Soul I choise thy Statutes as my Heritage in the Land of my pilgrimage and Thy Salvation as my Inheritance for ever Give me victory over the World by Faith and grant me Peace Patience and Perseverance to the End Amen Sixthly Devotion for Old Age on Saturday O Ancient of Dayes who remains still in that prime of purest Light and Glory look upon me whom Thou hast preserved in all the periods of life in great mercy Visit me in this my groaning stage with Thy Salvation Let all the errors of my Youth and by gone Age be done away that I may have no burden from my former life now support me when old age hath overtaken me Blessed be God that I have escaped sad Accidents and the hurtful effects of any miss-government of my Life Grant I may now be taken up with Heavenly Exercise and contemplations that I may Receive Dimission with Christ not only in my Arms but in my Heart Renew my inner-man day by day that tho my Limbs be weak my Faith Hope and Charity may be strong And grant me a house with Thee 2 Cor. 5. 1. When my Earthly House shall fall I entered into the World with a groan and nature of necessity must groan being Burthened But Lord exhileraâ—e my Spirit that I may leave the World with great Joy that the day of my Redemption draweth near and may be Refreshed in the Suburbs of Heaven with the Joyful Musick of the Saints that so I may sing in Death and triumph over the Grave through JESUS CHRIST the Prince of life my LORD and life my strength and Redeemer Amen Devotion in order to the Eternal Sabbath On Sunday or the Christians LORDS Day O Lord of Sabbaoth I Bless thee that has brought me out of the toils of the World to rest with thy self Lord take me up to some mouâ—t to â—ee thy Glory where I may erect a Tabernacle not for Earth but Heaven Quicken me with the Life of CHRIST to seek those things above and if I look back to the World it is not for love to it but to see it's vanity I admire the works of Creation and providence and the portract of the little World to show the praise of GOD But I cannot get words nor thoughts to expatiat tiat on the work of our Redemption by Thy Son Nor capacity to Comprehend the height deepth breadth and length of thy love in him But I desire so love him with all my heart and above all the World I behold him now Rising from a Sea of Blood with the Glory of all his conquest LORD put me in the Spirit on this day to Relish the sweet influences of the Holy Ghost that I may be fitted foâ— the Eternal Sabbath where all duties and longing shall be turned into rewards and enjoyments and thy Name be Celebrated with Everlasting wonder Hymns Hallelujahs World without end Amen AND in Regard that Evangelical work of Praise and Singing of Psalms is a special Part of Devotion cease not in thy Pilgrimage and Solitudes to Sing And if you restrict your selves to David's Psalms For your Birth and Child-hood Sing Psalm 51. From the Beginning and the 71. Psalm from Verse 5. For your Youth Psalm 25. And Psalm 109 from Verse 9. For your â—iper Years and your Family the 101 Psalm and Psalm 144 at the End For your Old Age Psalm 71 9 and 18 Verses and if the Church thought fit ye may also make use in your Devotion other Scripture Psalms The Song of Israel on the Banks of the Red-Sea â—he Song of Simeon Zacharias and the Blessed Virgin and the Songs in the 1 5. and 7. Chapters of the Revelation And particularly the Doxologie which hath been of constant use in the Christian Church and is no other but an ascribing of sempeternal Praise to the Ever Blessed Trinity Which tho the Leprous Church of Rome use yet is it Clean to the Pure and it is very sad that it should be controverted in the Militant Church since it will be sung for ever in the Triumphant And since the Mysterious but Salutary Doctrine of the Trinity was contradicted by the Arians in Old and some of that same Gang under another Name of Late there is still occasion for the using of it And to distinguish the Modest and Regular Christian from such as in vade it by Opposition for to commend their Beloved Sect it is not amiss to rise up in token of a more immediat Address and closing with the custom of the Church wherein we should not be contentious And if â—ou please in your Private Devotion to Sing after this manner 1. MY heart is fix'd my â—eart is fix'd now will I sing and praise I 'le praise the Lord with songs unmix'd and still Thy Glorie raise 2. Now Haâ—elujah's shall extoll the Lord God of my praise And still in praises Thee enroll and laud and never cease 3. My little Harp is tun'd to laud my Lord my God my Love With Heavenlie Queer Thy Name applaud Thy Glories all approve 4. All Songs below â—ad not the Clief to raise Thee thus in ault They were sincere but not the chief as those which GOD exalt Second Hymne 1. I Wear the Crown Christ still renown I reign and He 's