Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	comfort_n	life_n	live_v	4,359	5	5.5637	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66476	A sermon preached in the High Church of Edinburgh, June 9th, 1695 before His Grace the Marquess of Tweddale His Majesties High Commissioner and before many of the nobility, barrons and burrows, members of the High Court of Parliament, and the magistrates of the said city / by David Williamson ...	Williamson, David, d. 1706.	1695 (1695)	Wing W2797; ESTC R8132	22,801	28

A SERMON Preached in the High Church of EDINBURGH June 9th 1695. Before HIS GRACE The Marquess of TWEDDALE HIS MAJESTIES High Commissioner And before many of the Nobility Barrons and Burrows Members of the High Court of Parliament And the Magistrates of the said City By David Williamson Minister of the Gospel at the West-kirk EDINBURGH Printed by George Mosman and are to be sold at his Shop in the Parliament-closs 1695. GOOD READER The Author being threatned by some that they would cause Print his Sermon as written from his Mouth however uncorrect it might be And that severals had made wrong accounts of the matter spoken He was pressed upon these Reasons by Friends to offer a correct Coppy to the Press Which he condescended to do upon their Importunity without alteration of words or Sentences The Text Isaiah Chapter 38.3 And said Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight and Hezekiah wept sore HEzekiah was a Good Man a Great Man a Rare Man a Praying King Of all the Three and twenty Kings of Israel and Judah before and after the Schisme Wee find only Nine commended for Good viz. David Solomon Asa Jehosaphat Amasiah Azariah Jotham Hezekiah Josiah Of the Twenty Kings of Israel after the Rent Wee find none commended for Good but only Jehu commended for cutting off the house Ahab and destroying the Worshippers of Baal 2 Kings 9.10 Yet was he reproved for cleaving to the Sins of Jeroboam 2 Kings 10.31 Hezekiah was a Good King but not faultless his Heart was lifted up with Pride and he Pay'd dear for it 2 Kings chap. 20. verses 14. c. Nor did his Goodness exeeme him from Trouble in the preceeding Chapter he was sore distressed by a seige and now sick unto Death The words contain his fervent Prayer I shall not trouble you with tedious Explication nor Curious Division 1. He Prays that the Lord would Remember him not that God is subject to forgetfulness but he would have the Lord effectually to mind him according to his promise made to Abraham when he indented with him Gen. 17.1.2 Walk before me saith the Lord and he thou perfect I am God Almighty And I will make my Covenant between me and thee and I will multiply thee exceedingly Now he had in some measure Human Frailty excepted kept the condition there required 2. He reflects on his Heart and Way I have walked before thee That is under the awful apprehensions of an Omniscient every-where present God In truth and with aperfect heart It 's the same on the matter with simplicity and Godly sincerity 2 Cor. 1.12 Mentioned in opposition to Carnal policy called there fleshly Wisdom Would he say I have studied to be sincerely and honestly minded and am not conscious of gross Exorbitancies in my course which uses to shorten Mens Days 3. Wee have the proof of his Sincerity in a Good Conversation I have done that which is good in thy sight 4. Wee have his present Melancholy temper and Hezekiah wept sore for Deaths aspect was not pleasant to him he would sam have lived a while longer either to have throughed the begun Reformation or forseeing what might follow to Church and state upon his removal especially they being for present in a distracted miserable condition or probably he Scunnered at Death as nature will do in the best of Saints I shall only take up this one point from the words Doct. That these who would expect comfort at Death must make conscience of a sincere Religious walk in their life Whose Heart condemns them not in this may be very confident of that I shall speak to those three Branches 1. of Death 2. of Uprightness 3. of a Religious walk 1. First for Death I would say these five things 1. It is certain it is appointed for all Men to dye and but once Heb. 9.27 All are born with the seeds of Death in their bosom The prophanest Atheist who defyes Death shall not shift it when his day cometh 2. It is certain Death is uncertain 1. As to the place where at home or abroad by Sea or by Land 2. As to the manner how a violent or narural Death sudden or lingering 3. As to the time when wee read of no Man who ever got a lease of their time but this Hezekiah 3. It 's certain Death waits no Mans readiness if a Man be not prepared that Messenger when he cometh will not defer one moment 4. Death cannot properly be said to be a surprize to Believers in Christ it may be sudden the Christan not being in that frame and Exercise desirable may fall short of Consolation but his state being