Works, Chapter 8

Works · Chapter 8

p. 611CHAP. VIII. How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness, on a Dying Bed.

SIxthly and Lastly; Thy duty is to exercise thy self to Godliness (if God give thee opportunity) on a Dying Bed. The work of a Saint is to glorifie God, not onelyonly in his life, but also in his death. The Silk-worm stretcheth out her self before she spin, and ends her life in her long wrought clew; The Christian must stretch out himself on his dying Bed, and end his life in the work of his Lord. Every Man by his death, payeth his debt to nature. He is earth in regard of his Original creation, and must be earth in regard of his ultimate resolution; Dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return, Gen. 3. 19. The Sinner when he dyeth, payeth his debt to Sin, Satan, and the Law; To sin, as he is the servant of unrighteousness, and so must receive its wages, which is death; To Satan, as he hath sold himself to work wickedness at his will, and so must have his tempter to be his eternal tormentor; To the Law, as he hath violated its precepts and commands, and therefore must undergo its punishment and curse. The Saint when he dieth, payeth his debt to God, for he oweth him honour as well by his death, as by his life; Hence we read, not onelyonly of their living in the Lord, and to the Lord, but also of their dying in the Lord, and to the Lord; (Rom. 14. 8. p. 612Rev. 14. 13.) Which though some expound in that place of the Revelations, to the cause for which they died; they did not dye out of humour or obstinacy, or any carnal selfish interest, but purely as Martyrs at Gods call, and for Gods cause; They loved not their lives to the death for the testimony of Iesus; Yet the words may as clearly speak;

1. The state in whi… they died. They died in the favour of God, reconciled to him through the death of the Mediatour. The Castle of their souls was not taken by storm or in a state of emnity and opposition, but by a quiet voluntary s…rrender, or in a state of peace and amity.

2. The manner of their deaths; They died in the fear of God; they exercised grace as well in sickness as in health, and when dying as when living; their spiritual motions were quick, when their natural motions were slow.

Plutarch reports of Lucius Metellus high Priest of Rome, that though he lived to a great old age, his voice did not fail him, nor his hand shake in his sacrificing to the Gods. Its said of Moses when he was a hundred and twenty years old and dyed, that his natural sight did not fail him, neither was his heat abated; So it may be said of the Christian, that though he die old, his spiritual sight doth not fail him, nor his divine heat abate. As Caleb, he is as strong in regard of grace, his inward strength, when he is entering into the promised Canaan, as he was when he first went forth as a spie by faith, to search the land flowing with milk and honey. The Heathen counted him happy that dyed either in the midst of the goods of fortune, (hence they say, if p. 613Priamus had died a little before the loss of his Town, he had died the greatest Prince in all Asia,) or in the exercise of their moral vertues; Hence they so highly extol Seneca and Socrates, who seemed to dare even death it self, out of resolution and fortitude; Though those seeming vertues were but as Austin terms them, Splendida Flagitia, Famous Vices, and their confidence arose not from any grounded knowledge of their good estates, but from their blindness and ignorance of their depraved, wicked, and woful estates. He is the happy man indeed, that dieth in the faith, that sleepeth in Iesus, that goeth to his grave in the exercise of grace. The Master of Moral Philosophy, commendeth that Pilot whom a Ship-wrack swalloweth up at the Stern, with the Rudder in his hand. The most high God commendeth that person whom death seiseth, doing the work for which he was sent into the world. Even the blind Mole, if Naturalists may be credited, opens his eyes when he comes to dye; and the crooked Serpent stretcheth out her self straight, when she is going to fetch her last breath; and shall not the Saint be best at last?

Reader, Observe how careful the Saints have been to do their last work well, and to go out of the world like some sweet spices, perfuming the room in which they fetch their last breath, with holiness, and leaving a sweet savour behind them. Jacob when dying, worshipped, leaning on his staff, Heb. 11. 21. What a Character doth he give of the Angel of the Covenant, and what blessings doth he pray for, and prophesie to come on his children, when he p. 614was going from them? How was his heart enlarged in pantings after the Lord Christ? Gen. 48. 16. and 49. per tot. The living waters of his graces ran with the greater strength, when they were emptying themselves into the Ocean of glory. Moses like the dying Swan sings most sweetly, being to go up to Mount Nebo to dye there. What excellent doctrines, reproofs, instructions, doth he deliver to the Israelites? How pathetically, rhetorically, divinely doth he dictate his last legacies to his Political children? who can read and not be ravished with wonder and delight! Deut. 32. & 33. Ioshua like the morning star, shines brightest at last; He gives his people so strict a charge to serve the Lord, such gracious counsel, when he was going the way of all the earth, that it could not but be remembred many days after. Dying Ioseph will lay his bones at stake for Gods faithfulness, and that he will visit Israel and deliver them out of Egypt. Sampson did the Church of God much service, in slaying more of her enemies at his death, then in his life. Iulius Caesar among the Romans, and Olympia the Mother of Alexander among the Grecians, were famous for their care to die handsomely, and not to commit at last any ill beseeming action, whereby their memories should have been rendred inglorious; But the Christians care hath always been, to die holily, and to do their God most service when they are going to that place where they shall do him no more in a proper sense. Philosophers tell us,Xen. l. 8. Plut. Apol. that the soul upon deaths approach is more divine and supernaturally inclined; certain it is, the soul of a Saint onelyonly doth then more aspire heavenward, p. 615when its returning foreign, to its original divinity, according to Plotinus his phrase of death. As his Saviour he brings out his best wine at last, and his last works are more then his first, Rev. 2. 19.

The blessed Prince, and Lord of life, should be our pattern at death. He got his Father most glory, he did his Church most good, by his death, though he was eminently serviceable to both all his life time. Its said of him, He was obedient (Phil. 2. 7.) to the death; Which may import,

1. His continuance in well-doing; His obedience lasted to the last moment of his life; so should ours. Elisha would not leave his Master, till taken from him into Heaven, and we should not leave our Lord till taken to him into Heaven. Polycarp in his old age being urged by the Proconsul to deny Christ, answered, I have served him eighty six years, and he never once hurt me, and shall I now deny him?

2. His obedience in his death; His death was a Free-will offering in obedience to his Fathers command. Not onelyonly his birth and life was an answer to his Fathers call; A body hast thou prepared, &c. Then said I, Lo, I come (to put on that body, to take upo… … that nature, and thereby and therein) to do thy Will, O God; but also his death was in pursuance of his duty; This commandment received I of my Father; Thus the Christians death must be offered up as a sacrifice to God, in obedience to his command. The Sinners soul is Prest to this War, in which there is no discharge; This night thy soul shall be required of thee. The Saint p. 616understanding the orders from the Lord of Hosts, is a Voluntier; He gives up the Ghost; Into thy hands Lord I commend my Spirit.

3. The gracious manner of his dying. The Sun of righteousness, when setting, did shine most gloriously. Though at his death he had such infinite disadvantage, being to wrestle with the frowns of an incensed God, the fury of earth and Hell, and met with clouds, black, and thick enough to have obscured the graces, and hindered the holiness of any but himself, from shining at all, yet how brightly did they break forth in the midst of all those Fogs, and Mists, and Darkness! What holy counsel and comfort did he give his Disciples to prepare them for his departure, in his last (and one of his longest) Sermon! Ioh. 14, 15, 16. What an heavenly prayer doth he put up to his Father for them, and all his elect! to give them both a taste and a pledge of that intercession which he was going to Heaven to make for them. When he was hanging on the Cross, under such an heavy weight as the sins of the whole World, Grace was not depressed. His love to his Mother is observeable; Woman, behold thy Son; And from that hour that Disciple took her to his own house, John 19. 26. But his love to his membren… though enemies, was wonderful; Father forgi… them, they know not what they do. His Faith in his Father; Father into thy hands I commend my spirit. His pity to one of the Theives. His Patience in bearing the scoffing words and taunts, more bitter then Worm-wood, of them that passed by, reviling him, as well as in suffering the wracking p. 617of his bones, and whole body, and the anger of an infinite God, in his soul, without any murmuring, may well call for our admiration. Reader, he hath set thee a pattern, that thou shouldst follow his steps. Some tell us the Phoenix of Saba, in Arabia Faelix (so called from Phoenicea, or the Purple colour of her wings) liveth six hundred and sixty years, at the end of which time, she buildeth her a nest of Cassia, Calamus, Cinnamon, Plin. l. 9. c. 35.and other precious spices and gums, which the Sun by the extremity of his heat, and the wavering of her wings, fires, and she taking delight in the sweetness of the savour, hovers so long over it, that she burns her self in her own Nest. Thus did the blessed Jesus, and thus ought his followers to expire in a Nest of sweet Spices, the exercise of the graces of the holy Spirit. It was a poor farewel to the world, which even Octavius Augustus gave when at the point of death he called for his Looking-glass, Suetonius.commanded to have his Head and beard combed, and his shriveled Cheeks smoothed up; then asking his friends if he had acted his part well; Cum ita responderint, vos omnes igitur inquit Plaudite. It is a dreadful conclusion which Pliny relates the Hyberboreans to make, who when they have lived to one hundred years or more, make a great feast, to which they invite all their friends, and after their jollity and mirth, throw themselves down a steep rock and so perish.

