The blessedness of the death of these that die in the Lord and more…The blessednesse of the death of these that die in the Lord and more…

For the first, there are these three things or properties that go along with dying in the Lord, or with them that die in him, that are exceedingly desirable; 1. A dying willingly and cheerfully, not going to death as to a prison, but as through a trance to a palace, Its a dying as old Simeon died, Luke 2, Now (saith he) lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation; though death be the King of terrors, he hasteneth to it; or it is a dying as Paul died, who desired to be dissolved and to be with Christ, as being best of all, 2. It is a dying with holy confidence and boldness, not with fear and terror or anxiety, doubtfully disputing what will become of them, but being confidently assured of a mansion in Heaven; We know, saith the Apostle, 2 Cor. 5. v. 1, 2. if the earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens; for in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from above; being confident that at death his happy condition was but as it were beginning; to die in Christ makes a man to set himself boldly against death and all its terrors. 3. Its a dying not only with peace and quietness but with complacency and satisfaction, and even so that if the soul had its wish it desires no more, the man does not fret nor complain that he is taken from a good and plentiful estate, from a fine and commodious dwelling, from friends & relations, from honour and repute in the world &c. but he dies with contentment being fully satisfied with his right and to look to the fair inheritance above, this we may see ⟨p. 47⟩in David, who sweetly says & sings, 2 Sam. 23. 5. This is all my salvation and all my desire, although he make not my house to grow: and therefore he will Ps. 23. walk resolutely through the Valley of the shadow of death and fear none evil, because the Lord is with him: and indeed it is no small matter to die these three ways, willingly, cheerfully, confidently & boldly, and with quietness, contentment, and satisfaction.

For the first, there are these three things or propperties that goe alonge with dieing in the Lord, or with them that die in him, that are exceedingly desyrable; 1. A dieing willinglie and chearfullie, not goeing to death as to a prison, but as through a trance to a palace, Its a dieing as old Simeon died,