Concerning Death and Heaven, Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Death terrible in its ſelf. It is a dreadful Enemy. Wherein its Enmity doth conſiſt. This Enemy ſhall be deſtroyed, though it be the laſt Enemy that ſhall be deſtroyed. Chriſt by his Death hath overcome Death for Believers, and how far he hath done it. Of the fear of Death, and the Cauſes thereof. How the fears of Death may be Conquered and overcome. It is very uncomely for Chriſtians to be afraid of Death. It is poſſible for Chriſtians to live without the fear of Death. How Chriſtians may die with Courage and Joy.
THo' death as it brings Holy Souls to the Eternal Fruition of God, is deſirable; yet conſidered in its ſelf it is dreadful, being accompanied with Diſeaſes and Diſtempers, the fore-runners of a Diſſolution, and Separation between Soul and Body, cauſing all the Actions and Operations of Life to ceaſe, in which State the Body quickly turns to Corruption and Putrefaction, and in time to common Earth. Now, though this be dreadful unto Nature, yet is there more of Terror in death unto Impenitent ſinners, becauſe to them it is not only a Gate to let them into the Grave, but a Gate to let them into Hell; the firſt death tranſmitting them unto the ſecond death. And yet how great is the folly of Men that they fear death for that which is leaſt formidable in it, but do not fear it, for that which renders it juſtly terrible? Could death do no more to us than what reacheth to pains and diſtempers on the outward Man, and the diſſolution and deſtruction of the Body in the Grave, it were then a tolerable evil, but when we ſhall conſider death as a puniſhment for ſin, as that which puts us into an unchangeable Eſtate, this is that which makes it dreadful and terrible indeed. While we are in this World, which is the time of our preparation for an Eternal State, of Strangers, yea of Enemies we may become Friends; but when death hath once ſeized upon us, it is impoſſible our State ſhould then be changed. We cannot now ſay of the vileſt Sinner in the World, that there is no hope of him; we muſt not write deſperation upon the fore-head of the wickedſt Man on Earth: but if he dies in that State, then he is loſt and undone for ever; for as the Tree falls, ſo it lies, as death leaves Men ſo Judgment will find them. And this Judgment is ſuch as is concluſive and never to be Repealed. Hence it is therefore, that take the moſt hardned Sinner, one whom Cuſtom in ſinning hath made paſt feeling, yet when he comes to die, if Conſcience be but awakened, it is impoſſible for him to look death in the Face without great fears and horrours: Nay, it is a ſight ſo amazing and confounding, that were it not for the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and that Satisfaction he hath made unto the Juſtice of God, by his death, it were utterly impoſſible that any Believer ſhould bear up under it: but Bleſſed be God, the Blood of Chriſt then ſpeaks Peace, and ſo Believers are not only ſupported, but carried comfortably unto Heaven, through the gloomy Valley of the Shadow of death.
Death being thus terrible now, it muſt needs be looked upon as a dreadful Enemy unto Man. An Enemy now, is one that when he comes againſt us always comes Armed to do us a miſchief: ſuch an Enemy now is death, for ever ſince the Fall of Man, death hath been Armed with a deadly Sting; now this Sting of death whereby it becomes hurtful unto Man is ſin, ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, The ſting of death is ſin. Now this Sting reacheth not only to the Body, but to the Soul alſo; as to the Body, it takes away all thoſe Contentments and Comforts wherewith it was here Refreſhed and Delighted; Death rends the Husband from the Wife, and the Wife from the Husband; it divides Children from their Parents, and Parents from their Children; death ſpoils us of whatſoever is deſirable in this life, ſtrips a Man of all and turns him naked out of the World; But this is not all, death not only bereaves us of all that is good here, but it brings many Evils along with it; Sickneſs, pains on the Body, Grief and Anguiſh upon the Mind and Spirit: It is a terrible Enemy to wraſtle and contend withal, it will make a Man ſweat and bleed, no Man can Encounter with death, but he ſhall feel great Anxiety and Vexation both of Body and Mind, unleſs he have ſtrength from above to enable him to go through the Conteſt. Death in its own Nature is ſo furious an Enemy unto Sinners, that it will not ceaſe till it hath pulled the Body down into the Grave, and dragg'd the Soul into the Preſence of God, and from his Tribunal into the Torments of Eternal Fire; where the firſt death terminates in the ſecond death, and the Torments exceed not only all our Expreſſions, but all our Apprehenſions alſo: where death that is now ſuch a dreadful Enemy, would there be counted an unſpeakable Mercy, for there they ſhall ſeek death, but ſhall not be able to find it. But more particularly the Enmity of death appears in theſe particulars.
Firſt, The Fears of death do much abate our deſires after the Enjoyment of God in Heaven. It is true, every Believer is one that loves God above all, and looks upon Heaven as that which ſhall be his dwelling place for ever, and accordingly ſincerely deſires and longs after it; and in his daily Converſation walks with his Face thitherwards: but when he ſees death ſtands in the way between him and Heaven, and that there is no coming for him to that place of Bliſs, but he muſt paſs through that dark Valley; this puts him to a ſtand, and makes his deſires weak and low. The beſt Chriſtians I believe have ſometimes felt ſuch workings as theſe within their Souls; for tho' the Regenerate part diſcovering it ſelf in the work of Sanctified Affections, would be ſoaring upwards towards God and Heaven, in whoſe preſence the Soul would fain be: but ſeeing death ſtanding in its way, how are the deſires of ſuch a Holy Soul kept down by the fears of it, and he turned back as one that was afraid to come into his Father's preſence. Where is the Chriſtian the Eye of whoſe Faith is ſo ſteadily fixed upon Chriſt in Heaven, whoſe Soul is ſometimes ready to cry out, I deſire to be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt, which is far better; yet withal, when he ſees the rude hand of death ſtretched out to undreſs him, and that there is no coming unto Jeſus Chriſt for him, but by firſt ſuffering a Diſſolution, and laying down of his Earthly Tabernacle in the Grave: though he would fain be with Chriſt, that he might enjoy him whom his Soul loveth; yet ſeeing this diſmal Enemy death in the way, doth not ſhrink back and cry out, O I dare not venture; O what a dreadful Enemy is this, and what dreadful Enmity doth it put forth in the obſtructing our deſires, though after God and Heaven; cauſing us to run from God as it were at that time, when we truly and dearly love him. Happy Souls are they, in whom Faith and Love work ſo powerfully as to conquer and overcome theſe fears.
Secondly, If death as an enemy prevails ſo as to abate our deſires after the Enjoyment of God in Heaven, it will be apt to endanger our falling in love with this preſent World, and ſo make us miſerable, by cauſing us to take up with the men of this World, who have their Portion in this Life. Take a Chriſtian whoſe deſires after Heaven are weak though true, becauſe blunted by the apprehenſions of ſome frightful difficulties that muſt be gone through for the attaining of it; how apt is ſuch a one to be tempted to think that it is beſt for him to take up with thoſe delightful pleaſures that may be had here, without ſuch dangerous adventures? but now if that which darkens the Bleſſed Viſion of Heaven, and our unſpeakable Happineſs in the fruition of God there, and which alſo deadens our deſires after this bleſſedneſs be once removed, which uſually is the dreadful apprehenſions of death; with what eaſe can ſuch a Soul with a Holy Scorn and Contempt deſpiſe all the trifling Vanities of this World, as things not worthy to be regarded?
Thirdly, The Enmity of Death manifeſts it ſelf in obſtructing a Chriſtians endeavours towards Heaven. A diſcouraged diſconſolate Soul moves but ſlowly, be it towards Earth or Heaven. Difficulties that ſhould ſtir up greater diligence, uſually are great diſcouragements unto our endeavours, and we are apt to cry out with Solomon's Sluggard, There is a Lion in the way, and therefore it is, that the hands of the Sloathful refuſe to labour. And ſo it is with us in Spirituals, difficulties ſoon diſcourage and hinder our endeavours; whereas they ſhould be a whet to Induſtry. The Kingdom of Heaven ſays our Lord, ſuffers violence, and the violent take it by force. But alas, in many Chriſtians the fears of death are ſo ſtrong that they keep them in Bondage all their Days. But now were Death removed out of our way; could Chriſtians be cloathed upon with their Houſe which is from Heaven, without laying down the earthly Tabernacles of their Bodies in the Grave; were there no ſuch thing as dying to make way for our Entrance into Heaven, how delightful would the Thoughts of Heaven be to us? we ſhould not then run with Patience, but with Chearfulneſs the Race that is ſet before us; we ſhould no longer need Motives to quicken us in our way to Heaven; but ſo earneſt and vehement would our deſires and longings be after it, that nothing could ſtop the eager purſuits of our Souls for the obtaining of it. How delightfully ſhould we pray, Lord let thy Kingdom of Glory come? Our Meditations thereof would ſo draw forth our Affections, and raviſh our Souls in the delightful fore-thoughts of it, that we ſhould think nothing hard to part with for the attaining of it. But that now which abates our Deſires after Heaven, muſt needs hinder our diligent Endeavours in the uſe of Means for the obtaining of it.
Now as Death is an Enemy, ſo it is the laſt Enemy, but yet withal it is an Enemy that ſhall be deſtroyed; ſo the Apoſtle tells us, 1 Cor. 15. and 16. Now the laſt Enemy that ſhall be deſtroyed is Death.
But how or by whom is this laſt Enemy Death deſtroyed and overcome.
I anſwer, Not by our ſelves; for Death ſeems rather to have deſtroyed us than we it, when it brings the Body down into the Grave, and turns it into Corruption and Rottenneſs. But this laſt Enemy is deſtroyed by our victorious Redeemer the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Captain of our Salvation; he it is who by the Merit of his Death hath overcome Death; and of a deadly Enemy, hath made it become a moſt comfortable Friend to all that believe in him.
Now for this we muſt know Chriſt hath not delivered us from our Obligation unto Death; for ſince the Fall of Man, Death is become neceſſary for a Chriſtian, being the only way appointed by God for our Entrance into Heaven; and therefore we ſee that Believers die as well as Ʋnbelievers. Neither hath Chriſt delivered us from Sickneſs and Diſtempers, the uſual Fore-runners of Death. David complains, Pſal. 38. My Loins are filled with a loathſome Diſeaſe; there is no ſoundneſs in me becauſe of thine Anger, neither is there any reſt in my Bones becauſe of my Sin. But now in theſe Reſpects Chriſt hath overcome Death for Believers.
Firſt, He hath taken away the Sting of Death. This Captain of our Salvation upon the Croſs, as in an open Field and pitch'd Battel, did ſpoil Principalities and Powers, Col. 2.15. Now one of theſe Powers armed againſt us was Death, and the Weapo… with which Death fights againſt us is Sin: Our … Jeſus Chriſt now took away our Sins upon the Croſs, and ſo ſpoil'd Death of his Power. For having ſpoiled Principalities and Powers, he made a ſhew of them openly, triumphing over them on his Croſs. Death once ſtruck the Lord of Life and Glory with its Sting, and by ſtriking him loſt its Sting in his bleſſed Side; ſo that ever ſince all that are in Chriſt, do or may inſult over Death, as being conquer'd and overcome for them; ſo ſpeaks the Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 15. and 55, 57. O Death where is thy Sting, O Grave where is thy Victory. The Sting of Death is Sin, ſays he, and the Strength of Sin is the Law: But thanks be to God, who hath given us the Victory through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
Secondly, Chriſt delivers Believers from the fears of Death. Heb. 2.14, 15. Foraſmuch then as the Children were Partakers of Fleſh and Blood, he alſo himſelf likewiſe took part of the ſame, that through Death he might deſtroy him that had the power of Death, that is the Devil: But is this all? No, the Apoſtle adds another end; and that is, that he might deliver them who through fear of Death were all their life-time ſubject unto Bondage. Now that which makes an Enemy to be feared is his Strength, his deadly Weapons: Chriſt now by dying on the Croſs took away the Weapons of Death, its Sting whereby it hath Power to hurt, and that is Sin. Now Death being diſarmed, Chriſtians are free'd from the Fears of it. It is true Men may ſometimes fear a naked Enemy; but there is no real Cauſe for it, ſeeing he cannot hurt them And ſo the People of God ſometimes may exceed in their Fears of Death, but they have no juſt Cauſe; neither would they be ſo afraid of Death, if they were ſtrong in the Faith of Jeſus Chriſt, who hath diſarmed Death for them.
