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i_o shall_v spend_v some_o time_n in_o answer_n first_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o when_o a_o man_n desire_n of_o death_n be_v sinful_a and_o second_o when_o they_o be_v holy_a and_o good_a 1._o first_o of_o all_o desire_v of_o death_n be_v sinful_a when_o a_o man_n shall_v act_v any_o thing_n against_o his_o own_o life_n i_o say_v when_o a_o creature_n shall_v act_v any_o thing_n against_o his_o own_o life_n when_o a_o man_n or_o woman_n shall_v do_v any_o thing_n that_o shall_v shorten_v their_o own_o day_n or_o when_o they_o shall_v refuse_v the_o
sinfulness_n of_o it_o when_o a_o man_n desire_v to_o die_v only_o upon_o these_o ground_n to_o be_v rid_v of_o trouble_n and_o affliction_n 1._o first_o he_o do_v charge_n god_n foolish_o it_o be_v say_v of_o job_n in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n in_o all_o this_o he_o sin_v not_o nor_o charge_v god_n foolish_o but_o afterward_o job_n do_v charge_n god_n when_o he_o come_v to_o consider_v the_o day_n of_o his_o birth_n he_o speak_v against_o his_o own_o life_n wherefore_o be_v light_n give_v to_o he_o that_o be_v in_o misery_n and_o life_n give_v to_o the_o bitter_a in_o soul_n there_o job_n do_v charge_n god_n foolish_o as_o if_o god_n be_v not_o wise_a enough_o to_o measure_v out_o thy_o portion_n o_o thou_o will_v die_v that_o thou_o may_v be_v ease_v of_o such_o and_o such_o a_o affliction_n thou_o charge_v god_n with_o want_n of_o faithfulness_n want_v of_o wisdom_n want_v of_o love_n see_v what_o absalon_n say_v when_o he_o flatter_v with_o the_o people_n o_o that_o i_o be_v judge_n say_v he_o i_o will_v hear_v every_o man_n cause_n and_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o and_o so_o i_o will_v rule_v better_o than_o my_o father_n david_n he_o charge_v his_o government_n with_o folly_n i_o will_v do_v justice_n better_o than_o he_o and_o true_o so_o thou_o say_v o_o that_o i_o be_v in_o god_n place_n o_o that_o i_o sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n i_o will_v dispose_v better_o of_o my_o own_o condition_n i_o will_v dispose_v of_o it_o with_o more_o wisdom_n and_o more_o love_n and_o more_o compassion_n what_o a_o high_a charge_n be_v this_o to_o lay_v upon_o god_n o_o have_v a_o care_n thou_o do_v not_o charge_n god_n thou_o say_v wherefore_o be_v life_n give_v to_o thou_o in_o such_o a_o affliction_n thou_o charge_v god_n foolish_o do_v thou_o not_o know_v why_o god_n know_v it_o may_v be_v that_o the_o life_n of_o nature_n be_v continue_v that_o so_o he_o may_v increase_v the_o life_n of_o grace_n in_o thou_o or_o that_o he_o may_v kill_v the_o life_n of_o sin_n in_o thou_o or_o that_o he_o may_v give_v thou_o more_o of_o himself_o that_o thou_o may_v have_v more_o experience_n of_o his_o love_n and_o goodness_n or_o that_o thou_o may_v be_v a_o pattern_n to_o other_o a_o pattern_n of_o his_o patience_n of_o his_o power_n and_o goodness_n and_o therefore_o be_v life_n give_v thou_o 2._o second_o nay_o further_o when_o thou_o speak_v against_o thy_o own_o life_n and_o desire_v to_o die_v thou_o do_v limit_v the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n and_o commit_v that_o sin_n which_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n do_v they_o tempt_v god_n and_o limit_v the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n when_o thou_o say_v o_o that_o god_n will_v take_v away_o thy_o life_n that_o thy_o affliction_n may_v may_v be_v take_v away_o why_o can_v god_n take_v away_o thy_o affliction_n and_o not_o take_v away_o thy_o life_n have_v god_n no_o other_o way_n he_o can_v make_v a_o hundred_o door_n and_o find_v out_o a_o thousand_o way_n must_v he_o needs_o open_a that_o door_n the_o strait_a door_n of_o death_n or_o else_o he_o can_v open_v a_o door_n of_o deliverance_n for_o thou_o why_o do_v thou_o limit_v and_o