Supream I am extol'd to praise my King and glorie in His Name 2. I am as well as heart can wish mâ— Soul is all in bless With Joy and Peace Rests and Relish the sweets I now express 3. I see my God my Christ my joy all mysteries are gone Nothing now but Love I know and melodie Divine 4. The Tree of Life maâ—tains my life never to die again O Death in time thou art so rife but here thy strength is vain 5. I live I love I much delight I â—raise and never cease I see and feeâ— with Soul and Sp'riâ— I m all in Light and Bless 6 What can I â—ake For I have all my God is here with me And I with him perpetual my Christ and God to see 7. Here without doubt I 'le glorie give to Father Son and Spirit I 'le praise my God and not deprive frâ—m his just Right and Merit 8. From the first Minute to Ages all I will â—ssert â—â—y Golre In melodies sempiternal to Triâ—e Vne evermore Third Hymne 1. O Sp'rit of Light tune now my sp'rit with Heaven fill my heart And give me seâ—se of that great Light that I may act my part 2. With all the Host and Heav'nlie Queer that never ceass to cry Thrice holie Lord and Thee admire in Peace and Rest and Joy 3 My Soul my Heart my Sp'rit my Powers all joyn to Praise Thy Name My GOD my Life my Hope my Help I 'le praise Thy Mercies Fame 4 Thy Help in need hath made me Glad Thy Grace was still my claim And fresh Supplie hath me releiv'd I magnifie Thy Name 5. I 'le Praise I 'le â—ing I 'le Hope and Joy in Thy great Grace so Good I
have no excuse to neglect Religion in thy most busie Employment It will be good also that thou be a keeper at home and be not like a Bird that wanders from his Nest Let no sinful diversion especially the Tavern take thee away from thy Trade And if thou enclines to Religion follow not the guise of the Times be not carryed about with every wind of Doctrine Rather follow the Faith of the Orderly Church For it is very dangerous for love to a Sect to cutt the Church and break the Staves of Beauty For as long as thou reels with this giddy humour thou canst not well fix in a solid course of Religion And Lastly Beware of Discord and Division in thy family For 〈◊〉 consumes the Substance thereof makâ—â— many careless and desperate is an Enâ—â—my to all thâ—iâ—t For A house diviâ—â— cannot stand § 7. And for the management bâ—â— of thy conjugal Relation and callingâ—â— must here in the beginning of thy settâ—â—ment Recommend unto thee domâ—â—tick devotion and â—amily worship a duâ—â— that none of the seed of Jacob should â—â—cline it being their Fathers practice whâ—â— house was a Bethel to GOD a little Teâ—â—ple for the LORD of Glory who hâ—â— this duty brought down to him from 〈◊〉 famous Grandfather Faithful Abrahâ—â— who is commended for the Religious Gâ—â—vernment of his Family whose steps 〈◊〉 sau treased a man much of Contempâ—â—tion at home And thô Jacob hâ—â— Greater incumbrance and a more nuâ—â—erous family Yet his house as well 〈◊〉 person was consecrated to GOD. aâ—â— not only the Jews but also Christiaâ—â— should follow the Steps of these Venerâ—â— Patriarchs to be lively portractures of thâ—â— vertues as Images of their nature Aâ—â— this duty is so proper to the family thâ—â— before the Church was enlarged 〈◊〉 Master or Father of the House was â—â—iest and did officiate in the dayly Sâ—â—â—ifice at home And when the Church 〈◊〉 made more ample it is constitute of â—amilies which if Heterogenius to the â—ody they are but useless and corrupt â—embers Whereas the Families of the Faithful are blessed of GOD And His â—rath power'd out upon such families as all not upon His Name Jer 10. 25. Joshua that great Capâ—ain of the LORDS â—ost did not suffer his military Affairs 〈◊〉 hinder him and his House to serve GOD tho all Israel should neglect it David after him in the midst of a Bloomâ—â—g State under the burthen of a Crown and Countrey Yet walked Righteously in his House And every Tribe Family is called to pray and mourn a part Zech 12. 13. And the Gospel hath set up this Duty clearly Christ hath promised to be among the midst of two or three conveened in his Name And we read of the Church being in particular Houses and the Centurion feared GOD with all his House Acts 10 2. And Christ hath made 〈◊〉 a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Generation And this doth rather prepare for than invade a setled order of a Priesthood Private and Publick duty doth not interfere and Clash Thou must not only pray for thy Family but pray in thy Family Is the LORD the GOD of all the Familys of the Earth and not of thine Shalt thou wish GOD a Catholick service and cutt of thy Family by schisme This were to joyn thy House to another GOD or else to have none at all Let all Houses then that Smoak Smoak with Sacrifices to GOD for the House of the Godly is under a special Protection his Eyes are open to their Prayers GOD is a Shadow and Covert over the Roof of such Families It 's good To declare his Faithfulness every night and his Loving Kindness every morning Psal 92. 