Why is the day of death better than the day of birth?
The day of death puts an end to all those sufferings & miseries, which their birth was the introduction to, or attended with. 1. THEY were born in Sin: but at Death they are discharg'd from all sin & moral pollution. The Saints were born in sin, as well as others.
The day of a godly Man's DEATH, Better than the day of his BIRTH.
ECCL. VII. I. A good Name is better than precious Oyntment: and the day of Death, than the day of one's Birth. ECCL. VII. I.
THE main scope of the royal Preacher in this sacred book (written in his advanc'd years, and the product of great thought, as well as long expe|riment) is to correct many false sentiments, two common, th•' very foolish, concerning the chief good, and the 〈◊〉 to human happiness; and to give us plain and 〈◊〉 fallible direction in this great pursuit. Page 2 Here he has laid together an admirable variety of just & wise & useful observations; many of which run counter to some of the receiv'd Notions of Man|kind, and at first view do not a little surprise and shock our Minds; but upon an impartial conside|ration they approve themselves to our enlighten'd reason, and challenge our belief & entertainment of them, as true and faithful sayings. He largely and clearly proves the vanity of this World; the vile|ness of Sin; the wisdom, excellency & manifold ad|vantages of Religion, and the necessity of being re|ligious in order to being happy.
THUS in our Text, He observes to us, that
honour of virtue is preferable to all the enjoy|ments of this World: and that going out of this World is to the godly Man a greater kindness, * coming into the World was. theis preferable to all the enjoy|ments of this World: and thatof this World is to thea greaterthan histhe World was.
A good Name is better than precious Oyntment: Under this phrase here of precious Oyntment, are comprehended all the riches, pleasures, & honours of the present World. In a good Name is imply'd true solid religion; the reality, as well as a repu|tation for it.
AND the Words carry in them this great truth, That a deserved good Name, or just character for wisdom & piety, is really more valuable, than all the pomp, & pleasures, & profits of this transitory World. A good Name is what all, that have any sense of de|cency or humanity, do put a high estimate upon, and rate even next unto Life: but to deserve a good Name is in truth more to be valu'd & desir'd than Life it self. To be divinely Wise & Good, is un|speakably Page 3 better, than to be worldly great & rich Wisdom & Goodness are essential to our true happi|ness; but wealth & grandeur are not. The meanest Beggar, that hath, and meriteth a good Name, is infinitely happier, than the greatest Monarch upon Earth without it. Indeed the unthinking part of Mankind do call the proud happy: and there is a vulgar saying, Better be happy than wise; but this is none of Solomon's Proverbs; for •e tells us, Wisdom •s the principal thing; and Better (says he) is a poor and wise Child, than an old & foolish King, however great in dignity, or mighty in power. The good Man finds in the ways of religion the most solid pleasures, & obtains the truest honours, and durable riches. He is rich towards GOD, a Favourite of Hea|ven, & entituled to an Inheritance in Light, a King|dom of Glory; and when call'd out of this World, receives an open and abundant entrance thereinto. He then leaves behind him the Memory of the Just, which is blessed: He leaves his deceased body to take it's sweet rest in the unactive and impassible Grave, as in a bed of ease and honor, till the bright Morning of the Resurrection; while his better part, the immortal Spirit within him, in the moment of his dissolution returns to GOD, it's great Creator, Redeemer & Judge; into whose hand the departing Saint resign'd it, and by whom it is received to Glory.
HENCE from these blessed prospects of faith, the wise Preacher adds that noble passage, (the latter clause in our Text, and which only is design'd to employ our present Meditations,)—The day of Death is better than the day of one•s Birth. He Page 4 speaks of bodily Death, and of natural Birth. He sets these two extreme points, one over against the other, without regarding the intermediate space; as if there was no more in the World, (so vain a thing he judg'd it,) but a time to be born, and a time to die. And (which is a paradox to foolish Sen|sualists) the latter he votes the more happy period. Not indeed that Death merely in a natural & irre|spective sense, is better than one's nativity: Nor that it is preferrible with respect to all men, the bad as well as good: No; for to the wicked, Death is the King of Terrors; the beginning of never-ending Sorrows; the dark entry, into blackness of darkness; the wages of Sin, and the gate of Hell. As for them that die in their sins, it were better for such, if they had never been born.—The Expression then must be understood in a restrain'd and qualified sense. It is not every one, but the godly man alone, that is here spoken of, the man of a good Name, the man of Wisdom. The Day of such an one's death, is better to him, than the Day of his Birth.
others there was Joy when Child was born into the World and where there is Death there 〈◊〉 Lamentation; * our selves (that are call'd to die.) if we have so liv'd as truly to merit a good Name, the day of our Death is better than the day of our Birth. Tho' as tothere waswhen Child wasinto the World and where there isthereyet as to(that are call'd to die.) if we have so liv'd as truly to merit athe day of our Death is better than the day of our Birth.
THIS then is the Lesson of Wisdom, now to be explain'd and apply'd; viz.
THAT to a godly Person, the day of his Death is (all things consider'd) abundantly better than the day of his Birth
Page 5 DEATH in a physical consideration is a disso|lution of the vital union between Soul & Body; and so is a terrible Evil, very shocking to humane nature. And it is yet much more horrible, consider'd in a theological sense, as a fruit of the curse and the rouges of sin. Absolutely & simply consider'd, It is an evil, and an awful rebuke to mankind, having no goodness or worth in it. But relatively to Be|lievers, and in respect of the consequent state which 'tis a preface to, it's formidable aspect is chang'd, So or an enemy it becomes a friend: the curse being happily converted into a blessing. So that for the Believer to die, is Gain. The wicked indeed are great •osers; but the godly are unspeakable gainers by their dissolution. The advantages that accrue to them by Death, are infinitely preferrible to those which come to them by their Birth, and in their Life here.
THIS assertion in the Text is contrary indeed to the opinion of almost all mankind, who look up|on the day of birth as a day of joy & gladness, and celebrate their own or Childrens and Friends birth|days with solemn feasts & rejoycings: whereas they look on the day of death as a melancholy mournful time, * and so|•emnize the funerals of others with all expressions of sorrow, and entertain the prospect & approach of their own Death with fear and trembling.
HOWEVER it is a truth with respect to the Chil|dren of God, that their Death-day is infinitely pre|ferrible to their Birth-day, all Circumstances and Consequences of both consider'd: and this will e|vidently appear, if we run the comparison in a few particulars; all which I shall reduce under those two general heads:
Page 6 1. DEATH delivers the Saints from those many Evils, which their birth was accompany'd with, or laid them open unto.
2. AT Death the Saints exchange the Gools of the present life & world (which their birth enter'd them into) for infinitely better Enjoyments.
1. AT Death the Saints are deliver'd from the many Evils, which their birth was accompany'd with, or opened the way unto. The day of death puts an end to all those sufferings & miseries, which their birth was the introduction to, or attended with.
1. THEY were born in Sin: but at Death they are discharg'd from all sin & moral pollution. The Saints were born in sin, as well as others. Hence that Confession of the Psalmist, the man after GOD's own heart, in Psal. 51. 5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. And agreeably we read, in Ezek. 16. 3, &c. Th•• saith the Lord to Jerusalem, Thy birth and thy nati|vity is of the Land of Canaan, thy father was at Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. And as for thy nativity, in the day that thou wast born—, tho• wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of 〈◊〉 person,—polluted in thine own blood.—And now this moral pollution adheres in part even to the Regenerate, so long as they continue in this life. Hence that groan and exclamation of the A|postle, (personating the Saint, as he is generally understood) Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death!— In Regeneration there is a mortal wound given to this body of Sin in the Elect; but still the Princi|ple remains in them; all their life-long they find a Page 7 law of sin in their members, warring against the law of holiness in their minds; and after all their weeping and praying and striving against sin, they can't get rid of this vexatious In-mate, while in the pre|sent world: Yea, they are often led aside, and led captive by this Enemy and Traitor within. There is not a just man upon earth, that d••th good and •in|neth not: but in many things they all offend; & even when they would do good, evil is present with them.