Ungodly men are always worst at last; when they come to the bottom, they are flat and dead, and nothing but grounds and dregs. How often in the eyes of the world, do wicked persons go out p. 618like a Lamp, leaving a stench behind them! The scandalous sinner, usually, like the Goats beard, or star of Jerusalem, closeth up the flower of his presumptuous hope at high noon, he is cast in his own conscience long before his death. The Hypocrite ordinarily, as the Daysie and Dandelion, declares the approach of the evening, by shutting up before its approach; If he be gold in the morning, and silver at noon, yet (as we say of Butter) he is lead at night. What is the hope of the Hypocrite, when God shall take away his soul! As its storied of the Pardora, a people in India, that in their youth they have silver hairs, but in their age, their hairs are quite black; Or as the She Wolf hath a yearly defect in generation, the first time she hath five, the second time four, then three, then two, then one, then barren ever after. So the Hypocrite d…clines and decreaseth in goodness, faster then the Moon in its last quarter, and is commonly worst at last. But the sincere Christian hath his best at the bottom, and hath his daintiest dish reserved to be served in at the last course… Naturalists tell us of Honey, that that is the thickest and best Honey, which is squeezed last out of the Comb. O what excellent periods and endings, both in regard of the exercise of grace and comfort, have many of the Children of God made! The Death-bed to some Saints, hath been like Tharah to the Israelites in the Wilderness, where after many journeys growing near to the Land of Canaan, they rested themselves, and it was called Tharah, from Roah and Tarah, which signifieth a breathing time. The Sun when it declines into p. 619the West, hath even then much more light then any of the Stars; The meanest upright Christian when he is near setting, hath more joy and comfort then a specious Hypocrite any day of his life. When some asked Oecolampadius, lying on his death-bed, whether the light did not offend him, he answered, pointing to his breast, Hic sat lucis, H…re is abundance of light, of joy; He asked one of his Friends, What news? His Friend told him, None; Then saith he, I will tell you some news; I shall presently be with my Lord Christ.

I shall give thee two or three quickening Motives, and then direct thee about the work… of exercising thy self to Godliness on a Dying Bed; and because its the last time of a Christians working for his God, I shall in the third place annex some brief helps to this duty.

In reference to the Motives, Consider,

First, What a serious thing Death will be to every Man and Woman in the World. Its ill and dangerous for any to cozen themselves, and undertake to mock God in their health and life; but its worst of all, and desperate, for any to do this on a sick and dying Bed. The Heathen hardened in sin, and wholly under the power of Satan, ignorant of the evil of their hearts and lives, and of the sad consequence of a wicked end, made light of death. Flavius Vespasian, none of the worst of the Roman Emperors, died (as Sir Thomas Moor,) with a jest in his mouth. Vt puto Deus fio. Sueton. Anrel. Vict…r.Methinks I am going and growing to be a God. Augustus Caesar esteemed p. 620the best of them whose death the people so much lamented, that they said, Vtinam aut non nasceretur, aut non moreretur; Would he had never been born, or never dyed, went off the Stage of the World with a Complement; Livia, Nostri Conjugii memor, Vive & Vale; Farewel and Live Wife, mindful of our Marriage. Galba dyed desperately, crying out, Feri si ex re sit Populi Romani; Strike if it be for the common good. Tiberius dyed dissemblingly, of whose death Tacitus wittily, Iam Tiberium vires & corpus, non dissimulatio, deserebant; Now strength and life hath lest Tiberius, but not dissimulation. But Christians who understand the holiness and justice of God, the infinite demerit of sin, the certainty of an unchangeable condition in the other World, either in joy or torment, know that death is no jesting matter, that to dye is one of the most serious searching things, that they can possibly do.

Two or three Particulars will shew what a serious thing death is.

1… Death will try men. When the Bridegroom comes, it will appear who have Oyl in their Vessels, and who have none… As soon as ever thou takest thy leave of temporal good things, thy spiritual riches will be known. A scorching Summer discovers what streams are fed with Ponds, and what with Springs. The Wind sheweth which Clouds have Rain in them, and which have none. Death will anatomize every soul, and reveal all that is in it; Conscience will then bring in a true Verdict, in despight of all those bribes and frights which formerly kept the Bill in suspense, or caused p. 621it to write on it an Ignoramus. There are marks by which Saints and Sinners may be distinguished whilst they live, as great mens servants are by the Liveries that they wear but these characters; being most inward, and known to none but themselves, and the Lord they serve, it is their dying onelyonly, that will reveal infallibly what they are, and to whom they belong. This World is as a common Inn, wherein all are lodged, and no difference is made between the good and bad, onelyonly that the worst men have the best usage; but the very moment of mens dissolution makes a plain and vast distinction. Death is the way of all the earth, according to Ioshua's Periphrasis of it; but this way hath two turnings; one on the right hand to joy and bliss; another on the left hand to misery and horror; now as when the attendants of two Lords, travail together on the road, their servants cannot easily be distinguished, especially if the Servants of the one, counterfeit the livery of the other; but when they come to the Bivium, the parting way, then its clearly known who belong to the one, and who to the other, for each then followeth his own Master, waits on him to his house, stayeth and abideth there with him; So though whilst men live, all professing themselves Christians, and most for a shew at least, putting on the livery of Christ, it is not known who belong to the Prince of Life, and who to the Prince of the powers of the Air, but death will discover it to themselves, and the Elect Angels.

p. 6222. It will appear that Death is a serious thing, in that it stateth the creature for Eternity … When thou diest, thy condition will be like the Law of the Medes and Persians, such as cannot be altered. At death thou goest the way that thou shalt never return. David speaking of his dead Child, saith, I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me; And Iob by asking the question, denyeth it; If a man dye, shall he live again? God will never trust thee with a second life, or give thee leave for second thoughts, or better purposes, or more serious and sober actions, when thou art once landed in the other world. He will not offer thee a Christ, and Grace, and Heaven, when thou art gone from this earth. Think of it seriously; is not that work to be done well, which can be done but once? Shouldst thou not use thine utmost care, and strength, and diligence, to dye well, when thy everlasting making or marring dependeth on it? Ah Friend, If thou failest now, thou failest for ever; if thou dalliest now, thou art undone eternally; There is no wisdom nor knowledge in the Grave, whither thou art going, Eccles. 11. 7.

3. Death will appear to be a serious thing, in that all the powers of Hell, will then assault thee. Thou mayst say of it (in some respects, as Christ did) to wicked men, and the Wicked one; This is your hour, and the power of darkness. The Devil its observeable, is most busie at the conclusion of a duty, as of prayer, that the Christian might be hindered and distracted, when he closeth up all in the name of Christ, and so all his desires p. 623be frustrated; so he is most busie in the conclusion of our days, adding fearful dreams to our slumbers, strong distractions to our fancies, increasing our pains with terrors, driving the good if possible, to despair, and intoxicating the bad with presumptuous conceits, and all because his time is little. The Devil is come down, having great rage, knowing that his time is short, Rev. 12. 12. At the approach of death, through pain of body, and perplexity of mind, men are least able to resist, and therefore this cowardly enemy will then be most ready and fierce to assault; When the Christian is down, then if possible, he will …rample upon him. The last persecutions of the Church under Dioclesian, and Maximinian, were the soarest. The last messenger the Devil sent to Iob, concerning the sudden violent death of all his Children, pierced his heart deepest. The subtle serpent reserved that great Ordnance for the last, hoping the former small guns of the los… of his Cattel, and Estate, and Servants, would have done some execution, in making some breach upon his faith and patience; and this great gun playing, when he was before tired in defending, must needs shatter him in peices. He may fitly be called the Wolf of the Evening (Jer. 5. 6.) that devoureth. This roaring Lyon walketh in the night to seek his prey. There have been few eminent Saints, but have found their Death-bed, a Bed of Thorns, in regard of temptations. Mr. Knox said, when he came to dye, In my life time, the Devil tempted me to despair, casting my sins in my teeth; but now in my sickness, p. 624he tells me, I have been faithful in the Ministery, and so have merited Heaven; but blessed be God, who brought those Texts into my mind; Not I, but the grace of God in me; What hast thou that thou hast not received? The Israelites never met with so much opposition, as when they were to take possession of the Land of Canaan, then all the Kings of Canaan combined together, and came out and fought them. When Satan was to be cast out of the possessed person, and never to enter into him more, he rent him, and tore him, that the people thought he was dead.

Now Reader, What need hast thou to be serious and holy on a dying Bed, to the utmost of thine ability, and to fetch in all the strength thou canst from Heaven, when thou hast such cruel powerful enemies to encounter with? Its was one of the most quickening prevalent arguments, that Alexander used to the Macedonians, before their third and last fatal Battel with Darius, That t…ey were to fight with all the strength of Persia at once. What an awakening argument should it be to thee, that thou art to fight with all the Powers of Hell at once?

Secondly, Consider, Its a special season wherein thou mayst glorifie God. A Saint by his death may bring God more honour then by all his life. The Actions and Speeches of dying men, make a deep impression on the hearts of those that are about them. The wicked themselves, who have mocked at the purity and strictness of the Saints lives, have admired their patience and chearfulness in their p. 625deaths. Though they look on the beleivers words in health, as savouring of self and sinister ends, and humour, and so neglect them; yet when they hear a dying Saint commend the love and faithfulness of God, the pleasantness, and excellency of his ways and worship, and to bless the time, and pains, and strength, that ever they spent in his service, they esteem his language and begin to have other thoughts of Holiness and Heaven; for they consider, that surely now the man is entering upon the borders of eternity, he is serious and in earnest. Hence the Patriarchs, knowing the prevalency of such words, urge Ioseph with Iacobs dying charge; Thy Father, when dying, said, Forgive I pray thee, the iniquity of thy servants, Gen. 50. 16. That Ru…ian that would live with his fellow Riotors, beholding the holy behaviour of Ambrose on his Death-bed, would chuse to dye with Ambrose. The enemies of Christ, beholding at the death of Christ how the Rocks were rent, darkness covered the face of the earth, how the vail of the Temple was torn in sunder, the graves were opened, the dead raised, were forced to cry out, Doubtless this man was the Son of God: So when the adversaries of Gods people, see them on their Death-beds, and behold their patience in bearing their sickness, their Faith in relying on their Saviour, their charity in forgiving their enemies, their zeal for the honour and interest of their Master, their constancy in defending the Gospel they did before profess, they are compelled in their consciences to acknowledge, Doubtless these are the Servants, the Sons and Daughters of God. p. 626Much more will a holy behaviour on a Dying-bed benefit such as fear God. It convinceth sinners, that they, whether they will or no, must have other thoughts of holiness and holy men then formerly, and it confirmeth Saints in their gracious practices, and makes them more diligent in their preparation.

Mr. Bilny, the day before he suffered death, being told that though the fire was hot, Gods Spirit would cool it, to his everlasting refreshing, answered, putting his hand in the flame of the Candle, I feel by experience, and have known by Philosophy, that Fire by Gods Ordinance is very hot; but yet I am perswaded by Gods holy Word, and by the experience of some spoken of therein, That in the flame they felt no heat, and in the fire no consumption; and I constantly beleive, howsoever the stubble of this my body shall be wasted by it, yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby; a pain for the time, whereon followeth joy unspeakable. And then he most comfortably treated on Isaiah 43. 1, 2. But now, Thus said the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Which words he applied both to himself and his friends then present. Of which some reaped such fruit that they caused the words to be fair written on Tables; The comfort whereof, in several that were with him, was never taken from them to their dying day. O p. 627tis very profitable to others, when a Saint so behaveth himself on his Death-bed, that he may say to his Friends and Relations, as Sir Robert Harleigh did to his Children,Woodriff Simeons Song. Epist. Dedicat. I have formerly taught you how to live, and now I teach you how to die.

Thirdly, Consider, Its the last opportunity that thou shalt ever have to do any work for thy God and Saviour, and thy own soul; When thou diest thou goest to the place where thou shalt receive thy reward, and shalt never never more have any season to sow to the Spirit in, to serve thy Redeemer in, and to manifest thy thankfulness to him for his love to thee; I must work the work of him that sent me, whilst it is day, saith Christ, for the night cometh wherein no man can work, Ioh. 9. 4. Thou mayst when dying, say to thy friends, as the Crier of the Ludi seculares, which happened but once in a hundred years, did at Rome; Come see that which ye never saw before, nor shall ever see again. He that hath but one Arrow to shoot, but one throw to cast, but one opportunity left him to work out his salvation in, may well improve it to the utmost. A certain Martyr going to suffer, expressed his sorrow that he was going thither, Where he should do his God no more service. Our God is so good, that his work is desireable, and were it possible for any grief in Heaven, saith Dr. Sibs, it would arise from a Christians consideration, that he did no more for his God, and that it cost him so little pains and labour to be saved. When Sampson was nigh his death, and should have no more opportunities to exalt his God, and advantage his Church, he lifted up his heart to p. 628Heaven; Assist me this once, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes. So Reader, when thou enterest thy Chamber, and art betaking thy self to thy dying bed, what weighty reasons hast thou to poure out thy soul, and wrastle with God for Divine strength! Lord, I am now come, in my own apprehension, to the close of my days, after which, I shall never more enjoy a season to glorifie thy Majesty, or further my own account; I am going to do a great work, which I never did before, nor shall ever do again; I acknowledge that I have been guilty of too much slothfulness, and unfaithfulness in my life, and have given these Philistines that are enemies to my soul, too much advantage against me, and occasion to mock and deride me. O assist me now this once, that I may do thee and thy Church some eminent service, that I may be strong in faith, an example of patience, humility, heavenly-mindedness and charity, and be the death of those uncircumcised ones, my cursed corruptions, and be avenged on them, for all the dishonour they have done to thee, though I dye with them.

I come now to shew wherein thou oughtest to excercise thy self to Godliness, on a Dying Bed.

First, In Commending God and his ways to others. The Words of dying men, are living Oracles, and do not dye with them. It is the unhappiness of worldlings and wicked men, that when they come to dye, they cannot commend the work that they have followed, the wages which they have merited, or the Master whom they have served; but its the priviledge of Christians, that they have cause to praise p. 629the sweetness of that love which they have tasted, the equity of those Laws which they have obeyed, the grace, and mercy, and bounty, and faithfulness of that Lord whom they have prayed to, and delighted in, and worshipped, and the vastness, and richness, and certainty, and eternity of that reward which they are going to possess. The men of this earth, when they are dying, do often cry out and complain of the falseness and unfaithfulness of the world, and the flesh, how they have cozened, the cheated, and deceived them; and of their own folly and madness, in toyling, and moiling, and drudging night and day, to please and gratifie that which now in their extremity turns them off. O how should the Children of God extol their Father, and his care of them, and kindness to them, magnifie their Redeemer, and his passion for them, and affection to them, exalt the Word and Ways of the Lord, as those which they have found by experience to be the most comfortable and gainful ways. The last breath of a Saint, should be spent in his Gods service. Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori, was Vespasians Motto. Oportet Episcopum, concionantem mori, was holy Iewels Motto. Oportet Christia num glorificantem Deum mori, should be every Saints Motto.

Dying Iacob will speak highly of Gods providence, though he bring it in (as it were) in a Parenthesis. The God which fed me all my life long to this day, Gen. 48. 15. Dying Ioseph will praise the Lords faithfulness to his promise, and pawn his body for its performance; I die, and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land; p. 630And Joseph took an Oath of the Children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence, Gen. 50. 24, 25. Dying Moses ascribes greatness to his God, tells the Israelites, He is a Rock, his work is perfect, all his ways are judgement, a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he, Deut. 32. 3, 4. Dying Ioshua will appeal to the consciences of his hearers, whether God had not kept touch with them to the least title; I am going the way of all the earth, and ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one good thing hath failed, of all that the Lord our God hath spoken, Josh. 23. 14. As Moses and Ioshua did sound forth the praises of their God, so also, when dying, they did perswade and exhort the Iews to godliness, Deut. 32. 23. Iosh. 23. per tot. So Paul meeting with those Ephesian Elders, that should see his face no more, doth solemnly charge them to take heed to the Flocks, over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers.

I remember, saith Senarclaeus, concerning Alphonsus Diazius, his Friend and Bed-fellow, when He and I were at Newburg, the night before he was Murdered, he prayed before he went to bed more ardently, and somewhat longer then ordinary; after which he spent a good part of the night in discourse concerning the Works of God, and exhorting me to the practice of true piety, and truly, I found my self so inflamed, when I heard him, that I thought I heard the Spirit of God speaking to me.

p. 631Mr. Knox gave good advice to all his Visitors; among the rest, the Earl of Morton came to see him, to whom he thus spake, My Lord, God hath given you many blessings; Wisdom, Riches, and many great Friends, and now is about to prefer you to the Government of the Realm; (The Earl of Mart, the late Regent, being newly dead;) In his name I charge you, use these blessings better then formerly you have done; Seeking first the glory of God, the furtherance of the Gospel, the good of his Church and Ministers; Be careful of the King, to procure his good, and the welfare of his Realm; If you do thus, God will be with you, and honour you; if otherwise, he will deprive you of all these honours, and your end shall be shame and ignominy. These words the Earl called to mind nine years after, at the time of his Execution; saying, that he had sound John Knox a true Prophet.

Mr. …gnatius Iordan of Exeter, Mr. Nicols in his relation of the life and death of Ign. Iordan.one famous in his generation for Godliness, was observed in his sickness, to take all occasions to exhort others to constancy in the truth, Zeal for God, and to make sure of Heaven; and when the Mayor of the City sent to visit him, he said to the Messenger, Remember me to Mr. Mayor, and tell him …rom me, that he make sure of Heaven, be careful to do justice, and provide for the poor.

We should when dying,1 Chron. 28.1. 8, 9. Vide1 Chr 28:11 Chr 28:81 Chr 28:9 in a special manner mind this work of commending God and Godliness to our Relations; They are more affected then others with our sickness, and so also with our sayings; Our Counsel may probably do them good, when we are turned into corruption; Iacob calleth his p. 632Children together to bless them; David layeth a strict command on his Son Solomon; And thou Solomon my Son, know the God of thy Fathers, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind. Cyrus upon his death-bed conjures his Sons to peace, lest they should lose the Kingdom he left his heir. The Saint must conjure his Children to purity in the first place, lest they lose their souls and the Kingdom of Heaven. Mr. Robert Bolton, on his Death-bed, called his Children together, Wisht them to remember the counsel he had formerly given them, and he verily beleived none of them durst meet him at the great Tribunal in an unregenerate estate.

Fox. Martyr. Vol. 3. p. 138.Mr. Sanders a little before his death, in a Letter to his Wife, writeth thus, Dear Wife, riches I have none to leave behind me, wherewith to endow thee after this worlds manner, but the treasure of tasting how sweet Christ is unto hungry consciences' (whereof I thank my Christ, I feel part, and would feel more) I bequeath to thee, and to the rest of my beloved in Christ, to retain the same in sense of heart always. O how pathetically, how earnestly, should dying Christians, who know somewhat of the worth of grace and holiness, and of the evil and end of sin and sinners, perswade their Children and Relations to love and fear, and serve the Lord, when its the last time that ever they shall advise or counsel them! How hard should they woo, that the souls of their Kindred may be married to Christ!

Secondly, In commending thy self and others to God by prayer. When the body breaths shortest, it p. 633breaths quickest. Though the Christian on his death-bed may want strength for long solemn devotion, his short ejaculations should be both fervent and frequent. The first thing a Child of God doth, when new born, is to breath, to pray, Act. 9. 27. And its one of the last things he doth, Act. 7. ult. He entereth praying into the place of praise. Paul the Hermit was found dead, saithe Ierom,, Hitr. in vit.with his hands and eyes lifted up to Heaven, that the dead corps seemed to pray. Demus operam ut moriamur in precatione;Aug. de ve. invo. c. 33. Let us endeavour to dye at prayer, saith Austin.

1. The sick man should pray especially for himself; Lord Iesus receive my Spirit, saith Stephen; Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit, saith Christ; Lord, saith dying Beza, Perfect that which thou hast begun, that I suffer not Ship-wrack in the Haven. Children desire to dye in their Fathers bosome, or on their Mothers lap. Mr. Perkins died begging remission of sin, and intreating mercy at Gods hands. Bishop Vsher was often heard to desire the like end that Mr. Perkins had, which he obtained, for the last words which he was heard to utter, were; But Lord in special forgive my sins of omission, not long after which he expired. Luthers prayer a little before his death, or rather thanksgiving, was;Melc. Adam. Pater mi caelestis, Deus & Pater domini nostri Iesu Christi, ago tibi gratias quod filium tuum Iesum Christum mihi revelasti, cui credidi, quem sum professus, quem amare, &c. My Heavenly Father, the God and Father of my Lord Iesus Christ, I thank thee for revealing thy Son Iesus Christ to me, whom I have beleived, whom I have professed, whom I have loved.

p. 634Others must not be forgotten by us; but our own souls must in a special manner be remembred. Bellarmin tells us of a desperate Advocate in the Court of Rome, Bellar. de arte mor. l. 2. c. 19.who being exhorted on his death-bed to pray to God for mercy, made this speech, Lord, I have a word to say to thee, not for my self; Ego enim propero ad inferos; neque enim est ut aliquid pro me agas; For I am hastening to Hell, neither is there any thing that I would beg on my own behalf, but for my Wife and Children; This he spake, (saith Bellarmin, who was then present) as boldly, as if he had been taking his journey onelyonly to some neighbouring Village.

2. For his Relations. The more hot our affection is to any, the more fervent our petitions should be for them. Praying Parents are the most loving Parents; When dying, chiefly they should bless their Children in the Name of the Lord. So Isaac did, Gen. 28. 1. Thus Iacob, Gen. 48. 15, 16. Godly Parents may plead the Covenant made to them and theirs, unto God on their Dying Beds with comfort.I have read of one that used to pray, God bless my Father and Mother, Brethren and Sisters, & none else; To whom one that heard him, answered, It were better the Devil had thy father, and mother, and brethren, and sisters, and none else. They are best acquainted with their Childrens conditions, conversations, wants, weaknesses, and so fittest to open their cases to God, and to beseech grace on their behalves, that they may be an holy seed, a generation arising to shew forth his praise. Christ when nigh death, committed his spiritual Children to his Father, and earnestly begged his care of them, and favour for them; Holy Father, I come to thee; I am no more in the World, but these are in the world; Keep them thr…ugh thy name, keep them from the evil, sanctifie them through thy truth. So should a godly Father p. 635or Mother when dying;Ruth. 1. 8. and 2. 19. 2 Tim. 1.18.Ruth 1:8Ruth 2:192 Tim 1:18 Lord, I am leaving my poor Children in the midst of snares, and temptations, and miseries; I am coming out of the world to thy Majesty, where I shall be above all frights and fears, and beyond all malice and mischief; but my children are in the world, and will dayly be environd with allurements, and affrightments, with assaults and batteries from their spiritual enemies; thou knowest the power and policy of the world and the wicked one, the treachery and deceitfulness of the flesh within them, and their weakness and inability to wrestle with, and overcome the flatteries of the World, and the suggestions of the Devil. O keep them through thy name, that they may look beyond the World, live above the World, and expect and eye their portion and happiness in a better World. Though they live in the World, let them not live as the World, but walk all their days as heirs of another World. Keep them from the evil of …in, however it please thy Majesty to deal with them about the evil of Suffering. Give them the Shield of Faith, whereby they may quench the fiery Darts of the Devil. Let thy Covenant of grace be their portion, thy love their cordial, and thy Mansion-house their eternal possession. Be thou their Father to direct, protect, govern, and provide for them, and give them a name in thy house, better then of Sons and Daughters; O sanctifie them through thy truth, that they may be saved, and may meet me with joy at the great day. Luther when dying, made this Will for his Wife, great with Child, and his little Sons, O Lord God I thank thee, that thou wouldst have me to be poor in this world; I have no House, p. 636Land, or money, that I should leave them. Thou hast given me Wife and Children, I restore them to thee. Do thou O Father of Orphans, and judge of Widows, nourish, teach, keep them, as thou hast hitherto me.

Si pro te solo oras, pro te solus orabis; si pro omnibus rogas, omnes pro te rogabunt. Amb3. For the whole Church of God; Its good to pray by our selves, but its ill to pray onelyonly for our selves; When we are dying, and going to the Church triumphant, we should be sure to put up some requests for the poor members of Christ, and the Church militant. Calvin was heard before his death often to sigh out; How long Lord, How long will it be ere thou avenge the blood of thy Servants… The people of God are the purchase of Christ, and of the same family and body with the dying Christian, and therefore must needs be dear to him.

Ruth 1. 8. and 2. 19.Ruth 1:8Ruth 2:194. For his Benefactours, and those that have done good to him and his. Paul had received some kindness from Onesimus, he refreshed him in his bonds, and in the (2 Tim. 1. 8.) which was the last of his Epistles, and thought to be written but a little before his death, for he tells us in it, I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand, how pathetically doth he pray for him! The Lord grant that he may finde mercy at that day.

5. For our enemies; This is to follow Gods pattern, who doth good for evil; and to obey his Precept, who commandeth us to pray for them that despitefully use us. Stephen when departing out of the World, intreats mercy for them who were cruel to him; Lord lay not this sin to their charge, Act. 7. 60. Our blessed Saviour dying, begs hard for their p. 637eternal lives, who were the instruments and authors of his bloody death; Father forgive them, they know not what they do, Luk. 23. 34.

Thirdly, In an holy exercise of Faith, Courage, Repentance, Charity, and Patience.

