are we called of God to remember same offences of striking or cursing committed against others were not so though some childrē might happily have as much wisedome as their father mother yet their authority alone being despised brought such woe Now the authority of God the heavenly father over his creature being infinitely greater then the authority of any earthly father over his children the contempt thereof doth accordingly procure an infinite woe unto those that disobey God that reject his Law make their owne lust their law prefer the doing of their owne vile wills before the obedience of his holy heavenly will So in like manner the infinite evill of sinne appeareth distinctly in this that it is committed against the infinite goodnes mercy of God There are in creatures manifold degrees of love kindnes the love of one doth an hundred times exceed the love of some other both in tendernes of affection in multitude of benefits And in such case the treachery of such as deale falsely wickedly against their cheefest friends becomes an hundredfold greater evill then the sin of some others Now the Lord is love it selfe 1. Ioh. 4.8.16 herein is love not that we love God but that he loved us vers 10. his grace the gifts of his eternall free grace doe infinitely exceed all other love he gave himselfe to be our God portion his Sonne to be our ransome And therefore to sin against this high immeasurable grace to contēne this love to love that which is vanitie of vanities more then God doth make the sin of such to be out of measure sinfull deserveth an infinite hatred misery to ensue thereupon And thus the greevousnes of sinne is to be considered conceived in respect of the other divine attributes whereby we may see as it were ten infinites in one behold many windowes of contemplation opened before us through which we may have a huge vast prospect of the endles unsearchable woe of sinne that is to be felt in the second death Though there be many other aggravations of sinne yet this so farre exceeds the rest as if they all were nothing in comparison of this therefore doth the Spirit often urge this consideration upon men saying to the sinners Ye have lyed not unto men but unto God Act. 5.4 he that despiseth despiseth not man but God vvho hath also given us his holy Spirit 1. Thes and it containes more then a world of bookes can expresse c This fierce wrath of God is often in Scripture compared unto burning devouring fire Deut. 32.22 Ier. 15.14 17.4 Ezek. 21.31 22.21 36.5 Zeph. 1.18 accordingly is the tormēt in hell described unto us by the name of hellfire Matt. 5.22 18.9 The smarting paine caused by fire is well knowne by the common use thereof among us And yet above the nature of common fire which is made for the comfort of man to cheere him to make him laugh Esa 44.16 this dolefull fire of hell is propounded unto us of God by many strange descriptions It is a fire not like unto ours that may be quenched but an unquenchable fire Esa 66.24 Mark 9.44 Rev. 14.11 an everlasting fire Matt. 18.8 25.41 which so burnes the wicked as that it doth not consume them but keeps them alive in death that they may burne for ever and ever It is a fire that will not onely burne stones melt yron brasse but a subtile piercing fire that burnes even the spirits soules of men being a fire prepared for the devill his angels which are spirits Matt. 25.41 Rev. 20.10 and therefore farre more terrible then our fire by which tyrants burne the bodies of martyrs but cannot burne their soules Mat. 10.28 For the greatnes of it it is a bottomlesse pit Rev. 9.1.2 deep large Esa 30.33 a lake or sea of fire Rev. 20.14.15 for the names of lake or sea are sometimes in Scripture indifferently put one for another Matt. 8.24 with Luk. 8.23 and this burning sea is withall called a lake of brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 which makes the fire to burne more cruelly to choake strangle such as are plunged into this lake And for the forme of it it is sometimes compared to an oven or furnace of fire Mal. 4.1 Mat. 13.42.50 in which the fire being kept close strait may be made seven times more hote fierce then it was before Dan. 3.19 To make this fire yet more abhominable it is compared unto Tophet Esa 30.33 where children were burnt in horrible lothsome manner being sacrificed unto devils Ier. 7.31 with Psa 106.37 so more horrible would it be to see the soules sacrificed in Hell-fire Were there now but a witch to be burned at a stake how many thousands would flock together to behold the sight how many would loose a dayes work be content to misse their dinners rather then to misse the sight of it But if it were to see a King or an Emperour burnt to see a Pope or a Cardinall which having burnt many martyrs should at length have their owne flesh burnt with fire how many farre and neere would run and ride and spare no cost or labour to become spectatours of such a judgment how long how often how earnestly would men talke of it afterwards And yet this fire of the second death is for such by faith we see it faith makes us spectatours thereof if we beleeve the Scriptures which shew us how Tophet is prepared for kings Esa 30.33 how the beast and the