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…

The second direction is, that though all duties of holiness be requisite, yet there are some particular duties that ye would in a special manner make conscience of (without neglecting any other called▪for duty) as having a special influence on preparation for dying, and as coming nearest (to say so) to death, though much slighted. As 1. the duty of self-searching and examination, we would be very impartial in self-examination and in counting with God; If men (as Solomon exhorts) should see to the state of their herds and of their flocks, much more should they see to the condition of their souls: Is it possible, think ye, to die confidently and comfortably if ye be not acquainted with the state of your spiritual affairs, and endeavour not to have your accounts with God stated and adjusted? If there be a plague on men it is the neglect of this; and if there be an awe-band and restraint on their Spirits from unsuitable latitudes and looseness, its the conscionable practice of this duty; that which ⟨p. 56⟩makes death so terrible to many, is their living, some 30, some 40, some 50, some 60, years; without having ever endeavoured to fit their accounts with God, let be to have them discharged. 2. The exercise of repentance (which is alace•a rare thing even among Christians in these days) is a special duty to be gone about in order to our dying in Christ, that when we see ourselves wrong in any thing (as many wrongs may be easily found in the forementioned search) we let them not lye over, but be earnest with God till we get a discharge, and that cannot be gotten till repentance be exercised; where this grace of repentance is, it hath faith always with it, and it makes the heart tender, and removes challenges which make death terrible, it is also a great enemy to security, presumption, and pride, and keeps the heart withal melting, and much in pouring out itself before God; the want whereof in these days Kythes in the coldness of our duties of avorship, and in the carnalnesse of our walk;

The second direction is, that though all duties of holinesse be requisit, yet there are some particular duties that ye would in a special manner make conscience of (without neglecting any other called▪for dutie) as having a special influence on preparation for dieing, and as comeing neirest (to say so) to death, though much slighted. As 1. the dutie of selfe-searching and examination, we would be verie impartial in selfe-examination and in comping with God; If men (as Solomon exhorts) should see to the state of their herds and of their flocks, much more should they see to the condition of their souls: Is it possible, think ye, to die confidentlie and comfortablie if ye be not acquainted with the state of your spiritual affaires, and endeavour not to have your accounts with God stated and adjusted? If there be a plague on men it is the neglect of this; and if there be ane aw-band and restraint on their Spirits from unsuteable latituds and lousnesse, its the conscionable practice of this dutie; that which