The Duty of Every Man to be Always Ready to Die, Text

The Duty of Every Man to be Always Ready to Die · Text

Mr. Sewall's SERMON On Conſtant Preparedneſs for DEATH.

THE Duty of every Man To be Always Ready to Die. A SERMON Occaſion'd By the very Sudden DEATHS of Mr. Thomas Lewis, Aged 32. And of Mr. Samuel Hirst, Aged 22. On Saturday Jan. 14. 1726, 7.

By Joſeph Sewall, Paſtor of a Church of CHRIST in Boſton.

Matth. xxiv. 44.

Therefore be ye alſo ready: for in ſuch an Hour as you think not, the Son of Man cometh.

BOSTON in NEW-ENGLAND: Printed by B. Green. 1727.

p. 1It much Concerns ALL TO BE Always Ready to Die.

ACTS XXI. 13.

Then Paul anſwered, What mean ye to weep, and to break my heart? for I AM READY not to be bound only, but alſo TO DIE at Jeruſalem for the Name of the Lord Jeſus.

THESE are the words of the Apoſtle Paul; the occaſion of them was this: The Prophet Agabus had foretold that the Jews would bind him at Jeruſalem, and deliver him to the Gentiles, which mov'd his friends to beſeech him with tears not to go up. And we ſee here that this generous Perſon, who cou'd ſay of his own ſufferings, None of theſe things move me, was ſcarce able to bear the Sympathy of his friends; however, he rebukes them for urging him to ſpare himſelf: What mean ye to weep, and break my heart: — And with great firmneſs of Mind declares his Reſolution to comply with GOD's Will, whatever befell him. p. 2I am ready — upon which they alſo ſubmit to the Will of GOD, 14. v. And when he would not be perſwaded, we ceaſed, ſaying, the Will of the Lord be done. A moſt ſuitable Expreſſion to flow from hearty Submiſſion under the moſt dark Providences; for GOD is infinitely holy, juſt and good, and works all things according to the Counſel of His own Will, in unerring Wiſdom and ſpotleſs Holineſs. Woe to him that ſtrives with his Maker; but happy is he that reſigns to him, ſaying, Let him doe what ſeemeth good unto him, and ſhall in the Concluſion find, that all GOD's Providences work together for his good. Let the ſame mind then be in us which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus, Mat. 26.39. O my Father — Not as I will, but as thou wilt. But to return, The Words of my Text expreſs the Apoſtles readineſs to die, yea to ſuffer Martyrdom for the Name of Jeſus. I am ready — I have my ſelf in a Readineſs as Souldiers for an Engagement. † Mr. Henry.Which Heroick Example teacheth us that we ſhould be ready to obey GOD at what time, or in what manner ſoever He ſhall Call us out of the World. And we have alſo the Command of our Lord and Saviour for this, who when He had propheſied of the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem, in which vaſt numbers of the Jews periſh'd, and of the laſt Judgment as is ſuppos'd, which will find us in the condition Death leaves us; ſaid, Mat. 24.44. Therefore be ye alſo ready: for in ſuch an hour as you think not, the ſon of man cometh.

p. 3Let us then Attend to this DOCTRINE.

It is our Duty to Prepare, and to be always in a Readineſs to Die.

Now there are ſuch Duties as theſe following, to be diſcharged by us, if we would be Ready to Die.