false prophet the Popes are to be cast alive into the lake of fire and brimstone Rev. 19.20 20.10 and with them the multitude of their idolaters and other abhominable persons Rev. 21.8 And how are men bewitched that they forget this latter end of sinners that they more regard the light and momentany judgments of men then the eternall and severe judgments of the everlasting God This lake of fire is so forgotten and contemned of many which stand dayly at the brink of the pit ready to sinke downe into it for their sinnes as if that fire were already quenched yea the very common knowledge and confession thereof by all sorts hath quenched the thought of it and extinguished the memory and mencion of it with many as if it were so well knowne that it needed no more to be spoken of And for this cause are many tumbled into it overwhelmed in the depth of it before they be aware of it d The power of Gods wrath in kindling this fire may further be perceived if we behold the great variety of strange fires which God in his works of creation providence hath already kindled and set before us to shew what he is able to doe In the bowels of the earth below the Lord hath as it were sowne the seeds of fire in the divers minerals thereof as in the
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
what madnes is it to forsake that greene bed for any bed of pleasure in the world By this communion the Lord embraceth his elect with both armes of his love putteth them in his bosome Sol. song 2.6 8.3 and in this divine embracement there is felt more happines heavenly joy then all the love fruits of love or whatsoever went under the name of the tēdrest and strōgest affection in this world could ever yeeld unto the heart of man For if the first fruits of spirituall joy now at this present in the middes of tribulation be an hundred fold more then all the pleasure of houses lands fathers mothers wife children the most desirable things of this world Mark 10.29.30 then how can it be but more then an hundred thousand fold pleasure to enjoy the beauty face of God in heavē to inherit the fulnes of joy in his presence pleasures for evermore at his right hand If the infinite blessednes of the glorious persons in the holy Trinity doth appeare in their mutuall union so that they were an allsufficient eternall delight unto themselves in enjoying one an other continually before the world was before men or angels were made Prov. 8.30 then may we well think how our vessels shall be filled and overflow with heavenly comfort 1. Ioh. 1.4 when we come to drinke of that divine fountaine and enter into our Masters able to bring to passe And therefore as in the transfiguration of Christ his face did shine as the Sunne Matt. 17.2 even so shall the righteous shine forth as the Sunne in the Kingdome of their Father Matt. 13.43 As the raiment of Christ through the brightnes of his body did shine as the transparent light Matt. 17.2 was exceeding white as snow Mark 9.3 and withall white glistering Luk. 9.29 so the whole person of the elect made whiter then snow in their transfiguration shall shine glister sparkle with a radiant beauty heavenly brightnes yea then shall the Moone be abashed the Sunne ashamed before the Lord his ancients when the Lord shall reigne in Zion Esa 24.23 when he shall be glorifyed in the Saints and made marvellous in all them that beleeve 2. Thes 1.10 If the face of Moses while he was yet clothed with corruption when he had seene but the back parts of the Lord and that but for a moment in one vision did yet shine so gloriously that men fled away amazed from him durst not behold the brightnes of his countenance Exo. 34.30 with c. 33.23 what then shall be the glory of the faithfull when being clothed with immortality they shall see God face to face and that in a perpetuall vision for evermore d From this transfiguration of the Saints made so glorious by the sight of God fellowship with him ariseth the glory of their fellowship one with another which is also an unspeakable felicity of the second life to enjoy all the beauty all the love of all the glorified soules bodies in heaven As Ionathan seing the grace of God in David his worthines was knit unto him loved him as his owne soule 1. Sam. 18.1 so here the Saints beholding the glory of God revealed in each other shall be linked together in the neerest bonds of intire affection They that first give themselves to God doe then give themselves unto one an other by the will of God 2. Cor. 8.5 They are all one in Christ Iesus Gal. 3.28 There is one body one spirit Eph. 4.4 all are gathered together in one under one head whether things in heaven or in earth men Angels whether they be thrones or principalities or powers Eph. 1.10.22 All things are the Saints whether it be Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present of her and embraced in her armes for ever The loving society of godly men even in their present weaknes is magnifyed as a good pleasant thing as a precious oyntment as the dew of Hermon Zion Psal 133.1.2.3 how good pleasant then is the heavenly conversation and cohabitation of the Saints even as the dew of Paradise where God hath appointed the blessing for ever to make those beauteous blossomes therein to flourish eternally As oyntment perfume rejoyce the heart so doth the sweetnes of a mans friend by hearty counsell Prov. 27.9 and what then is the sweetnes and joy of that communion where every heart is a severall closet replenished with al store variety of divine oyntments perfumes for the mutuall delight of the Saints The consolation of Christ is there most perfect the comfort of love fellowship of the spirit are compleate full and so the joy of every one is fulfilled in being like minded having the same love being of one accord of one judgment Phil. 2. 