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their_o vein_n or_o bring_v rottenness_n into_o their_o bone_n or_o engage_v they_o in_o some_o fatal_a quarrel_n or_o ruin_v their_o estate_n and_o send_v they_o to_o seek_v their_o fortune_n upon_o the_o road_n which_o common_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o gallow_n what_o a_o fatal_a cheat_n be_v this_o which_o man_n put_v upon_o themselves_o especial_o when_o they_o sin_n in_o hope_n of_o time_n to_o repent_v and_o commit_v such_o sin_n as_o will_v give_v they_o no_o time_n to_o repent_v in_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o psalmist_n be_v much_o better_o what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o desire_v life_n and_o love_v many_o day_n that_o he_o may_v see_v good_a keep_v thy_o tongue_n from_o evil_n and_o thy_o lip_n from_o speak_a guile_n depart_v from_o evil_n and_o do_v good_a seek_v peace_n and_o pursue_v it_o these_o be_v natural_a and_o moral_a cause_n of_o a_o long_a life_n but_o that_o be_v not_o all_o for_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v upon_o the_o righteous_a and_o his_o ear_n be_v 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god_n appointment_n who_o be_v therefore_o say_v to_o deliver_v the_o man_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o neighbour_n who_o be_v kill_v by_o any_o evil_a accident_n 19_o deut._n 4_o 5._o those_o waste_a judgement_n of_o plague_n and_o pestilence_n famine_n and_o sword_n be_v appoint_v by_o god_n and_o have_v their_o particular_a commission_n where_o to_o strike_v as_o we_o may_v see_v 26_o leu._n 47._o jer._n 6._o 7._o 65_o isai._n 12._o 15_o jerem._n 2._o 91_o psal._n and_o several_a other_o place_n all_o the_o rage_n and_o fury_n of_o man_n can_v take_v away_o our_o life_n but_o by_o god_n particular_a permission_n 10_o matth._n 28_o 29_o 30_o 31._o and_o this_o lay_v as_o great_a a_o obligation_n on_o we_o as_o the_o love_n of_o life_n can_v which_o be_v the_o dear_a thing_n in_o this_o world_n to_o serve_v and_o please_v god_n this_o will_v make_v we_o secure_v from_o all_o fear_n and_o danger_n my_o time_n say_v david_n be_v in_o thy_o hand_n deliver_v i_o from_o the_o hand_n of_o my_o enemy_n and_o from_o they_o that_o persecute_v i_o 31_o psal._n 15._o this_o encourage_v we_o to_o pray_v to_o god_n for_o ourselves_o or_o our_o friend_n whatever_o danger_n our_o life_n be_v in_o either_o from_o sickness_n or_o from_o man_n there_o be_v no_o case_n wherein_o he_o can_v help_v we_o when_o he_o see_v fit_a he_o can_v rectify_v the_o disorder_n of_o nature_n and_o correct_v a_o ill_a habit_n of_o body_n and_o rebuke_v the_o most_o rage_a distemper_n which_o mock_v at_o all_o the_o art_n of_o physic_n and_o power_n of_o drug_n and_o many_o time_n do_v so_o by_o insensible_a method_n to_o conclude_v this_o be_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n to_o good_a man_n that_o our_o life_n be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n that_o though_o there_o be_v not_o such_o a_o fix_a and_o immovable_a period_n set_v to_o they_o yet_o death_n can_v come_v but_o by_o god_n appointment_n sect_n vi_o the_o particular_a time_n when_o we_o be_v to_o die_n be_v unknown_a and_o uncertain_a to_o we_o iii_o the_o particular_a time_n when_o any_o of_o we_o be_v to_o die_v be_v unknown_a and_o uncertain_a to_o we_o and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o we_o proper_o call_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o our_o life_n that_o we_o know_v not_o when_o we_o shall_v die_v whether_o this_o night_n or_o to_o morrow_n or_o twenty_o year_n hence_o there_o be_v no_o need_n to_o prove_v this_o but_o only_o to_o mind_v you_o of_o it_o and_o to_o acquaint_v you_o what_o wise_a use_v you_o be_v to_o make_v of_o