2. Let the People praise Thee O LORD let all the People praise Thee And Lastly This Duty of Family Devotion may be called Ezekiels Sign and Mark that saves from the destroying Angel and if any trouble fall out GOD knows how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations This Family worship is the great Characteristick of a Christian it makes thy House thy Home and gives thee Repose in thy Perigrination it makes thy house a Dutyful Tenement to the Great Land-Lord it payes due Rent to GOD it is the Bond and Beauty of thy House and makes thy Family like Jerusalem compact together § 8. Let every Christian then Regard Domestick duty which is so necessary and useful to guide the family and to consecrate and cover thy house which if thou Rule well with discretion and good Government thou shall find some leasure if it were but as long as to take thy Brakefast thou may conveen thy family and joyn together and seek GOD it would never hinder thy business but rather advance it if thou pretend thy ignorance it is much to be imputed to thy own fault and the neglect of thy Soul And if you say it is not the custom of many of your Rank Alas You are ready to follow an evil custom but to imitate what is good you have neither heart nor hand yet I am loath to leave thee in such neglect and therefore for meaner Capacities I shall subjoyn the Practice of Domestick Devotion and family Worship The Morning Prayer O Eternal and ever blessed GOD our blessed Creatour Preserver and Redeemer the fountain of Life and the Father of Lights the Keeper of Israel who never sleeps nor slumbers this poor family falls down before Thee this Morning and with all humble Devotion praises thy exalted Name for all thy mercies to Mankind and to us and that Thou has protected and refreshed us the night bygon and raiseâ— us up this morning in any health and hope Glory to Thee who hast given us time to rcpent LORD give us Grace to repcnt and to work oâ— the work of our own Salvation LORD heal oâ—â— corrupt nature sweeten our humour and seasâ—â— our heart with Grace slay our corruptions anâ— give our heart a right set with Thy healing haâ—â— perfect our Faith and guide us by Thy Spirit Vphold us with Thy Arm Refine and â—â—our hearts and passions set a Watch at the dâ—â— of our lips be at our right hand we shal nevâ—â— be moved give us to set Thee alwayes before 〈◊〉 and while it s called the day that we harden 〈◊〉 our hearts but hear thy Word and Voice thâ—â— we may spend the rest of our dayes in Thy 〈◊〉 and sincere Obediâ—nce save us from sin and Satan the deceits of the World and all dangerâ— of Soul and Body LORD bless our Famiâ—â— with Grace Peace Comfort and Contentmenâ—â— Heal the Church rule the publick Governmeâ—â— of Chureh and State Bless the Parish withâ—â— Gospel Blessing strengthen our Pastor prepaâ—â— us for Death and Judgement guide us all our dayes by Thy Council in Thy fear grant us a blessed and happy End and hereafter receive us unto Thy Glory through JESVS CHRIST our LORD in whose Name and Words 〈◊〉 pray Our Father c. And in the evening again labour to Recollect
7. Fifthly How thou art Resolved to encountâ—â— the Trâ—als of this Period § 6. The longer man lives he is 〈◊〉 more subject to infirmities and becaâ—â—â— of our rudeness and many Indisposiâ—ioâ— we are subject to the Rod and Discipliâ—â— of the Holy JESUS Man in the beginniâ—â— of his Life is much inconcerned in 〈◊〉 Youth like a Bullock unacquainted wiâ—â— the Yoak and in his after life he haâ—â— need to be keept under by Fatherly Chastilement and so is subject to personal domestick and publick Tryals Bâ—â— he hath this for an Antidote that the Spirit of GOD in the Word representâ— these Tryals very favourably as instances of Fatherly Love and Mercy Heb 12. 6 Whom I love I chastice sayeth the LORD Kev 3. 19. And count it all Joâ— when ye fall into divers tempâ—ations sayeth St. James Jam 1. 2. It is the great Concern then of a Christian to hear the voice of the Rod To let patience have its perfect Work Jam 1. 4. To be of a contented â—ind to guard against Melancholyâ— Desâ—ondency to kiss the Rod to humble â—nder the Mighty Hand of GOD and to â—mprove the Rod as well as the Word â—or the purpoles of Religion 〈◊〉 But now in â—is declining Age he enters into broken â—aters and therefore should have a well â—uilt Ark and Cast his Anchor within â—he Vail Which in all the Tâ—ssings and Troubles of this Period remains sure and stedfast Heb 5. 4. He must arm with paâ—ience and have his Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph 6. 15. that so through Faith and patience he then may inherit the promises Heb 6. 