BUT what a happy Change will Death infer! Death will discharge Believers from all the remains of Sin in them, will purge out every corruption, and perfectly mortify every lust; and will bring them under a blessed Impeccability, or a happy ne|cessity of being completely holy. Death dissolves the earthly Tabernacle, and so it is cleansed wholly from the Leprosy that was cleaving to it. The body of sin is left behind with the body of flesh. After Death the Believer shall be perfectly sinless, spotless, and unblemishable. There shall not be the least possible vanity in his thoughts, or irregularity in his will, or saint in his affections, either with re|spect to GOD or Creatures.
AND this surely argues the day of the Believer's death, to be better than the day of his birth. For Sin is the w••st of Evils; most subversive of the perfection of our nature, and destructive of our real happiness. It is then a blessed and glorious Change which is made at Death, and of ineffable advantage to the Believer; when he is deliver'd from this pernicious evil.
2. THEY were 〈◊〉 in a state of Ignorance and 〈◊〉; but 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 remain after Death.Page 8 Man is born as the wild Asses Colt; without under|standing, like the Beasts, which perish; without the knowlege of the Holy One; having his mind darkned, and his eyes blinded by the God of this World, the Prince of darkness, that ruleth in the hearts of the Children of disobedience. This is man's natural state. Now in Conversion the Elect are deliver'd out of the Kingdom of darkness, and bro't into marvelious light. The eyes of their understan|dings are open'd, and the rays of divine Discove|ries shine into them. They are made to know GOD, and JESUS CHRIST whom he had sent; and have reveal'd to them many mysteries of the King|dom; which things are spiritually discerned by them and by none else. However their Knowlege, a• as well as Holiness, in this life is very imperfect. But in the life that is to come, their Knowlege shall be infinitely elevated. 1 Cor. 13. 9,—12. For 〈◊〉 know in part, and we prophesie in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childist things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; 〈◊〉 then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. The most know|ing Saints in this world, are but Children in under standing. There are a great many things which they are utterly ignorant of. A great many thing which they know not the particular reasons nor the special ends of; and a great many things which they know not the modus or manner of. And the knowlege, which they have of any thing, is as 〈◊〉Page 9 the degree very imperfect, scanty, and shallow. It is of short compass; and little depth. But in the future State, their knowlege shall be perfected, when the eyes of their bodies shall be clos'd, the eyes of their Souls will be open'd; all clouds shall 〈◊〉 away, all scales fall off; and no ignorance, darkness, doubt, or error about any thing, remain in their illuminated understandings. This World 〈◊〉 in darkness; But Heaven is a Land of Light, glorious Light. There the Saints shall see clearly into all the Secrets of Nature, the Riddles of Pro|vidence, the Depths of Satan, the Mysteries of Godliness, the Wonders of redeeming love, and the hidden things of the invisible Regions. They shall have bright manifestations and disclosures made to them of the Divine Nature, Perfections, Persons, Works, &c. and perhaps of many more Attributes, as well as Works, than now we have any notice of. When the Saints die, they as 'twere pass out of ob|scure darkness into the open light, most sweet and pleasant. A far more glorious change they feel, than the man born blind perceiv'd, whose eyes our Saviour open'd, to behold the Heavens and the Earth, with all their glories and pleasancies, which he never before had seen. The light arises to them with a ravishing lustre, beauty, and sur|prise; it breaks forth as the morning (after a black and stormy night) fair and without a cloud; and shining brighter and brighter, to the perfect day of the Resurrection: when it shall receive astonishing advances; the light of the moon becoming as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun, becoming seven sold, as the light of seven days. As much Page 10 then as Light excelleth darkness; so much doth the day of a godly man's death, excell the day of his birth.
3. THEY were born under the Wrath of GOD, and in a state of Condemnation: but they die in the Favour of GOD, and in a state of 〈◊〉. They were by nature Children of wrath, even as others, Eph. 2. 3. The whole world is guilty be|fore GOD. All mankind are born under the Sen|tence of death, under the curse of the divine Law; liable to the severest strokes of GOD's revenging Justice, and being the just objects of his utter ab|horrence; having all his Attributes armed in op|position to them, cloth'd with vengeance, and look|ing with an angry menacing eye upon them.
BUT now Believers (being found in Christ, not having on their own righteousness, but that which is of God by faith) die in the embraces of divine kind|ness. They fall asleep in Jesus: They die there fore in a justified estate, free from the condemning power of the law, and interested in the special fa|vour of GOD; being the heirs of his love, as 〈◊〉 reconciled Father; having the gladsome light of his Countenance (many times sensibly) shining into their Souls; and every Divine Attribute speaking peace, and sweetly smiling upon them. As much then as the Favour of GOD (which is better that life,) is more desirable than his Wrath, (which is worse than death,) so much preferable is the day of a Believer's death to the day of his birth.
4. THEY were born in a state of bondage and servitude: They die in a state of liberty and triumph Sin has degraded and sunk men into a state of the Page 11 vilest slavery & most ignominious drudgery. They are the born-slaves of Satan, he rules in their hearts, and leads them captive in their natural Condition at his will. Satan conquer'd 〈◊〉 in Paradise: and all his natural Posterity are therefore by right of conquest under his dominion: And Oh! what more deplorable calamity, than to be under bondage to Satan, our great Adversary? What worse plague than to be slaves to him, who was a murderer from the beginning; to be under the power of this evil one, this bloody Tyrant, whose mercies are cruelty, whose whole aim and endeavour is to plunge us into the depths of woe and misery; and who is exceed|ing subtil, deceitful and powerful, as well as im|placably malicious, and indefatigably industrious in pursuing his accursed designs? O wretched men that we are, who shall deliver us! I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who giveth his saints the victory. In regeneration the Elect are deliver'd from the power of Satan, rescu'd from the captive-chains he has put upon them, and are no more led and govern'd by him at his pleasure. However while in this world, he manages a war against them, and uses all possible artifices to reduce them under his dominion, and enslave them again in the bond of Iniquity. And sometimes he miserably foils & wounds them, and occasions 'em no little difficulty and disturbance.
BUT when Death comes, then the Saints are dismist from their warfare, discharg'd from all their spiritual conflicts, made free indeed by the Son of God: and enter upon a state of triumph; where they carry Palms of victory in their hands, and Page 12 wear glittering Crowns of Glory on their heads; and are at an infinite distance from all possible in|jurious influences or assaults of the malignant Pow|ers of Hell and Earth. No fiery dart can reach & annoy them; nor any venomous Serpent sting or hiss at them. There the wicked one ceases from troub|ling; and all their Enemies are made their foot|stool. Thus at Death the scene is alter'd; they exchange their militant State for a triumphant. They pass out of the field of battle into the city of triumph. Indeed when their bodies are thrown into the grave and lie under the bands of Death, they seem to be captives, and close prisoners of war, or rather slain & kill'd by the enemy; but in truth they are conquerors, yea more than conquerors. In dying they obtain a victory more glorious than all the celebrated conquests of Coesar or Alexander. A Mystery this! tho' they die in the fight, yet they overcome by the blood of the Lamb; and ride in a triumphal Chariot, drawn by mighty Angels, with the highest ensigns of victory, thro' the Territories of the Prince of the power of the air, into the hea|venly Kingdom, where they receive not a crown of fading laurel, but a far more exceeding and eter|nal weight of Glory. And surely this bespeaks the day of a Believers Death to be better than the day of his Birth.
5. THEY were born in a state of Trouble, Misery & Sorrow, on outward as well as spiritual Accounts; but at Death they are put out of the reach of all. Innumerable Diseases & Disasters await & threaten every man, as soon as he comes into the World. Job 14. 1. Man that is born of a woman is of few days Page 13 and 〈◊〉 of trouble. Job 5. 7. Man is born unto trou|ble, as the sparks fly upward. It is as natural since the fall, which brought death and misery into the world, for man to be in trouble, as 'tis for the sparks to fly upward. Affliction is become in a sense congenial, and proper to man: Evil pur|sues him continually and unavoidably, while in a state of sin or imperfection. Who can enumerate the vast & horrid Train of Calamities, that man as soon as born is compass'd withal! There is sickness, pain, poverty, disgrace, slavery, bereavements, &c. These things all are liable to, as soon as they come into this evil World, and as long as they continue here. Even Believers themselves while here do often me• with sore trials. Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Their lives are sometimes filled up with a course and succession of troubles; and in much tribulation they pass the time of their 〈◊〉 on earth, But now at Death, Believers are deliver'd out of their suffering state. When they die they put off their sackcloth and every to|ken of sorrow. They rest from their labours, fatigues, and inquietudes; never more to eat the bread of ad|versity, or to drink the waters of affliction. At death all their tears and fears are done away, and every threatning cloud vanishes; there remains no more any weak & trembling hand, or feeble knees; no more any quivering lips or fearful heart; no more any weeping eye, or wounded bleeding spirit, no fighting breast, no pale face. nor complaining voice, After death they shall no more get their bread with the sweat of their brows; they shall no more hunger 〈◊〉 thirst; neither shall the sun light on them, nor Page 14 any heat. In the grave they'l be hid from the scourge of the tongue, shall no more hear the voice of calumny, nor be trampled on by the foot of pride. There the weary are at rest, and the servant is free from his cruel master; the prisoners rest together, and the poor are saved from the hand of the mighty. The Saints at death pass into a safe harbour & quiet haven, where they are beyond every rough sea, and no proud wave can dash against them, nor any tossing tempest or rude occurrent invade them ever, to disturb their sweet repose. This shews that the day of Believers death is better than the day of their birth; which usher'd them into a World of sin & sorrow & vexation, and brought them on this stage of vanity, where are scenes of care & trou|ble and difficulty without number.
6. THEY were born in a very dangerous & ex|posed condition; liable to the damnation of H•ll, but Death puts them out of all danger. Every one is born an heir of Hell. Every Child, as soon a born, is in danger of the Judgment, in danger o• Hell-fire, liable to be cast into the devouring flame and everlasting burnings.—But now Believe•• (having been first in their Justification legally ac|quitted,) are at their death actually deliver'd from the wrath to come; deliver'd for ever from going down into the horrible pit, and their state render•• eternally safe and secure. This reflection loudly proclames the happy difference between the dea•• of Believers, and their birth; and tells us that the former is unspeakably preferrible to the latter.
7. THEY were born in a state of exile 〈◊〉 estrangement from the blessed GOD; but when the•Page 15 die, are admitted into his special & glorious presence Adam in his first & innocent estate walk•d with God, and was happy in his gracious presence & blessed fellowship, suting under his shadow with delight; and his banner over him was love. But Adam by his disobedience forfeited and lost this inestimable privilege, both as to himself, and his whole natural posterity: So that all the guilty race of fallen Man are born in a state of distance & alienation from GOD, and are under a sentence of banishment from His presence. All men are by nature Fugitives from the face of GOD, Deserters, Aliens, & Exiles. The Scripture in many places ascribes to them these characters. And tho' the Elect are in their regene|ration restored to communion with GOD, and are said, from being afar off, to be brought nigh by the blood of JESUS: yet as long as they abide in the Earth, walking by faith, and not by sight, they call themselves Pilgrims & Stangers; and are said still to be absent from the Lord. Their fellowship with GOD is but mediate, and very broken & unsettled. But when they die, then they are called home, and receiv'd into their heavenly Father's house; where they are no longer at the least unhappy distance from Him, or under any hidings of His face. Then faith ends in vision, & hope expires in fruition, and love ripens into extasy of joy. When they are absent from the body, they're present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 8. and what unknown happiness does this imply!
THUS the day of the Believers death is better than the day of his birth, inasmuch as it delivers him from those many 〈◊〉, which his birth was either 〈◊〉 with or introductory 〈◊〉.
Page 16 II. THE truth of the doctrine will more clearly be seen, if we compare the Goods & Advantages of the present & future state; which will appear very diffe|rent and unequal. The glorious Excellencies & Fe|licities of that state Believers die into are infinitely superiour to all the Enjoyments & Advantages that state they are born into. The latter when weighed with the former are but as small dust of the ballance. Here to hint a few things briefly: and I shall be the more brief in some of the particulars, because I find I have somewhat improperly prevented my self in the former part of the discourse.
1. DEATH translates the Elect into a state of Retribution; Birth only introduc'd them into a state of Probation. The present Life is their working season, and time of preparation for Eternity: 〈◊〉 are here in a state of expectancy, upon their 〈◊〉 and under discipline; this is the state they are bort into: but Death translates them into a state of it wards; where they are above means & ordinances and no longer wear the style of Candidates or Pro|bationers, but change it for that of Possessors and 〈…〉. Immediately upon their death, comes the particular Judgment, which declares them good and faithful Servants, and decrees to them the eternal recompences. As much then as the End is 〈◊〉 excellent than the Means, so much does the future state excell the present.
2. DEATH transmits Believers into a Place 〈◊〉 better than the place, which their 〈…〉 them into. They were born into this World, they die into another and Superiour World. They 〈◊〉 brought forth in a vale of tears; when they Page 17 die, they ascend into the mount of glory, the ever|lasting •ill of blessing. Death transports them in|to a better Country, even an heavenly. Indeed the Bodies of departed Saints are reposited in the gloo|my and noisome grave, (so it is to sense, tho' to faith it's enlightned & persumed by our LORD's once lying in it where cover'd with the clods of the valley, they become a prey to sordid worms; and lie undistinguish'd from the bodies of the wicked, till the day, when the SON of GOD shall raise them out of the polluted earth, and fashion them like His own most glorious body. However as to the sepa|rate Spirits of just men, these immediately pass out of the dark valley into the realms of light & bliss; and are lodged safe in everlasting mantions of rest & joy, magnificence & beauty. Luk. 23. 43. This day (said the crucifyed JESUS to the penitent Thief on the cross with Him) shalt thou •e with me in Pa|radise;—a place this, never stain'd with sin, nor shaded by any sorrow; a place design'd by infinite Goodness for the everlasting entertainment of God's Children; contriv'd by infinite Wisdom, created by infinite Power, and purchased by infinite Me|rit: every way becoming the glory and bounty of the great Giver, and conspiring to the happiness of the Possessors: a place all calm, harmonious, and serene, inconceivably bright, glorious & ravishing; which needs neither Sun nor Moon to enlighten it; for the Lamb is the light thereof. Surely this trou|blesome and howling Wilderness is not worthy to be compar'd with the promised Canaan, that good Land, & glory of all lands, the perfection of beauty. Surely Heaven is a place infinitely more eligible Page 18 than this dark & filthy Earth. And proportionably more desirable to a Believer is the day of his death, than the day of his birth.
3. DEATH unites Believers to infinitely better Society, than what their birth introduced them into. The best company in this world are the Saints; but how imperfect are these? and what a mixture is there of the wicked among them, whose evil conver|sation must needs vex every righteous Soul? And thus it is often, the Saints are so troubled at or by the grievous ways of bold Transgressors, that they cry out one and another, Wo is me that I dwell in Mesech, that I sojourn in the tents of Kedar! and their wish for the wings of a Dove, that so they might flee away and be at rest.—Yea, here on Earth, the Society of the Godly among themselves, is wretchedly imbitter'd & sour'd by the unhappy relicts of the old Leven in them. Pride, Envy, Un|charitableness, Ignorance, and Error do in no little degree too often disturb and spoil the conversation of the Saints themselves.—But there are no Jarrs, Discords, or Misunderstandings among perfected Spirits. There are no storms in the upper & invi|sible regions. The Saints in heaven are all en|tirely joyned together in one mind; they all speak the same pure Language, and sing one uninterrup|ted Song. They are all Unity; Peace and Love, Order, & Concord. Mutual Endearments are con|tinually passing from one to t'other among the An|gels & Saints; and charity reigns which is the bond of perfection. What a happy change then does the Believer make at Death! And how surprising to him to go out of a humor some, foolish, wrangling Page 19 world, and find himself presently in the midst of Saints and Angels, whose conversation is the most wise, (infinitely wiser than that in Solomon's Court) the most amicable, peaceful, and every way char|ming; embraced by them with the loudest congra|tulations, and receiving from them the highest ex|pressions of Love & Friendship. Is it not desirable then to take our farewell of this lower world, this habitation of cruelty, this den of Dragons; and mounting on the wings of ministring Spirits, to take our f•ight up to the heavenly World, the regi|on of peace, tranquillity, and happiness?—Yea, surely! If Peter, when in the Mount with Moses and Elias, and the transfigur'd JESUS, rejoyced in spirit, and said, It is good being here; What a rapture then was he in, when death carry'd him to Mount Zion, to the city of the living GOD, the hea|venly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of Angels, and the spirits of just men, to the glorify'd JESUS, and to GOD the Judge of all?
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4. DEATH advances Believers to infinitely higher Honours than any are born to or ever attain in this world. At Death they are fixed in the most honourable Station, and employ'd in the most noble & exalted services; They are care•st in Abraham's bosom: they sit down with Christ in his Throne, and share with Him in all His glory, (Rev. 3. 21. Job. 17. 24.) They shine as the Stars, yea as the Sun in the Kingdom of Heaven. And surely there can be no Dignities in this world comparable to those hea|venly Preferments. The Saints are made Kings and Priests unto GOD & the Father; at death they put on their costly shining robes, and their spark|ling Page 20 massy crowns of honour; and become Pillars in the Temple which is above, beautiful & glorious. They have a good name, more excellent than the name of the great ones in the earth; and none of the Potentates of this World, none of the chief Cap|tains or mighty men may be compar'd with them. Verily Solomon in all his terrene Pomp and Glory (which the Queen of the South so much admir'd) was infinitely inferiour to them.
5. DEATH possesses Believers of infinitely bet|ter and greater Riches, than any which the Sons of men are ever 〈◊〉 of in this World. In Heaven there are Treasures unknown, riches unsearchable, the true riches; out-bidding our most raised ex|pectations & exceeding our most extended wishes; In our parison of which all the wealth of this world is but a trifle; a thing of nought, meer emptiness and vanity. In Heaven the Saints enjoy GOD and CHRIST, and the blessed SPIRIT: in whom are all possible treasures of good, and an universal con|fluence of all imaginable Beatitudes. The riches of divine •sufficiency are expended on the Saints is Light, They have riches of glory, which no mor|tal eye hath seen, no ear heard, neither have enter'd into the heart of man. 1 Cor. 2. 9.
IN a word, The Saints at death enter Life, a more noble life than this earthly: and into a state of the most refined pleasures. They are admitted then in|to the world of light, and life, and love, and enjoy|ment: into the world of blessed realities, of sub|stantial unmingl'd and immortal delights Where, what was here their consolation, is perfected; and unknown pleasures super•dded to enhance the satis|faction. Page 21 Here they fed on corruptible things: in Heaven they eat Angels unperishing food; the sweetest, purest and most delicious fare imaginable, They are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heaven|ly places in Christ Jesus: Blessings incomparably more sublime and rich, than what this world in it's best estate can afford. The unsparing hand of Divine Love is open and bountiful in the com|municatio• of every desirable and satisfying Good. without the least evil mixture or interruption. And the faculties of the humane Soul are invigorated & widen'd to receive, to sustain, and enjoy the ful|lest and most felicitating derivations of divine fa|vour. Here in this world the Soul is not capable of taking in, or subsisting under, what perfected Spirits enjoy. I suppose, Adam himself in Para|dise had not a mind big and strong enough, to ad|mit the rays of heavenly light, and bear up under the excess of glory and felicity enjoy'd above: but in order to this, even his powers needed some fur|ther enlargement and fortification. How weak and ••ceivible was his understanding; how wavering and mutable his will, how corruptible his affections and appetites? He was form'd and fitted by his nature, to live in a world of sense, to converse with earthly objects, and to feed on the dust. Though there was an admirable rectitude in all his faculties, yet there was not that elevation, activity, capacity, and vigour which the Saints in light have. The natural life of man, even in his state of integrity, was a low mean animal life, in compare with the heavenly. The life of Saints after death is more spiritual, 〈◊〉, and divine The image of GOD Page 22 upon them is drawn with more illustrious characters. The divine nature in them is raised to a glorious perfection. Their understandings are filled with beatifical light, & their wills with the most seraphic love. They have the supreme Truth unveiled before them, and the supreme Good immediately prefe• with them; and hence their own nature being sub|limated, and enabled to take in the fullest discove|ries, and bear the strongest happy impressions, ho•unspeakably blessed must glorified Saints necessarily be! O how rich, glorious and happy beyond a comparison or comprehension! What a most 〈◊〉 excellent, divine life do they live!—In heaven with all their enlarged powers they serve & glorify and enjoy GOD, in such an exalted manner, as above our present capacity or conception. In the life that now is, the Saints are in their infancy an childhood; but at death their manly state arrives the infant of days commences a perfect man, an the child dies an hundred years old, Isa. 65. 2•. Death is to the Saints a happy transitus from mi|nority to maturity, and advances them to a blessed heighth of knowlege, wisdom, holiness and joy such as was never found in any Saint on earth;〈◊〉 not in our first Parents themselves, even wh• newly come out of the creating hands of GOD with the glory of his image upon them.
AND, which unspeakably magnifies the bliss an excellency of their state, it is eternal and immuta|ble. The primitive paradisaical state of man we veriable & uncertain. There was a possibility of it coming to a conclusion; as wretched experienced has dolefully manifested. But now the blessed state Page 23 of glorified Spirits is eternal: their beauty unfa|ding; their inheritance incorruptible, their crown unperishable, a more enduring substance, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. In which respect the Saints in heaven are vastly hap|pier than Adam in innocence; and are as the Angels of GOD; dwelling in a Kingdom which cannot be moved, in life everlasting. When Believers die, they do in a most emphatical sense pass from Death unto Life. Death is the Soul's flight into the land of the living, the ocean of divine life; even a state of blessedness, eternally progressive.
THUS in various regards, it is made evident that the day of a godly man's death, is better than the day of his birth. In the day of his death he is de|livered from innumerable Evils, which in the day of his birth he was either suffering of or subject unto. And in the day of his Death, he receives possession of innumerable & inestimable Felicities, infinitely superior to all the advantages and blessings which that state can possibly afford, that in the day of his birth he entred into. He had privileges in his birth|day: he has privileges in his death-day: yet the last are more than the first; and better is the end of his life, than the beginning thereof.
BUT before I come to the Application, let me just hint here one thought further, which is, That as the day of a Believer's death is preferable to the day of his birth, with respect to himself, his own comfort and happiness: so it is preferable likewise with respect to GOD, his glory and praise. Preci|ous in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. When a Saint dies, GOD receives more glory,Page 24 than he did when the man was born. His nativity and introduction into this world, was an ordinary work of Providence; but his departure and transla|tion to a better world is a special work of Redemp|tion. At his birth, the common goodness of GOD to the Person born, to the Parents, and World, was exercised. At his death the peculiar love and rich grace of GOD towards the dissolved Person is dis|play'd in receiving his separated Soul to infinite happiness. At his birth, the Person himself could not actively praise GOD for his goodness: at best he cou'd only borrow assistence from others; and sinful Men on earth were his mouth, if any at all praised GOD on his behalf, in the day he was born: but now in the day of his death, the Saint himself blesses GOD: he ascends to GOD in the chariot of praise, incircled with a bright guard of shouting Angels: He enters into Zion, the city of GOD, with songs and ever|lasting joy upon his head: All Saints and Scrap•s triumphantly greet him upon his glad arrival; they exalt the LORD together & magnify his name with thanksgiving. The whole heavens ring with ac|clamations of joy & loud Hallelujahs on the blessed occasion. GOD is glorified in the Saint, whether in life or death; yet the latter is more glorious than the former. But I shall dismiss this thought: and now proceed to draw some useful deductions, and 〈◊〉 you in the practical improvement of the for|mer notion or thought upon the Text.