it_o 1._o this_o show_v how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v to_o flatter_v ourselves_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o long_a life_n i_o mean_v of_o prolong_v our_o life_n near_o the_o utmost_a term_n and_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n which_o though_o it_o be_v but_o short_a in_o itself_o be_v yet_o the_o long_a that_o any_o man_n can_v hope_v to_o live_v no_o wise_a man_n will_v promise_v himself_o that_o which_o he_o can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o expect_v but_o what_o have_v very_o often_o fail_v other_o for_o let_v we_o serious_o consider_v what_o reason_n any_o of_o we_o have_v to_o expect_v a_o long_a life_n be_v it_o because_o we_o be_v young_a and_o healthful_a and_o vigorous_a and_o do_v we_o not_o daily_o see_v young_a man_n die_v can_v youth_n or_o beauty_n or_o strength_n secure_v we_o from_o the_o arrest_n of_o death_n be_v it_o because_o we_o see_v some_o man_n live_v to_o a_o great_a age_n but_o this_o be_v no_o security_n to_o those_o who_o die_v young_a and_o leave_v a_o great_a many_o man_n behind_o they_o who_o have_v live_v twice_o or_o thrice_o their_o age_n and_o therefore_o we_o also_o may_v see_v a_o great_a many_o old_a man_n and_o die_v young_a
have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v this_o any_o great_a hurt_n nay_o indeed_o if_o we_o consider_v thing_n aright_o the_o divine_a goodness_n have_v improve_v the_o fall_n of_o adam_n to_o the_o raise_n of_o mankind_n to_o a_o more_o happy_a and_o perfect_a state_n for_o though_o paradise_n where_o god_n place_v adam_n in_o innocence_n be_v a_o happy_a state_n of_o life_n than_o this_o world_n free_v from_o all_o the_o disorder_n of_o a_o mortal_a body_n and_o from_o all_o the_o necessary_a care_n and_o trouble_n of_o this_o life_n yet_o you_o will_v all_o grant_v that_o heaven_n be_v a_o happy_a place_n than_o a_o earthly_a paradise_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v more_o for_o our_o happiness_n to_o be_v translate_v from_o earth_n to_o heaven_n than_o to_o have_v live_v always_o in_o a_o earthly_a paradise_n you_o will_v all_o grant_v that_o the_o state_n of_o good_a man_n when_o they_o go_v out_o of_o these_o body_n before_o the_o resurrection_n be_v a_o happy_a life_n than_o paradise_n be_v for_o it_o be_v to_o be_v with_o christ_n as_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o which_o be_v far_o better_a 1._o phil._n 23._o and_o when_o our_o body_n rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a you_o will_v grant_v they_o will_v be_v more_o glorious_a body_n than_o adam_n be_v in_o innocence_n for_o the_o first_o man_n be_v of_o the_o earth_n earthy_a but_o the_o second_o man_n be_v the_o lord_n from_o heaven_n 1_o cor._n 15._o 47._o adam_n have_v a_o earthly_a mortal_a body_n though_o it_o shall_v have_v be_v immortal_a by_o grace_n but_o at_o the_o resurrection_n our_o body_n shall_v be_v fashion_v like_o unto_o christ_n most_o glorious_a body_n the_o righteous_a shall_v shine_v forth_o like_o the_o sun_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o father_n that_o as_o we_o have_v bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o earthy_a we_o shall_v also_o bear_v the_o image_n of_o the_o heavenly_a 1_o cor._n 15_o 49._o so_o that_o our_o redemption_n by_o christ_n have_v infinite_o the_o advantage_n of_o adam_n fall_n and_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o complain_v that_o by_o man_n come_v death_n since_o by_o man_n also_o come_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a that_o st._n paul_n may_v well_o magnify_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o our_o redemption_n by_o christ_n above_o his_o justice_n and_o severity_n in_o punsh_v adam_n sin_n with_o