Thirdly, Chriſt delivers his People from the Curſe of Death. In it ſelf Death is a Curſe, the Puniſhment of Man's Sin, the Expreſſion of God's Wrath, the Execution of the Law, and the dreadful Sentence pronounced againſt Man upon his Apoſtacy from God. In the day thou eateſt thereof, ſays God, thou ſhalt die the Death. But all that die under the ſtroke of Death, do not die under the Curſe of it; all deſerve it indeed, but to ſome the Nature of it is changed; thorough him, who is the Reſurrection and the Life, they that believe ſhall never die: A Voice from Heaven hath pronounced them bleſſed that die in the Lord, Rev. 14.13. The Nature of Death is changed to them that are in Chriſt, ſuch do but ſleep. To die to a Saint is no more than to undreſs and go to Bed: Let what will become of Dives, our Friend Lazarus ſleepeth, John 11.12. The Juſt by Death enter into Peace, they reſt in their Beds, and are taken from the Evil to come. Death to the wicked is like a Malefactor's putting off his Cloths, that he may be ſcourged according to Law: So Death uncloathes the wicked, that by the Wrath of God they may be tormented for ever. But now to the godly Man Death is but like a Child's putting off an Old Garment, that he may put on a new one: So Death uncloathes the Godly of the Rags of their Mortality, that they may be cloathed with an incorruptible Garment that ſhall never fade or change, but keep its beautiful Luſtre and Glory for ever.
Fourthly, Chriſt delivers his People from the Dominion of Death. It is true when Death hath laid their Bodies down in the Grave, in ſeems to have Dominion over them; but it is but for a while, for our Lord Jeſus hath taken away this ſeeming Dominion of Death, by the Merit of his own Death, and hath declared his Victory over it, and our deliverance from it, by raiſing up his own Body from the Grave. Chriſt by his Death did meritoriouſly conquer Death for Believers, but he did not actually conquer it till his Reſurrection, but then he did; the Day of his Reſurrection was the Day wherein Grace did triumph thorough Chriſt towards believing Souls; for on that Day Chriſt did openly ſhew to Heaven, to Hell, to Earth, that Death was not only conquerable by Believers, but that it was actually conquered for them thorough him. Bleſſed Souls in Heaven believe it to their everlaſting Conſolation, and are thereby fully confirmed in the Reſurrection of their own Bodies, becauſe their Head is already riſen for them. The damned in Hell have the Knowledge of it to their greater Torment, becauſe they now know their ſinful Bodies ſhall be raiſed to ſuffer for ever with their Souls in that Place of Torment, and therefore they believe and tremble. The Saints on Earth alſo know it, and therefore they rejoice in the believing Expectations of it; being aſſured that as the Bonds of Death were looſed, by which Chriſt was held in the Grave for the ſpace of Three Days, but could not poſſibly be held by them any longer; ſo neither ſhall it be poſſible for Believers always to be held under them. But there is a time coming, when all that are in their Graves ſhall hear the Voice of the Son of God, and ſhall come forth, Joh. 5.28. And if we believe, ſays the Apoſtle, that Jeſus died, and roſe again, even ſo them alſo that ſleep in Jeſus will God bring with him, in 1 Theſ. 4. and 14. for ſays the ſame Apoſtle, Chriſt is riſen, and become the firſt Fruits of them that ſleep, in 1 Cor. 15.20. And as Chriſt being raiſed from the Dead dieth no more, Death hath no more Dominion over him. So the time will not be long before Believers ſhall alſo be raiſed from the Dead, and ſhall die no more; for there ſhall then be no more Death, nor Sorrow, nor Crying, nor Pain; no more Diſeaſes, or Fears of Death, or the Grave; for behold all former things are paſſed away, and all things are become new, Rev. 21.45.
But though Chriſt hath overcome Death, yet is there ſtill a Fear of it in moſt: And indeed Death is an Object of Fear; neither is all Fear of Death to be condemned as ſinful. Now for the better underſtanding of this, that Death is an Object of Fear, and when it may be lawful to fear Death, and when the Fear of it is ſinful, I ſhall conſider Man in a threefold Reſpect. As he is a meer Man, as he is a ſinful Man, and as he is a true Believer.
Firſt, I ſhall conſider Man as he is a meer Man, compounded of Soul and Body, and ſo the Nature of Man abhors Death; and if it were poſſible (as it is not) to find out a Man in the World that were free from all manner of Sin, yet would he fear Death, were he liable to it, becauſe it is that which tends to his Diſſolution and Deſtruction. Thus our Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelf, though he was perfectly holy, and free from all Sin, yet in this ſenſe he feared Death; and therefore he prays, Father, if it be poſſible, let this Cup paſs from me. Thus now to fear Death as it is evil and deſtructive unto Nature is not ſinful or unlawful.