12. Sixthly If all Delayes be defeated and thou be now intent on thy Work § 7. 'T is dangerous to delay till now yet the Nature of Man is prone to pro 〈…〉 and put off till to morrow but if thy Work be undone thâ—â— will be undone for ever There are many wants and defects indeed for which thou hast an All sufficient Help to recover thee yet must thou be dilligent in the â—use of the Means and GOD that prevents with free Grace can cure it to His Glory Seventhly What is thy Stock and Store in Grace and Vertue § 8. A Vertuous Man brings his Work to some fine and thou should have provision against evil dayes found well upon a Rock that will stand out the storm Labour to be Rich in Faith and good Works and to have fresh Oyl for thy Lamps and the Weddlng Garment neatly wrought Thy Heart and House in order that Tryals and Death do not surprise thee and the cry be at midnight Matth 25. 6. when thou art Sleeping and sudden destruction come when thou sayes Peace And after this serious Recollection thou must ponder aright Secondly What now remains to be done § 1. EVEN the Work that GOD hath given thee to do Look then to thy great bussiness Proficiency and wherein thou are short double thy diligence See that thou has First The methods of thy Life ordered unto Salvation 2ly Thy Progress and middle Work betwixt Youth and declining Age And then how you are prepared to enter the Vltima or the last things It is clear then thou should be now serious and seek first the Kingdom of GOD with all Seeking and persevering Constancy Be faithfull unto Death and the LORD will give thee the Crown of Life § 2. But particularly there are three things ought to be done 1 st That thy house and Affairs be in as good Order as possible 2ly that you may work out the work of your own salvation And 3ly that you Give all dilligence to make sure your Calling and Election § 3. First that thy house and affairs be in as good order as possible To manage thy Earthly concern with Discretion that thou may leave to thy Issue a good example and a 〈◊〉 the portion which GOD hath 〈◊〉 thee with a Blessing Least through thy Neglect thou render those behind thee destitute and despicable without a settled calling and course of vertue And if through incident accidents thou has been hurt in thy Estate GOD can make any remnant be like the Widows Cruse for thee and thine If thou improve dispensations to the best And to all that desire to thrive I cannot but Recommend a discreet Charity The merciful man disperseth and gives to the poor lends to GOD And his seed shall be well behind him as in Psal 37. and 112 But thy great work is 2ly to work out the work of thy own salvation Phil 2. 1. That thou put on the copstone as well as lay the foundation that thou perfect thy Faith and Repentance Charity and other Graces to have thy soul â—rim'd with the Wedding Garment and thy Lamps full of Oyle till the cry come Behold the Bride Groom cometh That thou fight that fight of Faith that so upon good Ground thou may expect the Crown of Righteousness that will be given all those who love Christs appearing 3ly That thou give all diligence to make thy Callling and Election sure which is not obtained by listening to humour and instinct but by that diligence that becomes a Christian in the exercise of faith And good works for it is not by the Revolving the leavs of destinie but by a diligent search of the Book of GOD and by a life suitable thereunto that thou canst secure thy peace and thy soul for there is no peace layeth my GOD to the wicked A Continuation of this STAGE From 50 to 70. and to the uttermost extent of Mans Life § 1. ALtho many fall ere they arrive to this stage of Life Yet since GOD hath given it and does give it to some to teach the length thou art seriously to consider thy Duty and how thou may improve it to the best which through Grace may be done If 1. thou labour to arrive at any pitch of Wisdom 2. If thou be well resolved to encounter and endure incident personal afflictions 3ly What account thou can give of thy self to GOD and Man 4. If through CHRIST helping thee thou labours to perfection 5. If thou be running thy Race in the good fight of Faith 6ly If thou be buâ—ie now in ripening thy self for Heaven 7ly If thou dayly prepare for Death and have thy Soul fixed upon wing to flee to yonder Regions where CHRIST is And last of all to consider the means and motives to advance these § 〈◊〉 First If now thou hast arrived â—o any pitch of Wisdom The Apostle James Gives a full direction as to this Who is a wise Man among you let him shew forth by a good Conversation with Meekness Wisdom For as the Fear of GOD is beginning of Wiâ—dom so it compleats Wisdom forseeth and is provident Fâ—â—rageth with vain confidence Wisdâ—â— makes thee a wise Virgine to provide 〈◊〉 in thy Lamps it directeth and clearâ— your affairs it puts thy house and Soul order and it keeps a clear account by good conscience since