death_n 5._o rom._n 15_o 16_o 17._o but_o not_o as_o the_o offence_n so_o also_o be_v the_o free_a gift_n for_o if_o through_o the_o offence_n of_o one_o many_o be_v dead_a much_o more_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o the_o gift_n by_o grace_n which_o be_v by_o one_o man_n jesus_n christ_n have_v abound_v unto_o many_o and_o not_o as_o it_o be_v by_o one_o that_o sin_v so_o be_v the_o gift_n for_o the_o judgement_n be_v by_o one_o to_o condemnation_n but_o the_o free_a gift_n be_v of_o many_o offence_n unto_o justification_n for_o if_o by_o one_o man_n offence_n death_n reign_v by_o one_o much_o more_o they_o which_o receive_v abundance_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o the_o gift_n of_o righteousness_n shall_v reign_v in_o life_n by_o one_o jesus_n christ._n where_o the_o apostle_n magnify_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n upon_o a_o fourfold_a account_n 1._o that_o death_n be_v the_o just_a reward_n of_o sin_n it_o come_v by_o the_o offence_n of_o one_o and_o be_v a_o act_n of_o justice_n in_o god_n whereas_o our_o redemption_n by_o christ_n be_v the_o gift_n of_o grace_n the_o free_a gift_n which_o we_o have_v no_o just_a claim_n to_o 2._o that_o by_o christ_n we_o be_v not_o only_o deliver_v from_o the_o effect_n of_o adam_n sin_n but_o from_o the_o guilt_n of_o our_o own_o for_o though_o the_o judgement_n be_v by_o one_o to_o condemnation_n the_o free_a gift_n be_v of_o many_o offence_n unto_o justification_n 3._o that_o though_o we_o die_v in_o adam_n we_o be_v not_o bare_o make_v alive_a again_o in_o christ_n but_o shall_v reign_v in_o life_n by_o one_o jesus_n christ_n which_o be_v a_o much_o happy_a life_n than_o what_o we_o lose_v in_o adam_n 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of_o death_n and_o the_o sting_n of_o it_o no_o degree_n indeed_o of_o virtue_n now_o can_v preserve_v we_o from_o die_v but_o yet_o virtue_n may_v prolong_v our_o life_n and_o make_v they_o happy_a while_o sin_n very_o often_o hasten_v we_o to_o the_o grave_a and_o cut_v we_o off_o in_o the_o very_a midst_n of_o our_o day_n a_o intemperate_a and_o lustful_a man_n destroy_v the_o most_o vigorous_a constitution_n of_o body_n die_v of_o a_o fever_n or_o a_o dropsy_n of_o rottenness_n and_o consumption_n other_o fall_v a_o sacrifice_n to_o private_a revenge_n or_o public_a justice_n or_o a_o divine_a vengeance_n for_o the_o wicked_a shall_v not_o live_v out_o half_a their_o day_n however_o set_v aside_o some_o little_a natural_a aversion_n which_o be_v more_o easy_o conquer_v and_o death_n be_v a_o very_a innocent_a harmless_a nay_o desirable_a thing_n do_v not_o sin_n give_v a_o sting_n to_o it_o and_o terrify_v we_o with_o the_o thought_n of_o that_o judgement_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v quarrel_v not_o then_o at_o the_o divine_a justice_n in_o appoint_v death_n god_n be_v very_o good_a as_o well_o as_o just_a in_o it_o but_o vent_v all_o your_o indignation_n against_o sin_n pull_v out_o this_o sting_n of_o death_n and_o then_o you_o will_v see_v nothing_o but_o smile_n and_o charm_n in_o it_o than_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o put_v off_o these_o mortal_a body_n to_o reassume_v they_o again_o with_o all_o the_o advantage_n of_o a_o immortal_a youth_n it_o be_v certain_a indeed_o we_o must_v die_v this_o be_v appoint_v for_o we_o and_o the_o very_a certainty_n of_o our_o death_n will_v teach_v we_o that_o wisdom_n which_o may_v help_v we_o to_o regain_v a_o better_a immortality_n than_o we_o have_v lose_v sect_n ii_o how_o to_o improve_v this_o consideration_n that_o we_o must_v certain_o die._n for_o 1._o if_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o we_o must_v die_v this_o shall_v teach_v we_o frequent_o to_o think_v of_o death_n to_o keep_v it_o always_o in_o our_o eye_n and_o view_v for_o why_o shall_v we_o cast_v off_o the_o thought_n of_o that_o which_o will_v certain_o come_v especial_o when_o it_o be_v so_o necessary_a to_o the_o good_a government_n of_o our_o life_n to_o remember_v that_o we_o must_v die_v if_o we_o must_v die_v i_o think_v it_o concern_v we_o to_o take_v care_n that_o we_o may_v die_v happy_o and_o that_o depend_v upon_o our_o live_n well_o and_o nothing_o have_v such_o a_o powerful_a influence_n upon_o the_o good_a government_n of_o our_o life_n as_o the_o thought_n of_o death_n i_o have_v already_o show_v you_o what_o wisdom_n death_n will_v teach_v we_o but_o no_o man_n will_v learn_v this_o who_o do_v not_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v to_o die_v and_o no_o man_n will_v practice_v it_o who_o do_v not_o often_o remember_v that_o he_o must_v die_v but_o he_o that_o live_v under_o a_o constant_a sense_n of_o death_n have_v a_o perpetual_a antidote_n against_o the_o folly_n and_o vanity_n of_o this_o world_n and_o a_o perpetual_a spur_n to_o virtue_n when_o such_o a_o man_n find_v his_o desire_n after_o this_o world_n enlarge_v beyond_o not_o only_o the_o want_n but_o the_o conveniency_n of_o nature_n thou_o fool_n say_v he_o to_o himself_o what_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o all_o this_o what_o kindle_v this_o insatiable_a thirst_n of_o riches_n why_o must_v there_o be_v no_o end_n of_o add_v house_n to_o house_n and_o field_n to_o field_n be_v this_o world_n thy_o home_n be_v this_o thy_o abide_a city_n do_v thou_o hope_v to_o take_v up_o a_o eternal_a rest_n here_o vain_a man_n thou_o must_v short_o remove_v thy_o dwell_n and_o then_o who_o shall_v all_o these_o thing_n be_v death_n will_v short_o close_v thy_o eye_n
he_o this_o be_v very_o reasonable_a when_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o man_n be_v oppose_v to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v the_o only_a case_n our_o saviour_n suppose_v no_o man_n ought_v foolish_o to_o fling_v away_o his_o life_n nor_o to_o provoke_v and_o affront_v prince_n who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o life_n and_o death_n this_o be_v not_o to_o die_v like_o a_o martyr_n but_o like_o a_o fool_n or_o a_o rebel_n but_o when_o a_o prince_n threaten_v death_n and_o god_n threaten_v damnation_n than_o our_o saviour_n counsel_n take_v place_n not_o to_o fear_v man_n but_o god_n for_o indeed_o god_n power_n in_o this_o be_v equal_a to_o man_n at_o least_o man_n can_v kill_v for_o man_n be_v mortal_a and_o may_v be_v kill_v and_o this_o be_v only_o for_o a_o mortal_a creature_n to_o die_v a_o little_a out_o of_o order_n but_o god_n can_v kill_v too_o and_o thus_o far_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o it_o be_v true_a most_o man_n be_v of_o the_o mind_n in_o such_o a_o case_n rather_o to_o trust_v god_n then_o man_n because_o he_o do_v not_o always_o punish_v in_o this_o world_n nor_o execute_v a_o speedy_a vengeance_n and_o yet_o when_o our_o saviour_n take_v notice_n that_o god_n kill_v as_o well_o as_o man_n it_o seem_v to_o intimate_v to_o we_o that_o such_o apostate_n who_o rather_o choose_v to_o provoke_v god_n then_o man_n may_v meet_v with_o their_o desert_n in_o this_o world_n for_o no_o man_n be_v secure_a that_o god_n will_v not_o punish_v he_o in_o this_o world_n and_o apostate_n of_o all_o other_o have_v lest_o reason_n to_o expect_v it_o those_o who_o renounce_v god_n for_o fear_v of_o man_n be_v the_o fit_a person_n to_o be_v example_n of_o a_o sudden_a vengeance_n but_o then_o when_o man_n have_v kill_v they_o can_v do_v no_o more_o they_o can_v kill_v the_o soul_n and_o here_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o man_n be_v very_o unequal_a for_o when_o he_o have_v