USE, I. HENCE 〈◊〉 much better than the day 〈◊〉 his birth, will the day of the godly man's Resur|rection 〈◊〉!
Page 25 IF the day of his death has so great a pre-emi|nence above the day of his birth, how much better then will the day of his future Resurrection be! The day of his more public espousals, more glorious coronation, and illustrious triumphs! The day when his body shall be raised out of the silent dust in great power and untarnisht glory; the day, when this corruptable shall put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality, and Death shall be swallowed up in victory. The day when Soul and Body (those ancient & long separated Friends) shall be re uni|ted, and their redemption perfected; and a vast ad|dition thereupon be made to the blessedness and glory of the Saint. O happy day! Bright and bliss|ful morning, that shall never know any cloud or evening!
USE, II. HENCE how much worse is the day of the ungodly man's death, than the day of his birth! Contrarys have contrary consequences. The bles|sedness in the text is appropriated to the wise and godly. This plainly informs us of the vast difference there is between the Death of Saints and Sinners. It is a natural inference from the text, that the day of an unbeliever's death is worse than the day of his birth: Worse it is indeed; for the Unbeliever •ies in the same miserable state wherein he was born; and this exceedingly aggravated. He dies more under the power of an enraged Devil, and of furious Lusts; under greater guilt, and more terri|ble wrath; loses all the Comforts of this life, with the hopes of a better, and is carried down into E|verlasting Torments, beyond all relief. O how egregiously foolish then are carnal Sinners to pride Page 26 themselves in an honourable birth, a rich patrimo|ny, beauty of body, bright endowments of nature, and the like; since they were born in a state of sin and wrath, and have such a dreadful doom awaiting them! O the madness that is in the hearts of jovial secure Sinners, who are going down to the dead, and their feet take hold of 〈◊〉 but they know it not: & the fire besets them round about, yet they lay it not to heart. Eccl. 11. 7, 8 Truly the light is sweet, and pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. But if a man live many years, and rejoyce in them all; yet let him remem|ber the days of darkness, for they shall be many Isa. 65. 20. The sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
USE, III. WHAT Obligations then are Believer under to GOD for sending his Son to be our Savio•• It is by means of CHRIST's Obedience unto the Death, that the day of Believers death is better than the day of their birth. Had not the SON of GOD taken to himself humane nature, been born of woman, fulfilled the Law, and borne the curse, a mankind must necessarily have been forever lost that state of sin and guilt, wherein they are born None eye pityed us, to do any of these unto us, to have compassion upon us; but we were cast out, an must have perish'd, had not the LORD looked upon us, and said unto us, LIVE. Blessed be GOD the GOD of all grace, who has so loved the work as to send forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem and save his Elect. He laid help on one mighty to save; who has for then conquer'd & disarm'd the king of terrors; has take Page 27 away the bitterness of death of his cross, and turned this cup of affliction, (the last which Believers shall drink,) into a cup of blessing. O what thanks do Believers owe to GOD and CHRIST! O how pre|tious shou'd the Redeemer be unto you, and how glorious in your eyes a compassionate GOD! Take to your selves words, and sing as in 1 Cor. 15. 55, 56, 57. 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 thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let all the saints of the most high, joyn their thankful & triumphant Amen, to this Song of Joy and Praise.
USE, IV. HERE is matter of Comfort to us all under the bereavement of godly Relatives & Friends. It has been a very melancholy dying time among us of late; and (which is a great aggravation of the mortality, and shou'd put the sharpest accents upon our lamentations) the LORD seems not so much to have been weeding up the worst, as trans|planting the best. However, that these are only transplanted; not lost and perish'd; but remov'd to another and better place, having exchanged earth for heaven, is a consideration, which shou'd be improv'd to temper our sorrow, and qualify our mourning. The bereavement of pious and dear Relatives and Acquaintants is one of the tenderest and most affecting trials in the world; and calls for special supports to keep us from being over|whelmed with tears of bitterness. Now what greater support, what greater refreshment, than this, to consider that their death was a blessed and glorious Page 28 change to them; that they are still alive in their better part or immortal nature, and are with GOD Well then, has Death ravisht from us our dear in|fant Children, that were in covenant with GOD has he taken away our pious, hopeful young ones or elder praying and useful Relations or Friends Here is matter of great Consolation; a reviving cor|dial provided, which may keep us from fainting. If the day of their death was better to them, that the day of their birth, (as we are sure it was) 〈◊〉 then shou'd we be dejected or impatient, and mou•• inordinately? Methinks I now hear the decease Godly saying to us, as our departing Saviour to his Disciples, Joh. 14. 28. If ye loved me, ye would re|joyce because I go unto the Father. And as in Lu•. 23. 28. Weep not for me: but weep for your selves and for your children.
THE prospect of that happy Change, they have made, should check our hard thoughts of GOD, 〈◊〉 curb our uneasy resentments. This shou'd almost 〈◊〉 up our flowing tears, & turn our pensive complain into thanksgiving Songs. We have reason to con|gratulate, rather than to condole their remove. Thus, as to our deceased Children particularly; 〈◊〉 we not rejoyce at their birth? Why then do we 〈◊〉 much more rejoyce in their death, as a happy Translation and unspeakable Gain to them; 〈◊〉 of such (the children of the Covenant) is the King|dom of GOD, If we mourn immoderately, it is 〈◊〉 carnal self-love, and idolatrous Creature-〈◊〉. O when shall we learn to die to Creatures; and un|der the loss of them, to weep as tho' we wept 〈◊〉 I would not have you to be ignorant, Brethren, con|cerning Page 29 them which are asleep, that ye sorrow nor even as others which have no hope: But if we be|lieve that Jesus died and rose again; even so them likewise who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.—Wherefore comfort one another with these words, 1 Thes. 4. 13,&c.
USE, V. HERE is matter of Support to Belie|vers, under all the various Troubles of Life. What thô you meet with much Adversity, and many tri|als both in the inner and outer man? Yet here is a Consideration sufficient, if duely entertain'd, to alleviate all your heavy burdens, and sweeten all your bitter Cups; The day of your death shall be infinitely better to you, than the day of your birth; and that happy day is not afar off. Let this there|fore encourage you, and invigorate your believing Hope & Patience amidst all your Tribulations, and wise you above all the terrors of se•se. By a• eye of faith look through the gloomy scenes of Time, and take a prospect of your happy Exit, that draws •igh; which will bring on bright & never-ending scenes of glory, & will put an everlasting period to all •our present difficulties, doubts, dangers & distresses. O Believer, lift up your hands that hang down, and lay hold on eternal life: lift up your eyes & look for that blessed hope: lift up your heads with joy; for your redemption draweth nigh.
USE, VI. HENCE the Children of GOD need not be afraid of Death; nor unwilling to die, at the all of Providence. This thought shou'd reconcile〈◊〉 to Death, change the visage of this last enemy, 〈◊〉 teach you to look upon it as your Friend, (ra|•ter than your Foe) coming with a message of Page 30peace, and not of terror to you; and make you wel|come its approach, at what time, or in what way so|ever. Why shou'd you 〈◊〉 Death with any a|mazement, or why shou'd you love Life with an fondness and delight, since the day of your death so much to be prefer'd to the day of your birth, any days of your life here? Learn then to 〈◊〉 with the Apostle, Act. 20. 24. Neither count I 〈◊〉 life dear unto my self, so that I might finish my 〈◊〉 with joy. 1 Cor. 5. 8. We are willing rather to absent from the body, and to be present with the 〈◊〉. 2 Tim. 4. 6. &c. I am now ready to be offered;—I have fought a good fight. Hence forth there is 〈◊〉 up for me a crown of righteousness. &c. Let this, Believer, be the temper and language and earned expectation of your Soul. O take heed you do no grieve the divine Spirit, by whom you are sea•• to the day of redemption; nor reflect on the fai• and hope of the Gospel, by a servile love of life, slavish dread of death. Be neither ashamed of 〈◊〉 reproach, nor afraid for the terror of death; seeing both are taken away by the cross of CHRIST.
