The Whole Duty of Mourning and Preparing Ourselves for Death, Part 1 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI. Several Forerunners of Death, which may warn Men to prepare for it, Practically Considered.
THus in every Age before Death Approaches, we have manifold Fore-Warnings of his Coming, and when Death appears, God usually brings with it some Joynt-Warnings, to prepare us further for our speedy Dissolution. And first, before Death makes a Seizure, there is commonly Pain, like a Harbinger, sent before, to warn the Soul to entertain the Almighty with a present and diligent renewing of their Faith and Repentance: for God could have taken Men out of the World without Pain or Sickness; by a sudden Change, in the twinkling of an eye, 1 Cor. 15.51, 52. but the Divine Wisdom saw it not necessary.
II. When the Lord appeared unto the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles, and vouchsaf'd unto them Visions of his Glory, he used commonly to send before, as a Marshal, or Usher, some great fear, Gen. 15.12. Exod. 3.6. so that they fell down as dead Men, Ezek. 1, 28. and 2.1, 2. Rev. 1.17. or stood trembling, Dan. 10.8.11. their hair stood an end, and all their bones did shake. Job. 4.14, 15. But since God in his Divine Wisdom has altered that Method, and appears unto a Sinner at his Death in sweeter Visions of Heavenly Comfort, and prepares them with all Reverence for that hour.
III. God doth now as it were usher his way, by sending Sicknesses and bitter Diseases, that thereby we might be humbled for Sin, and renounce this Transitory Life, by giving a more willing Farewell unto it, and to long for our Translation, and the Joy which succeeds it: God shews, that then he expects a special Act of Humiliation, when near our End he visits us with such Pains; which creates a Mourning in us for Sins committed in the World, before we depart out of it: then are we summoned to stir up the Grace of God within us, and to raise up our Spirits with all Love and Reverence to meet the Lord, that we may receive his Blessing, and enter into his Gates with Joy, and into his Courts with Thanksgiving.
IV. These Pains prevailing at the approach of Death, causeth Men to lye down, and fall upon their Beds, Job 33.19. Acts 5.15. and to let all the Affairs of the World alone, with the Works of their several Callings: through Infirmity of Body God forceth them to stoop, and calleth them to remember their Frailty, and their End; as if he should command them to couch down before him, and require them to prostrate their Souls at his Footstool, in seeking his Favour and Mercy in his dear Son, even as their Bodies are prostrate by his Hand of Visitation.
V. This very Position of the Body, represents unto us, how the Grass withereth, and the Flower falleth, and admonisheth our Souls to worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our maker, Psal. 95.6. and by Faith to enforce our Bodies also, leaning on our staff, to worship upon the head of our bed, Heb. 11.21. Gen. 47.31. and 48.2. that he may straightway lift us up for ever; as Jacob bowed himself to the Ground seven times, at the approach of his Brother Esau, Gen. 33.3. So the Lord by Sickness, bows us down, that we may come submissively into his presence, humbling our selves under his mighty hand, that he may exalt us in his due rime, 1 Pet. 5.6.
VI. Another Warning to think of our Latter End, is that distaste of Meat, and want of Appetite in Sick Persons; when their life abhorreth bread, and their Soul dainty meat, Job 33.20. when the Staff of Bread fails, and the stay of Natural Life is withdrawn, then God summons the sick Persons to remember their end, to double their Care for Eternal Life, to seek the hidden Manna unknown, and unregarded of the World, Rev. 2.17. to feed upon that bread which cometh down from heaven, and giveth Life unto the world, John 6.33. by applying of his Promises, and tasting the Sweetness that is in them.
VII. Again when Sleep departs through Sickness, this is another distinct Warning to move Men to think of their End; God holds their Eyes waking, that they might meditate on their present Frailty; thereby are they called to commune with their heart, and that their Spirit make diligent search concerning their Estate and the Means of their Comfort, Psal. 77.4, 5, 6. God withdraws Sleep from their Eyes, and Rest from their Temples, that they might remember the Eternal Rest from all their Troubles, and might long after it, and prepare for it.