1. We muſt uſe the Means GOD affords us to make Ready for Death.

GOD in His Word, threatned, In the day thou eateſt thereof, thou ſhalt ſurely die, Gen. 2.17. and aſſureth us that it is appointed unto man once to die, and after that the Judgment, Heb. 9.27. Yea, that Man who is born of a Woman, is of few days, Job 14.1. We muſt then look into the Scriptures, and learn from them the procuring cauſe, the certainty, and conſequence of Death. This plain truth muſt be receiv'd upon the Teſtimony of GOD's Word, even when we do not feel the approaches of Death. And then, We muſt heedfully and religiouſly obſerve the Providences of GOD, which are a lively Comment upon His Word, and cry in our Ears, All Fleſh is Graſs—. Our Daily Experience muſt be improv'd to Excite us to be alſo ready. When we ſee others taken away, and ſome very Suddenly, we ſhould regard the operation of GOD's Hand, and receive Inſtruction. Again, We ſhould be much in ſerious and cloſe Meditation on this important Subject. We ſhould conſider the ſhortneſs of Life, the certainty of Death, the great uncertainty of the time when we muſt die, p. 4and the great Change Death will make upon us, when we muſt bid an eternal farewell to the buſineſs and enjoyments of this Life, yea to the means of Grace we now enjoy; and lanch forth into an amazing Eternity, to be fixt forever in perfect Happineſs, or extreme Miſery. And here, We muſt take pains to bring our Minds to a cloſe Application to theſe truths, which are irkſome to fleſh and blood, and endeavour to muſe till the fire burn, and our Hearts are ſuitably affected. Furthermore, under a deep ſenſe of our inability, as of our ſelves, to improve the Means; we ſhou'd Ask of GOD His Holy Spirit to bleſs them to us, and Pray, as Pſal. 39.4. Lord, make me to know mine End. And 90. 12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our bearts unto wiſdom. For unleſs we obtain this Divine Teaching, tho' the Deaths of others, eſpecially when very ſudden, may ſtartle us, yet the impreſſion will wear off without any ſaving effect. GOD may call once, yea twice, but we ſhall not hear & anſwer his juſt expectation. Prov. 1.24. I have called, and ye refuſed, I have ſtretched out my hand, and no man regarded.

2. WE muſt ſeek after a ſaving Converſion to GOD, and not be at reſt till we have cloſed with the Lord JESUS CHRIST, as offered to us in the Goſpel. We muſt be brought out of a ſtate of Nature, into a ſtate of Grace, by the Almighty Power of GOD, or we are not ſo much as habitually prepared for Death. We were all by Nature, and as Children of the firſt Adam, p. 5Dead in treſpaſſes in ſins, and Children of Wrath. The Wages of Sin is Death, not only temporal but eternal Death. If we are therefore found under the guilt and dominion of Sin, when Death overtakes us, Hell follows. Certainly then, it moſt nearly concerns us to labour after a ſaving Converſion to GOD, and vital Union with our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, in order to our being in a readineſs for Death. We muſt be born again, born from above, of the Spirit of GOD, or we cant enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and therefore are not fit to die. There muſt be a ſaving change wrought on all the powers of our Souls; we muſt be turned from all Sin, unto GOD, or this great change will find us unprepar'd. We muſt by the Grace of GOD obey that word, Act. 3.19. Repent and be Converted —. Unleſs we heartily grieve and mourn for our Sins as they are againſt GOD, turn from them with Godly Sorrow and Hatred, and return to GOD as our higheſt end and chief good; the valley of Death will lead to that place where is weeping and wailing, and gnaſhing of teeth for ever. We muſt alſo obey that Word of Chriſt, Joh. 14.1. — Ye believe in God, believe alſo in me: For unleſs we receive the Record GOD hath given of His Son in the Goſpel, and "Reſt upon Him alone for Salvation" with that Faith which alſo purifieth the heart, and works by love; the ſecond Death will come after the firſt: we ſhall die in our Sins, and periſh for ever. Joh. 3.36. He that believeth on the Son, hath everlaſting life: and he that believeth not the Son, ſhall not ſee life: but the wrath of p. 6God abideth on on him. And 11.25. Jeſus ſaid unto her, I am the Reſurrection and the Life: be that believe thin me, though be were dead, yet ſhall be live.