USE, VII. HENCE we may infer matter caution & direction, with respect to the celebrat• one's Birth-day.
THERE are divers special periods of time, whi•• have contracted a kind of solemnity, and have us|ually some peculiar regards paid to them. Th•• the Beginning of the Year is a remarkable season and what every one takes a particular notice of Some of the Servants of GOD have sometimes lem•z'd it by a religious employment of it, and found their account in so doing.—There is like|wise Page 31 one's Birth-day, which is to every man his New-Year's day. This also has been signaliz'd by special respects paid to it. The anniversary cele|bration of birth-days is an ancient custom. Tho' in sacred Scripture we read not of any that practised this, * but Pharaoh, and Herod, and perhaps Jeroboam (the second) King of Israel. It is not recorded of Abraham, of David, or any of the Saints and Peo|ple of GOD, as I remember. Yet Divires do not universally nor absolutely condemn the custom. As to the thing it self (besure) there is no institution or command of GOD for it. To commemorate our birth and beginning is what the duty of every day requires: however it may be the more special work of an anniversary day, provided all superstition and abuse be avoided. The civil observation of birth|days, and making •atalitial entertainments practi|sed by persons of distinction, who on such occasions have the company and receive the civilities of their Friends, as well as confer favours on their Servants and Dependents, * is a usage in it self lawful, and innocent enough if due regard be had to the rules of christian sobriety and moderation. But to devote such days (as the Persons before mention'd did) to perfect Idleness, Luxury and extravagant •irth, is to bid defiance to their great Creator, to contradict the ends and reasons of their birth, and to act as if they were sent into the world only to serve their bellys, and gratify the lusts of the flesh. Methinks, in the solemnization of one's birth|day, retirement with fasting and prayer, were a Page 32 greater propriety than carnal feasting and merri|ment with others. It seems more agreeable and proper to observe it as a time of humiliation, than of rejoycing: at least there should be a pious mix|ture of humble and devout reflections upon such a• occasion: For what was the day, which we com|memorate? Truly a day full of unhappy circum|stances, that call for a godly sorrow and shame.〈◊〉 observes, That an eminent Person, in his Diaries as often as his Birth-day arrived, wrote this; 〈◊〉 Calamitatis, i.e. A CALAMITOUS DAY unto me: A day therefore it is for a man to afflict his Soul in. At such a time we shou'd seriously reflect on the guilt, pollution, misery and danger, which attended us in the day of our Birth. It shou'd deeply af|fect us to consider, what we were born; Ignorant, sinful, miserable Creatures: Children of wrath Children of the Devil, and Heirs of Hell. It sho••• deeply affect us to consider, what we are while in natural State; a seed of evil-doers, rebels again•• GOD, enemies of CHRIST, hating of, and hated 〈◊〉 him. It shou'd affect us to consider, how (while 〈◊〉 unrenewed condition) we spend our years in 〈◊〉 and in sin; and all the days of our life are (〈◊〉 some sense) worse than the day of our birth.—It should affect us to consider, the patience & 〈◊〉 of Heaven towards us; and fill us 〈◊〉 wonder to think, what Cumberers of the gro••• we have been, and yet are spared, and have had 〈◊〉 lives fill'd up with mercies.—It shou'd affect us 〈◊〉 consider the goodness of GOD to us in our 〈◊〉.†Page 33 that tho' we came guilty, polluted and wretched, into a wretched, polluted, guilty World, yet we were not born dead, nor born Fools and Ideots, not born among Papists or Pagans, in a land of Dark|ness: but among Christians & Protestants, in a land of light; where we were, almost as soon as born, solemnly given up to GOD in Baptism, in the way of his appointment, engag'd to be the LORD's, and his favour intreated for us; where we were no soon|er come to any maturity, but we had Parental In|structions, as well as Ministerial; where we have the word preach'd to hear, and the word written to read; in which are brought to us the glad tidings of a SAVIOUR, and the gracious offers of Salvation by him made unto us. We shou'd offer praises to GOD, that he has looked upon us in our low estate; sent his Son JESUS CHRIST to purchase for us Re|demption out of the sinful state we were born in, & sent forth his holy SPIRIT to apply the purchased Redemption to all that believe in the name of JESUS. We shou'd bless the Divine SPIRIT for all his strivings with us and breathings in us. More|over, We should solemnly examine ourselves, whe|ther we have been made partakers of spiritual Regeneration; whether we are born from above & renewed in the spirit of our minds. If we find this is not our case, then we shou'd be solicitous it may become so; and immediately apply to CHRIST the head of Influences, for regenerating grace, and resolve not to rest easy till we are born again, and have CHRIST formed in us. But on the other hand, if really we are begotten of GOD, and created in CHRIST JESUS to good works, we shou'd be thankfulPage 34 to the LORD and praise his holy name; con|sidering what a glorious change he has wrought in and upon us, and what blessings he does bestow on us in the life that now is: considering also what a happy Eternity is before us; what a blessed & glo|rious day, the day of our Death will be, and what swift advances we are making towards it; every year that passes over us, bringing us so much nearer to the day of our death, and the end of all our sin and sorrow.—These things we shall do well to con|sider on our birth-days in a solemn manner: and therewith comfort our selves under all our troubles and against all our fears; and thereby quicken our|selves to walk in wisdom, & as becometh our privi|leges; to live holily&serviceably, that so every year we finish may leave us fitter and riper for heaven and to redeem the time, that if the year advancing should be our dying year, we may be found about our work, and finish our course with Joy.
THUS we see the right method of solemnizing our birth-day, and if it be thus employ'd, it will be▪ profitable as well as innocent practice, to observe it, in the annual returns of it.
What zodiac is Jesus?
With the story of the birth of Christ coinciding with this date, many Christian symbols for Christ use the astrological symbol for Pisces, the...
THE VIIIth & last USE is of Exhortation,〈◊〉 to the godly, and then to the ungodly.
1. LET me offer to the Saints and Children of GOD, some words of counsil and exhortation, grounded on the text. I wou'd exhort you then—
OFTEN to make this text the subject of your 〈◊〉 meditation. Study to obtain the fullest ac|quaintance with the several circumstances of the day of your birth, and also of the day of 〈◊〉 death. Page 35 Form a right judgment of both; get a fixed belief of the happy difference between them; and be often entertaining your minds with serious reflections upon the same. This will be of very profitable con|sequence divers ways; and particularly it will tend of preserve you from envying the prosperity of the wicked; for when you mark the peacefull end of the upright man, and consider the end of the ungodly, which is destruction, how can you but chuse with Moses, rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; and with the Apostle, esteem godliness with contentment to be great gain?
Furthermore, ENDEAVOUR to get 〈◊〉 assu|rance of your title to the blessed privilege in our text. Be sollicitously enquiring, Will this be my happy case? If GOD shou'd now summon me to depart, am I ready to be offered; and is it proba|ble I shall find the day of my death better to me, than the day of my birth? Inquire what evidences you have of a right to this blessedness: labour to clear up your title, and get a well-grounded hope. Without this your state may be secure yet your frame justly sad and uncomfortable, both in life & death. Wherefore give diligence to make your calling and election sure.
Again, LET Believers possess their souls in humble patience. The saints, when by an eye of faith they take a view of the unseen treasures and glories reserved for them in the coming world, are apt sometimes to grow too uneasy and discontented under the various trials they meet with here; and with inordinate eagerness to wish for their dismission,Page 36 even as they that watch for the morning. Hence some have not loved their lives to the death; and others have been tortured, not accepting delive|rance; knowing that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance, and shou'd obtain a bet|ter resurrection.—Impatience under the delays of their departure is an extreme, that Believers do sometimes fall into: but it is very faulty, and not to be indulg'd; as reflecting too much on the wis|dom and goodness of divine Providence. Be pati|ent therefore, Brethren, unto the coming of the LORD. For ye have need of patience; that 〈◊〉 ye have done the will of GOD, ye might receive the promise.— And verily since the promise is so great and precious, the Believer has need to 〈◊〉 patience and labor after it. There is danger of to multuous thoughts and impatient wishes, when he considers, that for him to die is gain; and that the day of his death is defer'd. But let him remember also that for him to live is Christ; and this will be the best argument to calm and quiet him.