Christ in thy armâ— but in thy heart The Prayer LORD Help thy servant and all such 〈◊〉 thou art pleased to bless with a long life 〈◊〉 attain unto that pitch of puritie and preparatiâ—â— as may make us ripe Fruit to GOD that 〈◊〉 may come to the Grave in Good old age aâ—â— Shock of Corn in full maturity give us by tâ—â— Grace under the Burden of old age that 〈◊〉 may be unburdened of the body of sin and deaâ—â— that after all the travels of our life We may râ—â— our Ark under the Pavilion of Thy Eternâ—â— Majesty Amen STAGE Second OF The Quatuor Norissima or feur Last things and how Man is to improve himself in the Consideration of thâ—se § 1. IT is a great Mercy while we last and enduâ—e that the last things be minded For the longest Day will come to an Even and these last things are so new that they never change except that the last Enemy Death will be destroâ—ed 1 Cor 15. 26. It suits well then with a Christian to be well setled as to these Tria sunt omnia said some of the Philosophers but four things are necessary sayeth the Scripture and it is the Vnum Nâ—â—ssarium The one thing needfull to know theâ—e practically for what more certain than Dâ—ath What moâ—e searching than Judgement Wâ—aâ— more dreadfull than Hell And what mâ—re comfortable than Heaven Take then a View of them for thy Christian prâ—fiâ— Of Death § 2. All the World spâ—ak of Death but I know not by what a pleasant yet aâ—e unhappy Charm few seriously lay it to heart Betwixt our Birth our Deaâ—â— there is but a thought or an instant it 〈◊〉 happy then to awake and go to the Houseâ— mourning and see the end of all things Ecc. 7. 〈◊〉 All things dye Empires and Kingdoâ— decay the four Monarchies are out of Dâ—â— The whole Creation groaneth Rom 8. 22. Tâ—â— Universe is but an Universal hospital 〈◊〉 Grave a common Mother where the greâ—â—est Potentats lay down their power aâ—â— crowns and all Mankind put of their glâ—ry for Dust we are and to Dust must we retâ—â—â— All have sinned all must dye ss 3. I shall only mention this commâ—â— Theme that it may be practically iâ—proved by a short discourse of Deaâ—â— anâ— a right preparation for it ss 4. First in discoursing of Deaâ—â— thou art to consider what it is 2ly 〈◊〉 it is 3ly How it is 4ly When it is 〈◊〉 Its sting and strength 6ly The victory â—ver ss 5. What it is Altho there be nothiâ—â— more obvious than Death yet would 〈◊〉 require one from the dead to inform tâ—â— World of it but Abel yâ—t speaketh aâ—â— CHRIST cryes by his Word and Spiriâ— that Death is the Term of thy Temporaâ— â—ife the dissolution of thy earthly Taâ—ernacle and a separation of the Soul â—om the Body It is a long sleep it makes strange Change upon Man it turns the 〈◊〉 House to Rubbish it sets thee off â—e Stage of time to the darker Regions â—f the dead it layeth strength Beauty â—ortune and all the commodities of life â—n the dust it destroyes Nature and thô its Conquest be but over Dust yet this King â—f Terrors Reigneth till the Resurrection § 6. 2ly Why it is All have sinned all â—ust die In the day thou eatest thereof thou shall â—urely die By one Man sin entered into the World and Death by sin The Vltimus Conatus and â—last effort of Death is to dissolve nature Soul and Bodie must sunder The Body sleep and be Refined in the Dust till the last Trump § 7. 3ly How it is The way and manner of Death is dark it comes either by nature or by accident It hovers over our heads like an Eagle in the Air It is like a ship in the Sea whose footsteps are not known It lurks as a Serpent under the Herb And the more hidden the more dangerous it kills us as a Basalisk when we see it not It kills many with pleasure as it hath been observed Plures pereunt Gâ—â— qvam Gladio It besets us before and behiâ—â— so that it is good to have our Witsâ— bout us § 8. 4ly When it is In the beginningâ— progress and end of our Race When 〈◊〉 ver thou begins to Live thou Dies anâ— thy Breath is within thy Nostirles And Death hath smitten the Cedar anâ— the Grass the Good and Bad the Ridâ— and Poor in divers manners and very unâ— expectedly to many it comes as a Thiâ—â— by Night and taketh our earthly house by surprize and although in geneâ—al thâ— Term of our Life be dâ—tâ—rmin'd by GOD Job 7. 1 Yet are there so many incident Tryals and exercises that Man being â—eft to the freedom of his own will by unluâ—kie adventures makes his own Diet of Dying tho so sore against his will when it comes so the wicked is said to die before their time and in the midst of their dayes § 9 5ly The strength and sting of Death Death hath a great strength for no man can see it and live and that which imbiâ—ters it is sin If thou therefore inortifie sin thou plays upon the hole of the Aâ—p and needs not feaâ— the Sting of the Sâ—â—pent It is only sin that makes Death dreadfull for it poisons its dart and makes it bitter to the Uâ—sanctified But CHRISTs Death sweetens all its Acerbities to the Godly and makes them say with Our Saviour The Cup that is given us of GOD shall we not Drink § 10. 