3. We muſt labour diligently in finiſhing the Work GOD hath given us to do in this preſent Life. We have a Race to run, a Service to perform, before we accompliſh as an hireling our day. There is the buſineſs of our General Calling, which muſt be engaged in and proſecuted with perſevering diligence: We muſt work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good pleaſure, Phil. 2.12, 13. And there is the buſineſs of our Particular Calling, which muſt be attended in ſubordination to the other. And if we wou'd be ready, we muſt be not ſlothful in buſineſs, fervent in ſpirit, ſerving the Lord, Rom. 12.11. The ſlothful and unprofitable Servant, that hides his Lords Talents, may well be afraid of His coming to reckon with him. We muſt therefore … good and faithful Servants, improve our Talents, and all our Advantages to the honour of GOD. Now theſe are various; there are the Powers of Soul and Body, Gifts & Graces, Eſtate, Friends, &c. And all muſt be diligently employ'd, that our Lord when He cometh may find us about His work, and ſo in a meetneſs, thro Grace, to enter into our Maſter's joy. Our Lord Himſelf ſaid, I muſt work the works of him that ſent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work, Joh. 9.4. And when about p. 7to leave the World, he could appeal to his Father, and ſay, I have glorified thee on earth: I have finiſhed the work thou gaveſt me to do, Joh. 17.4. And we muſt be followers of Him in our diligent Care to glorifie GOD, by doing His Will on Earth, if we would be Ready for our departure. Indeed after all, we muſt confeſs we are unprofitable Servants, yea that we have fallen ſhort of our duty, and accordingly depend on the perfect and meritorious obedience of Chriſt for Pardon and acceptance with GOD. However, we muſt by a patient continuance in well-doing ſeek for Glory —. When we are wearied with conſtant labour in our Lord's Service, tho' not weary of it, we ſhall think with pleaſure of the Reſt which remains to the people of GOD in Heaven, and not need to be ſurpris'd when GOD calls us to give up our Account. Let us then obey that word, Eccl. 9.10. Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wiſdom in the grave whither thou goest. O Chriſtian! do you not yet ſtand compleat, as to your profeiſed ſubjection to Chriſt. Have you not ſhewn forth the Lords Death at his Table, and openly Seal'd the Covenant in obedience to that Command, Do this in Remembrance of Me. Or make haſte to keep this Commandment, leſt the reflection on ſo great an Omiſſion make your … bed very uneaſy to you. Have you ſignal advantages of ſerving GOD and your Generation; improve them without delay. Are there any any Relative Duties you live in the neglect of, O repent and diſcharge p. 8them inſtantly. Have you greatly wronged your Neighbour by your ill carriage, by unfaithfulneſs and diſhoneſty; O ſeek to give him proper Satisfaction, make Reſtitution. Are there unhappy Differences where relative bonds oblige to eſpecial Love and Endearment: ſeek to get them removed, that you may die in love and peace Are there any Inſtructions or Warnings needful for your Children & Servants, O delay them not. In a word, do your beſt that your Work may be done, and well done, that when Death comes you may have nothing to doe but to Die.

4. Live in the diligent Mortification of Sin, and groan daily for perfect deliverance from it. Sin is the Sting of Death, and the remains of it in GOD's own Children, are the cauſe of their inordinate fear of Death; this cauſeth the Natural Reluctance there is in us to a diſſolution to degenerate into a Criminal backwardneſs and unwillingneſs to anſwer GOD, when He calls us out of this World. Here then, we muſt ſeek the deſtruction of our Luſts, die to Sin, and ſo prepare for Death. We muſt wage an holy war with Sin, with our moſt beloved Luſts, cutting off the right hand, and plucking out the right eye. Col. 3.5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanneſs, inordinate affection, evil concupicence, and covetouſneſs, which is idolatry. For this end we muſt improve the Death of Chriſt. By Faith we muſt realize it that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of ſin might be deſtroyed, and layp. 9aſide the ſin which moſt eaſily beſets us, by looking unto Jeſus. For this end we ſhould walk in the Spirit, cheriſh its motions and follow his directions, who is the chief efficient in this work. Rom. 8.13. For if ye live after the fleſh ye ſhall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body ye ſhall live. In a word, the remains of ſin in us ſhould be our heavy burden under which we ſhould groan for deliverence. Our Cry ſhould be that, Rom. 7.24. O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death? Such a frame as this maintained in the Soul, would be an excellent means of reconciling us to Death; for at Death, and not till then, ſhall GOD's People be deliver'd from this worſt of evils. Then their Warfare is accompliſh'd, and they are preſented faultleſs before GOD.

