words Pro mea facultate Religionis vitae puritatem ad posteros nostros propagare that according to his ability he might propagate purity of life and doctrine to posterity from whence some great men and their small friends then at the very first thought they smelt a Puritan you as clearly manifest yours in the words of your Donation to be For and towards the furtherance of godliness and learning that so the Church of God may be thereby the better provided of godly learned and Orthodox Ministers Blessed be God that both of you so happily meet in the same work with the same heart and as He in the view of all hath manifestly obtained his end whilest that little younger sister hath been as fruitful as any so may you also yours in her continuance and encrease of yet more fruitfulnesse answerable to Gods wider opening his hand to her in his and your bounty 3. The time and season in which it was given This as it rendreth every thing beautiful so it presents Eccl. 3. 11 Prov. 2. 5. 11. your rich gift as apples of Gold in pictures of Silver as a smile from heaven when earth frowned a Cordial in a fainting fit When our Almanack Diviners could read in the Heavens our Ministry and Vniversities to be falling Stars and our ABC Divines pretending to more divine inspirations both in Pulpit and Pamphlet could foretell the sudden ruine of both and then like a Jonah return to their booâ—â— to see what would become of Jonah 4. 5. them When Ignorance driveled and madnesse foam'd and rav'd with distracted non-sense and malice plotted our overthrow and all Edom-like cryed Rase it rase it to the foundation then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or rather in Psal 137. 7. Psal 46. 1. Scripture-expression 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then our God from on high looked through the pillar of fire upon the host of those Egyptians Exod. 14. 24 25. and took off their Chariot-wheels when they drave so furiously And then also it was that you in your place and rank reached out your able and friendly band to hold and lift us up when others would have cast us down and if he who helpeth to uphold the weak man at any time doth a friendly office he who beareth him up when he is now stumbling and ready to Job 12. 5. slip and so is as a despised lamp subject to be trod out as a snuffe doth him a double courtesie by this God himself commendeth his love to his people in that he is a Strength but that to the poor and needy and that in his distress Isa 25. 4. a refuge from the Tempest when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall such blasts we have felt but blessed be God and those his servants who have been as Isa 32. 2. an hiding place from the winde and a covert from such Tempests and blessed be you also who durst set your shoulder to uphold a falling wall and then to appear for us when so many so violently opposed us and others who wished us well could better pitty then help us a piece not so much of Roman gallantry which adventured upon the Florus l. 2 purchase of that field in which Annibal had pitched his camp as of true Christian magnanimity like Joseph of Arimathea who in that houre and power of darkness in extrema desperatione intrepidè in lucem prodiit and Calvin in Joh. 19. 38. Mark 15. 43. boldly appeared for a crucified Saviour Let others admire the gay Tulip which will close up when night or a cold blast comes in my eye that is a pleasant plant that will bloom and blossome in an hard Frost and that a stately bird which will swim up against the stream while light straws and such trash are carried down with it In this you have proved your self a true friend to love thus at all times Prov. 17. â— 17. and more then a brother that is born for adversity Constancy in such times when the generality of the world ran a contrary course made Athanasius in Ornt. 21. in Laudem Athanasii Nazianzens esteem both Adamas and Magnes and you in this have proved both the Adamant in your invincible resolution notwithstanding all discouragements and thereby must needs prove the Loadstone to draw both ours and all good mens hearts to you Although therefore they were too bold to tell our Saviour that the Centurion was worthy to be gratified by him because he loved their Nation and built them a Luk. 7. 4. Synagogue Yet you who plead no merit with God are deservedly worthy to be honoured by men and shall ever be by me for the like love and bounty This hath begot you the trouble of this Dedication and may your perusal of the book conduce any thing to the guidance of your life or the comfort of your death I shall account my self to have received a rich reward of this poor labour You read of Isaac's going out into the field to meditate in the evening Gen. 24. 63. Sir it is about that time of the day with you shall you therefore please in this your evening-walk and meditation that it may sometimes bear you company I hope you and I shall have the more cause to rejoyce at our last most comfortable meeting Now that God and Father who hath bin the guide of your youth be the staffe of your age that you may be so planted in his house and flourish Psal 92. 13 14. in his Courts that you may still bring forth more fruit in your old age and your fruit may remain and perpetuate Joh. 15. 16. Isa 56. 