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

Use 1. How much comfort and joy the godly may take at the hour of death; Their work is done, now they have nothing but the Robes of glory to put on, That fullness of glory they are immediately to possess should swallow up the fears of death, and the love of the world; With what joy should they cry out, Farewell Friends, Wife and Children, welcome God, welcome eternal glory: Alas, thou hast no glory here, Thy body is a vile body, thy soul a sinful soul, the world is the valley of death, an Hospital of diseased men, and therefore thou art to rejoice at this approaching glory; Hence it is that the righteous is said to have hope in his death, to be blessed in his death, for all his old things pass away, a new place, new company, new happiness, new joy, but yet here are cautions to the godly dying man that hath done his work.

Ʋse 1. How much comfort and joy the godly may take at the hour of death; Their work is done, now they have nothing but the Robes of glory to put on, That fulnesse of glory they are immediatly to possesse should swallow up the fears of death, and the love of the world; With what joy should they cry out, Farewell Friends, Wife and Children, welcome God, welcome eternal glory: Alas, thou hast no glory here, Thy body is a vile body, thy soul a sinful soul, the world is the valley of death, an Hospitall of diseased men, and therefore thou art to rejoice at this approaching glory; Hence it is that the righteous is said to have hope in his death, to be blessed in his death, for all his old things passe away, a new place, new company, new happinesse, new joy, but yet here are cautions to the godly dying man that hath done his work.

1. Not to put confidence in his works; Sibi isti fidere, non est fidei, sed perfidia, ⟨p. 130⟩said Bernard; Oh Lord, All that I have done is an effect and testimony of thy grace, not a merit of eternal glory; Thou crownest thy gifts not my merits, if I have been able to work, it was of thy grace, so the more I have done the more I am obliged to thee, and the reason why there cannot be any hope or confidence put in the works we do, is from the imperfection and insufficiency of them; Enter not into judgement with thy Servant, saith David,