1.2 there is no crying nor complayning Rev. 21.4 no curse no angry word no countenance of dislike or disdaine no evill no occasion of evill no appearance of evill no suspicion of evill no want of good in themselves no envy of good in others but every mans joy doubled for anothers salvation and glorifyed in anothers glory The principall delight is that God is found in them all each being the temple of God and his love the fire burning upon the altar of every heart in each of them there is a vision of God an image of his glory he is seene in each shines in them and so at every turne they meet with God who is all in all in every one of them 1. Cor. 15.28 And they never powre out their hearts to one another but withall they powre out prayse unto God with streames of pleasure to themselves And how infinitely manifold are their pleasures where there are so many spirits of just perfect men Heb. 12.22.23 so many millions of Angels thousand thousands ten thousand times ten thousand standing before the Lord Dan. 7.10 Rev. 5.11 If Peter thought it so good to be there where but two of the Saints Moses Elias appeared in glory with Christ Luk. 9 30-33 how good is it to be there where all appeare together in glory with Christ where the glory of every one shall appeare more clearely and be better discerned where every one shall be the precious jewell and treasure of another O who are they which remembring this end will not be content to make an end of their sinfull courses to enjoy this communion How unworthy a thing is it that the thoughts of vanity should thrust out of our mindes these pleasant remembrances of our latter end and the comforts therein If I forget thee O Ierusalem let my right hand forget it selfe if I doe not remember thee let my tongue cleave to the roofe of my mouth if I prefer not Ierusalem above my chiefe joy Psalm 137.5.6 e It is further to be considered that in all the maine parts acts
to Adam to see how he would name them Ge. 2.19.20 so might Adam shew them to his childrē according to the wisedome given him at the first cōferre againe of their natures the reason of their names with those his childrē created in the same image of God with him taught of God that he might rejoyce in them also as they with him Though Solomon spake of trees from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssope on the wal also of beasts fouls creeping things fishes was wiser thē all the philosophers in the degenerate corrupt world 1. Kin. 4 29-34 yet was his wisedome but ignorance in comparison of that primitive estate the wisedome given to Adam at the first After this a multitude of other pleasures they might have returned loaden with blessings filled with comfort as much as their heart could hold And if at any time Adam Evah would in like manner have gone abroad on progresse to have visited their children what comfort should this have bene unto their children to have entertained that most royall honourable person above all others that right Catholick King or universal Monarch father of the whole world with Evah their Queene-mother therefore to have bene reverenced loved obeyed by all How would they have receyved him as an angel of God to the unspeakable joy both of him them mutually m And as the glory of this communion might thus be observed in the persons allyed in a right line both descendēt ascendent so also in the collaterall line extended on each side both farre neere to brethren sisters an hundred other degrees of kinred further off among all which if man had continued in his estate wherein the Lord placed him there should then have bene a most loving pleasant conversation more then can be imagined It had bene as easy for these to have travelled a thousand miles to embrace their friends as it is now for us to goe one small dayes-journey While there was no evill of sinne there should have bene no evill of paine or trouble in any of their labours And besides in the state of innocency great help comfort should have bene afforded unto man by the service of other creatures as hath bene shewed before Even in this corrupt degenerate estate of man beast all kinde 2. Cor. 6.18 behold my spouse my wife my bride Ioh. 3.29 Rev. 19.7 21.2 All the speciall bands of love union whether in the root of marriage or in the branches of kinred whether in the degrees ascending descending or any way extending themselves either in the right line or in the side line they are all found in Christ all meet together are combined in him He alone the new Adam is instead of all the fathers mothers brethren or sisters sonnes or daughters the comfort