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…

From which ground we propose this second doctrine: That God hath fully furnished the believer in him with comfort and encouragement against the terribleness of death, so that though death be terrible in itself, yet the believer hes good and sufficient ground of encouragement against it, and may quietly and comfortably die when God calls him, where and however it shall be; there is nothing in death that needs to fear him, the Word of God hath given him notable grounds of comfort and encouragement to bear him through it most heartsomely, and in the faith of that word he should walk confidently and comfortably throw the valley of the shadow of death and fear none ill; There are two things in this doctrine much to the same purpose: 1. That the Lord allows the believer to be comforted in his death, and therefore ⟨p. 111⟩hes allowed him grounds of strong consolation. 2. That the believer who hath these grounds, should make use of them to bear him cheerfully and comfortably through death; so the Lord speaking of Death and Judgment, Luke 21. 28. says to, and commands, believers in him, When ye shall see these things come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads for the day of your redemption draweth nigh, beside many other commands t•at are frequent in the Scriptures to this purpose; and how many of the Saints resting on and improving these grounds have died most willingly, pleasantly, comfortably, and joyfully? Take for instance old Simeon, who sweetly says, Luke 2. Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace, &c. He begs leave to be gone; And if ye look to Paul, O! how earnestly does he long for his pass and dimission, and how heartily does he welcome the thoughts of it? Philip. 1: 21. To clear the doctrine a little, we shall speak somewhat to these two things. 1 What are the things that ordinarily make death terrible. 2. What are the grounds of comfort and refreshing, or the refreshful considerations that believers have in the way of grace against these grounds of terror, and the latter will be found very far greater then the former; only take this word of caution or warning, that we speak not of death so, as if it were comfortable to die simply, or as if it were so to all; no not so, for its terrible to all them that die in sin and out of Christ;