5. We must endeavour more and more to ſit looſe from this World, and to get our Hearts weaned from Earthly Enjoyments. If we would be ready to Die, and leave this World, we muſt not be conform'd to it, Rom. 12.2. There are the Men, and Things of this World; there are its corrupt Cuſtoms, Faſhions and Practices, from which we muſt ſeparate. Our Saviour gave himſelf for our ſins, that he might deliver us from this preſent evil World, Gal. 1.4. And we muſt improve the bitter Death and Sufferings of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt to crucifie our inordinate Affections to it. Gal. 6.14. By whom, i. e, a Crucified Saviour; or whereby, i. e. the Croſs of Chriſt, p. 10the World is crucified unto me, and I unto the World. This World contains thoſe objects which Satan makes uſe of to draw forth the luſts of Men. The luſt of the fleſh, and the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the World, 1 Joh. 2.16. Now if we love the World, and the things of the World as our Portion, the love of the Father is not in us; and we are not prepared to leave it: We muſt then take care we do not walk according to the Courſe of this World, but Renounce it. We muſt rejoyce even in the lawful Enjoyments of this Life, as if we rejoyced not, and uſe this World as not abuſing it, for the faſhion of this World paſſeth away. We muſt not look upon this as our Reſting Place, but confeſs we are ſtrangers and pilgrims on the Earth, Heb. 11.13. We muſt behave our ſelves as thoſe that are called out of this World, and do not depend on theſe things for our happineſs. We ſhould look upon this Life to be as a ſhort paſſage to an endleſs Eternity, and ſit looſe from theſe things, that we may be ready to remove at ſhort warning. And tho' it be true, we have here valuable Enjoyments, which we ought to acknowledge, to the honour of GOD who gives us theſe things richly to enjoy; yet we muſt realize it, that they are all uncertain, and not the good Part which can't be taken away; and accordingly we ſhould maintain ſome kind of holy indifferency towards them, and in the temper of our Minds a readineſs to leave them. To be ſure then we ſhould not with Covetuous deſires purſue the Riches, or other Enjoyments p. 11of this World, and weary our ſelves for theſe Vanities; but rather moderate our deſires towards theſe things, and be contented with GOD's allotment; for we brought nothing into this World, and it is certain we can carry nothing out, 1 Tim. 6.7, 8. Moreover, we ſhould manage our Worldly buſineſs with a great deal of Reſignation to the Will of GOD, and learn to ſay, If the Lord will, we ſhall live, and do this, or that, James 4.15. When Mens heads are full of wordly projections, and their hearts are deeply rooted in the Earth, they muſt be as it were torn away from it by violence; but when their hearts are already weaned and taken off from worldly things, they will be in a good meaſure prepared to leave them, and go to GOD. But O how much do we need the eſpecial Influences of GOD's Grace that it may be ſo!