of all more fruits of love then all the kinred of the old world could have afforded unto us is to be enjoyed in the kingdome of Christ And looke how Christ esteemes of his elect so shall they be esteemed loved of all others there where his word requiring it must needs be performed Ioh. 13.34 15.12.13 And therefore looke how many Saints Angels there be in heaven so many sweet fountaines of loving communion there be for every soule to drinke at farre passing all the love of friends ever tasted in the lower world From every one shall flow rivers of water of life Ioh. 7.38 Christ Iesus being the headspring of all for then shall that all the rest of his promises be fullfilled in the highest degree It is matter of more joy even now to sit at the table of the Lord to receive the Sacrament of the New Testament then it was to pluck apples from the tree of life in paradise greater benefits are sealed even Christ is herein exhibited unto us a gift more excellent then all those that were confirmed unto Adam by the tree of life but then especially shall the difference appeare when the faythfull shall partake in the marriage supper of the Lambe in heaven when they shall be brought before the Lord the ancient of dayes the everlasting God before whom Adam though alive at this day should be as a child of yesterday a thousand yeares being but as one day in his sight when they shall heare him speake tell of his eternall love of us before the world in his decrees of election and predestination so often poynted at in Scripture and the like precious thoughts of his grace to us ward this shall be the fullnes of joy infinitely exceeding all the supposed delights of the old world As for the pleasant journeys motions we may not thinke that the godly shall be there as in a prison together in heavenly places in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.6 CHAP. VII Hovv God calleth men to remember the latter end of Reprobates The fearfulnes greevousnes of the second death set forth by a The deserving cause Sinne which is especially aggravated by the wisedome authority goodnes other attributes of God b The inflicting cause the wrath of God from which the whole misery all the circumstances of the second death have their denominations c compared unto fire yet different from common fire unquenchable most piercing largely extending it selfe taking hold on the greatest in the world d This fire the fiercenes of it made plaine by the observation of sundry fires already kindled in the bowels of the earth in vegetative sensitive creatures in the body of man in the aire firmament in the angels e but chiefly in the course of Gods just indignation against sinners seriously to be considered of all that desire to escape it f The effects dolefull cryes lamentations of the tormented of the Devils themselves yea even of our blessed Saviour in his sufferings g Particular manifestations of Gods wrath against particular sinnes transgressions of every commandement both of the first second table THe end of all flesh hath bene represented unto us of God by a basket of summer fruit ripe for the harvest ready to be gathered The blessed end of the godly hath bene shewed in the basket of good figs very good there remaines yet the basket of rotten figs very naught to be marked of us for that sight is also propounded unto us of God he calles us to remember the end of the wicked thereby whiles that basket was in vision also set before the Temple of the Lord. Ier. 24.1 It is an hideous fearefull sight to opē the graves where the greene carcases of dead men doe lye to behold the grieslines lothsomnes of death in them and who doth not flie from it But much more horrour it is to looke upon the dead soules in Hell their torment lothsome estate being an hundred times more worse to be endured then the sight of any rotten carcasses in the grave Yet
behold the glory of all his angels to tast of the pleasures of his right hand If David prayed so often and so earnestly that he might enjoy the presence of God in his earthly sanctuary to behold the beauty of his ordinances there Psa 27.4 and 42.1.2 84.1 c. how much more ought we to pray constantly for our entrance into his heavenly sanctuary to enjoy the glory that 5.7 Lev. 5.16 Every man therefore that would have comfort in death peace in his conscience at his latter end must labour according to his utmost power to make cleare with the world by restitution satisfaction for wrong done for debts undischarged for fraudulent bargaines overreaching of his neigbour for any other injuries by word or deed against the person or credit of his neighbour He that would finde his soule reconciled to God must labour betimes without delay to see himself reconciled with men III. As there is a needfull Reconciliation so there is a holy zealous Revenge necessary to be sought before death that men may die with more comfort Neither let it seeme strange that seeking of revēge should be reckoned among the speciall preparatives unto death Though to take the sword for carnall revenge to satisfy the private lust of the flesh be oft forbidden of God Rev. 13.10 Mat. 26.52 Rom. 12.19.20 Pro. 25.21.22 24.17.18 20.22 yet is there a just