A26805:156
Sermons upon death and eternal judgment
Sermons upon death and eternal judgment by William Bates.
London: printed by J.D. for Brabazon Aylmer, 1683
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. To submit to the Divine Pleasure with resigned spirits, as to the means, the manner, and time of Death. God has a Sovereign Right and Dominion over us. The present Life is his most free Favour, and he may justly resume it when he pleases. His Will should be the first and last Rule of ours. Whether he gently untwines the Band of Life, or violently breaks it, we must placidly, without reluctation, yield up our selves. By what means soever Death comes, all second causes are moved by an impression from above, in what Age of Life soever, all our times are appointed by the divine Counsel: And a Saint ought with that readiness and submission receive it, ⟨p. 158⟩as if he heard an express Voice from Heaven calling him to God, and say in his heart with Samuel, Here I am, thou didst call me. This is the last act of our obedience, and very pleasing to God. We read of the marvellous* Consent of Abraham and his son Isaac, the Father to offer up his Son, and the Son his Life, (that were both the gifts of God) in compliance with the divine Command, and from Heaven he declared his high approbation of it. This is to make a virtue of necessity, and turn Nature into Grace. But discontent and reluctancy, as if our Lives were our own, and taken from us unjustly or unseasonably, is rebellious unthankfulness, unbecoming a Creature, much more a true Christian, who exchanges a perishing life for that which is eternal.
1. To submit to the Divine Pleasure with resigned spirits, as to the means, the manner, and time of Death. God has a Sovereign Right and Dominion over us. The present Life is his most free Favour, and he may justly resume it when he pleases. His Will should be the first and last Rule of ours. Whether he gently untwines the Band of Life, or violently breaks it, we must placidly, without reluctation, yield up our selves. By what means soever Death comes, all second causes are moved by an impression from above, in what Age of Life soever, all our times are appointed by the divine Counsel: And a Saint ought with that readiness and submission receive it, ⟨p. 158⟩as if he heard an express Voice from Heaven calling him to God, and say in his heart with Samuel, Here I am, thou didst call me. This is the last act of our obedience, and very pleasing to God. We read of the marvelous