tempt_v the_o holy_a one_o of_o israel_n if_o thou_o desire_v death_n because_o thou_o will_v be_v deliver_v thy_o desire_n be_v sinful_a o_o desire_v rather_o that_o the_o lord_n will_v be_v with_o thou_o in_o thy_o affliction_n and_o make_v thou_o a_o conqueror_n over_o thy_o affliction_n that_o thou_o may_v get_v above_o thy_o affliction_n to_o glorify_v god_n in_o the_o fire_n that_o be_v a_o four_o but_o 5._o five_o thy_o desire_n of_o death_n be_v sinful_a when_o as_o thy_o desire_n be_v unlimited_a when_o they_o be_v not_o subject_v to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n when_o they_o be_v absolute_a when_o a_o man_n will_v have_v no_o denial_n whether_o god_n see_v it_o good_a or_o no_o whether_o the_o lord_n time_n be_v come_v or_o no_o thou_o say_v it_o be_v gain_v shall_v i_o not_o desire_v gain_n no_o thou_o may_v not_o desire_v gain_n with_o a_o immoderate_a desire_n the_o apostle_n james_n reprove_v those_o that_o say_v we_o will_v go_v and_o buy_v and_o sell_v and_o get_v gain_v no_o but_o say_v he_o stay_v and_o ask_v god_n leave_v if_o god_n will_v we_o will_v do_v so_o and_o so_o etc._n etc._n when_o you_o will_v go_v to_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n for_o gain_v in_o that_o city_n say_v not_o we_o will_v go_v we_o will_v go_v no_o say_v if_o god_n will_v let_v i_o go_v god_n will_v have_v thou_o to_o finish_v thy_o course_n there_o be_v many_o that_o will_v go_v though_o the_o lord_n have_v no_o need_n of_o they_o these_o unlimited_a desire_n of_o death_n be_v unlawful_a desire_n quest_n but_o you_o will_v say_v when_o be_v desire_n of_o death_n lawful_a i_o shall_v desire_v to_o speak_v a_o few_o word_n to_o that_o brief_o answ_n first_o of_o all_o when_o a_o man_n do_v not_o desire_v death_n for_o death_n but_o death_n for_o life_n there_o be_v many_o poor_a creature_n be_v desirous_a to_o die_v but_o 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god_n that_o corruption_n may_v be_v full_o mortify_v that_o there_o may_v be_v nothing_o leave_v in_o the_o soul_n to_o provoke_v the_o lord_n any_o long_o that_o may_v displease_v the_o eye_n of_o his_o glory_n that_o it_o may_v be_v holy_a in_o all_o thing_n make_v like_o unto_o christ_n even_o without_o sin_n a_o gracious_a heart_n say_v and_o believe_v because_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v it_o that_o death_n shall_v be_v the_o death_n of_o sin_n as_o well_o as_o the_o death_n of_o the_o body_n sin_n bring_v death_n into_o the_o world_n and_o death_n shall_v carry_v sin_n quite_o away_o that_o at_o death_n it_o shall_v be_v abolish_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o sense_n of_o sin_n no_o sense_n of_o lust_n to_o desire_v death_n for_o this_o end_n that_o the_o creature_n may_v sin_v no_o more_o that_o god_n may_v be_v displease_v no_o more_o and_o grieve_v no_o more_o this_o be_v a_o lawful_a desire_n 3._o three_o when_o a_o man_n desire_v death_n that_o he_o may_v enjoy_v communion_n with_o christ_n this_o be_v lawful_a to_o enjoy_v full_a communion_n with_o christ_n that_o be_v the_o apostle_n desire_v phil._n 1._o 23._o have_v a_o desire_n to_o depart_v and_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o be_v far_o better_a wherefore_o do_v he_o desire_v to_o be_v dissolve_v he_o tell_v you_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n to_o see_v the_o face_n of_o christ_n to_o enjoy_v the_o presence_n of_o christ_n that_o he_o may_v be_v fill_v with_o the_o love_n of_o christ_n and_o behold_v the_o glory_n of_o christ_n and_o may_v be_v for_o ever_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n and_o never_o look_v off_o his_o face_n but_o to_o enjoy_v full_a and_o perfect_a communion_n with_o christ_n to_o desire_v death_n for_o these_o end_n be_v lawful_a 4._o again_o four_o when_o a_o man_n desire_v death_n that_o he_o may_v lift_v up_o the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n that_o he_o may_v do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n perfect_o as_o it_o be_v do_v in_o heaven_n by_o the_o saint_n and_o angel_n o_o here_o he_o come_v short_a in_o all_o the_o work_n and_o service_n he_o desire_v to_o do_v he_o can_v do_v the_o thousand_o part_n of_o that_o which_o he_o desire_v to_o do_v and_o therefore_o desire_v death_n that_o he_o may_v lift_v up_o the_o name_n of_o god_n full_o in_o heaven_n that_o he_o may_v there_o be_v swallow_v up_o in_o the_o present_a enjoyment_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n that_o he_o may_v be_v infinite_o enlarge_v to_o sing_v hallelujah_n unto_o god_n to_o all_o eternity_n thus_o to_o desire_v death_n be_v lawful_a but_o 5._o five_o
he_o i_o shall_v be_v no_o loser_n death_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o loss_n therefore_o as_o paul_n shall_v have_v say_v for_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n or_o to_o die_v be_v christ_n but_o he_o rather_o say_v it_o be_v gain_n it_o be_v christ_n that_o make_v it_o gain_v to_o he_o or_o else_o it_o be_v a_o loss_n to_o i_o but_o christ_n who_o be_v my_o life_n shall_v make_v death_n gain_v so_o take_v no_o thought_n of_o i_o say_v he_o whatsoever_o befall_v i_o i_o shall_v do_v well_o if_o i_o live_v or_o if_o i_o die_v and_o because_o you_o be_v more_o solicitous_a concern_v my_o death_n say_v he_o know_v that_o death_n be_v my_o gain_n if_o i_o lose_v my_o friend_n and_o my_o comfort_n if_o i_o lose_v life_n itself_o it_o shall_v be_v no_o loss_n it_o shall_v not_o undo_v i_o for_o i_o shall_v find_v all_o in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o so_o death_n shall_v be_v my_o gain_n doct._n christ_n be_v the_o believer_n life_n that_o be_v the_o proposition_n that_o lie_v before_o we_o for_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n or_o christ_n be_v my_o life_n it_o be_v all_o one_o christ_n be_v the_o life_n of_o every_o believe_a soul_n by_o life_n sometime_o it_o be_v understand_v whatsoever_o be_v excellent_a whatsoever_o be_v excellent_a in_o its_o kind_n it_o be_v set_v forth_o by_o life_n because_o life_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a thing_n in_o nature_n skin_n for_o skin_n and_o all_o that_o a_o man_n have_v will_v he_o give_v for_o his_o life_n and_o therefore_o the_o bread_n which_o christ_n give_v be_v call_v live_v bread_n bread_n of_o life_n and_o so_o water_n of_o life_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o spiritual_a thing_n that_o the_o lord_n give_v out_o to_o his_o people_n and_o true_o christ_n be_v instead_o of_o all_o excellency_n to_o a_o believe_a soul_n he_o be_v the_o life_n of_o all_o their_o comfort_n the_o comfort_n of_o the_o world_n be_v dead_a until_o such_o time_n as_o christ_n shine_v in_o they_o there_o be_v no_o life_n until_o such_o time_n as_o 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shall_v reign_v in_o life_n by_o one_o jesus_n christ_n righteousness_n reign_v in_o a_o believe_a soul_n by_o jesus_n christ_n it_o have_v the_o pre-eminence_n of_o all_o all_o be_v dross_n and_o dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o this_o righteousness_n of_o jesus_n christ_n it_o reign_v glorious_o in_o a_o believe_a soul_n it_o be_v christ_n that_o procure_v this_o righteousness_n and_o it_o be_v christ_n that_o apply_v this_o righteousness_n by_o his_o spirit_n i_o say_v the_o application_n of_o this_o life_n of_o righteousness_n be_v from_o christ_n it_o be_v he_o that_o reveal_v this_o righteousness_n it_o be_v he_o that_o discover_v it_o to_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v christ_n by_o his_o eternal_a spirit_n that_o cause_v the_o soul_n to_o know_v this_o life_n and_o righteousness_n which_o be_v give_v to_o it_o now_o as_o christ_n do_v discover_v this_o righteousness_n so_o he_o