A47613:299
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.
10. And lastly, Consider what will become of your precious souls, if death takes you before you are ready; for it will not stay for you: Will he be bribed or persuaded to come another time? I remember a young Maid in the Country that was sick, and as she grew near her end, she cried out to be spared one quarter of a year, one month; but when that would not be granted; ⟨p. 38⟩rather than fail, one week: but die she did, greedy death will have no denial. Oh what a sad sight is it to see a Christless soul a dying! When death sits upon your trembling lips, and you not prepared, what would you give for peace and pardon then? When pale death comes upon thee like a sturdy Sergeant, and doth arrest thee in the name of the great King of Heaven and Earth, he will hale you along; to prison you must go. Death comes upon a wicked man like a hungry Lyon, tearing their souls from their bodies; to such he is indeed the King of Terrors: He comes on them like a fiery Serpent, with his venomous sting; with which he wounds them and lays them a bleeding to all Eternity. Oh to have the soul dragged out of the body and cast into hell, is of a dreadful and amazing Consideration. With this I shall conclude the Use of Exhortation.
10. And lastly, Consider what will become of your precious souls, if death takes you before you are ready; for it will not stay for you: Will he be bribed or perswaded to come another time? I remember a young Maid in the Countrey that was sick, and as she grew near her end, she cried out to be spared one quarter of a year, one month; but when that would not be granted; ⟨p. 38⟩rather than fail, one week: but die she did, greedy death will have no denial. Oh what a sad sight is it to see a Christless soul a dying! When death sits upon your trembling lips, and you not prepared, what would you give for peace and pardon then? When pale death comes upon thee like a sturdy Sergeant, and doth arrest thee in the name of the great King of Heaven and Earth, he will hale you along; to prison you must go. Death comes upon a wicked man like a hungry Lyon, tearing their souls from their bodies; to such he is indeed the King of Terrors: He comes on them like a fiery Serpent, with his venomous sting; with which he wounds them and lays them a bleeding to all Eternity. Oh to have the soul dragged out of the body and cast into hell, is of a dreadful and amazing Consideration. With this I shall conclude the Use of Exhortation.