Again, LET Believers be full of praise an thanksgiving to GOD, under the blessed prospect they have before them. You have all possible rea|sons for gratitude and praise; whether you con|sider the greatness of that good and happiness which expects you; or what divine love has done to pre|pare you for and entitle you to it; or how undeser|ved the favour; or what an astonishing distinction is made between you, and apostate Spirits with the common herd and unbelieving world of mankind O consider these things and praise the Lord. Bless his holy name, and say continually, Let GOD Page 37 be magnify'd! who hath delivered me from the power of darkness and translated me into the king|dom of his dear Son: who crowneth me with loving kindness and tender mercies: who will redeem my life from destruction, and preserve me unto his hea|venly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen.—O awake up to sing & give praise; now beginning what will be your eternal employ|ment in the blessed world you are hastning to.
Again, SEE that you live a life of obedience, and walk as becomes your privileges and expectations. Are you the heirs of divine love; and do you look for such things, as a translation to heaven in the day of death, and a resurrection to glory in the day of judgment; what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? See then that you endeavour to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing: that you strive to answer your character, and live up in some measure to the ends and bonds of your redemption by CHRIST; being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord JESUS CHRIST: mourning over the deplorable remains of that sin and misery, which you brought into the world with you; sitting loose in your affections from all crea|ture-enjoyments; being watchful against sin; and very diligent that you may be found of your Judge in peace, without spot and blameless. In aword, as you expect to be distinguish'd from sinners in the happiness of your death; so let it be your care to be distinguished now by the holiness of your life; having your conversation in heaven, and not being conformed to this present world. The more Page 38 holy your life is, the more happy will your death be.
Finally, CAST an eye of pity on the unbelieving Crowd: and do all you can that sinners may be brought to share with you in your blessed privileges. Look on them, whose life is among the unclean, & whose end is to be cut off, unless seasonable repen|tance prevent; look on such, I say, not with scor• and contempt, but with christian concern and com|passion. Let your bowels yearn towards them, when you see'em hanging over the devouring furnace nigh to cursing; & save them with fear, pulling then out of the fire. Do all that in you lies to recover them out of the snare of the Devil, and save their Souls from being drowned in perdition. Instruct the ignorant, warn the unruly, and exhort th•• daily, while it is called, To day; lest any be harde|ned thro' the deceitfulness of sin. [Let Heads families particularly, thus deal with their Children and Servants; the care of whose souls is most solemn charged on them.] But above all things, my Bre|thren, carry them to the throne of grace in the arm of your faith and prayer; and earnestly plead with GOD, that they may be brought to repentance, a• visited with his salvation. O stand before GOD to speak good for them, and to turn away 〈◊〉 from them. 1 Tim. 2. begin. I exhort therefore that first of all (i. e. as we say, by all means,) sup|plications, prayers, intercessions,—be made for a men;—for this is good and acceptable in the 〈◊〉 of God our Saviour. 1 Joh. 5. 16. If any man 〈◊〉 his brother sin a sin, which is not unto death he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them the sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: 〈◊〉Page 39 not say that he shall pray for it.— Surely they have hearts of stone, who can see their fellow-creatures upon the brink of destruction; and do not lift up their fervent crys to heaven for them.
BUT the other branch of the exhortation is,
2. TO the Unregenerate. O let sinners from what has been said, be concerned to get into the number of true Believers; that so the day of their death may be better, than the day of their birth. O unbelievers! GOD now calls you to repent, and turn unto him; to believe on his Son, and flee from the wrath to come, and get ready for the hour of death. And methinks, you have had sufficient mo|tive set before you to engage your speedy compli|ance with the call of GOD.—Know it; die you must sooner or later: so hath GOD ordained, & his word is established for ever: The grave is the house appointed for all living; and when the 〈◊〉-time is come, the dust shall return to the dust, and the spirit to GOD, that gave it. There is no resisting, no evading, nor deferring. In the many instances of mortality you have seen, more especially of late, you have had this lesson very convincingly read unto you. And many of you have lately been visited with Sickness; which is the beginning and presage of a dissolution. The LORD has chasten'd you sore: but he hath not given you over to death. The sor|rows of death compassed you, and the pains of hell gat hold upon you: you found trouble and sorrow. Then (it may be) you call'd upon the name of the LORD; and made vows to him in the anguish of your souls. And behold, the LORD hath dealt bountifully with you: you was brought low, and Page 40 he helped you. O consider the patience of a good GOD in sparing of you: and hearken to his voice, both in your sickness and recovery; whereby he loudly calls upon you to consider your latter end and so to number your days as to apply your heart unto wisdom. O that there were such an heart in you! That you wou'd study the ends, and comply with the calls of Providence to you, both in your affliction and relief: that you may learn righte|ousness from his judgments, and by his goodness be led to repentance: be awaken'd to confess your sins and give glory to GOD; in whose hands your breath is, and before whose eyes are all your ways.
Consider, TO prepare for death is the most impor|tant business of life. Time is a trifle to Eternity; Earth is nothing to Heaven. The end of your being in this world is, by serving and glorifying GOD to prepare for another. The grand concern is to finish well, to die safely, and be lodged happily in the future state. It matters little how it fares with you here, if you are well-provided for hereafter. Eternal Salvation is the one thing needful. And nothing that is gain'd in the ways of sin, will coun|tervail the loss of that. Mat. 16. 26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, 〈◊〉 lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in ex|change for his soul?
Again consider, HOW inexcusable you will be if you die under the guilt and power of sin, and 〈◊〉 of salvation. For the way of peace, the path of life is plainly laid out in the Gospel. And the s••ptre 〈◊〉 mercy is held forth to you; many invitations and the most solemn calls given you in the word written Page 41 and preach'd, to come unto CHRIST, that you might have life.—Salvation is tendered to you on the most gracious and condescending terms; the most fair & reasonable. You have also divine help graci|ously offered, in order to your compliance with the terms; and if under a sense of your own weakness 〈◊〉 unworthiness, together with the use of means, you ask the same, it will be granted you. Finally, The holy SPIRIT has been striving with you, and divine Patience has been waiting on you, to just astonish|ment. How inexcusable then art thou, O man, who neglectest so great salvation? How shall you escape? And what wilt thou say, when the Judge shall sum|mon thee to appear before his enlightned tribunal? Verily, those Scriptures will be fulfilled in you, to your shame and confusion,—How often would I have gather'd you, as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye wou'd not? Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand and none regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsil, and wou'd none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh.
Again consider, HOW miserable you will be if you miscarry at last. Your natural state is unspeak|ably miserable: but if you die in your sins, that word will be fulfilled in you, The last state of that man is worse than the first. When you come to taste of Death, you'll find it a bitter cup, full of fire and brimstone, and the wine of indignation; the dreggs whereof shall be wrong out & given you to drink. The day of your death will be a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity; a day of Page 42 slaughter & destruction by the Lord GOD of holy in the valley of darkness. In that day when you fear cometh as a desolation, and your destruction as a whirlwind, when distress & anguish cometh upon you, then (saith the LORD) they shall call upon me, but I will not answer; they 〈◊〉 seek me early but they shall not find me: They 〈◊〉 call upon me saying, Lord, Lord, open to us:〈◊〉 I will say unto them, Depart from me ye cursed I know you not.—In the dreadful minute, the your dissolution is accomplish'd, your guilty 〈◊〉 will drop down into the fiery Lake, and be over whelmed with consuming terrors. GOD will ren|der unto you indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish; and an horrible tempest shall be 〈◊〉 portion of your cup. Know it; the infamous S•|mite, & vilest Heathen shall have a more toler 〈◊〉 punishment than you. They were born as guilt and miserable as you; but they do not die so. The Gospel-advantages you have had, will astonishing aggravate your condemnation; and be as oyl to 〈◊〉 fire, which makes the flame more intense and ••|vouring. The condemnation of the Devil will 〈◊〉 phatically be the lot of Gospel-sinners. Mat. 41. Depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting 〈◊〉 prepared for the Devil and his angels. Gospel-••|ners are charged with trampling under foot the 〈◊〉 of GOD, and crucifying him afresh: and such 〈◊〉 read their doom in Matth. 26 24, Wo unto that 〈◊〉 by whom the son of man is betrayed: IT HAD BE•• GOOD FOR THAT MAN, IF HE HAD NOT BE•• BORN.—And having receiv'd your doom, you will loudly curse the day of your birth, your 〈◊〉Page 43 inlet into the present evil world; you will curse every day of your life, in which you were treasu|ring up so much guilt and wrath: you will curse the day of your death, in which you were cast into ••uter darkness. You'l curse every minute you spend in hell: you will call to the mountains and rocks to fall on you, and hide you from the wrath of the Lamb; but all in vain: you shall seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, but death shall flee from you. Divine power will uphold you in being, and almighty vengeance will plague you every moment, with plagues, that are infinite|ly worse than ten thousand deaths.—Behold! This is the portion of a wicked man from GOD; the portion of hypocrites and unbelievers! O what dismal lessons of terror are sounding in their ears!