5. you a name better then of sons and daughters which God enabling me shall be the constant and instant prayer of SIR Your affectionate friend very much obliged to love and honour you ANTHONY TVCKNEY Cambridge March 27 1654 DEATH DISARMED AND THE GRAVE Swallowed up in Victory SERMON I. 1 COR. 15. 55. O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory THE Apostle calleth it the good fight of faith 1 Tim. 6. 12. every way good and best because at last it alwayes ends well in victory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 John 5. 4 it overcomes nay 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proves more then conquerour as many other Rom. 8. 37. wayes so this for one that as this fight ends in victory so this victory in triumph For here otherwise then with the Romans of old the Conquerour alwayes triumpheth and so we have this our Conquerour ever and anon brought in triumphing over sin and misery and death it self Over sin Miserable man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7. 24 25. Over all accusers and all outward evils and enemies Who shall impeach who shall condemn who shall separate Shall tribulation or distresse or persecution
ΘΑÎΑΤΟΚΤΑΣΙΑ OR DEATH DIS ARMED And the Grave swallowed up in Victory A Sermon preached at S. Maries in Cambridge Decemb. 22. 1653. At the publick Funerals of Dr. Hill Late Master of Trinity Colledge in that University With a short account of his Life and Death To which are added two Sermons more upon the same Text preached afterward in the same place By ANTHONY TUCKNEY D. D. Master of S. Johns Colledge in Cambridge I will ransome them from the power of the grave I will redeem them from death O death I will be thy plague O grave I will be thy destruction Hosea 13. 14. LONDON Printed for J. Rothwel at the Fountain and Bear in Goldsmiths-row in Cheapside And S. Gellibrand at the Ball in Pauls Church-yard 1654. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFULL my ever honoured Friend Mr. FRANCIS ASH Merchant and Governor of the Muscovia Company of the City of LONDON SIR THat I print this Sermon is not out of any compliance with the scribling humour of these times or from the least thought that by it I shall adde any thing to the Argument it treats of which from other abler mens labours may not be had with better advantage But only from the importunity of some friends whom I could not well deny and whose aim in it was the glory of God and the keeping alive the memory of That his faithful servant at whose Funerals it was preach'd But seeing that such as it is it must be Printed That I dedicate it to your self I have many great causes which although you be not yet I am desirous that others may take notice of Amongst them I may not without ingratitude omit your undeserved respects to my self But I must especially reckon your plain and single-hearted Candor and Integrity which the painted Pageants of many others now a dayes set off with a greater luster Your cordial love of Gods truth and of that good old Doctrine according unto godliness which those Worthies of God under whom you and I have been trained up preached and lived and died in the belief practice and comfort of to which you do well firmly to adhere whilst too many in this giddy Age are turned aside to vain janglings and 1 Tim. 1. 6 2 Pet. 2. â— pernicious errours Your fervent zeal for Christs Ministry and Ministers so that whom others despise you honour and whom the foot of pride even of the basest is ready to tread down and trample upon your humility and love endevour to uphold Witnesse that your great and for many years rarely parallel'd bounty in giving and that in your life time the large sum of very nigh three hundred pounds per annum to most pious uses viz. towards the maintenance Of poor Ministers Widdows Of a Lecture in London the place of your longest abode Of two Schools the one in the place of your Birth and the other of your Darby asâ—by de lâ— Zouch Education And especially of that happy Society of Emmanuel Colledge in this Vniversity on which you have been pleased to confer the greatest share of it That this plentiful showre of your bounty should be directed to fall on that fruitful Field which God all along hath so abundantly blessed was his good hand guiding yours to lay it on the head of that fruitful Ephraim That your favour to my self should in any measure incline your heart to that Colledge of which I was then an unworthy Member was your goodnesse so much to honour me But that which rendâ—eth both your self and your gift more highly valued and honoured by All is 1. The greatness of it making you a second Founder at least after their most pious Founder the greatest Benefactor that ever that Colledge had Like Solomons Clouds which when full Eccl. 1â— â— of rain empty themselves abundantly upon the earth herein you have obeyed Gods command in opening your hand Deut. 1â— 11. 1 Tim. 6 17. 1â— wide Followed his example who giveth to all richly Answered has expectation who requireth much where he hath given much Ten talents Luk. 12. 48. Matth. 25. 20. Deut. 26. 10. Prov. 3. 9 10. Math. 25. 24 25 26 27. c. where he hath given five As Soveraign Lord he will be acknowledged by all Something he expecteth from them on whom he hath bestowed least but much on whom more So that he who in this or the like kind doth nothing is an evil servant a practical Atheist thereby in true interpretation saying that he hath received nothing and he who having received much giveth but little doth but tell over again Saphira's lye in saying yea so much when it was much more that Acts 5. 