A32062:13
A sermon preached
A sermon preached by Mr. Edmund Calamy at Aldermanbury, London, Aug. 24, 1651 being a funeral sermon for Mr. Love on the Sabbath-day following after he was executed ... also four excellent doctrines and proposition to the Presbyterians and others to be by them practiced and meditated upon both morning and evening.
London: printed for G. Horton, 1651
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.
Obs. That it is an excellent way to close up our lives with prayer. To die praying is a most christian way of dying. They stoned Stephen calling upon God. After this manner Christ dyed, he prayed, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit, and having thus said, he gave up the Ghost. This he did that it might be a pattern to all Christians. Prayer is a necessary duty at all times, but especially when we are a dying; and that for these three reasons.
Obs. That it is an excellent way to close up our lives with prayer. To die praying is a most christian way of dying. They stoned Stephen calling upon God. After this manner Christ dyed, he prayed, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit, and having thus said, he gave up the Ghost. This he did that it might be a patern to all Christians. Prayer is a necessary duty at all times, but especially when we are a dying; and that for these three reasons.
1. Because when we are to die, we have most need of Gods help, for then the Devil is most busy, and we most weak. 2. Because when we are to die, we are to beg the greatest boon of God, that is, that he would receive us into his heavenly Kingdom. Now prayer is the chief means to obtain this mercy, for it is Porta Caeli, Clavis Paradisi; the Gate of Heaven, a Key to let us in Paradise. Therefore we have great reason to die praying. 3. Because when a Saint of God is dying, he is then to take his last farewell of prayer. In Heaven there is no praying, but all thanksgiving; there is no need in Heaven, therefore no prayer in Heaven. Now a Saint of God, being to take his leave of prayer, when he is to die, therefore it is fit he should die praying. I beseech you remember this pattern in the Text, St. Stephen died calling upon the Lord. Let us die praying, as that Emperor said, Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori; so may I say, Oportet Christianum mori praecantem, it behoves a Christian to die praying.
1. Because when we are to die, we have most need of Gods help, for then the Devil is most busie, and we most weak. 2. Because when we are to die, we are to beg the greatest boon of God, that is, that he would receive us into his heavenly Kingdom. Now prayer is the chief meanes to obtain this mercy, for it is Porta Caeli, Clavis Paradisi; the Gate of Heaven, a Key to let us in Paradise. Therefore we have great reason to die praying. 3. Because when a Saint of God is dying, he is then to take his last farewel of prayer. In Heaven there is no praying, but all thanksgiving; there is no need in Heaven, therefore no prayer in Heaven. Now a Saint of God, being to take his leave of prayer, when he is to die, therefore it is fit he should die praying. I beseech you remember this pattern in the Text, St. Stephen died calling upon the Lord. Let us die praying, as that Emperor said, Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori; so may I say, Oportet Christianum mori praecantem, it behoves a Christian to die praying.