Death unstung a sermon preached at the funeral of Thomas Mowsley, an apothecary, who…

1. Neg. They which make it their business to do what they can against God, while they live, are not like to be blessed when they dye. They which live like Devils, are not like to dye like Saints: Are there not a Generation in the World who act for the Devil with all their might; and count all that time lost, which is not spent in his service; which make ⟨p. 6⟩a jest of Damning, and are as merry within a step of these devouring flames, as if Hell and a Tavern were alike? Do they not carry themselves, as if they could not make hast enough to misery, and make sure enough of Damnation? How do they wound and stab their own Souls, and let fly against the Almighty? How contemptible a thing is Heaven, and how ridiculous is the very name of Holiness to them? They are of the same mind of those, which Job speaks of: Job. 21.14. They say unto God, depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. And who is the Lord, that I should hearken to him? And if a compassionate Minister of Christ beseech them with all the tenderness that he can for his Soul, to bethink themselves a little what these things may end in at last, and to consider what a dreadful thing it is to fall into the hands of a living God; how are his persuasions rejected with contempt, and his pity recompensed with scorn? And may I not say of most wicked Men, they do fly in the Faces of them that would tell them of their danger, and do what they can to deliver them from it? And ⟨p. 7⟩yet for all this how well are they contented with their own condition, and laugh at the godly, as if it were a dangerous and mad thing to strive to go to Heaven, and the truest happiness to be miserable for ever? O who would imagine, that any living should be thus lamentably besotted! Tell them of Hell, 'tis as much as their life is worth; they had rather hazard the feeling of it hereafter, than bear the hearing of it here. They fear a little disgrace among Men more than the contempt of God: They choose rather to be under the weight of God's wrath, than the least affront from a Man. Talk to them of Glory, Heaven, and a Kingdom, they are light and trivial things with them; they had rather hear of a Whore, a Tavern, or Play; and yet these Monsters must be Sainted, and do more confidently expect a blessed Eternity after a life of wickedness, than some of the dear Children of God do: