A summons to the grave, or, The necessity of a timely preparation for death…

Name: A summons to the grave, or, The necessity of a timely preparation for death…
Author: Benjamin Keach

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.

Benjamin Keach 1640–1704London: printed for Ben Harris, 1676

[19], 79, [1] p. · 16k words · Wing K95 · ESTC R29890

Title page typeset from the transcription.

A SERMON •••ached at the Funeral of Mr. JOHN NORCOT, March the 28th…: A SERMON •••ached at the Funeral of Mr. JOHN NORCOT, March the 28th. 1676.

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.

[ Earlier:315–330 of 361

:315p. 51

7. Ministers of the Gospel may be compared to Captains, to encourage us in our spiritual warfare, and now alas your Leader is gone, he is taken from you, and are we not surrounded with enemies? May we not say with Leah in another case, Gen. 30. 11. a troop cometh; a troop of troubles, a troop of afflictions, a troop of temptations, a troop of miseries and persecutions; I wish improve not a troop of division to the scattering of us: the Lord I hope will prevent it.

:316p. 51–52

8. Ministers of the Gospel are compared to Trees, the trees of the Lord ⟨p. 52⟩are full of sap. Psal. 104. 16. the lip of the righteous feed many (saith Solomon; and this was a fruitful tree. Oh the sweet fruit it did bear, most precious fruit it yielded us for many years. Oh what good have many gathered out of the branches thereof. But now alas it is (cut down) it will bear fruit for you no more; you shall hear him pray no more, preach no more, and is not this a ground of lamentation.

:317p. 52–53

9. Saints and Ministers of the Gospel are the interest of the Nation, City, or Place where they live. Was not Lot the interest of Sodom? I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither, Gen. 19. 22. Till Lot was gone, fire and brimstone could not come upon that miserable City. Oh what love hath God to the poor Preachers of righteousness. But again, Was not Jacob the interest of Labans family? ⟨p. 53⟩How did God bless him for Jacobs sake? The like might be minded of Joseph to the Egyptians Ye, saith our blessed Saviour, are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. To whom did he speak but to his Disciples, his holy Apostles, that he sent forth to preach glad tidings of great joy unto the Nations. I might show you wherein they are the interest of the place where they are, but I must hasten: Take only two or three brief hints.

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