VIII. Now, precedent Pains, the Sick Bed, the loathing of Meats, and the Departure of Sleep, these are Occasions and Furtherances of Meditation, to remember our End: Now on the other hand, there are as many Hinderances of Meditation and Disturbances of the Mind, which meet with Men upon their Beds of Mortality, which to avoid that Obstruction, the Consideration of those Inconveniencies should prove as Motives to persuade us, not to deferr our making our Peace with God, to the last Moment of Time; that so we may profitably forecast before it is too late.
IX. It happens sometimes in Sickness, that as some want Sleep, so others in contrary Extremity are oppressed with continual slumbering and sleeping, which with an unresistable Necessity invades them; and this not only in Lethargies, Palsies, and other cold Diseases, but likewise in many Burning and Pestilential Fevers; during which time they lie senseless, and cannot think on their present Danger, nor of any thing which belongs to a due Preparation for their End: this leaden Sleep is a black Cloud of Death, a Night-shade, and a particular Darkness, of which in its measure is verified that more general Saying of our Saviour, John 9.4. the night comes wherein no man can work: and therefore while there is Light and Liberty of mind, in the time of Health, our End is to be remembred and provided for, before the Hours of Oppression doth seize upon our Mind.
X. Sometimes in Sickness, though Sleep oppress not, there is a kind of raving Distraction, caused by Phrensie, Melancholy, or other Distemperatures, which doth overwhelm the Mind, as Nebuchadnezzar's once was, by the Finger of the Almighty, Dan. 4. so that it is unfit to think of Death, or to seek any Comfort against the Danger of it: and from hence therefore it doth likewise appear, how unwise they are that deferr the Time of their Repentance unto the Time of Death, when it is uncertain whether they shall be Masters of their own Wits, and Natural Understanding, not to speak of supernatural Grace, which is far above the reach of Man, and yet necessary to Salvation.
XI. Sometimes the very Vehemency and Extremity of Pain, doth trouble and disturb the Mind, and disables it, that it cannot orderly and quietly dispose it self unto Godly and Comfortable Meditations; but being overcome with Impatience, frets, and murmures, its tossed to and fro, and becomes fruitless: therefore are these Extremities of Anguish compar'd to a Cup of intoxicating Wine, making Men as it were overcome with grief, Isa. 51.17.21, 22. Lam. 4.21. and even frantick with woe and sorrow, that they know not what they doe, Deut. 28.34. Jer. 25.16. Eccles. 7.7. and what Folly is it then for Men to be unprepared through forgetfulness of their Latter End, and to remain stupified in Security all their Life, till they are plunged in a Gulf of Misery? Perplexity and Extremity of Anguish may justly come as a Snare upon them that abuse their present Peace and Quietness, by promising themselves Liberty and Power to dispatch all that is necessary for their Salvation at the last Moment.
XII. And commonly when Death approacheth, our Adversary the Devil, that goes about like a roaring Lion, seeking to devour us at all Opportunities, doth then especially rage, knowing that his time is short, Rev. 12.12. and withall seeks to take Advantage of our present Weakness, by insinuating himself into each of our former Perplexities, and adding frightful Dreams to our Slumbers, strong Fancies to our Distraction, and aggravating our Pains with great Terrours, by that Voice which is within us.
XIII. Experience may inform us what great Temptations many have conflicted with upon their Beds of Mortality; and therefore the Consideration of this last Great Enterprize should alarm every one betimes to arm themselves against the Last Day of their Lives; to furnish themselves with a Competency of Grace, against the Day of Glory; to seek Truth and Righteousness; Faith, and Patience; to heap up store of Comfortable Promises out of the Word of God, and to lay it up in their Hearts, to be kept in readiness; whereby they may nourish up themselves in Hope, and be vigilant in praying uncessantly; that having finished this last Combat and obtained the Victory, they may then be translated from a State Militant to a State Triumphant for ever.