A discourse concerning the Redeemer's dominion over the invisible world, and the entrance thereinto

Or will we adventure to say, not denying his right, he did not use it well in this case? who is more fitly qualified to Judge, than he that hath these Keys? And let this matter be yet more throughly discussed. What is it that we find fault with in the removal of this or that person, that was near, and delightful to us? Is it that he was to Die at all? or that he Died so soon? If we say the former; Do we blame the constitution, appointing all Men once to Die, by which this World is made a portal to another, for all Men, and whence it was necessary none should stay long in this, but only pass thorough, into that World wherein every one is to have is everlasting abode? Or is it that, when we think it not unfit ⟨p. 117⟩this should be the general and common course, there should yet have been a particular dispensation for this Friend or Relation of mine?

Or will we adventure to say, not denying his right, he did not use it well in this case? who is more fitly qualifyed to Judge, than he that hath these Keys? And let this matter be yet more throughly discuss't. What is it that we find fault with in the removal of this or that person, that was near, and delightful to us? Is it that he was to Die at all? or that he Dy'd so soon? If we say the former; Do we blame the constitution, appointing all Men once to Die, by which this World is made a portal to another, for all Men, and whence it was necessary none should stay long in this, but only pass thorough, into that World wherein every one is to have is everlasting abode? Or is it that, when we think it not unfit ⟨p. 117⟩this should be the general and common course, there should yet have been a particular dispensation for this Friend or Relation of mine?

Let the former be suppos•• the thing we quarrel at, and consider the intolerable consequences of the matters being otherwise; as the case is with this Apostate Sinful World. Such as upon second, better-weighed thoughts, we would abhor to admit into our minds, even as the matter of a wish. What would we wish to Mankind a sinning immortality on this Earth, before which a wise Heathen profest to prefer one Day virtuously spent?