glorious revenge of sin commanded of God both upon others upon ourselves Moses a little before his death is commanded to avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites that then he might be gathered unto his people Num. 31.1.2 One of his last workes was to be a work of revenge that being done he was to die with more comfort The remembrance of that revenge wrought by Phinehas could not but comfort him at his last houre Num. 25.11.12.13 Saul therefore had extreme anguish discomfort in death for not executing a revenge upon Amalek as it was told him of the Devill because he would not learne it of God 1. Sam. 28 15-20 with ch 15 1-35 David on his death-bed could not die quietly till he had cōmēded that work of revenge unto his son upon Ioab Shimei which himself had deferred omitted in his life time 1. Kin. 2 1-9 And all Magistrates having the sword committed unto them of God shall die with more comfort when according to their power they have so used it besides common justice have on some special occasions manifested some speciall zeale for the suppressing rooting out of the maine evils raigning in their times They that have the sword of the Spirit committed unto them of God are to have revenge in readines against all disobedience by admonitions rebukes spirituall censures of sin thē Now I know that thou lovest me because thou hast not spared thy wealth from me c. And therefore besides dayly common workes of mercy the H. Ghost commēds unto us some extraordinary workes of mercy upon speciall occasion either of mercy received by us or afflictiō layd upō others Whē the kingdome of heavē was opened after the ascension of Christ the Spirit powred out many converted spiritual joy abounded the comfort thereof produced extraordinary fruits of love as when Ioses or Barnabas others that had lāds houses sold thē distributed to the poore Act. 4 34-37 such gifts could not be givē every day yet though it were done but ōce in their life the cōfort thereof might well last so long as they lived Zacheus that in the day of his joyfull conversion calling stood forth gave at once the half of his goods to the poore though he could not every week make such distributions yet the comfort of that one act approoved accepted of Christ as a fruit of his faith token of his salvation could not but be a perpetuall consolation to be thought on even to death For earthly blessings received speciall offerings were to be made at solēne times appointed of God such were the feast in Abib of the first fruits of barly harvest the feast of weeks of the first fruits of wheat harvest the feast of tabernacles or of gathering in the fruits of the land in the end of the yeare Exo. 23.16 34.22 Lev. 23. to teach us that new blessings call for new expressions of thankfulnes that we may honour God with our substance and with the first fruits of all our increase Prov. 3.9 And as upon occasion of speciall comforts we are to be mooved unto the workes of mercy so also at the consideration of the speciall afflictions and wants of others In the time after the captivity when the necessity was great and the bondage heavy upon the Iewes then did godly Nehemias forbeare to take the bread of the Governour the stipend of former rulers and shewed extraordinary love compassiō in which he comforts himselfe praying the Lord to think upon him for good according to all the kindnes that he had done for his people Nehem. 5 14-18.19 When with extreme need there appeare in persons lively tokens of faith and godlines thē especially should take place the counsel of Iohn Baptist that we should abridge ourselves of our food raymēt rather thē see others want Luk. 3.10.11 Such good workes cannot but follow the godly to the grave and minister comfort at the last Rev. 14.13 Act. 9.36.39 It is a shame unto the disciples of Christ that so many and great purgatory-gifts have proceeded frō the false faith of merit-mongers when the faith of his most glorious Gospel doth not work the like in true beleevers a shame that an idle dreame servile feare of imagined purgatory should doe more then the assured and certaine persuasion of the love of God in Christ V. With the work of mercy is to be joyned the work of humility meeknes as a speciall preparative for a comfortable death translation out of this world For as with those that are translated out of this world into heaven there is no respect of persons poore Lazarus is carried first in the bosome of an Angell and then in the bosome of Abraham the Father of the faithfull Luk. 16.22 so those that would beginne a heavenly life here in the end with comfort be translated are in like māner to make themselves equall with them of lower estate Rom. 12.16 to converse with the poore to cary them in their bosome not onely to give a few pence of silver but to powre out their heart and their love unto them Esa 58.10 This was prophesyed of as a fruit of Christs kingdome Esa 11.6.7.8 such correspondence with the poore Christ commends unto us with promise of a large recompence Luk. 14.12.13.14 We are to walk by faith not by sight 2. Cor. 5.7 now by faith we see the Angels ministring unto them who shall be heires of salvation Heb. 1. l. Rev. 22.9 therefore