6. We must live in the Exerciſe of Faith on inviſible Realities, and ſet our Affections more on things above. There's a variety of Graces to be Exerciſed while attending this Duty; as a lively Hope of the Glory to be revealed to GOD's People: an holy Fear of the Judgments of GOD, which ſhould Excite us to give diligence that we may be found of our Judge in Peace. But I ſhall eſpecially inſtance in Faith and Love, the vigorous Exerciſe of which upon proper objects is an excellent preparative for Death. Man is an empty Creature, and hath an inextinguſhable Thirſt after happineſs: and therefore while he is ſitting looſe from this World, he muſt look at heavenly things, and live by the Faith of the p. 12Son of GOD. The World we paſs into at Death is the Inviſible World. We have no knowledge of it, but by Revelation from GOD, and there muſt be Faith to receive the Teſtimony of GOD ſo as to lean the weight of our Souls upon his unchangible Truth, Faithfulneſs & Goodneſs. We muſt have an intire dependance on that GOD who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghoſt. There muſt be Faith in exerciſe that we may commend our departing Spirits into the hands of GOD the Father, as our reconciled Father in Chriſt; Faith, to Commit our Souls into the hands of GOD the Son as our Redeemer. † See Dr. Owen, of dying daily, p. 182.And to truſt in the Spirit of GOD to put the finiſhing hand to his work of Grace in us, that being made perfect in holineſs we may paſs into that Glory where nothing enters that defileth. There muſt be Faith to realize it, that our departed Spirits ſhould be received to the Paradiſe of GOD, that when we are abſent from the body, we ſhall be preſent with the Lord, and that being joyn'd with the Spirits of juſt men made perfect. We ſhall act and enjoy after a better manner then we can in this frail State. We muſt by Faith receive the Doctrine of the Reſurrection as a certain truth; that the GOD of Abraham will raiſe his People to a Glorious and Bleſſed Immortality; yea that when GOD our Saviour appears, He will change our vile body, that it may be faſhioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to ſubdue all things unto himſelf, Phil. 3.21. There is the p. 13neareſt Union between Soul and Body, and theſe moſt intimate companions cant part comfortably, unleſs we have a good aſſurance of their meeting again, to their great advantage. Again, There muſt be Faith in exerciſe to realize the fullneſs of joys, which GOD's people ſhall have with the Lord, in Heaven, where there will be the higheſt Employments for GOD, and the full Enjoyment of Him to all Eternity; yea, and the communion of the Saints in full perfection, as well as the happy Society of Bleſſed Angels. Faith is the ſubſtance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not ſeen, Heb 11.1. And we muſt live by it, looking not at the things which are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen: for the things which are ſeen are temporal; but the things which are not ſeen, are eternal. The ancient Worthies celebrated in the 11th. to the Heb. Died in Faith, 13. v. And then your Faith muſt work by Love, Col. 3.2. Set your affections in things above, not on things on the earth. We muſt return to GOD as to the Reſt of our Souls, and ſeek after intimate communion with him. Thirſt for GOD, and ſay as, Pſal. 73.25. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I deſire beſides thee. We ſhould account the Son of GOD, who is GOD manifeſt in the Fleſh, to be more excellent then ten thouſands, and altogether lovely, and labour to come to this, to be willing to part with all that is dear to us in this World, when he ſhall call; that we may go to be with him, to behold his Glory in Heaven. Phil. 1.23. — Having a deſire to depart, and p. 14to be with Chriſt; which is far better: Such an heavenly frame as this, would enable us in a good meaſure to be willing to Die. Lord, increaſe our Faith! Our Souls cleave to the duſt, O quicken and raiſe them up to Divine Things! Let our Converſation now be in Heaven!

7. We muſt ſeek after the Aſſurance of our Intereſt in CHRIST, and endeavour to keep our Evidence for Heaven clear. A Child of GOD may walk in darkneſs, and when GOD hides his face, no wonder if he is troubled, and the thoughts of Death terrify him. We ſhould therefore give diligence to make our Calling, and ſo our Election ſure, 2 Pet. 1.10. Our Election evident and certain to us by our effectual Calling; for whom GOD did Predeſtinate, He alſo Calls in time. All that believe, were ordained to eternal Life, and ſhall receive the end of their Faith, the Salvation of their Souls GOD's People ſhould then examine themſelves, and try their Faith; Looking to GOD to ſhine upon His own Work in their Souls, and to give them his Spirit to witneſs with their Spirits, that they are the Children of GOD: And take heed they do not grieve the Spirit of GOD, whereby they are ſealed to the day of Redemption, Eph. 4.30. The joys of the Holy Ghoſt are the earneſt and firſt fruits of the heavenly Canaan, and we ſhould ſeek after them, that we may long for the full Harveſt in Heaven. And be able to ſay, when reſigning our Spirits at Death, 2 Tim. 1.12. — I know whom I have believed —.