Secondly, Conſider Man as he is ſinful and unregenerate, and ſo Death is an Object of Fear, and full of Horror: For to all ſuch Death comes armed with Power, not only to make a Separation between Soul and Body, (for ſo Death rules over all,) but it comes to kill and to deſtroy Soul and Body for ever; for to ſuch it is not Death alone, as it is to the Godly; but it is Death and Hell together. Rev. 6.8. And I looked and behold a pale Horſe, and his Name that ſat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. It is no wonder if Death be dreadful and terrible unto ſuch; but it is rather a wonder that ſuch can take any reſt in the night, or enjoy any quietneſs in the day, that under the Fears of Death they are not diſtracted. But here is the Miſery of ſuch, they are ſo afraid of Death, that they will not let the Thoughts of it come into their Minds, but do what they can to baniſh the Thoughts of that evil day far from them. But know, O fooliſh Sinner, though thou ſleepeſt, and art ſecure in Sin, yet thy Death and thy Damnation ſlumbers not; for Death and Hell are riding on Horſe-back, making haſte towards thee, and will ſoon overtake thee, to thy eternal Ruine and Deſtruction; and then thou ſhalt know by ſad Experience, that the Fears of the firſt Death, which now thou laboureſt to ſtifle, yea to drive away from thy Thoughts, were not ſo full of dread and horror, as the feeling of the Second Death will be for ever. Death therefore unto wicked Men is an Object to be feared, and the fear of Death in them is not only lawful but commendable, and that upon which their Thoughts ſhould much dwell, becauſe it is that which will prevent much Sin in them while they live, and may poſſibly render Death more comfortable to them when they come to die.
Thirdly, Conſider Man as regenerate, and become a true Believer, yet ſo he may, and often doth fear death: For let a Man be never ſo much a Saint, yet he will be ſtill a Man; and therefore as death will be death, ſo nature will ſtill be nature; and therefore death as death will be abhorred. Neither is there any neceſſity that the fear of death ſhould be wholly conquered and ſubdued in the Godly, ſo as that if ſhould not be, becauſe it may and often doth turn to their Benefit and Advantage; for hereby they are made to walk more humbly with God and more watchfully over themſelves; for while they conſider that they are poor, frail, dying Creatures, ſubject unto death continually, and that they muſt paſs from thence unto Judgment, to give an Account of what they have done in the Body; by this means they are kept from falling into many Sins, that now would wound their Conſciences, and break their peace, and hereafter make their death more dark and uncomfortable. By this fear of death alſo the Godly are quickened in their preparations for Heaven and Eternity; for becauſe death is ſo certain that it will come, and withal ſo uncertain when it will come, the Godly are hereby ſtirred up unto a ſpeedy and diligent preparation for it, that ſo they may be ready for their departure whenſoever God by death ſhall call them hence.
And death now is an Object of Fear in general, ſo are there Reaſons why Chriſtians fear death in particular, as,
Firſt, Some are afraid of death becauſe of the extremity of thoſe pains which they muſt undergo, when they are dying, and becauſe of the Corruption and rottenneſs which their Bodies muſt turn to when they are dead.
But admit what thou ſayeſt, O Chriſtian, ſhould be true, that thy pains in dying ſhould be great; yet haſt thou not ſinned, and thereby deſerved that what thou feareſt, thou mayeſt feel; let me tell thee, There is not the moſt Righteous man on Earth, but hath ſinned, and the leaſt ſin merits more pains than any man in the firſt death ever yet endured: If therefore thy pains in dying ſhould be great, it is juſt with God what thou ſuffereſt, and it is of his mercy that thou ſuffereſt no more; for there is no compariſon between thy pains and thy ſins, between what thou mayeſt ſuffer, and what thou deſerveſt to ſuffer: let thy ſickneſs be what it will, and thy pains as great as well thou canſt imagine; they are no more, nay they are not ſo much as thou haſt deſerved: If God ſhould deal with thee according to the demerit of thy ſins, it is not the moſt ſmart and ſevereſt pains of a Temporal death that are ended by dying; but eaſeleſs and endleſs Torments in Hell to all Eternity that would be thy Portion. Fear not therefore, O living Chriſtian, complain not, O dying Chriſtian, though thy pains in death ſhould be great, for it is but the puniſhment of thy ſins, nay let me ſay to thee, O Chriſtian be thankful and rejoyce, for it is the laſt puniſhment thou ſhalt ever endure for thy ſins, either here or hereafter.
But further? Is it the corruption and rottenneſs that thy body muſt be ſubject to in the Grave, that terrifies and afrights thee?
Let me ſay this unto thee, It is no very great matter what becomes of thy Body when it is once dead, though it were burnt to Aſhes at a Stake, tho' it rot in the Fields as Dung upon the Ground, tho' in the Bowels of the Earth it become a Feaſt for Worms, and turn to corruption and rottenneſs; this will then be of no more concern to thee, than if it had with the greateſt Coſt and Charge been Embalmed and Buried by thy deareſt Friends. The State of death knows nor feels no difference between the one and the other: And what if thy Body lies in the Grave for a while, it will not there be miſerable, for it feels no pain, but reſts quietly in its Bed, ſweetly ſleeping away time until the Morning of the Reſurrection, when thou ſhalt awake out of the Duſt again, and ſhalt die no more. And in the mean time thy Soul, [if thou art a true Believer, for unto ſuch only there is Peace and Comfort in death] upon its departure out of the Body is advanced unto unſpeakable Happineſs in Heaven, among the Spirits of Juſt Men made perfect, in the Eternal Enjoyment of the infinitely bleſſed God, the Fountain of Light and Life; where thou ſhalt have as much Delight and Satisfaction as thou canſt poſſibly contain, and more than now thou canſt conceive: And why then art thou ſo afrighted with the fears of Death, when this is all the hurt it can do thee?
O but Death is that which will take me from all my Friends and Relations, and deprive me of all that Comfort and Delight that here I enjoy in their ſweet Society. To this I Anſwer, Suppoſe it be ſo that by Death thou art taken from a dear Yoke-fellow that is now the Delight of thine Eyes; ſuppoſe thou loſeſt all thy Friends and Kindred in the Fleſh, whom thou loveſt even as thy own Soul, not knowing certainly whether ever thou ſhalt ſee them, or at leaſt ſo as to know them any more again for ever: If this be all thy trouble, how eaſily can God make it up unto thee: Alas, when Death hath once opened thine Eyes, and let thee ſee what bleſſed Society thou ſhalt enjoy in Heaven, thou wilt not, thou canſt not be troubled for what thou haſt left behind thee here: when thou art come to the Heavenly Jeruſalem, the City of the Living God, to an innumerable company of Angels, to the General Aſſembly of the firſt born, to God the Judge of all, to the Spirits of Juſt men made perfect, to Jeſus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and where the blood of Sprinkling ſpeaks better things than the blood of Abel: will it then grieve thee that thou haſt left thy Friends and Relations on Earth? Why this is the State thou expecteſt, this is the Company thou hopeſt to enjoy hereafter; why then let the believing joyful expectations of this Aſſociation, bear up thy Soul under thy Fears by Death of loſing thy Friends and Relations here.