cause_v the_o soul_n to_o close_v with_o this_o righteousness_n it_o be_v he_o by_o his_o spirit_n that_o overcome_v the_o heart_n to_o rest_v upon_o this_o righteousness_n and_o to_o look_v upon_o this_o righteousness_n as_o its_o life_n for_o there_o be_v a_o principle_n in_o the_o creature_n to_o seek_v after_o life_n in_o itself_o man_n will_v seek_v righteousness_n in_o himself_o and_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o bring_v the_o soul_n off_o of_o this_o rot_a sandy_a foundation_n christ_n only_o by_o his_o eternal_a spirit_n when_o he_o have_v reveal_v this_o righteousness_n persuade_v the_o soul_n to_o rest_v upon_o it_o and_o to_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o its_o life_n 2._o second_o again_o as_o the_o life_n of_o righteousness_n be_v from_o christ_n so_o the_o life_n of_o holiness_n be_v from_o christ_n all_o those_o gracious_a disposition_n and_o all_o those_o holy_a act_n that_o do_v at_o any_o time_n shine_v forth_o in_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n of_o god_n people_n they_o have_v no_o other_o foundation_n but_o christ_n the_o holiness_n of_o christ_n from_o his_o fullness_n have_v all_o we_o receive_v grace_n for_o grace_n if_o there_o be_v the_o life_n of_o any_o grace_n in_o the_o soul_n it_o be_v from_o jesus_n christ_n from_o the_o fullness_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o man_n live_v the_o life_n of_o holiness_n till_o christ_n become_v a_o principle_n of_o life_n to_o he_o there_o be_v no_o breathe_n in_o the_o heart_n after_o christ_n there_o be_v no_o holy_a motion_n in_o pursuit_n after_o christ_n till_o christ_n first_o breath_n upon_o the_o soul_n the_o hour_n be_v come_v and_o now_o be_v that_o they_o that_o be_v in_o their_o grave_n shall_v hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o they_o that_o hear_v it_o shall_v live_v there_o be_v no_o man_n live_v the_o life_n of_o holiness_n until_o such_o time_n as_o he_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n there_o may_v be_v carcase_n of_o grace_n outside_n of_o grace_n and_o there_o may_v be_v carcase_n of_o duty_n and_o performance_n but_o no_o live_a grace_n there_o be_v 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that_o christ_n give_v they_o be_v live_v comfort_n my_o peace_n i_o give_v unto_o you_o not_o as_o the_o world_n give_v give_v i_o unto_o you_o for_o no_o man_n shall_v take_v away_o your_o peace_n the_o world_n shall_v not_o take_v it_o away_o my_o spirit_n shall_v be_v a_o everlasting_a live_a principle_n of_o consolation_n in_o you_o which_o shall_v not_o be_v take_v away_o christ_n be_v the_o life_n of_o all_o a_o christian_n comfort_n he_o be_v the_o life_n of_o friend_n the_o life_n of_o all_o refreshment_n that_o a_o christian_n have_v and_o they_o be_v all_o dead_a to_o he_o when_o christ_n do_v not_o shine_v through_o they_o he_o be_v the_o life_n of_o comfort_n and_o the_o life_n of_o ordinance_n there_o be_v no_o life_n there_o be_v no_o refreshment_n if_o christ_n be_v not_o in_o they_o if_o the_o soul_n meet_v not_o with_o christ_n in_o ordinance_n they_o be_v but_o dead_a ordinance_n true_o christ_n be_v the_o life_n of_o all_o he_o be_v also_o 4._o four_o the_o life_n 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and_o last_o to_o say_v no_o more_o this_o desire_n of_o death_n must_v be_v with_o a_o indifferency_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n though_o it_o be_v for_o never_o such_o good_a end_n though_o a_o man_n desire_v death_n for_o life_n sake_n though_o he_o desire_v death_n that_o he_o may_v sin_v no_o more_o that_o he_o may_v be_v with_o christ_n that_o he_o may_v lift_v up_o the_o name_n of_o god_n full_o in_o heaven_n yet_o if_o it_o be_v not_o with_o a_o indifferency_n to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n it_o be_v not_o a_o holy_a and_o lawful_a