p. 158. We muſt Wait and Watch for the Coming of our Lord. We ſhould have our loins girded about, and lights burning, like unto them that wait for their Lord, Luk. 12.35, 36. Expecting that He will come, and ſubmiſſively waiting that we may anſwer when He Calls, and yield a ready Obedience. Job ſays, 14 14. If a man die, ſhall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come. Some underſtand this change of Death; others of the Reſurrection: Take it in the former ſenſe, and then the next words, v. 15. intend that he would be in a readineſs to anſwer and obey the ſummons, when GOD ſhould call him out of this World. And while we are dutifully waiting our Lord's time, we muſt alſo Watch, by taking care to preſerve a wakeful frame of Spirit. Mark 13.35—38. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the houſe cometh; at evening, or at midnight, — or in the morning, Lest coming ſuddenly, be find you ſleeping. The Children of GOD themſelves ſhould take heed, and beware of a drowzy frame of Spirit. Even the wiſe Virgins ſlumbred & ſlept, Mat. 25.5. What need is there then that we gird up the loins of our minds; that we govern our ſenſitive appetites, and beware leſt our hearts being overcharged with ſenſual pleaſures, worldly cares or the like, we be heavy to ſleep. Luke 21.34. Take heed to your ſelves, leſt at any time your hearts be overcharged with ſurfetting & drunkenneſs, and cares of this life, and ſo that day come upon you unawares. We muſt take this care that p. 16we be not ſurprized when our Lord ſhall come to call us hence by Death, no not, tho' his coming ſhould be ſudden, and the particular warning given, very ſhort: And therefore we ought to live every day, as not knowing but it may be our laſt; for we know not what a day may bring forth. But O how much eaſier is it to lay down Rules for our Preparing for Death, than it is duly to practiſe according to them; The LORD teach us the Divine skill of being always Ready to Die.

I. might have conſidered the Obligations we are under to this important Duty; but I ſhall only ſay, That the right diſcharge of it, is moſt needful and uſeful in order to our Living to the Glory of GOD in this World, and to our preparing for the enjoyment of Him in the World to come. So that we muſt attend this Duty, or fall ſhort of the Glory of GOD, miſs of the chief End of our being, and live in vain.

USE, … How great, and how much to be lamented is the Stupidity of the greater part of Mankind in this matter! That they are ſo thôtleſs about this great change of Death, ſo regardleſs of the conſequences, and ſo very negligent in making ready for it. The Providence of GOD makes this truth, Thou ſhalt ſurely Die, as plain and familiar almoſt as can be. Daily experience teacheth it: Yea, ſo wiſe are Men for this World, that they will ſcarce truſt their Neighbour's life for a day, without taking ſome ſecurity of him, when any temporal Intereſt depends upon it: p. 17while at the ſame time they run all hazzards teſpecting their precious Souls, and walk at all adventures reſpecting their future State; purſuing this paſting World as their Portion. Pſal 49.11 — 14. Their inward thought is, that their houſes ſhall continue for ever, and their dwellingplaces to all generations; — This their way is their folly; — Lake ſheep they are laid in the grave —. Who regard not tho' one after another they are led to the ſlaughter. Thus Man is become like the beaſts that periſh. O dreadful Stupidity! Practical Atheiſm! He knows better, would he conſider and ſhew himſelf a Man. Madneſs is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead, Eccl. 9.3. Yet, alas! the beſt of us have great reaſon to bewail the remains of this evil Diſpoſition in us: How fooliſh are we, and ſlow of heart to believe?