sure his Salvation is secured 5. It is certain we may have a day better and another worse in time but after Death there is no change Eternal Well or Eternal Wo where the Tree falls there it Lyes Eccles 11.3 Vse 1. Wee shall make some practical improvement of this And 1. Be convinced That this Tyrant Death is the indispensible fatality of all Men Altho' some adjourn the thouh●s of it which is their sin and folly and they may be refuted from the consideration of the frequent warnings of Mortality and the shortness of time compared to an Hand-breadth Psal 39.5 To a Vapour Jam. 4.14 to the fading Grass 1 Pet. 1.24 Yet many put that Day far away Amos 6.3 teasing up their thoughts anent the increase of their Riches the standing of their Family the advancement of their Honour the filling of their Cup of pleasure and before they are aware Death puts in the sickle and their Breath goes out they return to their dust in that day their Thoughts perish ●sal 14.6 4 5. their fair white thoughts as the word is all their designs endeavours either for themselves or others O if people would take leasure but to Commune with their own Hearts till they had some impression and present Heart-affecting thoughts of Death then reflecting on their way in the World for the World they would conclude that all their Labour amounted to no more than what is imported in that Verdict Eccles 1.2 Vanity of Vanitys all is Vanty and Voxation of Spuit Then should Self-designing-men Self-deceivers whose desires designs and endeavours did rise no higher then Self find that they had played the fool and cheat to their own Souls when their hearts shall overcast with the confusion of these thoughts and challenges that they sh●ned in due time to intertain Altho' death be in the Creed yet it is not in many peoples belief such as 1. The stupid and secure who are not moved with Terrours and threatnings like to those of Noah his days who did eat and drink till the flood came Math. 24.38.39 2ly The worldly minded whose time and cares are Swallowed up with vanities of this life as if they were never to separat like

Captains may be put to it and some who hears me this day it may be their case I warne Your Grace and my Noble Lords and much Honoured Gentlemen take heed what you do the judgment is the Lords there be few Parliaments but some Members dye in the time or shortly after God knows within a few dayes where some of you will Land for Etemity I remember within these thirty four years of one who rode in Pomp to Parliament but warmed not his Seat was hurried to his Lodging took bed and his Sun set in a dark and stormy cloud he was a principal contriver of the overthrow of the Work of Reformation in Scotland Take heed what you do or design you must all dye and compear 2 Cor. 5.10 As the word is Be manifested discovered laid open your deeds your intentions your Cabin-Counsells there will be no palliating of foul things with fair Colours I will tell you to whom Death will be terrible and why 1. It will be terrible to them who have not their aggreement made with God not found in peace Them God will meet as an enemy 2ly These who has not repented and obeyed the Gospel As the foolish Virgins Math 25. Christ threatens the Jews they should dye in their sins unrepented of John 8.24 3ly Who ly down in the dust and their bones full of the sins of their youth Job 20 11. 4. Who dye in unbelief to such God swears they shall not enter in his rest Psal 95.11 5. Who have not their work perfect before God but rests in an empty name and profession Rev. 3.1.2 6. The backslider in heart Heb. 10.38 7. These who hears the word and does it not Matth. 7.26 8. Who sets their nest on high as the fool who said he had much goods laid up for many years Luk. 12.19 9 The persecuter and contemner of Gods People as Nabal 2. Sam 25.10.38 10. These who dye under the plague of a hard heart as Pharaoh Exod. 14. 11. Death is terrible to these who are self Cheaters and Deceivers who cries peace peace when sudden destruction is at the door 1 Thes 5.3 12. Who dyes neither to be desired of God nor man as Jehoram 2 Chron 21.20 13. These who dye embracing Idolatry as Ahaz 2 Chron. 28.22 He Trespassed yet more against God and Sacrificed to the Gods of Damascus 14. These who dies without the experimental knowledge of these three 1. Without the knowledge of Conversion except one be converted he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 3.3 2. Without the knowledg of Holiness without which no man if he were a King shall see the Face of God in mercy Heb. 12.14 3. Without some knowledg and belief of their eternal lodging 2. Tim. 1.12 I know in whom I have believed says Paul I know of a house not made with hands 2. Cor. 5.1 Quest But why will Death be terrible to such Ans Because then they will get no desire granted not a drop of cold Water to cool the Tongue Luke 16 24. The rich Glutton could not obtain that mean request 2. Then their Carnal propes and confidences are battered down their hope gives up the Ghost Job 11 20. 