The Mystery of Faith Opened Up, Part 2 · Sermon 3
A SERMON Concerning DEATH.
Pſal. 86.48.
What man is he that liveth, and ſhall not ſee death? &c.
IT is very hard to determine where all that are here, ſhall be within thirty years: for even …ere that time come, many (if not all) of us who are here, ſhal have taken up our eternal …odging. And whether we ſhall take it up in the …eternity of joy, or the eternity of pain, is alſo …hard to determine: Only this one thing I am ſure of, that all of us ſhal ſhortly be gone: And …ere long the ſhadows of death ſhall be fitting upon …ur eye-lids, and our eye ſtrings ſhal begin to …reak. Therefore I would the more ſeriouſly …nquire of you, What would you think if death were approaching this night unto you? Thin… you that Jeſus Chriſt is gone up to prepare place for you, even for you? Surely, I think w… are all near to eternity: and there are ſome hearing me to day, whom I defie the World to aſſure that ever they ſhal hear another Sermon: Therefore I intreat you all to hear this preaching, as i… it were the laſt preaching that ever you ſhould hear: and, O that we could ſpeak it, as if it were the laſt Sermon that ever we would preach unto you. Believe me, Death is another thing then we take it to be: Oh, what will many of us do in the day of our viſitation, when deſolation ſh… come from afar? Where will we flee for rest? and where will we leave our glory? Old rich men where will you flee when death aſſaults you? Old poor men, where will you flee wher… death aſſaults you? Old women, where will ye flee when death aſſaults you? Young men where will you flee when death aſſaults you? Young women, where will you flee when death aſſaults you? It was an ancient obſervation o… David, Pſalm 39, 5. That God had made … days as an hand-breadth; which either may relate to the four-fold eſtate of man, viz. his infancy his child-hood, his man-hood, and his old age Or it may relate to the four-fold time of his life viz. his morning, his fore-noon, his after-noon and his evening; yet all our lifetime is but a day. And, O think you not that our day is near unto cloſe?
Now before that I begin to ſpeak to any thi… from the words, I ſhall ſpeak a few things to theſe two queſtions, which I conceive may not altogether be unprofitable.
Quest. 1. Whether it be lawful for any to deſire to dye, and to return unto their long and endleſs home? Whether it be lawful for one to cry out, O time, time, flee away, and all my ſhadows let them be gone, that ſo long eternity may come.
Anſw. I ſay, it is lawful in ſome caſes for one …o deſire to dye: For it was Pauls deſire, Phil. 1.…3. I am in a ſtrait betwixt two, having a defire to …epart, and to be with Chriſt which is far better. And 2 Cor. 2.2. We groan earneſtly, defiring to …e cloathed with our houſe which is from Heaven. … long greatly till the twentieth one year of my Age come, when my minority ſhal be overpaſt, …hat I may be entred Heir of that matchleſs inhe…itance. But to clear in what caſes it is lawful to …eſire to dye.
1. I ſay it is lawful to deſire to dye, when it …oweth from a deſire of uninterrupted fellowſhip …nd communion with Chriſt, and conjunction …ith him; this is clear, 2 Cor 5.6. Knowing …at whilſt we are preſent in the body, we are ab…nt from the Lord; therefore verſe 8. We are illing rather to be abſent from the body and to be …eſent with the Lord. As alſo it is clear Phil. 1.…. I am in a ſtrait betwixt two, having a deſire to part, and to be with Chriſt, which is far bet…. It was his great end to have near and un…ixed communion with Chriſt: What aileth you Paul? might one have ſaid, may you not … content to ſtay a while here: Nay, ſaith Paul, … deſire to be gone, and to be with Christ. Wa… thou never with him here, Paul? I have bee… with him, ſaith he; but what is all my be in… with him here, in compariſon of my being with him above, While I am preſent in the body, I am but abſent from the Lord. Therefore I will never be at reſt, ſaith he, get what I will, untill I get Chriſt, untill I get thoſe naked and immediat… embracements of that noble plant of renown… the flower of the ſtalk of Jeſſe, who is the light of the higher houſe, the eternal admitation o… Angels.
2. It is lawful to deſire to die when it flowe… from the excellencies of Heaven, and from a deſire to partake of thoſe excellent things that a… there; this is clear, 2 Cor. 5.4. We groan bein… burdened, or as the word is, We groan, as they … are preſſed under a heavy burden, that we may … eloathed upon, &c. What aileth you to groan ſo Paul? O! ſaith he, I groan that mortality may … ſwallowed up of life.
3. It is lawful to deſire to dye when it flowet from a deſire to be freed from the body of Death and from thoſe temptations that affault us, a… from thoſe oppreſſions whereunto we are ma… ſubject by it. Doubtleſs Paul deſired to dye … this account, when he cryed out, Rom. 7.24. … wretched man that I am, Who ſhall deliver … from this body of death! He longed greatly for … day, wherein he ſhould be made white like … wings of a Dove, covered with ſilver, whoſe fea…ers are of a yellow gold. O! Chriſt, ſaith Paul, … am as one impatient till I be above, where I ſhal be cloathed with thoſe excellent and cleanly …obes, the righteouſneſs of Chriſt. Oh! ſaith Paul, I think every day a year, till I ſhal be poſſeſſed of that Kingdom where ſatan cannot tempt, and the creatures cannot yield, and where I ſhal …e free from all my fears of ſinning. Now in all …heſe reſpects who would not deſire to dye? But …o guard theſe, I would give you theſe four Cau…ions.
1. Caution, Your deſires to dye ſhould not be peremptory, but ye ſhould deſire to die with ſubmiſſion to the will of God; ſo that although he would fill up fifteen years more to your life, you ſhould be content to live it out.
2. Caution, When your deſires are haſty, and off hand, ſuſpect them; for ſome when they meet with any outward croſs (without all deliberation) will cry out, O to be gone, O if I were dead! But your deſires to dye ſhould be deliberate, but not haſty or raſh.
3. Caution, It is not lawful to deſire to dye becauſe of perſonal affliction. Many when they meet with bitter afflictions, will cry out, O to be gone! They long for death, even upon that account: ſuch were Jobs deſires, Job 20.21.22. and chap. 6. verſ. 7.8. O that I might have my request, even that it would pleaſe God to deſtroy me, &c. This deſire was very unlawful.
4. Caution, It is not lawful to deſire to dye, when thy predominant idol is taken away fro… thee, yet ſuch was Jonahs deſire, chap. 4.23. Jon… thought his credit and reputation (which was h… idol) was gone, and could never be regained therefore he wiſhed to dye. But I would ſay th… to you, that ſome will have ten deſires for death, when they have not one deſire for Heaven. And what moveth Chriſtians to be deſirous to dye? It is not ſo much becauſe of their hope, as becauſe of their anxiety; it is not ſo much becauſe of their confidence, as becauſe of their impatience. But I ſay unto you, when your deſires of death are not accompanied with deſires of Heaven, ſuſpect them. I would ſay this, that there are ſome who will have ten deſires for death, when they will not have one for the death of the body of death: But it were good for thee who art ſuch, to be deſiring the death of the body of death, then ſhouldeſt thou be in a more ſuteable frame to deſire to dye. 3. Some will have hearty deſires to dye, and yet when death cometh they will be as unwilling to dye as any: It hath been obſerved, that ſome who have much deſired to dye, when death came, have cryed out, O ſpare a little that I may recover ſtrength, &c. There is a great difference between a deſire to dye, and death it ſelf. It is an eaſy thing to deſire to dye, but it is a very great buſineſs to meet with death, and to look it in the face when it cometh. We think death ere it come near to us, to be but childrens play, but when we meet with it, it maketh us change our thoughts: for it is a great buſineſs to dye.
Quest. 2. Is it lawful for a Chriſtian to deſire to live when he is ſummoned to dye?
Anſw. In ſome caſes is it lawful for a Chriſtian to deſire to live, even when he is ſummoned to dye; which is clear from the practiſe of David, Pſal. 39.13. where he prayeth that the Lord will ſpare him a little: it is alſo clear from the practiſe of good Hezekiah, Iſai. 38.3. when he was commanded to ſet his houſe in order: for he ſhould dye, and not live; he cryed forth, Remember now, O Lord, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which was good in thy ſight; and Hezekiah wept ſore. Or as the word is in the Original, he wept with great weeping: but to guard this, take theſe two Cautions.
Caution 1. Thy deſires to live (when thou art ſummoned to dye) ſhould not be peremptory, but with ſubmiſſion to the will of God, that if it be his pleaſure to remove thee preſently out of time, thou ſhouldſt be content to dye.
Caution 2. Thy deſires to live ſhould have gracious principles, and alſo a very gracious end, as is moſt clear from David, Pſalm 39.13. where he ſaith, O ſpare me a little that I may recover my ſtrength, before I go from hence, and be no more: his deſire to live, was that he might have victory over his Idols; as if he had ſaid, my deſire to live, is, that I may have ſtrength to wreſtle with, and overcome my idols: and without all controverſy, Hezekiahs deſire was a moſt precious and well-grounded deſire: However, I would ſay this unto thee, that thou ſhouldeſt examine thy deſires to live, as much (if not more) as thy deſires to dye; for we are ready to ſhun death, if we could; but he is that univerſal King, unto whom all of us muſt be ſubject ere long.
Now in the words that are read unto you, there are theſe ſix things which may be clearly obſerved from them.
Firſt, that it is a moſt true and infallible truth, that all perſons ſhal once ſee death; as is clear in theſe words: VVho is he that liveth, and ſhal not ſee death?
Secondly, that this truth, that we ſhal once ſee death, is not much believed, or thought upon by many; therefore it is that the Pſalmiſt doubleth the aſſertion: VVho is he that liveth, and ſhal not ſee death? Shal he deliver his ſoul (that is, his life) from the hand (that is) from the power of the Grave?
Thirdly, that ſometimes a Chriſtian may win to the ſolid Faith of this truth, that once he muſt dye; this the Pſalmiſt wan unto, as it is alſo clear in that word (who) VVho is he that liveth, and ſhal not ſee death?
Fourthly, that the certainty of this, that once we ſhal dye, ſhould be kept in our mind; therefore that note of attention, Selah, is put to it, as if he had ſaid, Take heed that there is none living that ſhal not dye.
Fifthly, that howbeit ſome perſons put the evil day far away, as if they were not to ſee death; yet is the day coming when they ſhall ſee death, and death ſhal take them by the hand.
Sixthly, we ſhal take notice of this from the context, that the Chriſtian who is much in minding the brevity of his life, will believe the certainty of his death. The Pſalmiſt was ſpeaking of the ſhortneſs of his life in the preceeding verſe, and in this verſe he ſpeaketh of the certainty of death.
Now as for the firſt of theſe things obſerved, viz. That it is certain and moſt ſure, that we muſt all once dye: I hope there are none of you here who will deny it, although I confeſs ſome few of you believe it: yet ſaid the woman of Tekoah, 2 Sam. 14. VVe muſt all dye, and be like water ſpilt upon the ground, that cannot be gathered up again; and God doth not accept the perſon of any. And Job 30.13. I know thou wilt bring me to death, and to the houſe appointed for all living. And it is very clear, Eccleſ. 8.8. There is no man that hath power over the ſpirit to retain the ſpirit, neither hath he any power in the day of death; and there is no diſcharge in that war, neither ſhal wickedneſs deliver thoſe that are given to it. It is alſo clear, Heb 9.27. It is appointed unto all men once to die. So it is moſt clear that we muſt dye. I remember of one Philip King of Macedonia, who had one ſubſtitute for this very end, to cry at his chamber-door every morning, Memento mori, memento mori, momento mori: Remember thou art to dye. And it is reported to have been the practiſe of the Nobles of Greece, that in the day wherein their Emperor was crowned, that they preſented a marble ſton… unto him, and he was enquired after what faſhion he would have his Tomb-ſtone made? Which practiſe ſpeak this unto us, that although theſe were moſt deſtitute of the light of the Scriptures, they were very mindful of death. Believe me, death may ſurpriſe us before we be aware: for it is moſt certain that we muſt dye; but there is nothing more uncertain then the way how, and the time when we ſhal dye.
Death will ſurpriſe ſome, as it did Abel, in the open field, Gen. 4.8. Death will ſurpriſe ſome, as it did Eglon, in his parlour, Judges 3.21. And death will ſurpriſe ſome, as it did Saul and Jonathan, in the flight, 1 Sam. 31.
Now in ſpeaking unto this point, I ſhal firſt ſpeak a little to thoſe advantages which attend thoſe that live within continual fight of death. Secondly, I ſhal give you ſome conſiderations to preſs you to prepare for death. Thirdly, I ſhal give you ſome directions to help you to prepare for death. And then we ſhal proceed unto the ſecond point of doctrine which we obſerved from the Text, and ſhal ſpeak a few things from it unto you, and ſo come to a cloſe for this time.
Firſt then, we conceive there are theſe ſeven advantages which attend thoſe who live within the continual ſight of this truth, that they muſt dye.
Firſt, the faith of approaching death, will make a ſoul exceeding diligent in duty: This was our bleſſed Lords Divinity, John 9.4. I muſt work the work of him that ſent me, while it is day: the night …meth when no man can work: That i…, death is approaching, therefore I muſt work. It is clear alſo, 2 Pet. 1.12. compared with verſe 14. In the 12. verſe, Peter is exceeding diligent in his duty, and the ground of his diligence is in the 14. verſe: Knowing that ſhortly I muſt put off this my tabernacle, &c. Yea, it is even the Epicures argument, Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we ſhal dye. And ſhould not the Chriſtian much more cry out, Let me watch, and pray, for to morrow I may dye. I ſay, if the Epicures did make uſe of that notion, to make them vigorous in the purſuit of their pleaſures; O how much more ſhould a Chriſtian improve it, for making him vigorous in the purſuit of his duty? Therefore, I ſay unto you all, O! be diligent, for your night is drawing near. O Chriſtians, and expectants of heaven, are you not afraid leſt you be nighted before you have walked the half of your journey? For if you be nighted on your journey to Heaven, before you come to the end of your race, there is no retiring place whereunto you may turn aſide to lodge; therefore, O work, work, work, while it is day; for behold death is approaching, and then ſhal we all be called to an account.
2. The faith of approaching death will make a Chriſtian exceeding active in his duty: he will not only be diligent, but alſo exceeding ſerious and zealous in the exerciſe of his duty: This is clear from that notable exhortation, Eccleſ. 9.10. Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: and the reaſon is, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wiſdom in the grave whither thou goest. Wherefore, O be active while you are alive; for you ſhal never work any more after you are dead: and if ye leave but one work undone, there is no doing of it after death: There is no work, ſaith Solomon, in the grave, therefore, O be active.
