The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

'Tis dreadful to dye with pain and regret; To be forced out of the Body; To dye a violent death and go away with an unwilling reluctant heart. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness. Fain he would stay longer, but cannot. He hath not power over the Spirit, to retain the Spirit nor hath he power in death. He must away whether he will or no. And indeed much against his will. So it cannot but be where there is not a previous knowledge and love of a better state, where the Soul understands it not, and is not effectually attempered and framed to it.

'Tis dreadful to dye with pain and regret; To be forced out of the Body; To dye a violent death and go away with an unwilling refluctant heart. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness. Fain he would stay longer, but cannot. He hath not power over the Spirit, to retain the Spirit nor hath he power in death. He must away whether he will or no. And indeed much against his will. So it cannot but be where there is not a previous knowledge and love of a better state, where the Soul understands it not, and is not effectually attempered and framed to it.

O get then the lovely Image of the future glory into your minds, keep it ever before your eyes. Make it familiar to your thoughts. Imprint daily there these words. I shall behold ⟨p. 425⟩thy face, I shall be satisfied with thy likeness. And see that your souls be enriched with that righteousness, Have inwrought into them that holy rectitude, that may dispose them to that blessed state. Then will you dye with your own consent, and go away, not driven, but allured, and drawn. You will go, as the redeemed of the Lord, with everlasting joy upon their heads. As those that know whether you go, even to a state infinitely worthy of your desires, and choice, and where 'tis best for you to be. You will part with your souls, not by a forcible separation, but a joyful surrender and resignation. They will dislodge from this earthly Tabernacle, rather as putting it off, then having it rent and torn away.