From these examples you see, that though grace can subdue sin, conquer lusts, overcome the Devil, yet it cannot totally take away the anxiety and fear of death, which is altogether natural, though the sinfulness of it may be mortified. But to this it may be objected, How could Paul be so solicitous about death, when Phil. 1. 23. he saith, He had a desire to depart, and to be with Christ? Yea he did not know what to choose, whether life or death, He was in a straight betwixt two, a desire to be with Christ, and a desire to live, that he might be serviceable to the Church? That this may be answered, it is good to take more exact notice of that place; for it is an admirable demonstration of the gracious frame of Paul's heart: lest the Philippians should think that he desired their prayers for himself now in bonds for the Gospel, as being too inordinately affected to the desire of life, he showeth what a blessed frame of heart he had obtained unto; even that if it were put to his choice, whether he should live or die. he should be straitened what to do; The desire to be with Christ on one side, did so affect him, and the desire of the Churches good by his labours on the other side did so much work upon him: where we may observe, that his desire to depart was not because he had troubles and calamities here, it was not because of the miseries and afflictions he met with, but want of love to Christ, That I may be with Christ, saith he; he doth not say, that I may have glory, that I may reign in Heaven, but be with Christ. Christs presence maketh Heaven to be Heaven. Though Paul in this life was in Christ, yet he was not with Christ. Further, he doth not say merely, I desire, but [Greek or Hebrew], Having a desire; it was a constant, settled, permanent desire in him, and that [Greek or Hebrew], to cut the rope (as it were) and to set fail to Heaven, to return to him from whom he had his spiritual being. The Apostle ⟨p. 285⟩then did not only desire to be with Christ, but he judged it the far better condition for him.
From these examples you see, that though grace can subdue sinne, conquer lusts, overcome the Devil, yet it cannot totally take away the anxiety and fear of death, which is altogether natural, though the sinfulness of it may be mortified. But to this it may be objected, How could Paul be so sollicitous about death, when Phil. 1. 23. he saith, He had a desire to depart, and to be with Christ? Yea he did not know what to choose, whether life or death, He was in a straight betwixt two, a desire to be with Christ, and a desire to live, that he might be serviceable to the Church? That this may be answered, it is good to take more exact notice of that place; for it is an admirable demonstration of the gracious frame of Paul's heart: lest the Philippians should think that he desired their prayers for himself now in bonds for the Gospel, as being too inordinately affected to the desire of life, he sheweth what a blessed frame of heart he had obtained unto; even that if it were put to his choice, whether he should live or die. he should be straightned what to do; The desire to be with Christ on one side, did so affect him, and the desire of the Churches good by his labours on the other side did so much work upon him: where we may observe, that his desire to depart was not because he had troubles and calamities here, it was not because of the miseries and afflictions he met with, but want of love to Christ, That I may be with Christ, saith he; he doth not say, that I may have glory, that I may reign in Heaven, but be with Christ. Christs presence maketh Heaven to be Heaven. Though Paul in this life was in Christ, yet he was not with Christ. Further, he doth not say meerly, I desire, but 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Having a desire; it was a constant, setled, permanent desire in him, and that 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, to cut the rope (as it were) and to set fail to Heaven, to return to him from whom he had his spiritual being. The Apostle ⟨p. 285⟩then did not only desire to be with Christ, but he judged it the farre better condition for him.