3. The faith of this truth, that we muſt all dye, will help a Chriſtian to be exceeding mortified to the things of a preſent World. Oh, covetous men and women! would you ſhake hands with cold Death but once every morning, I ſhould defie you to purſue the World ſo much as you do. Paul was much in the meditation of his change, which made him, 2 Cor. 4.18. to overlook thoſe things that are temporary: VVhile we look not, ſaith he, to the things that are ſeen, which are temporal; but to the things which are not ſeen, which are eternal. Therefore chap. 5.1. Knowing that if our earthly houſe of this tabernacle were diſſolved, we have a building of God, an Houſe not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens; therefore in this we groan earnestly, deſiring to be cloathed upon with our houſe which is from Heaven. What aileth you, Paul, might one have laid, may you not take a look of the World? No, ſaith he, for I know that if this earthly houſe of this tabernacle were diſſolved, I have a houſe with God, not made with hands, but eternal in the Heavens. That is, I know that ere long the pins of my Tabernacle will be looſed, and it will fall down about my ears, therefore I muſt look for another dwelling houſe. And 1 Cor. 7.24. The faſhion of this world paſſeth away; therefore, ſaith he, verſe 32. I would have you without carefulneſs, caring to pleaſe the Lord. And Phil. 4.2. Let your moderation be known to all men; the Lord is at hand. As if he had ſaid, death is approaching, and at hand; therefore, I intreat you, be ſober. But I think many of us will be found, like Saul hid amongſt the ſtuff; that is, we will be lying amongſt the midſt of the pleaſures of this paſſing World. But I ſay to thee who art ſuch an one, that death will break the ſtrings of thy harp, and thy muſick will quickly ceaſe. O! but death will make thee have a low eſteem of the World. O! bleſſed is the perſon who hath thoſe thoughts of the World all along his way, which he ſhal have of it at his death! Have not the moſt curſed wretches been forced to cry out: Oh! I would give ten thouſand worlds for Chriſt? Have not ſome perſons (who have had the Moon upon their head, and that have made their belly their God) being forced to cry forth at death: O curſed perſon that I am, that ever I made the world my God! Alace, that I contented my ſelf with the World! Therefore, I ſay unto thee who art ſuch an one, O! ſtay thy purſuit after the World, for death is approaching, that will cauſe all thy worldly comforts to evaniſh.
4. When a Chriſtian believeth this truth, that he muſt dye, it will be an exceeding great reſtraint to keep him from ſinning, as is clear, Job 31.13. compared with verſe 14. where Job reckoning over many good deeds done by himſelf, ſaith: What then ſhal I do, when God riſeth up? And when he viſiteth, what ſhal I anſwer him? As if he had ſaid, Sirs, miſtake me not, I am not boaſting much of my ſelf, for I could not have done otherwiſe; elſe what ſhould I do when God riſeth up: How could I anſwer to God, if I had done otherwiſe? I think it were a notable practiſe for each of you, when temptations begin to aſſault you, to ſay: O temptation! what ſhal I anſwer to God when he riſeth up to reprove me, if I ſhould yeeld unto thee. Likewiſe Eccleſ. 11.9. where Solomon diſſwading young men to purſue after vanity, bringeth this as a reaſon: Know thou, that for all theſe things, God will bring thee to judgement? Therefore, I ſay unto thee who art often tempted to ſin, let death and reckoning with God be ſtill in thy ſight, and I defie thee then to embrace half ſo many temptations as now thou doſt. I intreat you, to anſwer all your temptations with that one word: What ſhal I do, when he riſeth up? And what ſhal I anſwer, when he viſiteth me?
5. When a Chriſtian liveth within the ſight of this truth, that he ſhal once ſee death, it ſhal make him exceeding patient under every croſs wherewith he meets: Such a Chriſtian will hardly meet with a croſs, but he will quiet himſelf with this; Death will put me beyond this croſs: This is but a cloud that will quickly paſs away. And for this cauſe did David ſo compoſedly put up that deſire, Pſalm 39.4. Lord, make me to know mine end, and the meaſure of my days. He was ſure that the knowledge of his end would put him in a ſober and patient frame.
The ſixth advantage is this, The faith of approaching death, will teach the perſon that hath it, to ſtudy ſaving wiſdom; this is clear Pſalm 90.12. where David putteth up this requeſt: So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wiſdom. As if he had ſaid, I will never think my ſelf wiſe, till I know that bleſſed piece of A…ithmetick, How to number my days. I would deſire every one of you all, to think with your ſelves every morning when you ariſe. Now we are an hour nearer unto eternity then we were before: and at the end of every hour, Now we are a day nearer unto eternity, then we were before. I ſay, think often, yea always thus, We were never ſo near death as we are now; for oh! are we not all nearer to eternity to day, then we were ye ſterday?
The ſeventh advantage attending the faith of approaching death, is this, That it will make a Chriſtian very careful in preparing for death: it is impoſſible for one to believe really that death is approaching, and not prepare for it. Say what you will, if you be not careful in preparing for death, you have not the ſolide faith of this truth, that you ſhal dye. Believe me, it is not every one that thinketh he believeth this truth, that believeth it indeed. And, O how dreadful is it for an unprepared man to meet with death? He deſireth not to dye; yea, he would give a World for his life; but dye he muſt, whether he will or not; for death will not be requeſted to ſpare a little when he cometh: and therefore, I ſay unto you: Set your houſe in order, for you ſhal ſurely dye. Old men and women, Set your houſe in order, for ſurely ye muſt dye. Young men and women, Set your houſe in order, for to morrow ye may dye, and be cut off in the flower of your age. Think not that there are any who can ſell time: for I ſay, you ſhal never get time ſold unto you. Alace! I feat the moſt part of perſons that dye now, death findeth them at unawares: for indeed the perſons that dye amongſt us, when we come to viſite them, we may give you a full account of them; for we think they are all comprehended under theſe four ſorts.
