CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

3. It's a blessed thing to be able to say thus upon just grounds, because of the terror of death to flesh and blood; We cannot be willing and ready to die, all the while the worms of conscience are gnawing the soul, before worms be gnawing the body; When Simeon had seen Christ, and taken him in his arms, then he saith, Lord, let thy Servant depart in thy Peace, Luk. 2. When Paul hath thus discharged his trust, then I have fought a good fight, and there is laid up for me a Crown of glory; It hath been the case of many good men to have uncomfortable sicknesses, and an uncomfortable death, and what makes it sometimes so but want of this assurance this good testimony about themselves, oh their life troubles them, such sins and such barrenness; They know not what to do; Their hearts are within them, They think of death, and their soul is troubled, so that it's a most desirable thing to have this in thy heart when thou art dying; Oh thou thinkest, Would I might have such a Minister, such a Friend by me when I am dying, I tell thee this is the best friend: It was Augustus his wish, that he might have an [Greek or Hebrew] a quiet easy death, without pangs and torment, but this is the easiest, the comfortablest, the best dying; Oh that we should prefer any thing before that; Oh that thou shouldst not cry out of every sin, This will trouble me when I am dying.

3. It's a blessed thing to be able to say thus upon just grounds, because of the terrour of death to flesh and bloud; We cannot be willing and ready to die, all the while the worms of conscience are gnawing the soul, before worms be gnawing the body; When Simeon had seen Christ, and taken him in his arms, then he saith, Lord, let thy Servant depart in thy Peace, Luk. 2. When Paul hath thus discharged his trust, then I have fought a good fight, and there is laid up for me a Crown of glory; It hath been the case of many good men to have uncomfortable sicknesses, and an uncomfortable death, and what makes it sometimes so but want of this assurance this good testimony about themselves, oh their life troubles them, such sins and such barrenesse; They know not what to do; Their hearts are within them, They think of death, and their soul is troubled, so that it's a most desirable thing to have this in thy heart when thou art dying; Oh thou thinkest, Would I might have such a Minister, such a Friend by me when I am dying, I tell thee this is the best friend: It was Augustus his wish, that he might have an a quiet easie death, without pangs and torment, but this is the easiest, the comfortablest, the best dying; Oh that we should preferre any thing before that; Oh that thou shouldst not cry out of every sin, This will trouble me when I am dying.