An exposition with practical observations upon the three first chapters of the book of…

There is one thing here to be resolved by way of question before we come to the Observations; Namely, whether it be lawful to wish for, or to desire death? Job here proposeth such as long for death; Is it lawful to desire death? doth he speak here only (de facto,) of a thing which some do; or of that which may be done?

There is one thing here to be resolved by way of question before we come to the Observations; Namely, whether it be lawfull to wish for, or to desire death? Job here proposeth such as long for death; Is it lawfull to desire death? doth he speake here only (de facto,) of a thing which some doe; or of that which may be done?

I answer, first, That death in it self is no way desirable, and it is not an object of desire. We cannot desire that (for it self) which is an enemy or destructive unto us. If any should desire death as death, or under the notion of death, they should desire that which is destructive, that which is their enemy, so the Apostle calls death; 1 Cor. 15. The last enemy which shall be destroyed is death. Death is an enemy, therefore (as death) no man can desire it. Indeed, many have desired death, but still we find somewhat else at the bottom of that desire. But what bottom or ground makes the desire of death lawful? I answer,

I answer, first, That death in it selfe is no way desireable, and it is not an object of desire. We cannot desire that (for it selfe) which is an enemy or destructive unto us. If any should desire death as death, or under the notion of death, they should desire that which is destructive, that which is their enemy, so the Apostle calls death; 1 Cor. 15. The last enemy which shall be destroyed is death. Death is an enemy, therefore (as death) no man can desire it. Indeed, many have desired death, but still we find somewhat else at the bottome of that desire. But what bottome or ground makes the desire of death lawfull? I answer,