Firſt, when we go to viſite ſome perſons on their death bed, they are like unto Nabal, their heart is dying and ſinking, like unto a ſtone within them: they are no more affected with death, then if it were a fancy. Alace, for the great ſtupidity that hath overtaken many! Therefore, I intreat you, delay not your repentance till death, leſt the Lord take away your wit, ſo that you cannot then repent, for your ſenſleſneſs and ſtupide frame of ſpirit.
A ſecond ſort we find in a preſumptuous frame, ſaying, They have had a good hope all their days, and they will not quite it now: they will go down to the grave with their hope in their right hand, or rather they will go down to the grave with a lye in their right hand: they live in a perſumptuous frame, and they dye in the ſame deluſion: for when we tell them that by all probability they are going down to hell: they anſwer, God forbid! I was all my time a very honeſt man, or woman. But I love not that confeſſion; for there are many ſuch honeſt men and women in hell this day.
The third ſort we find have ſome convictions, that they have been playing the fool all their days; but we can get them no further: I ſhal only ſay to ſuch, To go down to the Grave with convictions in their breaſt, not making uſe of Chriſt, is to go down to hell with a candle in their hand, to let them ſee the way: and truly the greater part that dye, dye in this manner.
Fourthly, there are ſome whom we find in a ſelf-righteous frame, truſting upon the covenant of works, and their own merits, and truſting by theſe to go to heaven; yet neglecting the offer of Chriſts righteouſneſs: But, alace! we find not one of a thouſand in this frame, I deſire to be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt, that is beſt of all. And ſcarcely do we find any in ſuch a frame, O wretched man that I am! who ſhal deliver me from the body of this death? Therefore I ſay unto you who are all here; O will you mind death before it take hold on you! Oh, mind your work now! for you will find that death ſhal be work enough for it ſelf, though you leave no work till then.
The eighth advantage that attendeth the Chriſtian believing this truth, that once he muſt dye, is this; Death will not be ſo terrible to him; as it is to many when it cometh. What think you, maketh death a King of terrors? What maketh many to ſhake like the leaf of a tree, when they are ſummoned to appear before Gods Tribunal? It is even becauſe of this, they have not been thinking on death before it came, ſo as to prepare for it: and I fear many in this place may be feared for death; and that when it cometh to them, they will ſay unto death, as Achab ſaid to Elijah, Haſt thou found me, O mine enemy! Surely, death will take you, and bring you to the Judgement-ſeat of Chriſt: therefore ſtudy by all means to think ofren upon it, and make ready for it; for, believe me, death is a very big word; for it will once make you ſtand with horror in your ſouls, if your peace be not made up with God. I know not a more dreadful diſpenſation, then death and a guilty conſcience meeting together.
The ſecond thing that I ſhal ſpeak unto from the firſt obſervation, viz. That it is a most certain and infallible truth, that all perſons ſhal once ſee death, ſhal be to give ſome good conſiderations for preſſing you to prepare for death.
The firſt conſideration is this, that to dye well, and in the Lord, is a moſt difficult work; therefore I intreat you, prepare for death. It is a difficult work to communicate aright: it is a difficult work to pray aright; and it is a difficult work to confer aright. But I muſt tell you, it is a more difficult work to dye aright, then any of theſe: it is true, it is more difficult to communicate aright, then to pray aright; yet it is much more difficult to dye aright, then to communicate aright; for it is a moſt difficult work to dye in the Lord. Death will put the moſt accurate Chriſtian that is here to a wonderful ſearch; and therefore I will tell you nine things that death will try in thee. 1. Death will try both the reality and ſtrength of thy faith; it may be eaſy for thee to keep up faith under many difficulties, but death ſhal put thy faith to the greateſt ſtreſs that ever it did meet with. Yea, know this, that the faith of the ſtrongeſt believer may get, and ordinarily doth get, a ſet at death, the like whereof it never got before; therefore prepare for death. 2. Death will try thy love to God; ſome perſons pretend much love to him, but death will propoſe this queſtion to ſuch a perſon, Loveſt thou him more then theſe? Loveſt thou him more then thy wife? More then thy houſe? More then thy friends? But your unwillingneſs to dye, giveth us much ground to fear that many have little love to Chriſt, but much to the World, and ſo dare not anſwer the queſtion, Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee. 3. Death will try thy enjoyments; ſome of you may be ready to think that you meet with many enjoyments, ſo that you might reckon, as you think, to fourty enjoyments, and ſweet outlettings; but beware that death bring them not down to twenty. I have known ſome who thought they had met fourty times with God; but when death came, it made them take down the count to the half: therefore ſeeing death will try the reality of thine enjoyments, O prepare for it. 4. Death will try thy patience: thou mayeſt ſeem to have much patience now, but when death cometh (thou art put to dye) it will put thy patience to a great tryal; therefore prepare for it. 5. Death will try the reality of thy duties, yea, even thoſe duties wherein thou hadſt moſt ſatisfaction, as thy communicating aright in ſuch a place, thou hopeſt that is ſure; thy reading the Scripture at ſuch a time aright, thou hopeſt that is ſure; thou prayedſt at ſuch a time aright, and hopeſt that is ſure, thou meditateſt in ſuch a place aright, and thou hopeſt that is ſure. But, believe me, death may make thee change thy thoughts: for there are ſome perſons who have communicated and prayed, &c. as right as any in this generation, who, for all that, will not find ſix duties wherein they can find ſatisfaction at death. 6. Death will exceedingly try thy ſincerity when it cometh: An hypocrite may go all along his whole way undiſcovered, yet death may bring him to light, and make it appear what a man he is. 7. Death will diſcover unto thee hid and ſecret ſins, of which thou never had a thought before; yea, albeit thou thoughteſt theſe had been forgotten, death will let thee ſee them ſtanding between thee and the light of his countenance. 8. Death will accurately try thy mortification: Some think they have come a great length in mortification; but, believe me, death will try it, and put it to the touch-ſtone. 9. Death will try thy hope whether it be real or not. I ſhal only ſay this, that all the other graces muſt low their ſails to faith, and ſo it is, faith muſt carry us thorow, being that laſt triumphing grace which muſt fit the field for us, when all the other graces will faint and ly by. It is faith that muſt enter us fairly within the borders of eternity. It is faith muſt gainſtand all the temptations of death; yea, all the other graces, as it were, ſtand by, and ſee faith ſtrike the laſt ſtroke in this war.