desire_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o text_n refer_v himself_o to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n i_o be_o in_o a_o strait_a i_o know_v not_o what_o to_o do_v it_o be_v best_o for_o i_o to_o die_v i_o be_o in_o a_o strait_a i_o will_v not_o determine_v though_o i_o shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o my_o gain_n and_o be_v a_o loserby_o it_o yet_o it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n if_o god_n may_v gain_v any_o thing_n by_o my_o life_n if_o his_o 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shall_v not_o be_v gain_n to_o die_v if_o the_o soul_n cease_v to_o be_v when_o separate_v from_o the_o body_n it_o shall_v not_o be_v gain_n to_o die_v i_o may_v bring_v many_o place_n to_o confute_v this_o what_o think_v you_o of_o that_o in_o luk._n 23._o 43._o where_o christ_n say_v unto_o the_o good_a thief_n this_o day_n shall_v thou_o be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n sure_o christ_n speak_v not_o of_o the_o body_n it_o can_v not_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o grave_a that_o his_o body_n shall_v rest_v in_o for_o to_o be_v with_o christ_n in_o paradise_n imply_v more_o paradise_n be_v a_o place_n of_o pleasure_n it_o be_v a_o place_n in_o which_o adam_n do_v enjoy_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n therefore_o certain_o the_o soul_n have_v existence_n when_o separate_v from_o the_o body_n the_o soul_n of_o the_o righteous_a be_v where_o they_o do_v enjoy_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n again_o that_o in_o rev._n 6._o 9_o 10._o where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o they_o that_o be_v under_o the_o 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the_o lord_n with_o they_o who_o have_v more_o right_a to_o they_o than_o you_o and_o have_v more_o bowel_n towards_o they_o and_o more_o power_n to_o do_v they_o good_a infinite_o more_o than_o you_o why_o you_o be_v willing_a to_o part_v with_o your_o friend_n for_o their_o safety_n if_o danger_n be_v come_v you_o be_v content_a that_o your_o friend_n shall_v be_v hide_v in_o place_n of_o safety_n and_o shall_v you_o mourn_v if_o the_o lord_n shall_v take_v your_o friend_n to_o hide_v they_o for_o if_o god_n do_v take_v away_o the_o righteous_a it_o be_v but_o to_o hide_v they_o he_o will_v hide_v they_o from_o the_o evil_n to_o come_v he_o will_v take_v they_o and_o hold_v they_o in_o the_o grave_a that_o they_o shall_v not_o see_v the_o evil_a that_o be_v come_v he_o will_v hide_v they_o till_o all_o calamity_n be_v past_a and_o go_v and_o they_o shall_v then_o come_v again_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o resurrection_n if_o you_o love_v i_o say_v christ_n you_o will_v rejoice_v 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you_o can_v withstand_v the_o stroke_n of_o death_n you_o have_v need_n make_v haste_n in_o this_o work_n i_o say_v you_o can_v outstand_v the_o stroke_n of_o death_n when_o it_o come_v the_o stroke_n be_v unavoidable_a poor_a man_n he_o be_v crush_v before_o the_o very_a moth_n there_o be_v a_o decree_n and_o a_o appointment_n of_o god_n concern_v it_o and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v withstand_v o_o how_o little_a do_v man_n exercise_v themselves_o in_o the_o thought_n of_o this_o that_o man_n do_v not_o only_o die_v because_o he_o be_v make_v of_o dust_n and_o so_o must_v return_v to_o dust_n all_o creature_n must_v be_v dissolve_v into_o their_o principle_n but_o he_o die_v by_o his_o statute_n law_n he_o die_v by_o the_o decree_n and_o appointment_n of_o god_n which_o be_v inflict_v by_o way_n of_o punishment_n and_o this_o still_o make_v it_o more_o certain_a in_o the_o day_n thou_o eat_v thereof_o thou_o shall_v die_v the_o death_n which_o be_v appoint_v for_o all_o man_n 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