1. Faith; Its the Character of Gods Children, that they live by Faith, and they dye in the Faith, Hab. 2. 6. Heb. 11. 31. The waters, say some, of the Pool of Bethesda (wherein the Priest washed the sacrifices before he offered them) was of a reddish colour, to note that men must be washed by faith in the blood of Christ, before they are ready to be offered a Peace-offering to God by death. The dying Christian must expect strong assaults against the bulwark of his faith; but what-ever he let go, he must keep his hold on Christ. I know no grace that the Devil is such a sworn enemy to, as Faith; and I know no season that he is more diligent in to overthrow their faith, then when they are under some dangerous sickness; therefore its the observation of a good man, that he seldom seeth a sick Saint followed close with temptations, to recover of that sickness; for Satan knowing he hath but a little time, useth all his craft and strength to separate the soul from the Rock of his salvation. Upon a dying bed, reflect upon former experienes of Gods love to thy soul, and recollect the former evidences of of thy title to Christ, and thereby to Heaven. I must tell thee, though the certainty of thy salvation depend upon the truth of thy Faith, the comfort of thy dissolution will depend on the strength of thy Faith. Faith is the shield of the soul, and therefore above all (in thy encounter with thy great enemy Satan, and thy last enemy death) take the Shield of Faith, Eph. 6. 14. Epaminondas after his victory at Lo…ctrum, wherein he was mortally wounded, understanding that his Buckler was safe, bid his Chirurgion, boldly to pluck out the Dart that stuck in his side, and died cheerfully. The Saint, the Souldier of Christ, who is wounded, even to death, and keepeth his Shield of Faith safe, may leave the world with courage. The Apostle Paul, who knew whom he had beleived (2 Tim. 1. 12.) rings a challenge in the ears of death; O death, where is thy sting! and sings a triumphant ditty at the approach of death; The time of my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith; Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. When Iacob had beleived the report of Iosephs life, his heart was revived; Is Joseph yet alive? saith he; I will go down and see him before I dye. When the true Israelite can firmely credit the testimony which God hath given of Iesus the Son of Ioseph, how he being an enemy, was reconciled to God by the death of his Son, and shall much more, being reconciled, be saved by his life, and by faith can cling on him, his heart, though dying, is then enlivened; O with what comfort can he take his journey into the other world! When Philip viewed his young Son Alexander, Now, saith he, I am content to dye. Old Simeon springs young again, at a sight of Christ, and having embraced his Saviour in the armes of faith, as well as in the armes p. 639of his body, he begs a dismission out of this valley of tears, being assured thereby of an admission into fulness of joy; Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. foreign.Having with an eye of faith beheld Christ, he counts his life but a bondage, and desires to depart or be loosed from fetters, as the word signifieth, and is taken, Mat. 27. 17. We read of the Lords worthies, that by faith they stopped the mouths of Lions; Death is a fierce and cruel Lion, but faith will pull out its teeth, that it cannot hurt us; or stop its mouth, that it shall not devour us. This grace, like the Angel sent from Heaven, when Daniel was cast into the Lions Den, will save the Christian from being torn in peices.

O Friend, The Robes of Christs righteousness, is the onelyonly Coat of Male, which can defend thy soul against the shot of death. If thou canst with Moses go up to Pisgah, and take a view by faith of the Land of promise, thou wilt comfortably with him lay down thine earthly Tabernacle. Iob desired death as eagerly, as the Labourer in an hot summers day desires the shadow. Paul longed for it as vehemently, as the Apprentice for the expiration of his Indentures, and all because they had first beheld Christ by faith. Its no wonder that many of Gods Children have called earnestly to be laid to bed, knowing that it would prove their everlasting happy rest, and when their bodies are carried by mortal men to their Mother Earth, their souls should be conveyed by glorious Angels to their Father in Heaven.

p. 6402. Courage; A Christian should be a Voluntier in death; Many of the Martyrs were as willing to dye as to dine; went to the sire as chearfully as to a Feast, and courted its pale and gastly countenance, as if it had bee a beautiful Bride. When King Lysimachus threatned Cyrenaeus Theodorus with Hanging;Cic. quaest. Tusc. l. 1. Istis quaeso (inquit) ista horribilia minitare purpuratis tuis; Thedori quidem nihil interest, humine an sublime putrescat; Threaten these terrible things to thy brave Courtiers, Theodorus cares not whether he rot in the Air, or on the Earth. Cyprian said Amen to his own Sentence of Martyrdom. Hierom reports of Nepotianus, that he gave up his life so chearfully, that one would have thought he rather walked forth then died. When Ignatius was led from Syria to Rome, to be torn in peices of wild Beasts, he often wished by the way, that he were in the midst of those Beasts that were to devour him, and that their appetites might be whetted to dispatch him; fearing lest it should happen to him, as to some others, that the Lyons out of a kind of reverence, would not dare to approach them, being ready, he said, rather to provoke them to fight, then that they should suffer him to escape. Bradford being told by his Keepers Wife, that his Chain was a buying, and he was to die the next day, pulled off his Hat and thanked God for it. When some wondered that Adam Damplip could eat his food so well when his end was so near, he told them, Ah Masters, Do you think that I have been Gods Prisoner so long in the Marshalsey, and have not yet learned to die? Yes, yes, and I doubt not but God will strengthen me therein. Ann Askew subscribed her p. 641Confession in Newgate, thus, Written by me Ann Askew, that neither wisheth for death, nor feareth his might, and as merry as one that is bound towards Heaven. Indeed its said of a wicked man, that his soul is required of him, and that God takes away his soul, Luk. 12. Job 27. 10. but of a godly man that he giveth up the Ghost, and he cometh to his grave, Gen. 25. 8. Job 4. ult. Nature will teach the Heathen, that death is the end of all outward miseries to all men, hence some of them drank of its cup with as much constancy and courage, as if it had been the most pleasant Julip; but grace will teach the Christian that death is not onelyonly a remedy against all his bodily and spiritual maladies, as Sir Walter Rawleigh said of the sharp Ax that should behead him, this will cure all my infirmities, but also an inlet into fulness of joy and felicity; Reverend Deering said on his death-bed, I feel such joy in my spirit, that if I should have the sentence of life on the one side, and the sentence of death on the other side, I had rather a thousand times chuse the sentence of death, since God hath appointed a separation, then the sentence of life. Ti…us Vespation, the mirror of mankind, being a stranger to Christ, was very unwilling …o leave the world, being carried in an Horse-litter, and knowing that he must dye, lookt up to Heaven and complained pittifully, that his life should be taken from him who had not desired to dye, having never committed any sin, as he said, but onelyonly one. Socrates and some of the wiser Heathen… comforted themselves against the fear of death, with this weak Cordial, that it is common to men, the p. 642way of all the earth; Hence it was when the Athenians condemned Socrates to dye, he received the Sentence with an undaunted spirit, and told them, they did nothing but what nature had before ordained for him. But the Christian hath a greater ground for a holy resolution, and a stronger Cordial against the fear of death, even his hopes of eternal life, and surely if he that exceeds others in his Cordials, be excelled by them in Courage, he disgraceth his Physitian. Aristippus told the Saylers who wondred that he was not as well as they afraid in the storm; Ye fear the torments due to a wicked life, and I expect the reward of a good one. Its no marvail that they who lived wickedly, should dye unwillingly, being frighted with the guilt of their past sins, and with the fears of their future torments; therefore the holy Ghost saith of such a one,Prov. 12. 52.Prov 12:52 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, as a Beast that is driven out of his den, to the slaughter, or as a Debtor driven by the Officers out of his house, wherein he lay warm and was surrounded with all sorts of comfort, to a nasty loathsom prison; But that the righteous who hath hope in his death, should even dye almost with fear of it before-hand, is matter of wonder. Lots soul is exceedingly vexed with Sodom, yet he is loth to leave it. This world is a wilderness, a purgatory, a step-mother, a persecutor to all the Saints, and yet some of them when called to leave it sing loth to depart, and would linger behind; partly from nature which dreads a dissolution, and partly from the weakness of grace; To fear death much, argueth sometimes wickedness, always weakness.