8 9 10. made her doom very heavy whilest you whose pound hath gain'd ten pounds may comfortably expect to hear that blessed Euge Well done good and Lâ—k 19. 16 17. faithful servant And whatever others may think and say yet if Scripture may be Judge you have herein done the part of a good husband hereby making God your debtor who being eternal Prov. 19. 17. will have time enough to shew himself a true paymaster and a most plentiful rewarder of your bounty with his The prudent husbandman whatever else he is sparing of will not scant his seed-corn it seemeth you intend 2 Cor. 9. 6. Prov. 11. â—7 by sowing liberally to reap liberally thus you have done good to your self whilest you have withal honoured Prov. 3. 9. God our Nation and the whole Reformed Religion Papists boast much of their great good works but some of our Divines have truly Dr. Willet made it out by Induction of particulars that for their time and ability Protestants have equall'd and exceeded them and let your happy name be added and in fair letters written in that lovely Catalogue 2. The pious and religious Grounds and ends of giving it it was not in way of any Popish penance to expiate the guilt of some fouler crime which in those blind times built many of their Churches and Monasteries nor a Legacy bequeathed by the will of some cruel oppressor who after that in his life time by his exactions he had made many poor on his death-bed from sting of conscience is enforced to take care for the maintaining of some of them this was no such trucking either with God or man with the Papist to merit at Gods hands or with the vain-glorious Pharisee to blow a Trumpet to gain Math. 6. 2. Hos 12. 7. Joh. 2. 14. applause with men which is but to play the Merchant and money-changer in the Temple and in making up their last accounts to close up all former oppressions with a new kinde of usury your eye was more single did not look so asquint when it looked so favourably upon that Colledge but as you were pleased to build upon their honourable Founders religious foundation so you both had the very same pious intention He expresseth his in the Preface to his statutes in those
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euripid the Scripture of truth I am sure saith of all such that through fear of death they are all their life time subject to bondage Heb. 2. 15. And if life as you use to say be sweet it can be no lesse then the bitternesse of death 1 Sam. 15. 32. How bitter is the bare Ecclus. 41. 1. remembrance of it to him that is at ease but the approach of it was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bitter bitterness as the case was then with him even to an Hezekiah Isa 38. 17. and if the message of it made him weep v. 3. then 1 Sam. 28. 20. wonder not if Saul at it swooned quite away It is a bitter sting that with the So Socrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apud Justin Mart. ad Graeces adhortat 1. prick of it letteth out the life-blood of the dying man if when it taketh away from him this life he hath no assurance of a better but dieth with Aristotles word in his mouth dubius morior quo vadam nescio be he never so wise a Philosopher or Adrians quos nunc abibis in locos should he be with him never so great an Emperor It is not death as death that even the godly desire or rejoice in for in that sense Paul would not be 2 Cor. 5. 4. Joh. 21. 18. unclothed and Peter is said in that respect to be carried whither he would not It is some greater good which God vouchsafeth to such at death and after it which whilest others then want and have no assurance of it must needs be a dolorous and deadly sting that thus first letteth out their dearest life 2. And therewith which is a second stinging wound all the comforts of life Which should they abide yet the man is gone whose very soul was wrapt up in them but now hath no benefit by them and then the stateliest room though never so richly hung and furnished is but a sad sight where's nothing else to be seen but the dead master in his coffin in the midst of it All dearest Relations are at once then snapt asunder The pleasantest childe now half fatherlesse turn's away his face as not being able to endure to see a dear Father die The dearest wife which was before the desire of thine eyes thou now Ezek. 24. 16. 21. Gen. 23. 4. desirest with Abraham to have buried out of thy sight Thy most loving friends may then stand by and weep over thee but cannot help thee and at last with a longum vale bid thee good night and so part and doth not this â—uth 1. 17 sting As for Honors and outward greatness 1 Sam. 4. 10. Phinehas his wife now dying calleth them Ichabod this sting prick's that swoln bladder and so his breath goe's forth and then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all his thoughts all his goodly glistering thoughts as that Psal 146. 4 word seemeth to signifie perish Which words hold not forth a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Pope John the 22. would gather out of them as though after death his soul should sleep and think of nothing but to expresse that all his former great high thoughts in his life time then at death come to nothing For pleasures and former facetious and jovial merriments old Barzillaies 2 Sam. 19. 