kill_v he_o can_v cast_v both_o body_n and_o soul_n into_o hell_n fire_n this_o be_v a_o very_a formidable_a power_n indeed_o and_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o fear_v he_o but_o the_o power_n of_o man_n who_o can_v only_o kill_v a_o mortal_a body_n be_v not_o very_o terrible_a it_o ought_v not_o to_o fright_v we_o into_o any_o sin_n which_o will_v make_v we_o obnoxious_a to_o that_o more_o terrible_a power_n which_o can_v destroy_v the_o soul._n chap._n iii_o concern_v the_o time_n of_o our_o death_n and_o the_o proper_a improvement_n of_o it_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v the_o time_n of_o our_o death_n which_o be_v once_o but_o when_o uncertain_a now_o when_o i_o say_v the_o time_n of_o our_o death_n be_v uncertain_a i_o need_v not_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o mean_v only_o it_o be_v uncertain_a to_o we_o that_o be_v that_o no_o man_n know_v when_o he_o shall_v die_v for_o god_n certain_o know_v when_o we_o shall_v die_v because_o he_o know_v all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o foreknowledge_n of_o god_n the_o time_n of_o our_o death_n be_v certain_a thus_o much_o be_v certain_a as_o to_o death_n that_o we_o must_v all_o die_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a also_o that_o death_n be_v not_o far_o off_o because_o we_o know_v our_o life_n be_v very_o short_a before_o the_o flood_n man_n live_v many_o hundred_o year_n but_o it_o be_v a_o great_a while_n now_o since_o the_o psalmist_n observe_v that_o the_o ordinary_a term_n of_o humane_a life_n have_v very_o narrow_a bound_n set_v to_o it_o the_o day_n of_o our_o year_n be_v threescore_o year_n and_o ten_o and_o if_o by_o reason_n of_o strength_n they_o be_v fourscore_o year_n yet_o be_v their_o strength_n labour_n and_o sorrow_n for_o it_o be_v soon_o cut_v off_o and_o we_o fly_v away_o 90._o psal._n 10._o there_o be_v some_o exception_n from_o this_o general_a rule_n but_o this_o be_v the_o ordinary_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n when_o it_o be_v spin_v out_o to_o the_o great_a length_n and_o therefore_o within_o this_o term_n we_o may_v reasonable_o expect_v it_o for_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n our_o body_n be_v not_o make_v to_o last_v much_o long_o thus_o far_o we_o be_v certain_a but_o then_o how_o much_o of_o this_o time_n we_o shall_v run_v out_o how_o soon_o or_o how_o late_o we_o shall_v die_v we_o know_v not_o for_o we_o see_v no_o age_n exempt_v from_o death_n some_o expire_v in_o the_o cradle_n and_o at_o their_o mother_n breast_n other_o in_o the_o heat_n and_o vigour_n of_o youth_n other_o survive_v to_o a_o decrepit_a age_n and_o it_o may_v be_v follow_v their_o whole_a family_n to_o their_o grave_n death_n very_o often_o surprise_v we_o when_o we_o least_o think_v of_o it_o without_o give_v we_o any_o warning_n of_o its_o approach_n and_o that_o be_v proof_n enough_o that_o the_o time_n of_o our_o death_n be_v unknown_a and_o uncertain_a to_o we_o but_o these_o thing_n deserve_v to_o be_v particular_o discourse_v and_o therefore_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o time_n of_o our_o death_n i_o shall_v observe_v these_o four_o thing_n not_o so_o much_o to_o explain_v they_o for_o most_o of_o they_o be_v plain_a enough_o of_o themselves_o as_o to_o improve_v they_o for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n i._o that_o the_o general_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o the_o time_n of_o our_o death_n be_v fix_v and_o determine_v by_o god._n ii_o that_o the_o particular_a time_n of_o every_o man_n death_n though_o it_o be_v foreknow_v by_o god_n who_o foreknow_v all_o thing_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v peremtory_o decree_v and_o determine_v by_o