Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n
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A52799
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A funeral sermon preached at the merchants lecture at Pinner's-Hall, Broadstreet upon the death of the reverend Mr. Thomas Gouge who deceased Jan. 8 1699/1700 by John Nesbitt.
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Nesbitt, John, 1661-1727.
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1700
(1700)
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Wing N440; ESTC R28719
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20,176
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66
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into Eternity He views his Family and there finds nothing to support his departing Spirit but when he Reads over the Charter of the Covenant he begins the Songs of Zion tho' not yet past the swellings of Jordan Here he saw that peace between God and him which would abide in Death and out-live the Grave They that are without the Bond of the Covenant who have never given their Heart and Hand to be the Lord's they may be dejected and there is cause for it But Why Ps 49. 5. should I fear in the day when the iniquities of my heels compass me about tho' not only Infirmities but many Iniquities lay seige against the believers Soul yet why should I be dejected For the Lord will redeem my vers 15. Soul from the power of the grave my God will receive me What tho' Death seem never so terrible it hath lost its Sting Christ by his Cross hath turned those Waters of Marah into a refreshing Stream to all that are in Covenant with God thro' him As in the first Covenant Death is the Messenger of Justice to drag the Sinner to execution so in the New Covenant it is the Messenger of a Father to fetch his Children to those Mansions Christ hath prepared for them tho' death is continued in its natural conception as it is a dissolving of our Frame and Union between Soul and Body yet it is not continued in its moral notion as a penal satisfaction Death it self is put into the Believers Inventory Death is yours 1 Cor. 3. 22. Death is to every Man according to the Covenant in which it finds him if there be a Covenant of Peace between God and Thee then thou may'st go out boldly and meet death as a real Friend tho' in the Array of a formidable Enemy 3dly When your Hearts are sanctfied and renewed We are saved Tit. 3. 5. by the Washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Christ's Righteousness will never be a defence to any but his own Image If we take his Robe to cover us in our Sin we do but deceive our own Souls As death will wipe away all Tears from the Believer's Eyes so it will take off the paint of Hypocritical Professors then elevated strains shall not go for true Godliness nor fair Words pass for Charity nor an empty Name for the power of Religion he only shall appear an Israelite indeed that is without Guile and hath true Grace or Wisdom in the hidden parts As Hypocrites tho' they are embellish'd with many glistering Ornaments in the externals of Religion yet they are always loathsom to God because of their unseen uncleannesses so tho' Believers have many visible Infirmities and Imperfections yet they are always glorious with the truth of Grace within tho' like the Ark covered with coarse Skins yet pure Gold within then do we truly lay death to heart in preparing for it when Sin in its dominion is cast out of the heart for he is a Jew which is one Inward and Gospel Circumcision is Rom. 2. 29 that of the heart in the spirit where these three are secured that Soul's state is safe The second preparation is to be actually ready for death The former is and hath been the care of every true Believer but the neglect of this latter makes the message of death strangely surprizing to many real Christians instead of going out of the World like the Patriarch saying I have waited for thy Salvation or like old Simeon Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace Luk. 2. 29. they cry out like him O spare Psal 39. 13. me that I may recover strength before I go hence and be no more tho' the Believer's Righteous Soul while here is vexed with the filthy Conversation of the Wicked yet like Lot he is ready to linger when God calls him out of this Sodom of a World Would you then die not only in safety but with joy instead of being dragg'd forcibly go out willingly and while others have their Souls taken from them thou like thy Redeemer give up thine into the hand of thy heavenly Father for this purpose be conscientious in these four things 1. Let not the things of this World fix upon your Heart and Affections it 's difficult keeping the Heart chast for God when the Affections are intangled in the World tho' your necessity will oblige you to drink of this Jael's Cup yet beware of sleeping in her Tent beware of its Syrene Songs and Meretricious Smiles tho' neither Earth nor Hell shall keep the Believer out of Heaven yet they make many go halting thither Maintain as much as possible the same opinion of your earthly enjoyments while living as Men generally have 〈◊〉 when dying Look upon them rather as Talents committed to Servants to improve for their Master's use than as absolutely your own as they are free Gifts which we never deserved so be thankful to the Donor and as they are Talents so we should be faithful because we must give an account to our Lord and Master So use this world as not to abuse it 1 Cor. 7. 31. nor to have thy heart abused by it When thou seest the Kingdoms of this World and the Glory thereof beware of falling down and worshiping let not the dust of the Earth blind the eye of thy Faith nor the pleasures of it divide thy Love whatever be the delight of your Eyes be sure that nothing but God in Christ be the delight of your Hearts 2dly Keep your Loyns girt and your Lamps Burning As we are to stand actually ready for whatsoever service our Lord may appoint us whether doing or suffering so we must in order thereunto keep every Grace in exercise It was very surprising to the Wise Virgins when the mid-night cry came to go out and meet the Bridgroom to find their Lamps untrim'd tho' there was Oyl in their Vessels As Gall. 2. 20. we are to live by the Faith of the Son of God for daily influence so we are to walk by Faith as the eye to direct our Practice Let it 2 Cor. 5. 7. be your care to say with the Spouse At our gates are all manner of pleasant Cant. 7. 15. fruits which I have laid up for thee O my beloved There you have plenty and variety All manner of c and they are at the Gate that is actually ready and all for the Beloved As all Grace is derived from Christ's fulness so it 's devoted to him for his service Let there be Faith to follow him in dark Providences patience to wait for him under delays meekness to guard thy Spirit from being ruffled by the scurrilites of a sordid World Love which makes every duty easy and this is the way to have an abundant 2 Pet. 1. 11. entrance into thy Master's joy 3dly Dye dayly unto Sin It 's Sin that will be the Achan and troubler of thy camp This will make thee fly