35. eyes grow dim in that evening when he was but now entred within the shadow of death but are quite closed up in this midnight in old Eccles 12. 5. age desire faileth but in death it is wholly extinct Death if nothing do it before will break many a knot of good fellows then adieu sworn fellow-drunkard well if you and I can now come to a good reckoning and adieu also you sweet Mistress and all that dalliance you wot of till you and I stand before our Judg and all that be brought to light which was done by us in secret And adieu to you too my more innocent merry companion nec ut soles dabis jocos the whole club of wits are now all amort and not one Jest more for now that God and Death are in good earnest it is past Jesting past Drinking Whoring yea rejoicing in wife or children or friends Or Riches which should they as with some Nations they are be buried with thee yet in that day of Prov. 11. 4 wrath they will not be able to profit thee for if in thy life time they do not as often they doe make themselves Prov. 23. 5 wings and flee away from thee yet in death thou wilt be taken from them thy close fist will be then open and all that dust which before thou gripedst in thy hand will then See Shickard in his Jus RegiuÌ„ cap. 6. Luke 12. 20. run through thy fingers and then thou fool whose shall all these things be Blessed Hezekiah who in this case could say of Gods Word and Promises and Providences In these things is the life of my spirit but Isa 38. 16. the very spirit of the worldlings life is wrapt up in this bundle of outward contentments so that if that threed be once cut and so all these be scattered and lost then as Micah said What have I more the man is Judg. 18. â—4 utterly undone and to whom in time of his life it was death to part with a penny it will be an hell at death to part with all as it was once said by one to a great Lord upon his shewing him his stately house and pleasant Gardens Sir You had need make sure of Heaven or else when you die you will be a very great loser Nor is this all for were it onely the losse of life and outward comforts of it that sting death fastneth even in the heirs of life 3. Thirdly therefore there is a deeper sting in it which the godly are freed from of which we read in the following Verse in these words The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law ie sin Rom. 5. 12. Puncturâ peccati morimur P. Martyr armeth death with its sting which otherwise could never have had power to hurt or touch us whatever the Socinian saith to the contrary and the law now broken doth ex accidente irritate and per se declare and manifest and aggravate sin and so giveth it its strength and death its warrant thus to arrest and execute us and hinc illae lachrymae hence is the deepest sting of death and deadliest groan of the dying sinner for that with death the weight both of sin and the law fall on him together which presseth him yet lower and woundeth him deeper even to the soul and conscience whilest he is hereby made sensible that his death is the wages of his sin so that he dieth not as a Rom. 6. 23 Martyr or barely as a Man but as a Malefactor under the guilt of sin and sense of Gods wrath and if there was a
his Will had not the suddennesse of it prevented it In a long continued Quartan God had knocked at his door which in the interim of his recovery awakened him to get all within ready against his now coming in which though to us unexpected yet found not him unprepared In his short sicknesse to one of his friends he expressed as I before hinted his great comfort and joy in Gods free discriminating electing love which therefore I would have none among us dispute a way against the time that their turn cometh to my self about half an hower before his departure which I hoped had been much farther off when I enquired of him about the setling of his outward estate and inward peace hee readily and without the least hesitancy answered me through the mercy of God in Christ it was made and that he quietly rested in it It seemeth that as it was said of one he had his faith at his fingers ends and having before given all diligence to make his calling and election sure though somewhat suddenly called out of this life he had an abundant entrance now set open to him into the everlasting Kingdome 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ And thus from this University as the Jewes use to say of a Learned man when he dieth requisitus est in Academiam coelestem As to himself having lived a fruitful and gracious life as Clemens Epistol◠prima ad Corinth pag. 58. Romanus speaks of some of the first and best Bishops 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hee closed up all with an happy and blessed death As to others he lived approved and died desired and by my self I am sure and by very many by most that ever rightly knew him I believe very much lamented So that although wee leave Ennius to his Nemo me Lachrymis c. yet this our Brother with Solon if his humility would have suffered him might have said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have heard that at Dr. Whitakers Funerals in this place there were very many wet eyes and I believe now at Dr. Hills are very many sad hearts but why should we grudge him his happinesse who may say to us as our Saviour did to the Jewes Weep not for me but weep Luk. 23. 