The ſecond conſideration to preſs you to mind death, is this: That ye are to dye but once. O! labor to do that well which you are to do but once, and the wrong doing of which can never be helped: If ye pray not aright, ye may get that mended; and if ye communicate not aright, ye may get that alſo mended: but, alace! if ye dye not aright, there is no mending of that: Therefore, O prepare for death, that ye may dye well, ſeeing ye are to dye but once.
The third conſideration to preſs you to mind death, is this: That ye are pronounced bleſſed who dye in the Lord, Rev. 14.13. Bleſſed are the dead which dye in the Lord. O let that provoke you to prepare for death, that ſo ye may dye in the Lord, that is the only way to make you eternally happy. I confeſs, it is a queſtion difficult to determine, whether it be more difficult to dye well, or to live well? I ſhal not anſwer it, but rather deſire you to ſtudy both.
The fourth conſideration to preſs you to prepare for death, is this; viz. That though thou put all thy work by thy hand before death, ye ſhalt thou find that death ſhal have work enough for it ſelf, yea as much as thou ſhalt get done. It will then be much for thee to win to patience, it will be much for thee to win to the ſight of thy juſtification, and it will then be much for thee to win to aſſurance: O then, is it not needful for thee to put all thy work by thy hand before thy latter end come? Wherefore I may ſay to you, as Moſes ſaid in his Song, Deuter. 32.29. O that they were wiſe, that they understood this, that they would conſider their latter end! O that ye had this piece of divine wiſdom! I pray you, conſider that ſad word, Lam 1.19. She remembered not her laſt end: and what of it? Therefore ſhe came down wonderfully. So will the down-coming of many in this generation be wonderful, who conſider not their laſt end.
The fifth conſideration for preſſing you to prepare for death, is this, viz. That their labor ſhal end, but their works ſhal not be forgotten, as is clear from that fore-cited place, Rev. 14.13. They rest from their labors, and their works follow them; and is not that a glorious advantage?
The ſixth conſideration to preſs you to prepare for death, is this, viz. That death may come upon you ere ye be aware: ye know not but death may ſurpriſe you this night, before ye go home to your houſes: and therefore let that preſs you to ſtudy a conſtant preparation for death.
The ſeventh conſideration to preſs you to prepare for death, is this, viz. That as death leaveth you, ſo will Judgement find you: If death ſhal leave you ſtrangers to Chriſt, ye ſhal appear before his Judgement-ſeat ſtrangers unto him, therefore, I intreat you all, to prepare for it. I think that noble practiſe of Paul, exceeding worthy of imitation, 1 Cor. 15.31. I dye daily, which I think doth comprehend theſe three things. 1. That Paul had death always in his ſight. 2. It comprehendeth this, that he labored to keep ſuch a frame as that every moment he ſhould be ready to dye, ſo that whenſoever death ſhould put the ſummonds in his hand, he ſhould be content to anſwer. 3. It comprehendeth this, that he labored to lay aſide and remove all things out of the way, that might detain him from laying down his tabernacle. O ſaith Paul, I labor ſo to clear my ſelf of all hinderances, as that when ever I ſhal be ſummoned to remove out of time, I may willingly lay down my life. Therefore I would ask you this queſtion, viz. When did you make your laſt teſtament? I think it were ſuitable for us to be renewing our latter-will every day, for in ſo doing, Paul made an excellent teſtament, the better of which none that died ſince have made, 2 Tim. 4.7.8. I have fought a good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith; theſe are very ſweet articles: and then he addeth, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouſneſs, that the Lord the righteous Judge ſhal give me at that day. And think ye not that very ſweet that he would leave ſomething unto you in Chriſts Name? viz. And not for me only, but for all them that wait for his appearance. Now I come to the third thing propoſed, viz. To give ſome directions for helping you to prepare for death.
Direct. 1. I intreat you, be much in preparation for death every day: for it is even a preparation for heaven, to be taking a fight of your grave and latter end every day.
Direct. 2. I intreat you, be much in theſe duties. Firſt, in ſelf-examination, that your comp… may be clear with God; for many a ragged compt ſhal we have when death and we ſhal meet. Secondly, be much in the exerciſe of repentance, that ſo ye may have every fault and corruption in you mourned for, before death and you meet. Thirdly, be much in the exerciſe of faith, making your calling and election ſure. Fourthly, be much in the exerciſe of mortification, and that will help you to keep a looſe grip, not only of the World, but alſo of your other idols: and if ye be much in theſe, ye ſhall undoubtedly be prepared for death.