god._n iii_o that_o the_o particular_a time_n when_o any_o of_o we_o shall_v die_v be_v unknown_a and_o uncertain_a to_o we_o iv._o that_o we_o must_v die_v but_o once_o it_o be_v appoint_v for_o all_o man_n once_o to_o die_v sect_n i._o that_o the_o general_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v fix_v and_o determine_v by_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v but_o very_o short_a i._o that_o the_o general_a period_n of_o 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flood_n no_o man_n live_v a_o thousand_o year_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o the_o long_a term_n of_o humane_a life_n after_o the_o sentence_n of_o death_n be_v pass_v on_o man_n be_v confine_v within_o a_o thousand_o year_n methusalah_o who_o be_v the_o long_a liver_n live_v but_o nine_o hundred_o sixty_o nine_o year_n and_o he_o die_v so_o that_o no_o man_n ever_o live_v a_o thousand_o year_n and_o compare_v this_o observation_n with_o that_o promise_n of_o a_o thousand_o year_n reign_n with_o christ_n which_o be_v call_v the_o first_o resurrection_n and_o be_v the_o portion_n only_o of_o martyr_n and_o confessor_n and_o pure_a and_o sincere_a christian_n 20_o revel_n i_o have_v be_v apt_a to_o conclude_v that_o to_o live_v a_o thousand_o year_n be_v the_o privilege_n only_o of_o immortal_a creature_n that_o if_o adam_n have_v continue_v innocent_a he_o shall_v have_v live_v no_o long_o on_o earth_n but_o have_v be_v translate_v to_o heaven_n without_o die_v for_o this_o thousand_o be_v year_n reign_v of_o the_o saint_n with_o christ_n whatever_o that_o signify_v seem_v to_o be_v intend_v as_o a_o reparation_n of_o that_o death_n which_o they_o fall_v under_o by_o adam_n sin_n but_o then_o these_o thousand_o year_n do_v not_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o these_o glorious_a saint_n but_o they_o be_v immortal_a creature_n and_o though_o this_o reign_n with_o christ_n continue_v but_o a_o thousand_o year_n their_o happiness_n shall_v have_v no_o end_n though_o the_o scene_n may_v change_v and_o vary_v for_o over_o such_o man_n the_o second_o death_n have_v no_o power_n or_o else_o this_o thousand_o year_n reign_n with_o christ_n must_v
of_o a_o universal_a empire_n through_o a_o long_a series_n of_o event_n or_o meditate_v change_n and_o alteration_n of_o government_n of_o the_o law_n and_o religion_n of_o a_o nation_n by_o insensible_a step_n and_o method_n which_o though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o hopeful_a a_o project_n they_o can_v hope_v to_o live_v to_o see_v effect_v and_o therefore_o exceed_v their_o own_o bound_n and_o trouble_v the_o world_n at_o present_a with_o what_o no_o body_n now_o live_v may_v ever_o be_v concern_v in_o they_o undertake_v to_o govern_v the_o world_n when_o they_o be_v dead_a and_o go_v whereas_o every_o age_n bring_v forth_o new_a project_n and_o counsel_n as_o it_o do_v a_o new_a generation_n of_o man_n and_o new_a scene_n of_o affair_n and_o a_o new_a set_v of_o politician_n will_v but_o man_n confine_v their_o care_n and_o project_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o own_o life_n and_o mind_n only_o what_o concern_v themselves_o and_o their_o own_o time_n and_o they_o will_v live_v more_o at_o ease_n and_o the_o world_n enjoy_v more_o peace_n and_o quiet_a than_o now_o it_o be_v ever_o likely_a to_o do_v and_o yet_o one_o will_v think_v this_o very_a reasonable_a not_o to_o concern_v ourselves_o about_o the_o world_n any_o long_a than_o we_o be_v like_a to_o live_v in_o it_o to_o do_v no_o injury_n to_o posterity_n as_o near_o as_o we_o can_v and_o to_o do_v what_o good_a we_o can_v for_o they_o without_o disturb_v the_o present_a peace_n and_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o to_o leave_v the_o care_n of_o