6ly The victory over it There is no Cure of Death But in the Prince of Life if we â—ie with Him we shall Live with him We live in our Head and it is he that can say O Death Iâ—e be thy Death There is no Herb on Earth that can cure Death but there is a Tree of Life in Heaven and to such as apply this arigâ—t Death is but a passage to Life and because Christ Lives such shall Live also Secondly THE CONSIDERATION OF DEATH REDVCED TO PRACTICE § 11. It is Excelently well observed by Dr. Taylor that the Scripture acquaints us with one only Way to Die well which is to Live well Which generally holds of all them that have the Use of Reason and of the Means of Grace so that Instance of the Convert Theif doth rather extol the wonderful Love and Merit of our Dying Lord than give any exception against the general Rule For alâ—â—hough such as have lived bad lives may dye with a sort of Peace Yet tâ—â— is no peace sayeth my GOD to the wicked aâ—â— it is only the Upright and the Perfect Maâ— Whose latter end is Peace But This new Lifeâ— not to be measured by dayly Excursioâ— of Temptation but from an habituâ—â— Course of sincere Obedience Since righâ— preparation for death consists in a Holâ— Life and a dayly dying to sin and 〈◊〉 Life being but a Vapour as St. James sayeth It is sad to let it Evaporate in sin and follyâ— It is good then
to keep Memento mori in the Vade-mecum of our Mind that we may be ready to render up our Soul unto the Hands of a Faithful Creatour ss 12. 2ly Thou must be willing to die Death is indeed Irksome to Nature buâ— when thou considerest it as a passage to thy Fathers house it is pleasant thou must be so willing as to submit to GOD and resign thy Life to His Will for GODS Will is still Good and gâ—ided with excellent â—udgment whether thou Nill or Will thy times are in His band Consult not therefore Flesh and Blood but Faith and chearfully drink of that Cup that all before us have tasted which is sweetened by the death of Christ and better to die willingly than to live in â—pposition to GODS Will say therefore with old Eli the Will of the LORD be done And if it be well principled thy willingness will come up the leâ—gth of a desire to die not of a pievish discontent with Joâ—â—h But with an Apostollick and Heavenly Spirit to desire to depart and be with Christ which is best of all Let not therefore the dreadour of death hinder thy desire since GOD is with thee to give thee a safe passage Death simply cannot case thee but it is dying in the LORD that makes thee Blesseâ— It is gooâ— then to have a well dected Mind and Soul For there are such attractives in the Recompence of Reward the Crown of Righteousness and of being ever with thâ— LORD As may make thee desire to be uncloathed that mortality may be swallowed up in Life 2 Cor 5. 4. I â—issintangle therefore thy self of Worldly Letts that thy Soul may as naturally tend to Heaven as the sparks flee upward ss 13. 3 lâ— Mâ—ke Death familiar to thee for many put off the Evil Day and leave the thoughts of Death to â—ick and Dying Persons but thou should be more prudent walk every day as it were thy Last Day and frequent thoughts of it will make it to be no strange nor sad thing to die Frâ—quent use makes the habit Easie and 〈◊〉 well prepared Christian will say my heâ—â— s fixed § 14 4ly If any doubts fears arise whiâ—â— may be incident to Christians when â—heâ— come seriously to look upon Eternity 〈◊〉 dark passage of death leading thereuntâ— thy death can make thee dâ—ubt of nothinâ— but what state it will put thee into but Givâ— no place to doubt since it is certain 〈◊〉 thou Relie on Christ thou art securâ— Thou must not consult the disorders 〈◊〉 thy life but the well ordered covenanâ— Are thy sins many GOD hath a multitude of mercies are they great he caâ—â— pardon them because they are great hast thou Backslidings He can heaâ— thy Backsliding Hast thou dâ—fficulties Light can clear thee art thou tempted He can Succour thee Art thou dijected He can comfort thee So whatever by thy case if thou come to Him upon the terms of the Gospel thou mayest be Satisfied in his love Iâ— death be the King of terrors CHRIST is the King of comforts Thou needs not fear in fâ—tifaucibus in the jaws of Death If 〈◊〉 be iâ— Gremio Dei in the Bâ—some of GOD let the dart of Death â—trick the shield of Faâ—th will resist its force All Mortals before you have suffered â—eath even Children and the Weaker Sex and it is a sillie thing to dread that which is conquered can do nothing to a Christian but loose him from Bondage There is nothing dreadfull in Deaâ—h but to fall into the hands of an Angry GOD and if your pasillanimous Mind makes thee flee Death it follows thee Get thy Heart and conscience in a right frame then and then thou has nothing to do but to ly dâ—wn and slâ—ep â—et thy faith and hope on work and By a heavenly Spirit lahour with Samson to destroy GODS Enemies Colect thy powers to render up thy Soul with comfort and that same GOD who has made Martyres Rejoice in their tortoures may make thâ—e sing as a Swan in death and Triumph with St. Paul O Death where is thy Sting 1 Cor. 15. 