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 first objection will probably be this, if none die well but such as be-take themselves to such a way of living, who will or can die well? Such a life is impossible to us, therefore we will hold on in our own way and hope well; many when they hear such ⟨p. 63⟩doctrine are ready to think and say as they did, John. 6. Who after they had murmured at Christs discourse, said vers. 41. This is a hard saying who can bear it? We shall by this means, will they say, be restrained in our liberty, we shall thus be putt to haunt always the house of mourning, and never suffered once to laugh or smile (although that be not our meaning, to keep men from being merry and cheerful when called to be so, but to keep from being carnal, and to set just bounds to them in their mirth); But for answer to these mens question, we would; 1. Ask them this Question, is this the truth of God, that such as would die in him must aim and endeavour to live as we have said? Is living well the way to dying well, and dying well the gate to Glory? If so, will it then, think ye, be a satisfying answer to God to tell him, that though this way of living is the way chalked out by thee for dying well, yet we cannot close with it, we cannot walk in it, its so uneasy and so narrow a way? If it be Gods way will ye putt it off so? Or will ye carve out another way then God hes carved out to you? 2. Let me ask such, is not the gate strait and the way narrow that leads to heaven and eternal life? Will ye not therefore go to heaven through such a gate and way? And is not the way of living so as to die well and in the Lord the way to heaven, and must it not have difficulty in it? And yet thirdly let me say to such, that this way is but difficult and uneasy to corrupt nature, to a proud and carnally delicate heart that cannot endure in the least to be disquieted in the enjoyment of its sensual pleasures and delights, and to a sinful selfish humour that will not stoop to God, yet to such as love to walk in this way, all the duties are possible and the difficulties superable through grace, yea it is thorrow-out a most pleasant path and way, Philip. 4. vers. 13. Prov. 3. vers. 17.

The first objection will probablie be this, if none die well but such as be-take themselves to such a way of living, who will or can die well? Such a life is impossible to us, therefore we will hold on in our own way and hope well; many when they hear such