USE, II. Let us ſeriouſly Inquire, Whether we have ſet about this great Duty of Preparing for Death. Have we laid this to heart, That we muſt Die, and conſidered what is like to become of us after Death? Have we been quicken'd from a Realizing view of our Mortality to ſecure the favour of the Eternal GOD, and to make haſte unto CHRIST in whom all GOD's People are made alive? Do we Watch for our Lords coming, and give diligence that we may be found of our Judge in Peace? In what condition ſhould we be, if GOD ſhou'd now call us out of the World? Are we in ſome meaſure prepared to attend that Work which can be done but p. 18once, and upon which, ETERNITY depends? Surely we ſhould not be eaſy, till we get theſe Inquiries well reſolved.

USE, III. Let us hear and obey the call our Lord gives us in His Word, and by His Providence, Be ye Ready alſo. We might have been a Warning to Others, who are gone to the Place of Silence; but the Lord of Life hath made them a Warning to us, and calls aloud to us; Particularly, in the very Sudden Deaths of the laſt Week, to be Preparing for our own. Let us then to Day, Hear His Voice, and not harden our hearts, Heb. 3.7, 8. The diſtinguiſhing goodneſs of GOD to us ſhould affect us, and lead us to Repentance. Let us hear that Voice of the Lord, Luke 13.2, 3. Jeſus ſaid unto them, Suppoſe ye that theſe Galileans were ſinners above all the Galileans, becauſe they ſuffered ſuch things? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye ſhall all likewiſe periſh. Hear ye then; Give Glory to the LORD your GOD before be cauſe darkneſs, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the ſhadow of death, and make it groſs darkneſs, Jer. 13.15, 16. GOD ſpeaks to Old and Young, to the middle Aged, and the blooming Youth, to Conſider, and Obey His Voice. However I wou'd in an eſpecial manner direct the Exhortation where Providence ſeems to point it, To our Young People, and thoſe that are in their full Strength, Prepare to follow. You may be tempted to put away the the evil Day, and to ſay, Soul, take thine eaſe, — To morrow ſhall be as this day; becauſe p. 19your Conſtitution is unbroken, and you feel no ſymptoms of an approaching Diſſolution. But let the Word and Providence of GOD repell this temptation which hath deſtroyed it's ten thouſands. It's no ſtrange thing for Perſons to die in Youth: Yea, ſometimes that cry is heard in a very ſudden and ſurpriſing manner, The young Men are Dead, Job 1.19. Your Sun may ſet ere it be Noon, and the ſhadows of the Evening cover you before you reach the middle Age of Life. And will you run the dreadful hazard of eternal torments for the ſhort uncertain pleaſures of ſin. O do it not! Eccl. 11.9. Rejoyce O young man in thy youth, and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the ſight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all theſe things God will bring thee into Judgment. It is appointed unto you once to die, and after this the Judgment. Surely then you ſhould now give glory to GOD in whoſe hands your breath is; you ſhould now acquaint yourſelves with him, you ſhould now in the Morning begin to work out your Salvation, beſeeching GOD to work in you to will and to do. O Young People, you are our Hopes and our Fears. The time of Youth hath been the day of Salvation to many, yea it is likely to moſt that have been Converted: And yet, there is great reaſon to be afraid of you, and jealous over you with a Godly jealouſy. Such is the corruption of your Hearts, ſuch the ſnares laid for you by Satan, and an evil World. Be perſwaded then to make haſte to your Almighty and Compaſſionate Saviour, who ſaid to p. 20his Ancient covenant People, O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gethereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not? Matt. 23.37. O let it not be ſaid of you, you will not come to Him! but now fly to Him that you may find reſt and protection under the ſhadow of His Wings, who is able to ſave to the uttermoſt. Heavenly Father make them willing in the day of thy power! Don't bid me go away for this time; for this is the fitteſt time, and it may be the only time ever you ſhall have. Now it may be, your Conſciences are awakned, and the Spirit is ſtriving with you. O don't reſiſt Him; but cry to GOD now to turn you, that you may be turned; for He is your Covenant GOD. Now ſeek Christ early, earneſtly, and you ſhall find him. But if you reject Him, and neglect His great Salvation, it may be He who hath the Keys of hell and of death, will ſay to you, Thou fool! this Night thy Soul ſhall be required of thee. Whereas if you now hear and obey, your Souls ſhall live. I cloſe this particular Exhortation, with thoſe words, Prov. 1.23. Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my ſpirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