p. 6433. Repentance; Its said of St. Augustine, that he dyed with tears in his eyes, in the practice of repentance; and Posidonius saith of him, that he heard him often say in his health,Posidon in vit. Aug. that it was the fittest disposition for dying Christians and Ministers. Laudatos (saith he) Chistianos & sacerdotes abs que digna & competenti paenitentia exire de corpore non debere. We dye groaning, i… regard of our bodies, why should not our souls sigh that ever they sinned against so good a God! Beasts bite their enemies with more venome and indignation, when they are ready to dye; Maxime mortiferi solent esse morsus morientium animali…m. The Christian should give sin his most deadly bite, his greatest abhorrency, and grief, and shame, when he is dying, and shall never see sin, or sorrow, or shame more. As its noble and excellent to dye, forgiving sinners, so also taking revenge upon sin. Moses a little before his death, is commanded to avenge the Children of Israel of the Midianites; and then he is gathered to his people, Numb. 31. 1, 2. Samuel takes vengeance on Agag, when he was old, and knew not the day of his death; David could not dye with comfort, till he had charged Solomon to execute that justice on Ioab which he had omitted. The last time the Judge seeth the Felon, he passeth sentence of death upon him. O how should the soul of a dying Saint be inflamed with anger against sin, when he considers the rich love that it abuseth, the glorious name that it dishonoureth, the blessed Saviour that it pierceth, and that vast happiness which he is going to possess, of which without infinite grace and mercy it had deprived p. 644him! Some persons when they have been to take their last revenge on their enemies, have done it to purpose. The beleiver on his dying bed, takes his last revenge on sin, he shall never have another opportunity to shew his love to his God and Saviour in, his spite at, and hatred of sin; therefore then he should do it to purpose, as dying Sampson put forth all his strength, and beg divine help, that he may utterly destroy it, and be avenged on it, for all the defilement and bondage it hath brought on his soul, and dishonour to his Saviour. Dying Iacob cursed the sins of his own Sons, Cursed be their wrath, for it was fierce, and their anger, for it was cruel; O my Soul, enter not thou into their secrets. The dying Child of God should curse his passions, his pride, his unbeleif, his selfishness, even all his lusts, for disobeying such righteous Laws, and displeasing such a gracious Lord. When David Chrytaeus lay a dying, he lift up his head from his Pillow, to hear the discourses of his friends that sat by him, saying, I shall dye with the more comfort, if I can dye learning something. The Christian both by his painful sickness, and approaching death, may learn something of the evil of sin, and certainly he may dye with the more comfort (for godly sorrow and joy may be contemporaries, as the Heavens shine and showr at the same time) if he dye in a flood of tears for his unkindness to Christ.

4. Charity in a double respect.

1. In forgiving them that have wronged thee. If the natural Sun should not go down upon our p. 645wrath, muchless should the Sun of our Lives. Its bad to bear anger or malice one hour in our hearts against any, but its worst of all to carry it with us into the other world. How can he expect to dye in peace with God, who dyeth in war with men, when God himself hath said, Except ye forgive others their trespasses against you, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses? Amilcar the Father of Hannibal, when he was dying, made his Son take a solemn Oath to maintain a perpetual War with the Romans. Edward the first, adjured his Son and Nobles, that if he dyed in his expedition against Bruce, King of Scotland, they should not inter his Corps, but carry it about with them, till they had avenged him on that Usurper; But certainly its a desperate thing to leave Children Heirs to the Parents wrath and rage, as well as to his riches; O how dreadful is his estate, who takes his enemy by the throat, when God by death is taking him by the throat, and ready to thrattle him for ever. If thou hast wronged others, either in name, or goods, or body, seek reconciliation, and make satisfaction, for this is righteous and just; If thy brother hath ought against thee, thou hast never more need of reconciling thy self to him, then when thou art approaching the Altar of death, there to offer up the last sacrifice to God in this world. If thy Brother have wronged thee in any sort, remit it, this is charity; to do otherwise, is to give place to the Devil, Eph. 4. 16, 17. and thou hast least cause to give him ground when his rage is greatest, and his barteries strongest, in thy last conflict with him. O! imitate that blessed Martyr Stephen, p. 646and the incomparable Saviour, in begging Gods love for them who hate thee, Act. 7. 60. Luke 23. 34.

2. In remembring the poor and afflicted, if God hath made thee able; its best to be merciful in our life-time, to make our own hand our Executors, and our own eyes our Overseers; for the payment of our Gifts and Legacies to our spiritual Kindred, for such have a particular promise that God will make all their bed in their sickness, but its good to be charitable when we are dying; True friends show most love at parting. Though justice must be blind, not to see persons, yet charity must be quick-sighted, to pick out the fittest objects, viz. the poor, and the pious, poor in the first place. Our Goods will not extend to God, therefore they must to the Saints. When Ionathan was beyond the reach of Davids charity, he doth for his sake manifest it to his Son. God is beyond all our gifts, therefore for his sake we must bestow them on the Godly that are his Children; Make you friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, that when that faileth, ye may be received into the everlasting habitations; Hereby men lay up a good foundation against the time of need. Godly Parents are ignorant how their Children may imploy the estate they leave, whether as fuel for corruption, or as oyl to keep the Lamps in Gods sanctuary burning; its good therefore for themselves with prudence to dispose of what they may to Gods Servants and Service.

Some men have estates dropping on them, out of the clouds, as it were, large inheritances, fair p. 647patrimonies, like Canaan, both in regard of their fruitfulness, and abounding with all sorts of comforts, and in regard of their easiness of obtaining them without sweat or labour; they inherit, a… the Israelites, Houses which they built not, Wells which they digged not, and Vineyards which they planted not, upon both these accounts, such persons are engaged to do good, and distribute, and to be rich in good works. God expects a return of his Talents with advantage; How liberal, nay, lavish, have many Papists been upon their death-beds, to Friars and Monks, even to the wronging their Wives and Children, that some States, as Venice, have been forced to make Laws to restrain men, lest the Church should in time swallow up all the revenues of the Common-wealth, and all this upon a foolish vain conceit, that they should the sooner pass through Purgatory? It is certainly a great disgrace to the Disciples of Christ, and no mean dishonour to Christ himself, that so many, and such large gifts, have proceeded from the false faith of Merit-mongers, when the faith of his most glorious Gospel doth not work the like in true beleivers; How will Christians answer it, that an idle Dream, and fancied Fear of an imaginary Purga…ory, should do more them the sure perswasion of the love of God, and the certain hope of eternal life?

4. Patience and Submission to the will of God, both as to our death or life, and also as to our pain or ease in sickness; As to our life and death we must know God is wise, and will never gather his fruit but in the best season. None, ununless p. 648a fool, but will be willing God should chuse for him. Its excellent for a sick…person to be wholly at Gods disposal, as knowing that whilst he is here God will refresh him with the first fruits, and when he goeth hence, receive him into that place where he shall enjoy the whole harvest. It was the speech of dying Iulian, he that would not dye when he must, and …e that would dye when he must not, are both of them Cowards alike. To desire to live when one is called to dye, is a sign of Cowardise, for such a one is afraid to enter the list with the King of terrors; To desire to dye, when one is called to live, speaks a faint-hearted creature, for such a man dares not look an affliction or disaster in the face, therefore would take shelter in death… Cato, Cleombrotus, Lucretia, shewed more cowardise then courage, in being their own Executioners; The Romans commended Terentius for his resolution to live, after his Army was routed by Hannibal. He is the most valiant person that can dye willingly, when God would have him dye, and live as willingly, when God would have him live. He that is weary of his work before the evening, is an unprofitable servant, and is either infected with idleness, or with diseases. When Dr. Whitaker was told, death was approaching, he answered, Life or Death is welcom to me, which God pleaseth. Mr. Robert Bolton, being told that it would be better for the Church of God, if God pleased to spare his life, said, If I shall find favour in the eyes of God, he will bring me again, and shew me both it and his habitation; if not, Lo here I am, let him do with me what he pleaseth. Another pious soul p. 649in his sickness cryed out, Domine si tibi sim necessarius, non recuso vivere; Lord, if I may be further serviceable to thee, I am willing to live. Lucius Cornelius, Lieutenant in Portugal, L. Cornelius, legatus sub Fabio Consule. Vividam naturam & virilem animam servavi; quo ad animam efflavi; & tandem desertus o…e medicorum & AEsculapii Dei ingrati, …ui me voveram, sodalem perpetuo suturum, si fil… aliquantulum, optata pro… lisset. Ep. taph.under Fabius the Consul, was infamous to following ages, for his impatience in complaining of his Physitian, and railing at Esculapius, for not accepting his vow and passionate desire, of having his life spun out to a longer thread. We cannot blame them who have their portion in this life, for their unwillingness to leave it, and to become beggers in Hell for ever. Mori timeat qui ad secundam mortem, de hac morte transibit (saith Ciprian de Moral.) Let him fear death, who must pass from this death to the second death. To such a one indeed, death is a Murderer, like Iehorams messenger, comes to take away the life of his soul, and all his happiness, and therefore he may well call, as Elisha did, shut the door and keep him out.

