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…

What shall they do at death who have quite neglected these directions, or not so minded them as they should have done, and who are brought in a surprise of providence, ere they be aware, near the border and brink of eternity, who have but few days or rather hours to live and cannot promise one to themselves? A very concerning question, (and O! ⟨p. 74⟩That folk would study to prevent it by minding the former directions in time) & withal a difficult question to answer solidly and cautiously; for indeed it is not easy to speak to dying persons (what ever many may think of it) who when they are living will not hear; and therefore let none make a wrong use of what shall be said to the question, & this certainly is one wrong use of it, to delay time and to shift preparing for death till it come on you; but first, put this question seriously to yourselves, how ye should live that ye may not have such a question to ask at your death, and that ye may eschew the anxiety that such a question hath with it at such a time; ye will very readily ask the question but heartlessly in sickness, who in your health putt it off carelessly till death surprise you, and therefore be rather in holy dread of that time when it may be ye will scarcely get an hour to think on the business, or it may be get none to speak to you to give you clearness about it, or possibly ye may not have liberty for pain and sickness to think on it, or to hear one speak to you anent it, which should in reason stir you up by all suitable means to endeavour to be in a good, meet, and ready posture before that time come. But to speak a little in answer to the question, we shall distinguish unpreparedness for dying in three sorts or kinds of it, or there may be three sorts of persons that may be surprised by death in an unprepared condition, and to each of these we shall speak a word. 1. There is one sort which are absolutely and most sinfully so, that never take any pains at all to be prepared for death till it cometh upon them; we may speak to stones in the wall as well as to many of you who are such. A second sort, is of these who have had some tenderness, but they are fallen slack, negligent, and out of a good frame. A third sort is of such as want feeling and comfort & are without clearness of their interest, and fear to die in that condition.

What shall they doe at death who have quite neglected these directions, or not so minded them as they should have done, and who are brought in a surprise of providence, ere they be awar, near the border and brink of eternitie, who have but few dayes or rather houres to live and cannot promise one to themselves? A verie concerning question, (and O!