3. Because then God will be terrible to them He will meet them as a Boar bereaved of her Whelps and rent the Caul of their heart and devour them as a Lyon Hos 13.8 Consider this you that forget God least he tear you in pieces when none shall deliver Psal 50 22. 4 Because then fear and loss comes at once and there is no hope that their case will mend Now would you have death not to be a terrour but a comfort to you Then 1. Look to it through the righteousness of Christ who takes away the Sting 1 Cor. 15.55 c. 2 Be Zions friend and her King Christs friend and embrace him as thy Souls Beloved and his terms of peace prescribed 3. Look on Death as the Vessel that will take thee off this troublesome Sea to thy eternal rest 4. Look on death as Christ speaks of it Our Friend Lazarus sleepeth John 11.11 5. Look to it in the promise of his presence Who will be with thee when thou goes thorow the dark valley Psal 23.4 6 Look on Death as thy God's Servant that dare not touch thee but as thy God will 7. Be prepared for it Are you ready and your Lamps Trimmed I fear the Eccho of conscence in some is I am yet to Learn this Great Lesson Consider these things 1. Wishes and would be 's will not be taken off your hand Balaam a Stranger to God wished to dye the Death of the Righteous Numb 23.10 O Says the man I would fain be Godly Thou wilt not come to a Blessed end if thou get no more Says Christ Blessed is the man whom his Lord finds so doing Matth 24 46. Not so wishing that he had been better 2. Many meet with Death before they be ready what knows thou if thou get time at Death What if the Lord answer thee as Judges 10.13 Go to the Gods whom you have served Shall I take the worlds the devils your Lusts and sins Leavings 3. Consider you may be confused at Death It 's harder to dye well than is imagined Death will try to purpose your Graces duties and enjoyments you have need to be busie and be as busie as you can you will have enough to do to win to patience and assurance 4. Mind as Death leaves you Judgement will find you You will not dye twice if so you might take a venture Therefore deferr not preparation which is of universall and Greatest concernment If peace of conscience To dye with comfort To have the Soul bound up in the bundel of life be of concernment Then preparation for Death is of concernment If eternall well and woe to escape hell and come to Heaven be of concernment Then is preparation for Death of concernment Quest But wherein consists this preparation Ans 1. In laying up a store a good foundation for the time to come 1 Tim 6.19 To be wise as the Ant that provides in Summer for the Winter storm Prov. 6.8 2. To live a Righteous holy life the life of a wrestler with God as Jacob Gen 32. The life of walking with God as Enoch Gen 15. The life of Selfdenyed-obedience as Abrabam Heb 11.8 He went on a call not knowing whether and the life of a pilgrim and stranger Desiring a Heavenly contry Heb. 11.13 3. It consists in having the Heart Sequestrat from Lusts Idols and Creature injoyments Crucifyed to the world and the lusts and affections thereof Gal 5.24.6.14 4. In being on the watch-tower Psal 130. Luk 12.37 Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching 5. In having Graces in Lively exercise Faith ready for Vision and Hope for possession 6. In having thy peace within between God and thy Soul secured the Spirit witnessing with your Spirits that you are the Sons

prayed and flatered God and Lyed with their Mouth for their Heart was not right with God 10. The upright man has comfort in the greatest Extremity and storm of his Life a bosome friend Paul when he had the sentence of Death against himself and others said this is our rejoycing the Testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity we have had our Conversation in the World 2 Cor 1 9 12. This makes the Man's Face to shine and makes quietness within Prov. 14.14 Whereas an ill conscience is like a gnawing worm a heavy load above a burden Then sincerity gives comfort in the last Extremity of Death Mark the persect behold the upright the end of that man is peace tho' he Dye in Warr Psal 37.37 O that is sweet when the Heart does not reproach in a Dying-hour Job 27.6 and God not a terrour to the Man Lastly that Man has interest in that promise that 's of a wide compass Psal 84.11 The Lord God is a Son and a shield to direct Comfort and defend he will give Grace and Glory and withold no good thing from him that walks uprightly Quest How shall wee win to this lovely desirable thing 1 Be convinced of heart unfoundnes make an errand to God for it Psal 119.80 Let my Heart be Sound in thy statuts Psal 51.10 Creat O Lord in me a clean heart a study much the attributes of God especialy his omnisciency Heb. 4.12.13 All things are vaked open before him with whom we have to doe keep God in your Eye that