28 for your selves and for the many sad evils which hee is taken from you may be left to see and feel Isa 57. 1. answerable to which the Jewes have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a saying of such good mens deaths Quando luminaria patiuntur Eclypsin signum malum est mundo It is an ill sign to the world when the Luminaries of Heaven are Eclypsed Deus avertat omen But certain it is that wee have lost in him a great good help to keep off such judgements and that at such a time in which he could bee ill spared But wee most humbly submit to the Soveraign will of that Supreme All-sufficient God who can of stones raise up children Matt. 3. 9. unto Abraham and who whatever we doe standeth not in need of his best fitted servants for the accomplishment of his work Onely the fewer and weaker our hands are which are left the more wee have need to bestirre them for his truth and in his service or rather the more earnestly spread and lift them up to him that he would carry on his own work by his own strength and if it be his will as the Jewes from that in Eccles 1. 5. of the Suns Antequam occidere sinat Deus solem justi alicujus oriri facit solem justi alterius 2 Kings 2. 13. Serm. 87. rising and the Suns going down are wont to say that the same day wherein one great man dieth another is raised up a Joshua to succeed Moses and Samuel Eli that the mantle of this our Elijah may fall upon some Elisha that some may arise in his spirit and power and that doubled as Ambrose saith of Elijah plus gratiae dimisit in terris quam secum portavit in coelos so that the place of this our David may not bee left empty 1 Sam. 20. 25. In Dr. Arrow smiths succeeding him in Trinity Colledge but what is already happily supplied to the Colledge may also be made up to the whole Vniversity and the Church of God Mean while let not us or his sometimes nearest Relations sorrow as men without hope Either of our selves as though because he hath left us God should have left us also but by his death let us take occasion to love the world Robinsons Essaies cap. 62. lesse out of which he is taken and heaven more whither he is gone before us and where once wee shall for ever enjoy him and bee there Phil. 1. 23. with Christ which is best of all Especially because there is no cause at all to weep as without hope of him who undoubtedly resteth in Christ and though dead liveth and triumpheth in Heaven where in that blessed Consort hee now sing's this joyful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Text O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory Now thanks be to God who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ SERMON II. 1 COR. 15. 55. O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory THE Text presented death and the grave to us as an enemy in a double but very different posture 1. As armed and so formidable Death with its sting and the Grave with the victory 2. But secondly and which is principally intended disarmed and so made contemptible and here Death hath lost its sting and the grave the victory The former we have lately considered upon a more sad occasion when we took view of the dark side of the cloudy pillar and whiles the Exod. 14. 30. Luke 9. 14. true Israelite looketh on it onely he may with the Disciples begin to fear as he entreth into that cloud But now the bright side is turned to us and the true Disciple of Christ may hear out of this cloud that sweet voice This is my beloved Son After Luk. 9. 35. a dark night the day now breake 's and the shadowes even the shadow Cant. 2. 17. of death fly away The last enemy is destroyed and the true Believer who had fought under Christs banner after the conflict ended and the victory obtained is now gotten into the valley of Berachah there in 2 Chron. 20. 26. God to triumph over these his enemies With this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory And so the point which remaineth to be treated on is That Doct. 2 As to a true Believer in and by Jesus Christ death hath lost its sting and the grave which swalloweth up all shall at last it self be swallowed up in victorie For so our Apostle here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Chrysostome and Theophylact In locum flourish the words as a
Judg. 16. 23 24. they had gotten Samson into their power praised their Gods and offered a great sacrifice to Dagon and rejoyced that he had delivered their enemy into their hands who had destroyed their Country and slain many of them then what Lebanon is sufficient to burn Isa 40. 16. Psa 50. 10. or what cattell on a thousand kills sufficient for a burnt sacrifice what Hecatombs of praise and service of whatever we are have can doe or suffer are due to our great God and Saviour who hath delivered the destroyer of our both bodies and souls into our hands and us out of his who hath slaine not onely many of us but either hath or will make havock of us all heaps upon heaps farre more and greater then ever Samson did of Judg. 15. 16. Asa 115. 1. them Now not unto us not unto us O Lord but to our most mighty and most mercifull God and Saviour be all the praise who hath thus delivered us from the power of darknesse and hath Colos 1. 