But thou mayeſt ſay poſſibly they may want me when I am dead and gone, though I want not them; whilſt I am with them, I ſee their …ants and take care to ſuppy them, and when they are going into any evil or ſinful way, I Councel them, I Reprove them, and I pray for them and endeavour to inſtruct them in the fear of the Lord. But when I am gone, I know not who will do any of theſe things for them, and what then will become of them?
To this I Anſwer, canſt thou ſay in good earneſt that this is thy ſtrait, that therefore thou deſireſt to live, that thou mayeſt be a means if God ſaw it good to further and promote their Souls Happineſs: why then let me ſay this to thee, is it not a time of health with thee now, doth God lend thee the ſweetneſs of ſuch Relations and Friends, ſhew that thou loveſt them indeed, by taking hold of the preſent opportunities thou now haſt to Admoniſh, to Reprove, and to Correct, ſo far as it is thy place? Oh double and treble thy diligence in all Reſpects wherein thou mayeſt be advantageous to their Souls; multiply thy Prayers and Tears, thy Sighs and Groans unto God; follow him Night and Day, and give him no reſt until thou haſt ſome good ground to hope that God is not only thy God, but the God of thy Friends and Relations alſo; and when thou haſt done thy utmoſt, and God by Death calls thee away hence, ſo that thou canſt do no more, quietly reſign up thy Soul into his hands, and commit them to the care and kindneſs of thy God, who is the Great and Ʋniverſal Father, that takes care of all his Creatures, but is by ſpecial Relation a Father to them that fear and ſerve him.
But may ſome poor Soul ſay, when I come to die, the change that I muſt paſs through by death, is ſo ſtrange and ſo amazing, that I know not how I ſhall be able to bear it, death will both change my place and company: here I converſe with Friends and Relations and Acquaintance, whom I well know, becauſe I have lived ſo long among them; but when I go hence, O what a ſtrange place and company ſhall I then ſee, ſuch as I never ſaw in all my life, full of dazling and aſtioniſhing Brightneſs and Glory, the thoughts whereof may juſtly fill my Soul with fear and amazement.
To this I Anſwer, art thou a Chriſtian indeed, and doſt thou talk after this manner as if thou wert a Stranger to God, to Chriſt, to Heaven, and the Happineſs of Glorified Saints there; whom is it thou calleſt Father every time thou Prayeſt? is it not the God of Heaven? What doſt thou make of Jeſus Chriſt thy Profeſſed Lord and Saviour, whoſe love to thee was ſo great that he would manifeſt it in no other way, than that by which he might moſt endear himſelf unto thee, and moſt ſtrongly engage thy Love and Affections unto him, and that was by laying down his Life and ſhedding of his Blood, a a Ranſom for thy Soul, and a propitiation for thy Sins, whom thou profeſſeſt alſo to believe that he is Aſeended up into Heaven, and ſits at the right hand of God preſenting his Blood and Sufferings before the Throne of the Majeſty on high; that both thy ſelf and thy Services that are Impure and Imperfect in themſelves, may yet be accepted through him: Is it not through his Righteouſneſs alone, that thou hopeſt for Juſtification unto Life and Happineſs, and through his Strength that thou art enabled to perform all thy Duties, and yet doſt thou not know him; what a ſtrange thing is this? But alas ſayeſt thou, it is very little that I know of him, never did I ſee him in all my days. But what if thou haſt not beheld him with thy Bodily Eyes; yet canſt thou not ſay with the Apoſtle, whom having not ſeen, yet thou haſt and doſt believe in him; and ſometimes, it may be ſo as to rejoyce with that Joy that is unſpeakable and full of Glory; and tho' thou haſt not known him after the Fleſh, yet thou haſt known him after the Spirit, though thou haſt known him but a little, and what thou doſt ſee and know of him Spiritually, is but through a Glaſs darkly; yet be not dejected, fear not, for he knows thee perfectly, and hath ſeparated thee and ſet thee apart for himſelf from Eternity, and hath effectually called thee in time, Juſtified thee by his Grace; yea, he knows thee by Name, and now in the approach of Death, he is coming to take thee to himſelf, where thou ſhalt ſee him as he is, and know him as thou art known of him. And as for thoſe Glorious Creatures, the Angels and Saints in Heaven, methinks it ſhould even Raviſh thee to think how thoſe Noble and Excellent Creatures will flock about thee and bid thee welcome into Heaven as one greatly beloved of the Lord, ſaying unto thee, not as the Angel once ſaid unto the two Mary's, Mat. 28. come ſee the place where the Lord lay, but come ſee the Throne where thy Lord ſits in all his Majeſty and Glory.
But may ſome ſay, I may well be afraid to die, becauſe it is that which puts an end to my life and being here: and who can without fear look upon himſelf, and ſee his Body withering and decaying and not be troubled at it? is not Death the great Dread and Terror of the World? Job therefore calls it, The King of Terrors. O how doth the Expectations of Death appale the Faces, weaken the Hands, ſhake the Hearts, imbitter the Pleaſures, and damp and cool the Spirits, even of the Mighty ones of the Earth! Should God ſay unto many, that they ſhould ſet their Houſes in Order, for they ſhall die and not live; ſhould they ſee a Tekel, written upon their Walls, their days are finiſhed, this night ſhall their Souls be taken from them; what ſad Lamentations would moſt Men make? Life, O how ſweet is it to them, all that they have would they give for their Lives; doth not Nature it ſelf teach us to ſeek the Preſervation of our Beings, and abhors whatever tends to its Diſſolution as death doth?