Direct. 3. Be much in minding the excellent things of heaven: a Chriſtian that would be prepared for death, ſhould have all his thoughts and converſation there. I think it would be an excellent help, in preparation for death, to take a ſight of the crown every day.
Direct. 4. Labor always to keep a good conſcience, void of offence toward God and man. I ſay, labor to keep thy conſcience clear, and that ſhal be a continual feaſt unto thee.
Direct. 5. Slight not any known duty, do not crucify any conviction, neither break any reſolution: put theſe three together, and that will exceedingly help you to prepare for death: I ſay, ſee that ye adventure not to ſlight any known duty: ſee that ye adventure not to crucify any conviction: and ſee that ye adventure not to break your reſolutions.
Now we come to the ſecond thing which we obſerved from the words, viz. That this truth, that we ſhal once ſee death, is not much believed by many of us: and to make this appear, we ſhal only give ſome evidences unto you, to prove that we are not as yet prepared for death.
1. Evidence. Doth not the unſpeakable ſtupidity that hath overtaken many, ſay, that we are not people prepared for death? Alace! many of us would find our ſelves in a moſt ſtupid temper, if we were preſently to dye: for many of us are no more moved with the threatnings and terrors of God, then if they did not belong unto us: and this ſaith, We are not as yet prepared for death.
2. Evid. That we are not prepared for death, in our purſuing ſo much after the vain and paſſing delights of a preſent World. Many of us riſe up early, and go to bed late at night, and eat the bread of ſorrow all the day, and load themſelves with thick clay. And I am ſure, that ſuch a perſon (being night and day taken up with the World) is not prepared for death. I remember a word recorded of ſuch a wretched one who was exceeding rich; ſaid he, I would give ſo many thouſands of money, if death would but give m… one day; yet he got it not. And, O how ſuddenly will death ſurpriſe many of you, as it did him.
3. Evid. Which ſpeaketh forth our unpreparedneſs for death, is our impatience under every petty croſs that we meet with: for the prepared Chriſtian will be patient under very ſharp croſſes.
4. Evid. That we are not prepared, is our not endeavouring to live within ſight of our intereſt in God: Oh, if we were prepared for death, durſt we live in ſo much incertainty of our intereſt in God, and of our aſſurance of heaven!
5. Evid. Some of us can let our idols lye in our breaſt ſix years without repentance, and will never ſtudy to mortify them, nor repent for them; and ſurely ſuch are not prepared for death.
Now I intreat you ſeriouſly, to mind what hath been ſaid, and that ye may the more ſeriouſly think upon it, I will tell you ſome material challenges, that your conſcience at death will preſent unto you; therefore take heed that ye may know how ye will anſwer.
1. Challenge, Is the ſlighting of much precious time, and ſinning away the precious offers of grace. O what will ye anſwer to that challenge when death ſhal preſent it to you! Death will ſay (or rather thine own conſcience at death) what ailed thee to ſin ſo many hours, without either praying, reading, or meditating? Now have ye any thing to anſwer when death ſhal preſent this challenge to you? I intreat you, premeditate what ye will ſay: I intreat you, prevent death by preſenting it firſt ſeriouſly to your ſelves.
2. Challenge. That death will preſent unto you, will be for the killing of many precious convictions which ye have had. What will each of you anſwer at death, when your conſcience propoſeth this challenge unto you? Thou metſt with ſuch a challenge at ſuch a time, and went home and crucified it. And at another time thou metſt with another challenge, and went home and crucified it. Theſe challenges will be laid home to thy door, therefore think on them.
3. Challenge. Death will charge you for a formal hypocritical way of going about duties: I ſay your conſcience will then tell you, that ye went to ſuch a communion with a ſelfiſh end; and … another time, ye prayed hypocritically and formally: And what will ye have to anſwer when ye meet with theſe challenges? I confeſs, I know not what ye can anſwer to theſe. But I charge you, be thinking what ye will anſwer: for it may be that theſe convictions ſhall ly on your conſciences, that even this day you have heard two ſearching Sermons, and did meet with ſome convictions, but made no good uſe of them; yea, …nd it may be ye did ſleep all that time. O! …hat will ye anſwer, when it will be ſaid to you, … went to ſuch a Sermon, and ſleeped all the one: and ye went to ſuch a Communion, but had no other end before your eyes, but to be ſee… of men? I intreat you, conſider preſently wh… you will anſwer to theſe.
4. Challenge. Will be for your breaking many precious reſolutions. It will be ſaid to ſome of you, that at the Communion in this place, ye took on vows, and did break them: I am ſure y… connot queſtion the Juſtice of this challenge therefore ſee what ye will anſwer.
