A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

And First,¹ If the Soul be immortal as certainly it is, and that parting from this, it enters upon a better Life than this, we may well then be contented to Die upon that account. No man says a Roman Author thinks Death is much to be avoided, since Immortality follows Death. I am very sensible how hard a task it is to persuade men to be willing to Die, but yet let me ask you, if you are believers, (for in this I speak only unto such) what is there in Death that is so terrible to you? I know it is monstrous and full of horror if we consider nothing but the Corruption of the Flesh, the ghastly paleness, the stiff, cold and grim visage, the ⟨p. 18⟩distorted Eyes and trembling Limbs of Dying Persons: And afterwards think of the stench and filthiness of the Grave, and lastly the dissipation of the visible part of Man: All these Considerations make Death very terrible and full of horror to us. But now he that shall consider after all this, his spiritual & invisible part, what can he see in Death that is not very desirable to him? the Body rests from its labours, and the Soul enjoys its reward in Heaven. If you are hereby taken away from conversing with men, yet the Soul is elevated to an acquaintance with Angels, that is still alive in its own Nature; the Soul lives for ever, being placed above the common Arrests of Death.

And First,¹ If the Soul be immortal as certainly it is, and that parting from this, it enters upon a better Life than this, we may well then be contented to Die upon that account. No man says a Roman Author thinks Death is much to be avoided, since Immortality follows Death. I am very sensible how hard a task it is to perswade men to be willing to Die, but yet let me ask you, if you are believers, (for in this I speak only unto such) what is there in Death that is so terrible to you? I know it is monstrous and full of horrour if we consider nothing but the Corruption of the Flesh, the gastly paleness, the stiff, cold and grim visage, the ⟨p. 18⟩distorted Eyes and trembling Limbs of Dying Persons: And afterwards think of the stench and filthiness of the Grave, and lastly the dissipation of the visible part of Man: All these Considerations make Death very terrible and full of horrour to us. But now he that shall consider after all this, his spiritual & invisible part, what can he see in Death that is not very desirable to him? the Body rests from its labours, and the Soul enjoys its reward in Heaven. If you are hereby taken away from conversing with men, yet the Soul is elevated to an acquaintance with Angels, that is still alive in its own Nature; the Soul lives for ever, being placed above the common Arrests of Death.