To this I Anſwer, becauſe of this abhorrency of Death, which is implanted in the Nature of all Men living, there may be even in the beſt of God's People a fear of Death and an unwillingneſs to die. Our Lord himſelf, who was without Sin, diſcovers ſomething of this, who though to ſhew his great willingneſs and readineſs to die for Sinners, ſaid, I have a Baptiſm to be Baptized withal, which was the Baptiſm of his Blood, and how am I ſtraitned till it be accompliſhed; thinking long for the coming of the day of his Death, whereby the work of our Redemption was in a great meaſure to be accompliſhed; yet when Death came to him, ſee how his pure and innocent Nature was put to it, when he cry'd out. Father, if it be poſſible let this cup paſs from me: It is true in his Caſe there was more than Death in it, there was wrath, there was a curſe, there was all the Sins of the World wrung into that Cup to mingle him a bitter draught; but this was alſo ſomething of it; for there was Death in the Cup. It will therefore be the Wiſdom of Chriſtians, to whatever meaſure of confidence and aſſurance they may have attained, ſo as upon good grounds to have overcome the fears of Death, and to look upon their dying day as the moſt joyful day in their lives; yea, though in this confidence their Hearts may ſometimes pant after the coming of that day, and they ready to cry out, make haſte my beloved, come, Lord Jeſus, come quickly; yet will it be your wiſdom to buckle on all your Armour, to get all your Evidences and Experiences ready, for the conflict of that day and hour may be ſuch as that you may ſtand in need of your utmoſt Preparations; for you know not how the Fleſh may ſhrink in the day of Trial. But if it ſhould be ſo; yet be not diſcouraged, O Chriſtian, for poſſibly this very inſtance of our Lord, may be left upon Record for this very end, to comfort his People when they ſhall be overtaken with the ſame fears and troubles.
And as for the ſweetneſs of this preſent Life, the loſing whereof makes thee to fear Death, let me ask thee this Queſtion, Who art thou that art ſo fond of this preſent Life? Art thou a Chriſtian indeed and in truth; or doſt thou only make a profeſſion of Religion, without the life and power of Godlineſs? If thou art only an outward profeſſor, I wonder not that thou ſhouldſt ſet ſo high a price and value upon life, and art ſo unwilling to part with it, becauſe all thy happineſs is terminated in things that are enjoyed on this ſide Death and the Grave; for as for thoſe great and glorious things, that Eye hath not ſeen, nor Ear heard, nor can poſſibly enter into the Heart of Man to conceive, that God hath prepared for them that love him; and which are to be enjoyed beyond time in Eternity, thou haſt no lot or portion in thoſe matters: What wonder therefore, if thou mourn and ſigh even to the breaking of thy Loyns, when Death comes to put an end to thy Life; for then it ſeparates between thee and thy happineſs for ever. But if thou art one that truly feareſt God, thou needſt not be ſo fooliſhly fond of this Life; for what is there in it that ſhould make thee coat upon it; Is it not a Life full of cares and troubles? Have not thy Sins made it ſo? The Wiſe Man tells us, that all that is in this Life, that can be outwardly enjoyed, is nothing but Vanity and vexation of Spirit; Haſt thou not by experience found it ſo? Thou ſhouldſt therefore with Holy Job bleſs God, not only for giving of Life, but for taking of it away alſo; God gave it thee for a time, and but for a ſhort time too; and if thou wert ſo wiſe as thou ſhouldſt be, thou oughteſt to count it thy felicity that it is ſo ſhort; for it is a Life of ſorrow, and who will complain becauſe his ſorrows are ſo ſhort? It may be thou haſt met with ſome pleaſures here that gratifie thy ſenſe; but are they comparable to what thy Soul hath taſted in the enjoyment of God, unto which God by Death is calling thee to the enjoyment of with himſelf in Heaven to all Eternity? Dareſt thou ſay that Earth is like Heaven? Is Chriſt in thoſe dark and dim diſcoveries he makes of himſelf in the Goſpel, like to Chriſt in the full and open manifeſtations of himſelf in all his Glory in Heaven? Canſt thou ſay thy Soul is ſo like him in Wiſdom, Holineſs, Joy, and Peace here, as it will be above, when it comes to be enrolled among the Spirits of juſt Men made perfect? If thou wilt be in love with Life, be in love with Eternal Life; and henceforth fear not to die at God's call; for the obedience that thou oweſt unto God binds thee, and the gain that Death will bring ſhould both invite and encourage thee. Though Death ends this Life it begins another; and though thou may'ſt rot under ground in one part of thee, yet it is in thy vileſt part, thy Body; and even that will ſpring up and flouriſh again ſhortly: And in the mean time, thy Soul, thy better part, ſhall live a more noble and excellent life. Think well therefore of Death; for as it ends thy Life, ſo it ends thy Sin and thy ſufferings alſo.
In theſe particular Inſtances, O Christian, thou feeſt how little cauſe there is for thee to be afraid of Death. I ſhall now in the next place endeavour to diſcover how unfit and uncomely a thing it is for Chriſtians to fear Death; and for this conſider,
Firſt, A Chriſtians fearing of Death, brings a reproach upon Religion, as if there were not that in Chriſtianity, that could lift up a Soul above the fears of Death. For a Papiſt that profeſſeth no Man can in an ordinary way be aſſured that he ſhall go to Heaven when he dies to tremble at the thoughts of Death, this is no great matter, it is but to act according to what his Religion teacheth him; but for one that profeſſeth the knowledge and aſſurance of Salvation and a future happy State, to ſtand amazed at death, the way and paſſage through which God hath appointed we muſt enter into Heaven, where this happineſs is to be enjoyed, ſhews, if not a want of Faith; yet at leaſt a great weakneſs of Faith, and gives occaſion to thoſe that ſpeak evil of the good ways of God, to reflect diſgracefully upon Religion.