55. § 15 6ly To pray for a happy death Labour to die well and iâ— it be the LORD's will deprecate any thing extraordinary in thy Death except an extraordinary Repentance and a heavenly frame of Spirit Thou shouldest submit to the time and mannâ—r of thy Death but with all beg a comfortable demission to depart in peace and since there are thousand accidents incident to thy lifâ— and many have been taken off the Stagâ— by surprize and in the act of sin thoâ— art to pray for a happie Death and composed mind in dying and think it nâ— unsuitable to Deprecate a sudden Death takâ— Sanctuary in GOD that in the uncertanties of this World thou mayest be secure Labour to Kill this Pasisisk with the Eyâ— of Faith Dayly die to sin and cleay to Christ pay the debt of nature with pleasure Lay down thy Body to a Grave perfumed with CHRIST's Burial and commit thy soul to a faithful Creatour and Blessed Redeemer Prayer in order to Death O LORD Gâ—D of Life and Death Thoâ— only hast the empire over Death O Prince of Life who was once dead and art now alive Give me to live for Thee and in Thee and I shall not die but sleep Thy Love caâ— keep my Soul warm in the dark Valley of Death save me from the bondage of the fear of Death and the sting of it and then I may harmlesly like a Child play on the hole of the Asp Fill me with Light and Spiritual Life and deliver me from â—â—y thing that may make Death irksom that I may lay up store in my best circumstances against the power of it Save me from procuring my Death by the ill Government of my Life save me from all Misdemeanour that may procure a violent Death Deliver me from sudden Death if it be Thy Holy Will and let me not he surprized by my last Enemy Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit perfect Thy Grace in me that I may attain to the end of the Vpright and perfect Man to die in Peace Amen The Second last Thing JUDGEMEMT § 1. AFter Death the Judgement The belief of a Judgement is an Article of our â—reed and a great principle of our Religion Death and Judgement are both decreed Heathens have believed it and Nill they Will they Conscience asserts it and the worst of Men in Crosses and about their dying have had apprehensions of Judgement and such as have stiffled convictions have now within them fatal and fearful Convulsions for as GOD is so is He just and will bring all things to Judgement and tho Sentence be not prâ—sently execute here Yet there remains 〈◊〉 Judgement Concerning which letâ— it 〈◊〉 first enquired as to the Truth of it 〈◊〉 The time of its Commencement 3ly The Judge 4ly the Process And 5ly Thâ— Sentence § 2. First That there is a Judgement to come
a Requiem while perhaps immediatly their Soul may be taken from them Some put off the day of Death and many run to another extream and hasten their Death by sensuality and look upon it as fatality and so grow careless Some are so swelled with the World that they can not here mementâ— fili but the old World Sodom Belshazer the Rich Glutton Herâ—â— Annanias and Saphira and others are Beacoâ— to thee to guard against precipices aâ—â— learn thee to be considerate practically tâ— think upon thy latter End And yet further this practical knowledgâ— of Death is very useful to advance practical Religion 1 st Guarding against security and surprise 2ly Stirring up men to plie their work in time well 3ly To dissarm of its Sting and dreadour 4ly To prepare us for our decease Fitst This practical knowledge of Death saves us from the greatest of evils and that is security and surprise in a matter of such a consequence as passing to our final Doom Security is the great Temptation And it produceth most dierful effects as the Old World and Wordly men set forth by Christ in the case of Dives doth declare It layes the hold open to the enemy and takes the man off the Stage of time ere he hath done any good in it Sudden destruction follows such as cry Peace It hath made tall Cedars fall But to be awake and to be armed let 〈◊〉 not fix our Repose upon Earth wheâ— it cannot be had for the Voice 〈◊〉 GOD sayeth Arise this is not thy Râ—â— And to be thus prepared delivers us froâ— the dreadour of Death For how dreadful is Death to the Man at ease said thâ— son of Sirah 2ly The practical knowledge of Death cannot but make any Serious Man to plye his Work in time it will not suffer him to delay and put off Our Life is but a Vapour and very uncertain and therefore we should do our Work now or never we should neither boast of to morrow nor putt of till to morrow but do the Work of the Day Accidents and Incident troubles and diseases may soon lay us by by the blast of the Wrath of GOD For all men are but Grass c. Isa 40. 