for their mutual support in this time of their pilgrimage e After these follow the tertian ordinances so to speake meanes of an inferiour order rank to wit Vowes and Covenants for the helpes of spirituall life As a religious feast and watch serve for the quickening of the soule in the use of the first and primary meanes so these in the third degree serve to binde us to the use of the secondary each supporting an other Vowes promises to God serve to binde us to the observance of other godly exercises at a certaine time we see how the godly upon occasion vowed to offer unto God a bullock a ramme a lamb or goat male or female more or lesse insomuch that the sacrifices are sometimes called by the name of vowes the Lord accepted that vow of so small a matter Lev. 7.16 22.18 23.38 Num. 15.3 18.14 29.39 Psa 116 12-19 Mal. 1.14 with Act. 5.2.3 ch 21.23.24.26 And so now when men vow unto the Lord and binde themselves unto any particular work of mercy towards the poore or to keep a love-feast or any watch or to performe any labour of love unto the Lord for the quickening of themselves others the same is a sacrifice of sweet odour unto the Lord. Phil. 4.18 2. Cor. 8.4.5 Heb. 13.15.16 In like manner the covenants promises made unto mē whereby they binde themselves to one another for the performance of some dueties of religion or mercy together are also approoved meanes of mutuall comfort and vivification David bound himself by covenant to Ionathan 1. Sam. 18.3 to the Elders of Israel 1. Chro. 11.3 to other worthies cap. 12.17.18 And what his covenant was with the man of his covenant that profaned it we see in the Psalme of his complaint namely to be as guides to one another to take sweet of this way application of the former truth the Lord hath in his word given further light and direction by certaine peculiar workes which himselfe hath cōmended unto us as having pregnant special reference to our latter end to procure some more distinct certaine comfort by the particular observatiō practise of thē And therefore whereas some godly and christian friends doe mutually desire of one another some directiō counsell for their preparation to their end to such besides a general resolute purpose to have respect unto all the commandements of God in al things to keep fayth a good cōsciēce I would cōmend these dueties following I. In the first place a dayly invocation of the name of God for his help and assistance in this particular poynt that they may be prepared to die to leave this world come with comfort into the presence of God to stand undismayed before the throne of his grace The comfort of a happy end is worthy a speciall prayer every day for that particular benefit The maine blessing that Paul could wish unto Onesiphorus that had so oft refreshed him was this that the Lord would grant unto him that he might finde mercy of the Lord in that day 2. Tim. 1.18 And this he prayes for the Thessalonians that their hearts might be stablished unblameable in holines before God evē our Father at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ with his Saints 1. Thes 3.13 againe that their whole spirit soule body might be preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Thes 5.23 Now that which Paul so earnestly desired for his dearest friends that is also worthy to be desired of us for ourselves every day If Paul prayed night and day exceedingly to see the faces of his godly friends 1. The. 3.10.11 and that by any meanes he might have a prosperous journey cōming unto them for their mutual comfort how much more cause have we to pray night day with exceeding longing to see the Lord face to face to
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
without the body are like angels goe without feet embrace without hands see without eyes heare without eares speak without tongues for al these we leave in the grave But above all friends we then see God face to face whom here we could not behold Exod. 33.20 here we are as in a dungeon then we begin to looke about us Is there any losse in this change Ob. II. Others are troubled to thinke that they must leave house lands Ans He that teacheth bees to make such cabines closets for themselves will not suffer his owne children to be destitute of comfortable mansiōs nay the Lord hath promised they know it to be so that glorious pavilions chambers are provided for them Ioh. 14.1.2 2. Cor. 5.1 Every heart shall then be a pavilion chamber of rest delight unto each other yea the Lord himselfe shal be their house mansion for ever 1. Ioh. 4.15 Ob. III. Another sayth happily I care not so much for any outward things as to see the good of Gods Church in the accōplishment of his promises Among these there are three special things which a Christiā might wel desire above all other things to be seen enjoyed in this world viz. 1. The fall of Babylon destruction of Antichrist Rev. 18.20 2. The destructiō of Gog Magog the Turkish monarchy 3. The full conversion of the Iewes as a new Ierusalem comming downe from heavē as a bride trimmed for her husband It may wel be counted a happines to waite and come unto the sight of such dayes Dan. 12.12 1. Cor. 15.56.57 II. The freenes of Gods grace unto infants is applyed by the H. Ghost unto men of yeares that they also may depend on the same grace through faith Rom. 9.11.16.30 III. Many are called at the eleventh houre and God doth by such meanes greatly set forth the freenes of his mercy in pardoning sinners Matth. 