is injoined Gen. 17.1 Walk besor me and be upright This keeped Joseph right Gen 39.9 You will never prove steel to the back if God be out of sight this keeped David right Psal 16 8 25.15 Keep upon your hearts the perswasion of his Alseeing-Eye what makes many so unstable they forget God 3 keep Heaven in your Eye this keeped Moses right amidst many temptations and snares he had respect to the recompence of reward Heb 11 26. This keeped Paul right that he fainted not he minded the exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor 4 16 17 You will faint and give over if your Hearts be fastned on things that are seen you will take to the nearest shore so has been seen of an apostat generation The last branch of the point they who would have comfort in Death must have a Religious walk in their Life and do what is good in the Lords sight Walking is a progressive motion not like that of the door on the hinges that moves oft but goes not foreward Consider these things for clearing this point 1. Wee are commanded to walk in the Lords way and that constantly Deut. 19.9 Walk ever in his ways 2. The Saints have resolved this as Psal 119 112 and are injoyned to make inquiry after the Lords way for this end Jer. 6.16.3 The Lord commends those who make conscience of their walk as Zacharias and Elizabeth Luk. 1.6 Whose commendation will never die 4. The Lord threatens them sore who looks not to their walk Jer. 9.14 Lev 26.21 c. he will heat the furnace seven times more for them 5. It is one of the precious promises of the New Covenant that the Lord will give us his spirit to cause us walk in his way Ezek. 36.27 6. The Lord calls for it as a chief evidence of a Souls sense of Kindness that wee walk humbly with our God Mitah 6.8 7. The Lord's people sensible of kindness have iugaged thenselves to this Psal 116.12 c. What shall I render to the Lord I will walk before the Lord. 8. You will find the Lord quarrels no people so much for their words as for their walk Deut. 5.28.29 They had well spoken O! says the Lord that there were such a heart in them to fear me and keep all my Commandements the Man is only blessed in his deed Jam. 1.25 Many are strangers to a Christian Walk 1. some will not so much as give God fair words for all his favours but Sacrifices to their own Net Hab. 1.16 2. Some complement God in words and little affected in their hearts Psal 106.12.13 They sung his Praise but soon forgot his Works and waited not for his Counsel 3. Some with some kind of sense will commend God in words who never came the length of a Christian Walk profess they know God and in Works deny him Tit. 1 16 these are Self-cheaters Question Why are most people pleased with a profession without a Christian walk 1 From Ignorance of God as if he would be put off with fair words and bare acknowledgment this is a mocking of God 2 It flows from undervaluing of his Mercies as if they were worth no more 3. Because there is not so much difficulty in profession and words as in a walk It is Grace that must dispose to this the Devil cares not how much you complement God with Words if the heart be not toward God and your walk commend you not to him 1. As ever you would shew a sense of the Lord's kindness in your life and expect his kindness at Death make conscience of a Religious walk I press it with these Arguments 1. It is your Christian walk that will put to silence the ignorance of foolish men and convince others 1 Pet. 2.15 2. It s the walk that will best secure peace of conscience in the worst of times Psal 119.165 Great peace have they which love thy Law and nothing shall affend them 3. It is your walk that will keep the passage open to God in all your necessities the man is barr'd out who hears and does not Ezek. 33.31 he will not be inquired of such but set his face against them Ezek. 14.2.8 The slanderer and Adulterer what ever he profess he is not welcome to God Psal 50 16 c. 4. It is your walk that will difference you from the World not a common gift or profession Luk 18 In these a Hypocri●e may go beyond a Gracious Man 5. There is nothing sweeter for a Man to reflect on when the Eye-strings are breaking than for a Man to have that to say that he has Exercised himself always to keep a Conscience void of offence toward God and Man in his walk and in this Hezekiah had ground of Comfort but it was not the ground of his Considence that was placed in Christs Righteousness Vse 2. I would offer these things by way of Advice 1. If you would walk so as to commend God and expect comfort at Death set your Face to the right Airt to Zion Jer. 50.5 To Glorify God in all your Actings 2. Have your Salvation much in your Eye as preferable to all things Many forget they have immortal Souls all their care is for things below Heaven 3. Study much acquaintance with the word as the Rule Gal. 6.16 He that walks according to that Rule peace shall be upon him and Mercy as upon thee Israel of God