the_o next_o age_n to_o those_o who_o shall_v succeed_v and_o to_o that_o good_a providence_n which_o govern_v and_o take_v care_n of_o all_o age_n and_o generation_n of_o men._n 2._o since_o we_o know_v the_o common_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n we_o shall_v frequent_o count_v our_o day_n and_o observe_v how_o our_o life_n waste_v and_o draw_v near_o to_o eternity_n our_o time_n slide_v away_o insensible_o and_o fow_v man_n take_v notice_n how_o it_o go_v they_o find_v their_o strength_n and_o vigour_n continue_v without_o any_o decay_n and_o they_o reckon_v upon_o live_v threescore_o and_o ten_o or_o fourscore_o year_n but_o seldom_o consider_v that_o it_o may_v be_v thirty_o or_o forty_o year_n be_v already_o go_v that_o be_v the_o best_a half_a of_o their_o life_n they_o put_v a_o cheat_n upon_o themselves_o by_o compute_v the_o whole_a duration_n of_o their_o life_n without_o consider_v how_o much_o of_o this_o be_v already_o past_a and_o how_o little_a of_o it_o be_v to_o come_v which_o if_o man_n will_v serious_o think_v of_o they_o will_v not_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o a_o long_a life_n for_o no_o man_n account_v twenty_o or_o thirty_o year_n a_o long_a life_n and_o that_o be_v the_o most_o they_o have_v to_o live_v now_o though_o they_o shall_v attain_v to_o the_o long_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n much_o less_o can_v they_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o a_o long_a life_n when_o they_o can_v not_o probable_o reckon_v above_o fifteen_o or_o ten_o year_n to_o come_v and_o will_v man_n observe_v how_o their_o life_n shorten_v every_o day_n this_o if_o any_o thing_n will_v make_v they_o grow_v chary_a of_o their_o time_n and_o begin_v to_o think_v of_o live_v that_o be_v of_o mind_v the_o true_a end_n and_o purpose_n of_o life_n of_o do_v the_o work_n for_o which_o they_o come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o which_o they_o must_v do_v before_o they_o die_v or_o they_o be_v miserable_a for_o ever_o 3._o when_o man_n draw_v near_o the_o end_n of_o their_o reckon_n nay_o it_o may_v be_v be_v past_o the_o common_a reckon_n of_o mankind_n it_o more_o especial_o concern_v they_o to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o a_o more_o serious_a and_o solemn_a preparation_n for_o death_n for_o how_o vigorous_a soever_o their_o age_n be_v death_n can_v be_v far_o off_o it_o will_v be_v unpardonable_a in_o they_o to_o be_v deceive_v with_o the_o hope_n of_o live_a much_o long_o who_o have_v already_o attain_v to_o the_o common_a period_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o be_v in_o the_o border_n and_o confine_n nay_o in_o the_o very_a quarter_n of_o death_n and_o have_v already_o if_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v borrow_v some_o year_n from_o the_o other_o world._n now_o when_o i_o speak_v of_o such_o man_n prepare_v for_o death_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o they_o shall_v then_o begin_v to_o think_v of_o die_v that_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o late_a to_o begin_v such_o a_o work_n though_o if_o they_o have_v not_o do_v it_o before_o it_o be_v without_o doubt_n high_a time_n to_o begin_v it_o then_o in_o the_o last_o minute_n of_o their_o life_n and_o to_o do_v what_o they_o can_v in_o that_o little_a time_n that_o remain_v to_o obtain_v their_o pardon_n of_o god_n for_o spend_v a_o long_a life_n in_o sin_n and_o vanity_n and_o in_o a_o forgetfulness_n of_o their_o maker_n and_o redeemer_n but_o that_o which_o i_o now_o intend_v concern_v those_o who_o have_v think_v of_o die_v long_o before_o and_o govern_v their_o life_n under_o the_o conduct_n and_o influence_n of_o such_o thought_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o