13 Davenant in locum translated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. hath as a Colony transplanted us into a new and better Country from under the power of sin and death into the kingdome of his dear Son the Lord of life and glory hath opened for us that iron Jude 6. Heb. 7. 16. gate and broken those everlasting chaines of darknesse asunder and having perfectly vanquished hell and death hath instated us in that power of an endlesse life Now glory to God on high and on earth peace Vse 2 For as this matter of his endlesse praise so of strong and everlasting consolation and good hope to 2 Thess 2. 16. Heb. 6. 18. all those that are made partakers of the grace of life For so Calvin rightly observeth that the Apostle here in the Text tam animos â exclamatione erigere voluit Corinthiorum animos by such an hearty and triumphant exclamation as this O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory He intended to rouze and raise up the drooping trembling sinking hearts of Believers and by this Prosopopoeia as P. Martyr Proponit ob oculos mortem prostratam confossam adde's he presenteth death as having got a deadly wound and now lying prostrate at their feet for them securely to trample upon and to triumph over the sting being gone and the honey onely remaining whilest it hath delivered them from their worst enemy sin and more nearly united them to their best friend Jesus Christ their Lord and Head It doth indeed part them from the bodily presence of other dearest relations here on earth and from their bodies too which they must leave also for a time till they at last come to a more joyful meeting But not from God who as Saul and Jonathan in death are 2 Sam. 1. 23. Bernard in Cant. Serm 26. not parted So that what was before porta inferni is now introitus regni the gate of Hell is now become the entrance into Heaven or as Mr. Brightman expresseth it what was before the Devils Serjeant to drag us to Hell is now the Lords Gentleman-Vsher to conduct us to Heaven Prov. 31. 8. dying men are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a phrase which hath troubled Vide Mercer in locum Interpreters to give the true sense of it the word usually signifieth a change of raiment and so indeed death strip's us all but happy they whom Christ hath spread his skirt over they then will not bee found naked but clothed upon with their 2 Cor. 5. 2â— 3 4 house from Heaven This a Believer hath in death yea by death and what conclusion then should he inferre from it but the Psalmists Ergo Psal 16. 8 10 11. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth my flesh also shall rest in hope because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell but wilt shew me the path of life c. and therefore I will not onely rest in peace but leap for joy whilest I can thus insult over so deadly an enemy the righteous may well have hope in their death when Prov. 14. 32. from this Text they may be sure of the victory Vse 3 Which therefore should arm the heirs of life against the fear of death we read Cant. 3. 7 8. that the valiant of Israel have their swords on their thighs because of fear in the night which implieth that as So the Greeks amongst their many words for a night have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for one which imports fear other nights usually strike men at least children into fears so this long and more darksome night of death is subject to raise fears even in those that are men of God Especially whilest they are weak children they are oft weary of life and yet afraid of death that God in a manner knoweth not what to do with them as the Angel in Cyprian chideth such pati timetis exire non vultis quid faciam vobis and truly such children should be chid out of such childish fears but from the valiant of Israel God expecteth more spirit if not wholly to prevent such insults yet with courages to repel them for else to what purpose serve their swords on their thighs and a lively faith in their hearts if the fears of death can dead it It is a sad word of Calvin upon Heb. 2. 14 15. He Si quis animaâ— pacare non potest moâ—tis contemptu is sciat pâ—â—um se adhuc profecisse in Christi fide â—aâ— ut nimia trepidatio ex ignorantia Christi gratiae nascitur ita certum est infidelitatis signam that cannot quiet his heart in all holy contempt of death let him know that he hath as yet profited but a very little in the faith of Christ because this trembling ariseth from too much ignorance of his grace and is a certain sign of too much infidelity For so Paul Rom. 10. 7. affirmeth that doubtingly to ask who shall descend into the deep is to bring Christ again from the dead as though he had not died and by his death overcome death and Hell but on the contrary 1. The example of Christ our Saviour dying should animate every Christian Souldier against fears of death his tasting of it for us Heb. 2. 9. should keep it from being to us a câ—p of trembling for if the weak silly sheep freely followeth where the dux gregis before hath led the way why should the sheep of Christs Pasture be at a stand though it be in the valley of the shadow of death from following the Lamb whither soever Rev. 14. 4. he goeth 2. But the merit and efficacy of the death of Christ should in this kinde be most operative as it pacifieth the wrath satisfieth the justice of God removeth guilt and purchaseth Maledictionem subeâ—ndo sustulit quod in morte formidabile erat Cypr. life had we the