20 6-9 Rom. 5.20 The sight of Christ by faith gives title unto all comfort happines Luk. 2 30-32 And therefore the theef on the crosse seeing Christ at last was suddenly trāslated into glory Luk. 23.43 Neither let any say That is but one example for in effect there are many very like unto that even in the conversion of many theeves in prison in the hands of justice yea after they have received the sentence of death when they die better give more signes of true repentance then multitudes that die in their beds And besides every mans conversion is in a certaine houre or moment suddainly as well as the theefes on the crosse though it be not marked and it is as great a work the same in substance to be translated out of the state of nature into the state of grace by true conversion as to be translated out of this world into heaven the one following infallibly upon the other So Pauls suddaine conversion from a blasphemous persecutour of Christ to be a member and minister of Christ was as great as the theefes translation from the crosse or gibbet to paradise or rather greater The same may be sayd of those thousands of murderers of Christ suddainly converted at Peters sermon Act. 2. the conversion of each of these was as great as that of the theef and may as well serve for the comfort of sinners Christ is the doore whosoever knockes by faith whensoever is sure to enter Ob. VI. Besides this the paine and pangs of death are objected by many as a cause of their feare why they are loth to die Ans I. We have commandements comforts and promises from Christ to arme us against such feares Iohn 14.1 Revelat. 2.10 The feare of death is one of the greatest paines in death and yet a feare not to be feared II. If the paine of death be sharp yet it is quickly over it is but one stride and at one leap it transports a man over the gulfe of all sorrow into everlasting glory III. To God Our Samson teares this Lyon as a kid destroyes death out of the carcasse of death brings life honye hony combes of eternall comfort Let us therefore be cheerfull in the exspectation of this happy conquest with comfort entertayne the signes of death drawing neere unto us as dimnes of sight deafnes of eares weaknes of limmes whitenes of head hoare haires Oh how welcome should these the like be unto the faithfull As the children in our streets when they first see the stork the messenger of the Spring doe welcome thesame testify their pleasure with manifold joyful acclamations so should the godly congratulate themselves when they see the forenamed messengers of their Winter past Summer approching or els both children and the very storkes in the aire knowing the times of their comming shal be witnesses against us When the fig-tree putteth forth his leaves the Summer is nigh Matt. 24.32 when the almond-tree flourishes thē it hastens the comming of other fruits Eccl. 12.5 Ier. 1.11.12 when the heralds of death approch then is it time for us to lift up our heads knowing that our redemption is neere When the eyes of the body the windowes of our prospect into the world beginne to be dark then must we so much the more open the eyes of our minde the windowes of the soule for our prospect into heaven to see things otherwise invisible When the daughters of singing are abased then especially we should labour to open the eares of faith that we may heare afarre off the songs of the virgines that have the harpes of God ready to entertayne us into the fellowship of their sweet melodies When the grinders are flow beginne to cease let us then be more frequent in grinding the wheat of heaven chewing the cudde ruminating the manna of the Evangelicall promises that should be the old mans milk the old mans wine sweeter then that of the muscadell grape to warme his cold breast to revive his decayed spirits Having thus entertained the messengers of death we shal be the readier to welcome death it selfe The neerer we grow to our journeys end the greater will be our desire and longing to arrive at that Rendevous of friends after a long march that generall meeting-place after a wearisome vvandring over hilles and dales in this our pilgrimage As the diligent husbandman plowes harrowes sowes his seed waites for the first latter raine is glad when it begins to grow when the blade the stalk the eare appeares gladder whē it is ful growne when the regiōs are white unto the harvest when sithe sickle are taken into the hand but is then especially filled with joy when the last load of corne is brought home with shouring singing like to the custome that seemes to have bene in Israel in their harvest vintage Esa 16.9.10 so in like manner they that have broken up their fallow ground have sowed in righteousnes have not been weary in well doing but stedfast unmooveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord shall then know see that their labour hath not been in vaine in the Lord shall then have cause to shout sing for joy when the Angels that are called reapers Matt. 13.39 shall gather these wheat sheaves into the heavēly barne where the righteous shall shine foorth as the Sun in the kingdome of their Father O that we were wise that we understood this so should we ever with comfort remember our latter END Printed at DORT BY HENRY ASH M.DCXXXIX