A47613:274
A summons to the grave, or, The necessity of a timely preparation for death…
A summons to the grave, or, The necessity of a timely preparation for death demonstrated in a sermon preached at the funeral of that most eminent and faithful servant of Jesus Christ Mr. John Norcot who departed this life March 24, 1675/6 / by Benjamin Keach.
London: printed for Ben Harris, 1676
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. As the oldest man must die, so must the strongest. Sampson was a mighty man, yet Sampson must die. Death will make the stoutest hearts to faint, and the strongest legs to tremble. One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet; his breasts are full of milk and his bones are moistened with marrow, Job 21. 23, 24. If any were likely to encounter or grapple with Death, we may suppose that this is ⟨p. 13⟩the man; he who is in his perfect strength, free from distempers; signified by that word, wholly at ease and quiet: yet alas all will not do, this man was forced to yield, he is made Deaths Captive.
2. As the oldest man must die, so must the strongest. Sampson was a mighty man, yet Sampson must die. Death will make the stoutest hearts to faint, and the strongest legs to tremble. One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet; his breasts are full of milk and his bones are moistned with marrow, Job 21. 23, 24. If any were likely to encounter or grapple with Death, we may suppose that this is ⟨p. 13⟩the man; he who is in his perfect strength, free from distempers; signified by that word, wholly at ease and quiet: yet alass all will not do, this man was forced to yield, he is made Deaths Captive.
3. The wisdom and policy of man cannot deliver from the power of the grave. The wisest prince that ever late upon a Throne was forced to stoop to the sovereign hand of Death. Wise men die, faith the Psalmist, likewise the fool, Psal. 49. 10. In death there is no remembrance of the wise more than the fool, Eccl. 2. 16