Many Saints who died violent and cruel deaths, yet gave their very enemies cause to admire their patience; They wearied out their bloody Persecutors by their meekness and patience. Bonner said of the Martyrs in Queen Marys days, A vengeance on them, I think they love to burn. When that old Disciple Policarp came to the stake at which he was burnt to death, he desired to stand untied, saying, Let me alone, for he that gave me strength to come to the fire, will give me patience to endure the flame without your tying. Cassianus with admirable meekness, suffered a cruel Martyrdom from his own Scholars, who at the command of the barbarous Tyrant, became his Executioners, some with their Pen Knives, pricking and lancing his flesh, others casting stones at him, till they had killed him. Eulaliae a chast virgin, of a noble Family in Portugal, being for a time kept close by her Parents, for fear her bold Profession should cause her death; one night getting from them, and appearing before the Tribunal of Maximnus, she was for refusing to sacrifice to his Idols, Executed in this manner, first two Hangmen with all their might, rent her joynts in sunder, then her flesh was scratched from her sides, with the Talons of Wild Beasts, and hot burning Torches were set to her sides, which ended her life.

A Christian should also exercise patience and submission to Gods will, under his pain; It is the rule of Hippocrates, that that sickness is most dangerous in which the sick man alters his countenance. Undoubtedly its ill and unbecomming Christianity, when men who in health are mild and meek, in sickness are altered to be peevish and passionate, that their relations and attendants who pity their pain, and pray for their ease, and watch, and work night and day to serve them, are requited with harsh words, and fretful returns. Cajus Marius, suffered the veins of his legs to be cut out for the cure of his Gout, and never shrunk for it. The Grecians were cowardly in their encounters with men, but valiant and patient in their conflicts with diseases. Master Ieremiah Whitaker, who on his death-bed had dreadful fits of the stone, bore them with ma… vellous patience, often turning up his eyes to Heaven, and saying, Blessed be God, this is not Hell. The Saint who is in covenant with God, and hath p. 651engaged himself to God to submit to all his providences, and hath God engaged to him, to lay no more upon him then he will enable him to bear, may well with patience endure the divine pleasure.

Vincentius a Spaniard, who was Martyred at Valence, under Dacianus the President of the cruel Tyrant Dioclestan, was used in this manner; first he was laid upon the wrack, and all the joynts of his body distended till they crackt again; then all the members of his body were pierced and indented with deadly wounds; then they vexed and tore his flesh with Iron Combs sharply filed; then they laid his body on an Iron grate, and when they had opened his flesh with Iron Hooks, they seared it with fiery Plates, sprinkling the same with hot burning Salt; last of all, they cast him into a vile Dungeon, the floor whereof was first thick spread with the sharpest shells that might be gotten, his feet then being fast locked in the stocks, there he was left alone till he died, all which he endured without murmuring or complaining, and according to his name (Vincentius) was over all a Conquerour. And shall not Christians, who dye in their Beds in peace, with much less pain, be patient! Many who knew not God, did look on death as a favour, and one of the greatest which their Gods could bestow on them. Agamedes and Trophonius, Plu…. ad Apol.having built the Temple of Apollo, asked of that God a reward for their service; They were answered; that within seven days they should be bountifully paid for their pains, at the end of which time they dyed in a sleep. One of Caesars crazed Souldiers, p. 652desired the favour of the Emperor, to have leave to kill himself.

Especially the thoughts of the happy issue of the most painful sickness and death to a Child of God, may as the wood thrown into the bitter waters of Marah, make them sweet unto him. Some chuse to be cut, rather then to be daily tortured with the stone, though they know that cutting will put them to much pain, because they hope that cutting will cure them of their distemper. When a Gaoler knocks off a Prisoners Fetters and Bolts, though it puts him to much more pain then the constant wearing them, though every blow goeth to his heart, yet he flincheth not, he complaineth not, because he knoweth his future ease will make amends for his present pain. Christians are here fettered with sin and misery, which constantly grate upon their spirits. Death is the Gaoler to knock of their shackles, and let them into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, what though it put them to much pain, they may bear it with much patience, knowing that it will end in eternal pleasures.

Though an Hypocrite like a piece of Brass, when stricken with the Hammer of Sickness or Death, maketh a sharp and irksome noise, with impatience, and breaketh in peices, is undone for ever; yet the sincere soul, as a piece of Gold, when so smitten, may sound sweetly, and be pliable; True Gold may be stretcht out in length and breadth, in thin and fine leaves, as you please.

Now Reader, that thou mayst thus glorifie thy God, credit thy profession, further thine account, p. 653and advantage others by thy death, it is requisite that thou be always ready for it. The Q…arter-day never comes amiss to him that hath always his Rent ready by him. The loving Husband, let him come when he will, is ever welcom to a faithful Spouse; The actual unpreparedness of some holy persons, hath caused their Petitions for a longer stay, when God seemed to call them hence, Psa. 39. 13. As a Nobleman who is a Loyal Subject, and affectionately desires his Princes presence and company at his house, may wish that it may be deferred when his house is out of repairs, till it is in a better order. The habitual unpreparedness of sinners, I mean their predominant impenitency and unbeleif, hath made death cutting to them indeed. The Pismire fears not the Winter, having laid in her provision against that season; but the Gra…hopper being unprepared, is starved therein.

Let thy whole life be but a preparation for death; He that would dye but once, I mean, escape the second death, must dye daily, live in a constant expectation of it, and preparation for it. Pliny calleth a sudden death, the greatest fortune of a mans life. Iulius Caesar, the day before his death, in discourse with Marius Lepidus, upon that point, what was the best end of a mans life, preferred that which was sudden and unlookt for, which was his fate the next day. Augustus his Successor, was of the same judgement, and desired, Mortem celerem, & insperatem; But the Christian findeth by experience, that death to be the best, which was most expected and prepared for. p. 654Meditatio mortis, vita perfectissima, The Meditation of death, is the holiest life, …aith the Father. Tota vita, meditatio mortis, & discendum est mori, The whole life is but a learning to dye, saith the Philosopher. Wise Princes lay up ten years for one days Battel. A wise Christian will lay up every day somewhat for his last day, knowing that if he win that combat, he is made for ever. Invasions or Insurrections, like a sudden breach of the Sea, carry all before them, when pitcht Battels give equal advantage, and cause less terror on each side. Evils premeditated, are often prevented, always mitigated, the mind gathering reason and strength together, wherewith to encounter them. But unthought of troubles, like fire in the night, are most frightful, startling the secure sinner from his quiet repose.

In order to this preparation, I shall mention two or three particulars, but briefly, having spoken to them else-where.