6. 3ly To dissarm Death of its sting and dreadour the most of men live under the bondage of the fear of Death the most of their time And certainly to have the practical knowledge of it would make the consideration of Death to be easie and familiar to us When we can say with Job I know that thou will bring me to death And Death gathers a great and venomous sting if we labour not to reâ— move sin and interest our selves in the Death of Christ and then we may triumph with St. Paul O death where is thy â—ting 4ly This practical Knowledge serves to prepare us for our death and to make us ready to render up our Soul that we may expire in the Arms of Christ and with old Simeon have Christ in our Arms and therefore desire to depart in Peace And this practical Knowledge serves much to make us lead a good Life which is the only way to a happy Death Let this then learn all Christians especially Gospel Ministers to study this practical Knowledge of Death App which made St. Chrysostome say Offeramus DEO voluntarie quod â—ro debito debemur reddere give that freely to GOD which we owe in Debt to Him Ministers of the Gospel should be mortified their Life should preach Mortification they have a great account to make at Death and therefore by their Well doing should undo it There are no men who have more need of Wisdom than they and it is the greatest Wisdom to consider our Latter End 2ly The favourable Representations the Apostle here gives of Death a puttiâ—â— off or laying down this Tabernacle Where observe That Death is not dreadful to the Godly Natuâ—â— Doct 2d may shrink but Faith prevaâ—â—â— Death is but a long sleep the Grave a doâ—â— mitory it is but a taking up of our Tent and a passing to our Fathers House leaveing our Pilgrimage to possess our Inheritance Death is very kindly to a well resolved Christian it puts our Body in a Chamber gives us a Covert from the storm Isa 26. 20. In which state of Separation we have no more sense to feel than the Dust we ly amongst the irksomeness is only in our Apprehension It is the common fate of all Mortals We cannot tell how we did grow in the Womb much less how we shall rot in the Grave The Body was an Instrument of sin it must be corrupted and in a manner refined in the Grave to rise incorruptible at the Resurrection Let us then pay the debt of nature freely willingly and with a sort of Holy Faith concur with GOD and lay down our Tabernacle with Joy and render up our Soul with Delight that having our Work done and our Loiâ—s girt up we may moâ—nt Nebo with Moses and flee to Heaven with Elijah 3dly Come I now to consider how the Lord did show this Apostle of his Death Some makes this refer to the time of his Death some to the manner of it as John 21. 16. Thou shalt follow me hereafter c. saith Christ to him I shall not be very positive in determining providing that this one general be observed that the Term of our Life is uncertain we know we must die but when how or where is only known to God there is no Oracle but that of God which can clear us and Horoscops as they are too daring in medling with the secret things of God as they are dangerous so are they frequently â—aâ—al and leaves the Curious Enquirer as Wise as he was Yet it may be observed That some Favorites have much more of Doct. 3d. GODS Mind in this matter than the generality of Men. We find Moses and Aâ—râ—n and the famous 〈…〉 theâ—â— Pass from their Master and did ly down and die and the Sons of the Prophets knew and said to Elisha Knowest thou not that God will take away thy Master this day And God doth wonderfully insinâ—ate his Will in this by Dreams and Visions in thâ— Night O then labour to do thy work and then thou has no more adoe but to die Die daily and this will fit thee for thy daâ—â— and since thou knows not the hour watâ—â— till thou get thy dying Call Sermon V. Of the Endeavours Faithful Ministers have to make their Labours useful to People after their Decease and to fix such Monuments as may serve after Generationsâ— Ver. 15. Moreover c. O Fall the Offices and Works in the World the Work of the Ministry is most for Eternity it 's all Divine it came from Heaven and tends thither so that a Gospel Minister according to his Measure may say with St. Paul I received it not from Man It 's the Eternal Word which they Preach the Sonls to whom they Preach are Immortal and the Result of