whole_o unprepared_a for_o death_n but_o be_v ready_a to_o welcome_v it_o whenever_o it_o come_v but_o there_o be_v a_o decent_a way_n of_o meet_v death_n which_o become_v such_o man_n which_o i_o call_v a_o more_o solemn_a preparation_n for_o it_o that_o be_v when_o their_o condition_n and_o circumstance_n of_o life_n will_v permit_v it_o to_o take_v a_o timely_a leave_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o withdraw_v from_o the_o noise_n and_o business_n of_o it_o when_o they_o be_v place_v just_a in_o the_o confine_n of_o both_o world_n to_o direct_v their_o face_n whole_o to_o that_o world_n whither_o they_o be_v a_o go_v to_o spend_v the_o little_a remain_v of_o their_o life_n in_o converse_v with_o themselves_o with_o god_n and_o with_o the_o other_o world._n 1._o in_o converse_v with_o themselves_o which_o god_n know_v very_o few_o man_n do_v while_o they_o be_v engage_v in_o the_o business_n of_o this_o world_n the_o care_n of_o life_n or_o the_o pleasure_n of_o it_o our_o family_n or_o our_o friend_n or_o stranger_n themselves_o take_v we_o from_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v fit_a before_o man_n go_v out_o of_o this_o world_n that_o they_o shall_v recover_v the_o possession_n of_o themselves_o and_o grow_v a_o little_a more_o acquaint_v and_o intimate_v with_o themselves_o retire_v from_o the_o world_n to_o take_v a_o more_o thorough_a review_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n what_o they_o have_v still_o to_o do_v to_o make_v their_o peace_n with_o god_n and_o their_o own_o conscience_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o sin_n which_o they_o have_v not_o thorough_o repent_v of_o and_o hearty_o beg_v god_n pardon_n for_o any_o injury_n they_o have_v do_v their_o neighbour_n for_o which_o they_o have_v not_o make_v sufficient_a restitution_n and_o reparation_n whether_o they_o have_v any_o quarrel_n with_o any_o man_n which_o be_v not_o compose_v and_o reconcile_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o part_n of_o their_o duty_n which_o they_o have_v former_o too_o much_o neglect_v as_o charity_n to_o the_o poor_a the_o wise_a education_n and_o instruction_n of_o their_o child_n and_o family_n and_o to_o apply_v themselves_o to_o a_o more_o diligent_a discharge_n of_o it_o what_o distemper_n there_o be_v in_o their_o mind_n which_o still_o need_v to_o be_v rectify_v what_o grace_n be_v weak_a what_o passion_n be_v most_o disorderly_a and_o unmortified_a and_o to_o apply_v proper_a remedy_n to_o they_o this_o be_v a_o excellent_a preparation_n for_o death_n because_o it_o will_v give_v we_o great_a hope_n and_o assurance_n in_o die_v it_o give_v we_o peace_n and_o satisfaction_n in_o our_o own_o mind_n by_o a_o thorough_a knowledge_n of_o our_o own_o state_n and_o by_o rectify_v whatever_o be_v amiss_o it_o deliver_v our_o conscience_n from_o guilty_a fear_n and_o so_o disarm_v death_n of_o its_o sting_n and_o terror_n for_o the_o sting_n of_o death_n be_v sin_n and_o when_o this_o sting_n be_v pull_v out_o we_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o contend_v with_o but_o some_o little_a natural_a aversion_n to_o die_a which_o be_v more_o easy_o conquer_v 2._o thus_o in_o this_o preparatory_a retirement_n from_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v spend_v great_a portion_n of_o our_o time_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o our_o public_a or_o private_a devotion_n for_o common_o man_n of_o business_n be_v very_o much_o in_o arrear_n with_o god_n upon_o this_o account_n in_o their_o active_a age_n they_o have_v little_a time_n to_o spare_v or_o little_a mind_n to_o spare_v it_o for_o the_o use_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v well_o retire_v some_o time_n before_o we_o die_v to_o