The Whole Duty of Mourning and Preparing Ourselves for Death, Part 1 · Introduction
The INTRODUCTION.
THat needs no Proof where all are Examples to themselves: such is that easiest and hardest Lesson, that all must die; that Death is the undoubted issue of Sin: and that it is a Separation of the Soul from the Body for a time: but because it stealeth on, as they that sleep in a Ship-under Sail, who arrive at their Port, while they think not of going: so we go on with a restless pace, to the Grave and Silence; and the unknown Limit of our present Life, consuming while we are not sensible of it; and because it is terrible to flesh and bloud, our main care must be to inform our selves, first what Preparation we are to make, that neither our Life may prove uneasie, nor Death terrible: Secondly, How to fortifie our selves against the Fear of Death: And Thirdly, How to comfort our selves with Spiritual Remedies against immoderate Grief for the Loss of Relations and Friends: These Three Branches shall be the Heads of my Discourse.
I. First, We must prepare for Death, for Solomon tells ye, 11 Eccles. 3. in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be: and as Death leaves us, so Judgment shall find us: now as the Passage to the promised Rest, which was a Type of Heaven to the Israel of God, appear'd terrible, Deut. 1.19. so likewise is our Journey to the Celestial Canaan; we are instantly ripe, though not ready for dying: are all subject to this pale Prince, to whom we are visiting every moment: this day we now live, we divide with Death; and that which is gone, is irrecoverably lost.
II. The Hour is uncertain to all Men; but they are certainly Happy who are then provided: Luke 12.37. many are apt to watch against the coming of Thieves, who can take nothing from them but only that which a little Time must: then what a stupid Negligence is it, not to watch and provide for Death, which they know will certainly, and may quickly come, and take away Body and Soul, nay Heaven it self to all Eternity, from the securest Sinner. Thinkst thou of Youth and Strength? alas! how many that are young, and in the Vigour of their Age, have died before thee? Dost thou at the Funerals of others, think with the proud Pharisee, Luke 18.11. God I thank thee, that I am not as other men are? seeing then that thou art exempted from the Privilege of Immortality of Body, let not Satan delude thee, but seriously prepare for that day, which may prove thy happiest.
III. Consider, That God is the Great Creator of the World; and the Sovereign Judge of all Mankind: Remember, he sits above, on his glorious Throne, in whose hands are the Keys of Life and Death: that whatever he pleases he brings to pass; and none can resist his Almighty Power; whatever he does is surely the best; and none can accuse his All-knowing Goodness.
IV. Next, If we consider our own sinfull State, we may well cry out and say, Unhappy we, the Children of Dust and Ashes! Why were we born to behold the Sun? Why did our Mothers conceive us, and bring us forth to a miserable World; and unkindly rejoyce to hear us cry? Whether alas! has the Errors of their Lives lead us, and in how deplorable a Condition do's our Birth engage us! We enter this vain World with weeping Eyes, but upon Death's Summons we go out with sighing Hearts.
V. All the few Days we live are full of Folly and Vanity, and our choicest Pleasures are mixt with Bitterness: the Time that's past is vanish'd like a Dream or Shadow, and that which we expect to come, is not yet at all: the present Time we enjoy, tarries but a moment; and then takes Wings and flys away, and never returns again: already we are dead to all the years we have liv'd, and vain 'tis to expect to live them over again: But the longer we live here, the shorter is our Life; and in the end we become a Lump of Clay, and a Feast for Worms.