5. Challenge. Ye ſlighted many precious offers of the Goſpel. O men and women in this City! what will ye anſwer to this? I was often exhorted to take Chriſt, and yet would never take him. What will conſcience ſay to that, when death ſhal table it before you? I tell you what you muſt then anſwer: O curſed I, that ever refuſed Chriſt in the Goſpel! And ye ſhal then b… confounded, becauſe this is your ſin. Believe me, there was never an offer of this everlaſting Goſpel, and of Chriſt in it, made unto you, that ſhal not at death (before or after it) be brought to your remembrance. And, O how ſad and doleful will it be to you, when Chriſt ſhal open the Book where your ſins are written, and begin with the ſin of ſlighting the great Salvation! Thus I invited you, when you were twelve years old, but ye would not come. I invited you when you were thirty years old, but ye would not come. I invited you when you were ſixty years old, and ye would not come. What will ye anſwer to this? Have ye any thing to ſay? Or muſt ye not ſtand ſpeechleſs before your Judge, when he ſhall put home this challenge unto you? Therefore think ſeriouſly upon it, how ye will anſwer to it.
6. Challenge. Will be for your ſinning oftentimes againſt light: And, O how painful and ſad a challenge will that be at the day of death, when it will be ſaid, Thou ſinned with a witneſs in thy boſom, that thou waſt doing wrong. Thy conſcience will ſay, Oftentimes I did tell thee this is ſinful, yet wouldeſt thou not abſtain from it: And what will ye anſwer to this?
7. Challenge. Oftentimes ye ſinned upon very ſmall temptations, and what will ye anſwer to that? Muſt ye not then confeſs it, and ſay, Oh, how often have I deſerted Chriſt, and embraced my idols upon a ſmall temptation! Now, I intreat you, be thinking what ye will anſwer to theſe ſeven moſt material challenges, which certainly ſhal be preſented to you at death. I aſſure you, ye muſt either anſwer all your challenges in Chriſt, elſe ye will not get them well anſwered: Therefore, I would exhort you, to embrace the Goſpel, and Chriſt in it; that ſo let death propoſe never ſo many challenges unto you, ye may anſwer them all, as David did, viz. God hath made with me an everlaſting covenant: And that will anſwer all your challenges: Though my houſe be not ſo with God, yet I have the everlaſting covenant to …il… my ſalvation upon.
Now to preſs you to make uſe of Chriſt, I ſhal give you theſe four conſiderations.
Conſideration 1. If ye embrace not Chriſt now, death will be very unpleaſant to you. O what elſe can comfort thee, when going through the region of death, but this, I am Chriſts, I am Chriſts? Is there any other thing can comfort… thee in that day, but only this, I am Chriſts and he is mine?
Conſideration 2. If ye embrace not Chriſt and the great Salvation now, it will be an hundred to one if ever ye get time or liberty to do it, when ye are going to dye. For although many delay their cloſing with Chriſt till death, yet ſcarcely one of a hundred getteth favor to grip Chriſt at death▪ Therefore think on it; for you will not get your mind ſo compoſed at death, as ye imagine, nor all things done, as ye ſuppoſe: therefore now embrace the great Salvation.
Conſideration 3. If ye delay your cloſing with Chriſt till death ſeize upon you, ye ſhal never be able to make up that loſs. For will the dead riſe and praiſe God? Or ſhal any one come from the Land of forgetfulneſs, to take hold upon a crucified Savior? Therefore, O will ye take him for your Salvation.
Conſideration 4. If ye will take Chriſt now, he ſhal be your guide when ye are going thorow the valley and ſhadow of death. And, O how bleſſed is the perſon that can ſing that word, Pſalm 48.14. This is my God, he will be my guide even unto death. If ye can ſing that pleaſant ſong, O how may ye be comforted when your eye-ſtrings ſhal begin to break! O how happy is he who can ſay, Though I walk thorow the ſhadow of death, yet will I fear no ill; for I know that the Lord is with me! Now this is the acceptable day, and the year of Salvation: therefore, do not delay, but embrace Chriſt, leſt death ſurpriſe you ere ye be aware, and ſo the acceptable day be loſt. But unto theſe who think they may delay till death, I ſay, ſurely there are many damned Atheiſts in hell that (ſometimes) did think as ye think, I will make all wrongs right when death and I ſhal meet: I hope that three days repentance will ſatisfy for all my wrongs; for I am ſure there are many in hell, who did never get three days to think upon their former wayes. Therefore, O come, come and embrace Chriſt preſently. Now are ye all perſwaded of this truth, that ye ſhal once ſee death? Then ſtudy a tender walking; for, believe me, there are many of us that ſhal go thorow death with many bruiſed bones, becauſe of untender walking before God: We know it is not the multitude of words can perſwade you to embrace Chriſt, for many of you never minded the thing; but believe me, death will preach theſe things unto you in a more terrible manner then we can do at this time. Therefore I ſay to each of you, O prepare to meet thy God, for if death find you in an eſtranged eſtate from God, I defie the Angels in Heaven to free you out of that eſtate; and the day is coming, wherein thou ſhalt cry out, O ſlighter of the great Salvation that I am, I would give ten thouſand worlds for one Sermon again that I once he… wherein Chriſt was freely offered to me, when th… ſhalt be tormented without hope of remedy therefore while it is to day harden not your heart… for your late wiſhes ſhal not be granted when are gone, if ye make not haſte. O therefore haſ… haſte in time, and come out from the land of your c… ptivity, and from the houſe of your bondage, a… take Chriſt for your Redeemer, the guide of yo… youth and old age. Now unto him who can le… you thorow all theſe ſteps betwixt you and Heven, be eternal praiſe. Amen.
FINIS.
End of the text · Andrew Gray, The Mystery of Faith Opened Up (1668)