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

They leave behind them that testimony, which will turn to account; both for the Glory of Gods ⟨p. 131⟩grace, which he hath exemplified in them, and which may be improved to the good of many who shall have seen that an Holy Life, amidst the temptations that the youthful Age is exposed to, is no impracticable thing; and that an Early Death, is as possible also to themselves.

But besides their no little usefulness in this World, which they leave, we must know,

8. That the Affairs and Concernments of the other World, whither they go, are incomparably greater every way, and much more considerable. And to this most unquestionable maxim must be our last and final resort, in the present Case. All the perturbation, and discomposure of mind, which we suffer upon any such occasion, arises chiefly, from our having too high and great ⟨p. 132⟩thoughts of this World, and too low, and diminishing thoughts of the other; and the evil must be remedied by rectifying our apprehensions in this matter. Because that other World is Hades, unseen, and not within the verge of our sense, our sensual minds are prone to make of it a very little thing; and even next to nothing, as too many, will have it to be quite nothing at all. We are concerned, in duty to our blessed Redeemer and Lord, and for his just honour, to magnify this his Prefecture, and render it as great to our selves as the matter requires, and as our very narrow minds can admit. And should labour to correct it as a great and too common fault, a very gross vulgar Error, to conceive of persons leaving this world of ours, as if they hereby ⟨p. 133⟩