An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

But why may not Christians mourn, and continue in heaviness? because it is no new thing, for a man to die: because he goeth the way of all flesh. Again, they that depart this life, are not dead, they are not gone for ever, as the heathen imagined. They are laid down to take rest quietly for a time. The death of a godly man is nothing else, but a sleep. So saith our saviour of Lazarus, Our friend ¹Lazarus sleepeth: howbeit Jesus spake of his death. So it is said of Steven. And they stoned ²Steven, who called on God, and said, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord lay not this sin to their charge, and when he had thus spoken, he slept. Whosoever dieth in the peace of conscience, he may say, I will lie down and take my rest. Thus doeth the man of God repose himself. For Christ is unto him both in life, and in death advantage. He saith with the Apostle, Whether we ³live, we live unto the Lord, or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lords. He goeth into ⟨p. 163⟩his grave, as into a bed: he forsaketh this life, as if he lay down to sleep: he shall shake off his sleep, rouse himself, and rise again. As we wake out of sleep, we know not how: so shall we rise again, though we know not how. As we are much refreshed, and our bodies strengthened by sleep: so shall we rise again in much more strength, and our corruption shall put on incorruption, and our mortality, immortality. So often then as we go to our beds, let us think of our resurrection from death. Who is sorry to go into his bed? what father lamenteth to see his child lie quietly, and take his rest? why then should he so mourn for his death? wherein GOD dealeth mercifully with him, and doth translate him to the glory of the sons of God, where is no death, nor fear: but we shall be made like to the Angels of God.

But why may not Christians mourne, and continue in heauinesse? because it is no newe thing, for a man to die: because he goeth the waie of al flesh. Againe, they that departe this life, are not dead, they are not gone for euer, as the heathen imagined. They are laid down to take rest quietly for a time. The deth of a godlie man is nothing else, but a sléepe. So saith our sauiour of Lazarus, Our friend