Secondly, To live in fear of Death, is that State of Bondage and Slavery which wicked Men are under, and from which Jeſus Chriſt came to deliver his People: And therefore for a Believer to live dejectedly under the fears of Death is a very uncomely thing. Indeed the fears of wicked Men are ſo great, that they cannot think of Death without horrour; and when they come to die they are compelled to it, for of all things in the World they dread Death moſt; and could they but be aſſured that they ſhall live here always, they would deſire no other Heaven. Fearfulneſs and amazedneſs under the apprehenſions of Death is the proper State of wicked Men, that Slavery and Bondage unto which they are always ſubject; for upon good grounds they can have no hopes in Death; but are full of fearful expectations of Wrath and fiery Indignation that ſhall Torment them for ever. But now for true Believers, God hath made your ſtate and condition very unlike unto theirs, as to the iſſues of Death, becauſe you have good hopes of Eternal Life even in Death; ſo ſays the Wiſe Man, Prov. 14.32. The Righteous hath hope in his Death. Now ſince there is ſo great an unlikeneſs between you and them both in Death and after Death, let there not be a likeneſs between you and them as to your fears of Death; let a Faelix tremble at the hearing of Death and Judgment; but let not the Godly hang down their Heads, but lift them up with joy and rejoicing, becauſe the day of their Redemption draweth nigh.
Thirdly, Conſider this, to be afraid of Death, is to fear that which is but the Shadow and ſemblance of Death: For to ſpeak ſtrictly, a ſtate of Sin, and ſeparation of the Soul from God for Sin, this is Death properly; but the ſeparation of the Soul from the Body only, is but the Shadow of Death. But O how ſeldom is it to ſee Men trembling becauſe of a ſpiritual Death, becauſe they are dead in treſpaſſes and ſins, though this be infinitely more dreadful than any temporal Death can be? And therefore to ſhew how full of Woe and Miſery this Death is, it is called Damnation; which is the extremity of all Miſery: This is that now to which this ſpiritual Death tends, and in which it will terminate. Hence therefore Wicked Men are ſaid to be condemned already, and the wrath of God abides upon them, and that they ſhall have their Portion in that Lake which burns with Fire and Brimſtone, which is the ſecond Death: This ſhall as certainly be their Portion as if they were there already. Therefore, O Chriſtian, if thou wilt fear Death, fear not that which is the ſhadow and the appearance of it, but fear that which is Death indeed; fear Sin, that is the cauſe both of the firſt and of the ſecond Death alſo; for if thou art ſpiritually alive, and raiſed from the Death of Sin, as all true Believers are, how uncomely a thing is it for thee to fear the Shadow, the appearance of an evil which cannot hurt thee, when thou art delivered from the evil it ſelf?
Fourthly, Conſider, for a Chriſtian to fear that which is both common and certain, is an uncomely and unſuitable thing. Afflictions in general are the common lot of all God's People in this World; but Death is that which is more common, becauſe it is that which befals all both good and bad; from other outward Afflictions there is a poſſibility that ſome may be free; or if they befal them, they may be delivered from under them again; but no Man can eſcape Death. What Man is he that liveth, ſaith the Pſalmiſt, and ſhall not ſee Death? ſhall he deliver his Soul from the hand of the Grave? No, he cannot. Now God hath in Mercy made that to be moſt common, which is moſt grievous and afflictive, that he might thereby abate the terrour of it to us; and for any one to ſtrive againſt that which no Man can avoid or ſhun, argues that Man to be guilty of great folly. It is therefore very unbecoming thee, O Chriſtian, to fear Death, which is the common way of all Fleſh; yea, the way by which all the People of God enter into Heaven and Happineſs.
But to proceed a little farther in this ſubject, I ſhall in the next place endeavour to diſcover, that the fears of Death may not only be overcome for a time, but that it is poſſible for a Chriſtian to live without them, or above them; which though it be a high attainment, yet is it that to which Grace may reach, and that which many of the People of God do daily experience the comfort of.
Now by a Chriſtians living without the fear of Death, I mean a holy quiet ation and ſatisfaction of Soul, as to his future State of Happineſs founded upon the knowledge of his Intereſt in Chriſt, who hath overcome Death for all Believers, whereby the thoughts of it approach, doth neither diſtract nor diſquiet his Mind, ſo as to bereave him of that Peace and Tranquility of Soul that he enjoys is his Hopes and Expectations of Heaven and Glory; but that he can with a holy Contentation and Satisfaction, reſign up his Soul unto God, whenſoever he calls for it.
Now that ſuch a State as this is attainable, I need ſay no more, than that this was one of the ends for which Chriſt died, that by Death he might destroy him that had the power of Death, that is, the Devil; and deliver them, who by reaſon of the fear of Death, were all their life-times ſubject unto Bondage. So that we being delivered out of the hands of all our ſpiritual Enemies, (whereof Death is one,) we might ſerve him without fear in Holineſs and Righteouſneſs all the days of our lives. In this Heavenly frame was Holy David, when he ſaid, though he walked through the Valley of the Shadow of Death he would fear no evil: And ſo was St. Paul, when he tells us, he was perſwaded, that neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, ſhould be able to ſeparate him from the love of God, which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord. No wonder therefore that he could ſay, I deſire to be diſſolved (though it was by Death) that he might be with Chriſt. Thus to live above the fears of Death, will coſt much pains with our own Hearts, great diligence and circumſpection over our ſelves in all our thoughts, words, and ways; much watchfulneſs againſt all Sin and Temptations; for if we be remiſs, and through careleſsneſs, much more through preſumption, we fall into Sin, or neglect Duty, we ſhall ſoon be brought into Bondage and Slavery by the fears of Death.
If therefore, O Chriſtian, thou art one, who haſt overcome the fears of Death, and canſt live above them, thou may'ſt then die with courage, and leave this World, (though Death carry thee out of it,) with joy and rejoicing. And that thou may'ſt be able to do ſo, let me briefly lay down two or three Directions.