AND, will you not be sollicitous to escape this dreadful misery? Or are you made without fear? Or 〈◊〉 you shift off this concern for the present, hoping for a more convenient season hereafter?—O do not thus flatter & deceive your self; thou fool, this •ight thy Soul may be required of thee, for ought thou knowest! O do not put far from you the evil day: Boast not thy self of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day, or an hour may bring forth. Hear now this, thou that dwellest carelesly and layest not to heart thy latter end, who hast been often reproved and still hardnest thy neck; hear •ow GOD threatens such an one, (Prov. 29. 1.) 〈◊〉 shall suddenly be destroy'd, and that without re|medy. O tremble lest these things come upon thee 〈◊〉 one day, in a moment, Death, and Hell, and eternal Vengeance. The grave waits for thee; and Page 44 hell from beneath is moved to meet thee, 〈◊〉 openeth it's mouth to receive your guilty Soul. 〈◊〉 be persuaded to realise your danger, to consider 〈◊〉 uncertainty of Life, the vanity of this World, and the awfulness of Eternity. Look forward, and 〈◊〉 a prospect of a departing world; think how it 〈◊〉 appear to you in the hours of sickness and death and at the door of eternity: then it will lose it fine shew and deceitful mask, and will appear all ghastly, ugly, and deform'd; it's riches vanity it's honors false, it's pleasures superficial; and the all your earthly hopes will perish in one moment Again, Look into the coming world, and anticipate those distressing tho'ts and views, which you 〈◊〉 have in a dying hour. Think how awful, Death 〈◊〉 Eternity will appear unto you! How glorious a• desirable Heaven will look! How dreadful〈◊〉 terrible Hell will look! And how full of horn shame, despair, and confusion your departing S• will be! What bitter reflections, and what fearing expectations will seize your guilty mind! O be per|suaded to look forward; and let conscience med•|terror, and read to you the fearful doom of impe|nitent sinners. Consider it often, and fear left 〈◊〉 day it befall you; lest it come upon you unaware in an hour that you think not. O hearken to the solemn counsil, Job, 36. 18. Because there is 〈◊〉 beware lest God take thee away with his stroke; 〈◊〉 then a great ransom cannot deliver tree.—O 〈◊〉 ye, turn ye; for why will ye die? Consider yo•• ways and turn to the LORD. Make hast and 〈◊〉 for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before you Tremble lest the fatal blow be given, before you Page 45 are provided for a happy removal. Now in order to this, two things are absolutely requisite; you must be interested in Christ, and born of the Spirit. Wherefore, You must,
1. SEEK an Interest in CHRIST. If you would escape the wrath of GOD. & die the death of the Righteous; you must get united to Jesus Christ by faith, in whom is all your safety & happiness, and union to whom is the foundation of all Gospel|hope. He that believeth on the Son, hath life everlasting; but he that believeth not, the wrath of GOD abideth on him, and he shall not see life. Blessed are the dead, who die in the LORD. Them that sleep in Jesus, will GOD bring with him. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ: in whom we have redemption thro' his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of divine grace. Christ is the city of refuge; and if death find you in him. •he Executioners of vengeance will not be able to reach or 〈◊〉 you. They that believe in Christ, have a Right to Salva|tion with Eternal Glory, thro' his merits. But such as are out of Christ, are without hope. This made the Apostle count all things but loss and dung, that he might win Christ and be found in him. O let this be likewise your aim & care.
2. YOU must seek after the New-birth; that you may be meet for (as well as have a title to) the inheritance of the •aints in light, and be fit to enter into the holy presence of GOD at Death. Justification entitles you to this happiness: and Regeneration qualifies you for it. Without a divine light and holy rectitude in the Soul, you are not capable to per|form the elevated duties and services of the heavenly state: nor to relish the spiritual enjoyments, or delight in the holy Society there. To be carnally-minded is Death, in the natu|ral tendencies and necessary effects of it: you must be spi|ritually minded, in order to your obtaining life and peace. To them that are defiled and unbelieving, nothing in heaven is pure or pleasant. We may as reasonably imagine the Swine, that love to tumble in the mire, can be delighted to lie 〈◊〉 beds of Ivory and stretch themselves upon soft couches; 〈◊〉 a lifeless Carcase to be charmed with the melody of Mu|••k; as suppose an unregenerate Soul capable (while such) 〈◊〉 being happy in heaven. He can't be happy, unless he 〈◊〉 made so against his will and the whole bent of his nature; which is a contradiction in terms; all felicity or pleasure ••ing in an agreement of the object and the appetite. In ••der therefore to the Sinners entrance into the heavenly Page 46 kingdom, his vicious nature must pass under a renewing sanctifying change. The honor of GOD, as well as the reason of things, requires this: and it is become necessary, by the determinate council of GOD: who has said, Without 〈…〉 the Lord. Except 〈…〉 converted, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of 〈◊〉 Except a man be 〈◊〉 again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. If then you wou'd die a happy death. You must seek after the washing of Regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. You must not think of going to heaven in your present case: and how then can you •ear to think of dying in it? Or how 〈◊〉 you think of living any longer in it? Your 〈…〉 pro|longed for this end, even that you might prepared to die: and how ungrateful to GOD, as well as injurious to your our Soul, are you, if you trifle away your precious opportu|nities? O awake out of your carnal security; shake off you slothful frame and dilatory spirit. No 〈◊〉 abuse the pa|tience of GOD: no longer harden your 〈◊〉; but to 〈◊〉 while it is called, To day, be sollicitous to obtain a saving conversion to GOD. O strive to enter in at the 〈◊〉 gate, and walk in the narrow way, that leads unto life. Rest not in a partial work of conviction, or a superficial work of refor|mation. Beware of hypocrisy: beware of formality; 〈◊〉 against a self flattering, a self sufficient and a self righteous spirit. Content not your self with any thing short of (〈◊〉 instead of) a saving work of grace in the heart. By 〈◊〉 and in the use of all appointed means wait on GOD, for 〈◊〉 renewing influences. Beg of GOD that he would 〈◊〉 in you a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within 〈◊〉Cherish every good motion, and improve every season of 〈◊〉. Work out your Salvation with fear and trembling: for is GOD, that worketh in you to will and to do of his 〈◊〉 pleasure. Repent therefore and be converted, that your 〈◊〉 may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the LORD. Before the decree bring forth, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you• seek ye the LORD. Seek the LORD while he may be 〈◊〉 and call upon him while he is near. And all the days your appointed time be waiting till your change comes, a daily expectation of it, and a diligent preparation for 〈◊〉. Do with your might what your hands find to do: and 〈◊〉 up in store a good foundation against the time to come, 〈◊〉 when you are called hence, you may have treasure in Hea|ven: and be presented before the face of GOD in Glory with exceeding Joy. AMEN.
Soulmate Gem
Photo: Rachel Claire
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