1. Keep a clear conscience in thy health; Remember that sin is the sting of death; therefore be afraid of sin, if thou wouldst not be afraid of death. Twas Nero's answer to Seneca, when he advised him to desist his wicked courses, that he might please the Gods, Ver…or ego deos, cum talia facio, Do you think I fear the gods, who dare run upon such actions! But he who did not dread the Gods, found death dreadful to him; for the Historian observeth that he cried pittifully, like a Child, when he was called forth to be killed. Tis the righteous onelyonly, that is bold as a Lion, because the rig…teous onelyonly hath a conscience sprinkled with the p. 655blood of the Lamb, and a conscience void of offence towards God and Man.Hilarion morti proximus dixisse fertur, Egredere anim… mea, Egredere; quid dubitas? septuaginta prope annis serviisti Christo & mortem times? Hier. Epist. Fam. l. 3. & in vit. When Hilarion was nigh death, Depart my soul (saith he) depart, what dost thou fear? thou hast served Christ almost seventy years, and art thou afraid of death? Bernard observeth of Gerrard, I beheld him, exultantem in morte hominem, & insultantem morti, exulting in death, and insulting over death. St. Ambrose undauntedly encountred his last enemy, saying, I have not so lived, that I am afraid to live any longer, neither do I fear to die, because we have a good Lord. The Testimony of a good conscience was the great Apostles comfort in the midst of his trials and troubles, 2 Cor. 1. 12. Tis guilt which makes us shie of a severe and Holy Gods presence. It is no marvail that Alexander the Conqueror was struck almost dead at the sight of Cyrus Tomb; that Sigismond when dying should forbid his servants to mention the word Death; that Lewis the eleventh should while in health, enjoyn his Courtiers not to speak of Death, and when sick, prohibit the naming it upon pain of death; I do not wonder that Saul upon the news of his approaching danger and death, falls groveling on the ground, and hath no strength left in him, nor that Belteshazar upon the tidings of this Serjeants coming to arrest him, fell into an Ague Quaking, and Shivering, so violently that all the wine which he drank so plentifully in his golden Bowles, could not chear his heart, nor fetch blood into his cheeks. The Malefactour may well dread the thoughts, much more the approach of an Assize, knowing that p. 656he is bound over to it, and must appear to be arraigned, condemned, and executed. The entry of death may well be forcible upon them whom it ejects out of all their happiness, and whole lives have been made up of unholiness; Tis vice that paints death with such a formidable countenance, with a whip and flames in its hand. Friend, let thy conversation be pious, if thou wouldst dye in peace. Such as a mans life is, usually such is his death; An unholy life is ordinarily followed with an unhappy end. A filthy Adulterer, mentioned by Luther, expired in the armes of an Harlot. So also Tigillinus, Cornelius, Gallus, Ladislaus King of Naples; one of the Popes died in the embraces of strange flesh; A great swearer when he came to dye, saith Mr. Bolton, swore apace, and as if he had been already in Hell, called upon the standers by to help him, with oaths; King Henry the second on his death-bed, cursed his Sons, the day wherein he was born, and in that distemper departed the World, saith the Historian, which himself had so often distempered. We read of one who lived well, that died ill; and of but one in the whole Book of God, who lived ill, that dyed well. A sinner may presume upon peace at death, and bespeak in the language of Iehoram to Iehu; Is it peace Jehu? Is it peace death? or as the Elders to Samuel; Comest thou peaceably? but the Answer will be the same with that of Iehu to him, What peace can there be, so long as the whordoms of thy Mother Jezabel and her witch-crafts are so many? What peace can there be, so long as thy l…sts and p. 657atheism, and ignorance, and prophaness abound, and thy abominations are so many? Its no wonder that such persons, like Owles, are never heard but at night (the close of their days) and then they screech horribly. What shall we call a mocking of God, saith a learned person, if they do not mock him, who think it enough to ask him forgiveness at leasure, with the last drawing of a malicious breath? these find out a new God, make one a leaden one, like Lewis the eleventh of France. And again,Sir W. Rawleys Ep. Hist. World. Let us not flatter our immortal souls to neglect God all our lives, and know that we neglect him, trusting upon the peace we think to make at parting; for this is no other then a rebellious presumption, and a contemptuous laughing to scorn, and a deriding of God, his Laws, and Precepts. Idem l. 1. c. 2.Unquestionably such will be grosly mistaken at last, in falling from their heights into Hell. As the Daughter of Polycrates dreamed that her Father was lifted up, that Iupiter washed him, and the Sun annointed him, but it proved to him but a sad prosperity; for after a long life, and large prosperity, he was surprised by his enemies, and hanged up till the dew of Heaven wet his cheeks, and the Sun melted his grease. Reader, Let me bespeak thee, as Iotham did the men of Sechem; Hearken unto me, that God may hearken unto you; Hearken unto me in this day of thy health and life, that God may hearken unto thee in the day of thy sickness and death. Make thy peace with God now, give a Bill of divorce to sin, strike an hearty Covenant with Christ, keep thy conscience clean every day, allow not thy self p. 658in any known sin, if thou wouldst leave this world in favour with God, in the love of good men, and to thy eternal gain. Nihil est in morte, quod metuamus si nihil timendum vita commisit, saith the Antient; Death hath nothing frightful, but what a prophane life makes so. They who flie from the holiness of God in life, may well fear the justice of God at death. A sinner indeed, is every day carrying more Faggots to that pile in which he must burn for ever, and always twisting those cords with which Devils will eternally scourge him, and therefore the guilt of his wicked life, and fear of his dreadful wages, may well represent death to him in a frightful vizard. But he who makes it his constant business to please his Maker, to mortifie his earthly members, to crucifie the flesh, to serve the Wills of God in his generation, and to dress his soul against the coming of the Bridegroom, shall finde his latter end comfortable, and the day of his death better then the day of his birth. O Friend, if thou wouldst dye comfortably, live conscienciously! An happy death is the conclusion of an holy life; God hath joyned them together, and none can part them asunder. Its reported of the Dardani, that they never Wash but three times, when they are Born, when they Marry, and when they Dye; The true Christian must be daily washing his soul by faith in the blood of his Saviour, and bathing himself in the tears of repentance, and hereby his soul will be fit to be commended into the Hands of God by well dying.

p. 6592. Clear up thine evidences for Heaven. Be not contented to leave thy salvation at uncertainty; They who walk in the dark, are full of frights and fears; The comfort of thy death, will depend much upon the clearness of thy deeds and evidences for eternal life;Vide more of this in Fading of the flesh. p. 85, 86, 87. The want of diligence about this, hath caused many of the Children of God to go crying to Bed, and wrangling to their eternal rest; They dye and know not how they shall speed in the other world; they fall into the hands of their enemy Death, as the Lepers into the hands of the Syrians, expecting nothing but cruelty and misery, trembling every step of the way, though they find good chear, and all sorts of comforts.

3. Dwell much in the thoughts of Deaths. Cicero said of Fencing, Fortissima adversus mortem, & dolorem disciplina; It was the strongest fence against the fear of death; So I may say of entertaining death frequently in our meditations, its a good guard against the terror of death; Custom diminisheth the dread of things which to nature are so frightful. Marius before he would bring out his Souldiers to fight with the Cimbres, caused them to stand upon the trenches, to acquaint themselves with the terrible aspect of those Savages, and so brought them to contemn them, which at first sight they so amazedly feared. When we are on a sudden surprized by an unexpected adversary, we want time to unite our strength to resist the assault; but what we expect we provide for, and so are the better able to encounter with it. The old people that lived near the Riphaean Mountains, p. 660were taught to discourse much of Death, and to converse with it, and to speak of it, as of a thing that will certainly come, and ought so to do; hence their resolutions were strengthned to undergo it with patience and courage. As Cordials lose their vertue, so even Poisons their venome, by frequent use. Mithridates by constant use of it, made it so far from being mortal, that it was nourishing to him. Though Death in its own nature be venemous, the Christian by frequent meditation of it, and application of the blood of Christ to his soul, may make it profitable to him.

4. Wean thy heart from the earth. They who love the earth as their Heaven, will be unwilling to leave it, though for Heaven; Canst thou bear the loss of some worldly comforts, when God takes them from thee? if not, how wilt thou be able to bear the loss of all worldly comforts, in a dying hour? If running with Footmen weary thee, how wilt thou be able to run with Horsemen? If a little loss, a little load be ready to break thy back, what wilt thou do under the weight of a great one? Paul was martyred in his affections, before he was martyred in his body; and dead to the world, before he was slain by the world; hence he came to dare even death it self, and to bid it do its worst; I protest by your rejoycing, which I have in Christ Iesus, I dye daily. Should a Messenger have come to Paul and told him, you must dye to morrow, and leave all the good things of this life; He might have said, That is not now to do, for I died yesterday, and p. 661this day, and every day, and I have already taken my leave of this world and all its vanities. See more of this in, Fading of the flesh. p. 88. 89.Those that like Eeles, lye in the mud of worldly pleasures, are unfit to be sacrificed to God, as being unclean creatures, and unwilling to part with their present delights, though for those that are more excellent. The immoderate love of sublunary vanities, makes men say, as Peter at Christs transfiguration; It is good to be here, albeit like him, they know not what they say.

5. Set thy house in order. After the heart is set in order, the next work is to set the house in order, according to Gods counsel, Isa. 38. 1. Abraham was careful before his death, to settle the affairs of his houshold, as appeareth by his providing a fit spouse for Isaac, and his giving gifts to the Children of his second Wife, and sending them away, Gen. 24. 1, 2. and 25. 6. This ought to be done in the time of our health and strength, partly because we are uncertain whether we shall have time and ability in sickness to do it or no. How many have died suddenly, and why not thou and I as well as others? Some who had a mind to make their Wills, have not had a tongue to do it with; Others who have had a tongue, have lost the use of their understandings; partly because in sickness we should have as little as may be to do with the World. All occasions of disturbance or distraction to our souls, should be prevented.

The disposition of what God hath given thee, must be with prudence for the maintenance of love among Relations, with plainness, that thy meaning p. 662may not be mistaken, and with judgement and ability for the preventing of all Quarrels and Lawsuits amongst such as are interested in it.

Reader, If thou art careful and faithful in the discharge of these particulars, thy Funeral will prove a Festival, and the Sun of thy life will set, as the natural Sun, in a clear evening, not in a cloud, but in such a red skie as to prognosticate the ensuing day to be fair, thy certain and comfortable resurrection to bliss and honour; Thy name will live when thou art dead, and thy memory be blessed amongst all that fear the Lord. Tacitus makes one of the Sempronii, not wholly to degenerate from the honour of his house, onelyonly for dying well. Constantia mortis hand indigna Sempronio nomine. Nero did tacitly wipe Claudius the Emperour, though himself were the worst of the two, when in an ambiguous phrase he mentions his death; Desinit **Morari, having the first syllable short, signifieth to stay, and so the meaning is, Claudius ceased to stay amongst mortal men; but take it as it is derived of the Greek foreign Stultus, and hath the first syllable long, in which sense Nero spake it, it importeth Claudius, hath now made an end of playing the fool amongst men.Morari inter homines; Every sinner goeth out like a snuff; but the just shall be had in everlasting remembrance. By practicing these duties thou shalt come to die in the Lord, to rest from thy labours, and to have thy works following thee to thine endless blessed reward.