Firſt, Have a great care of blorting thy Evidences for Heaven. Darkneſs is an uncomfortable thing: And when Chriſtians have been tampering with the works of Darkneſs, I mean ſome known Sins blotting their Evidences, which ſhould diſcover their Title to Heaven, ſo that they cannot read them; what wonder is it while they are thus in the dark, that they are afraid to leave Earth, though it be to go to Heaven, becauſe they know it not, for which they may thank themſelves. God would not only have his People go to Heaven certainly, but joyfully; and therefore he hath made ample proviſions for their Peace and comfort, both in Life and Death; ſo that they may not only have good hope but ſtrong conſolation through Grace; yea, may with a holy exultation of Soul, cry out, Thanks be to God, who always cauſeth us to Triumph in Chriſt. But now, if when God hath ſpoken Peace, they will turn again unto folly, by venturing upon Sin, they hereby create their own ſorrows. Fear and Conſternation of Soul, under the apprehenſions of Death, come from themſelves, they are their own Tormenters, and the hinderers and diſturbers of their own Peace and Joy. And now if inſtead of being able to read their Evidences for Heaven, which ſhould comfort them, they can only make wounding reflections upon their Sins that have blotted thoſe Evidences, ſo that they walk in darkneſs, and the fears of Death continually afflict their Souls, they muſt thank themſelves; for where there is the apprehenſions of guilt lying upon any Soul unpardoned, there the thoughts of death will be terrible. This made David, when in his own apprehenſions he was drawing nigh to the Grave, beg ſo importunately of God, that he would ſpare him a little longer, that he might recover his ſtrength before he ſhould go away from hence and be ſeen no more. If therefore when you come to die, you would leave this World cheerfully, you muſt live in the World conſcienciouſly. Exerciſe your ſelves in all things to keep Conſciences void of offence towards God and towards all Men. Take heed of thoſe black Fiends, thy Sins, which will fright thy Soul in the dark night of death. If thy Conſcience be kept clean, thy Evidences for Heaven will be clear, and the thoughts of death comfortable. Many be venturing upon Sin, wound their Souls; and when death approaches, O then they ſtart back, and ſain would they be ſpared a little longer. If Conſcience be raw with the guilt of any one Sin, a very light affliction (much more death) will make a Man kick and fling, and very unwilling to bear it; but where the Spirit is ſound, and the guilt of Sin taken off from the Conſcience by the love of Chriſt, death it ſelf will be embraced with courage and joy.
Secondly, Deaden your Hearts and Affections to the World and all the comforts thereof. The inordinate love of worldly enjoyments, and the imperfect love of God makes Men afraid to die. He whoſe Heart and Affections ſit looſe to the World, a ſmall matter will make him willing to leave it; but where the Heart is faſtned to it in love and affection, there will be no parting from it, without much reluctancy. He that hath laid up his Heart in Heaven, can comfortably think of laying down his Body in the Grave. Prize therefore Heavenly things above Earthly. Place your Happineſs in ſpiritual things; count them not only your Food, but your Feaſt; yea, make them your recreation. Were Heaven and Heavenly things, the continual ſolace and delight of our Souls, with what joy and rejoicing ſhould we leave Earth to go to Heaven.
Thirdly, Familiarize the Thoughts of Death unto your Souls by frequent Meditation. Doſt thou dread this King of Terrours? give not way to thy Fears; but bring Death often into thy thoughts; there is no ſuch hurt in it as thou imagineſt, nothing that ſhould terrifie a Chriſtian. Conſider a little, what it is that Death can do againſt thee, and what it is Death ſhall do for thee; and then tell me if thou haſt any cauſe to fear it; nay, tell me what cauſe thou haſt to rejoice in it: What is it death can do againſt thee? It may part thee and the World, thee and thy Friends; yea, it will part between thy Soul and thy Body, bringing it down into the duſt for a time, to become a Feaſt for Worms; and this is the worſt that Death can do againſt a Believer. But then conſider withal what Death ſhall do for thee, why it ſhall bring thee to a Happineſs ſo great in the enjoyment of God, as is unutterable for thee to expreſs, and unconceivable for thee to imagine; and this not for a time, but for ever; this death ſhall do for thee, O Chriſtian; and ſurely, if thou believeſt theſe things with a lively active Faith, thou canſt not any longer ſet death at a diſtance from thee, as an Enemy that thou art afraid of; but converſe with it familiarly as a Friend; yea, as thy beſt Friend, next unto Jeſus Chriſt. Job was thus familiar with death, Job 17.14. I have ſaid unto Corruption thou art my Father, and to the Worms ye are my Mother, and Siſter, and Brother. Accuſtom thy ſelf therefore, O Chriſtian, unto the thoughts of death, and often think what a happy change thou ſhalt thereby undergo, even an entrance into Heaven and Glory: And then though the thoughts of death be full of horrour unto others; yet ſuch thoughts unto thee, will not only be profitable but exceeding delightful.
Fourthly, If you would die with Courage and Joy, then often meditate upon the Death of Chriſt. It is a common Argument and in the Mouths of moſt Perſons, that all muſt die; all that have lived before us have gone this way: But who is there that takes courage to follow others into the Grave, becauſe multitudes are gone thither before them? No, it is but a poor encouragement to die, becauſe other Men like our ſelves have died before us. But when a Chriſtian ſhall believingly remember and conſider, that Jeſus Chriſt died and was laid in the Grave, not only before us, but for us; and that he hath there conquered the King of Terrours, even upon his own ground; this makes a Believer die with a holy courage, and deſcend into the Grave with an undaunted boldneſs. But becauſe Chriſtians ſo ſeldom meditate on the Death of Chriſt, therefore are they ſo afraid of their own death. He that hath often converſed with death, in the Meditation of the death of Chriſt, (as Believers do or ſhould do,) cannot be afraid to die, if he knows what the death of Chriſt means which he hath meditated upon. Savingly to know that Chriſt is gone before us in death, is not only enough to make us cheerful, but to make us alive in death. He that by Faith contemplates that Chriſt is gone before him by dying, and that in dying he died for him; and that he alſo is alive, and lives for him; with what abundant joy and conſolation, may he depart out of this World.