To inforce the general Exhortation, and further preſs it upon all of us, I wou'd ſay by way of Motive,

(1.) Your Life is Short and very Uncertain. What is your Life? it is even a Vapour that appeareth for a little time, & then vaniſheth away, p. 21James 4.14. You know not how ſoon, how ſuddenly your Lord may call. The living know that they ſhall die; but the day of Death and Judgment are a great ſecret: and why ſo? That we may be always ready.

(2.) Your Doom will be very dreadful if you are found unprepared at Death. GOD's own Children may be under darkneſs in that hour, for want of actual preparedneſs; But if you have taken no care to make ready, your ſurpriſe and terror will be inconceivable when Death ſhall ſeiſe upon you, and your deſpiſed Saviour ſhall ſtand afar oft from your help; yea, ſhall enter into Judgment with you, and ſend you to the Spirits in Priſon to be reſerved to the Judgment of the Great Day. Matt. 24.48. — 51. But and if that evil ſervant ſhall ſay in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming, and ſhall begin to ſmite his fellow ſervants, and to eat and drink with the drunken: The Lord of that ſervant ſhall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not ware of; And ſhall cut him aſunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there ſhall be weeping and gnaſhing of teeth.

(3.) But if you make Ready, the day of your Death ſhall be better to you, then the day of your Birth. GOD will ſtand by you in the hour of Death, and will receive your Spirits, when the vital union between Soul and Body is diſſolv'd, into the Arms of his Eternal Love and Mercy; p. 22the holy Angels ſhall guard your departed Spirits to the heavenly Paradiſe: And while your fleſh reſts in hope, your Souls ſhall wait in a joyful Expectation of the Redemption of your Bodies at the Great Day. Matt. 24.46, 47. Bleſſed is that ſervant, whom his Lord when he cometh, ſhall find ſo doing Verily, I ſay unto you, that he ſhall make him ruler over all his goods.

USE, IV. Let this then comfort GOD's People who are making ready for their LORD's coming at Death. Be not afraid of this laſt Enemy, while you are preparing for the encounter, thô Nature calls him the King of Terrors. By Faith behold your Mighty Saviour Dying on the Croſs, that he might take away Sin the ſting of Death, and deſtroy him that had the power of Death, which is the Devil. Behold Him deſcending into the Grave, that this might be a bed of reſt unto you; Behold him, Riſing Victorious, and that as a Publick Perſon, and become the firſt fruits of them that ſlept. Behold Him in our Nature Aſcending into Heaven, where He is gone to prepare a Place for you, that when the frail Houſe of this earthly Tabernacle ſhall be diſſolved, you may have an Houſe not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. And do not perplex your ſelves with diſquieting thoughts about the Time or Circumſtances of your Death; but caſt all thoſe cares and burdens on the LORD, and ſay with the Pſalmiſt, Pſal 23.4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death, I p. 23will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy ſtaff they comfort me. And be aſſur'd that neither Death nor Life — ſhall be able to ſeparate you from the love of GOD which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord. For you to live is Chriſt, and to die ſhall be gain. 1 Cor. 15.55, — 58. O death, where is thy ſting? O grave, where is thy victory? The ſting of death is ſin; and the ſtrength of ſin is the law. But thinks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for aſ much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

FINIS.

End of the text · Joseph Sewall, The Duty of Every Man to be Always Ready to Die (1727)