A51833:162
Advice to mourners under the loss of dear relations in a funeral sermon long…
Advice to mourners under the loss of dear relations in a funeral sermon long since preached / by the late Reverend Dr. Thomas Manton ... And now occasionally published on the much lamented death of Mrs. Ann Terry, who died the 9th of November, 1693. With a short account of some passages of her life, and papers left under her own hand.Advice to mourners under the loss of dear relations in a funeral sermon long since preach'd / by the late Reverand Dr. Thomas Manton ... And now occasionally published on the much lamented death of Mrs. Ann Terry, who died the 9th of November, 1693. With a short account of some passages of her life, and papers left under her own hand.
London: printed by J.D. for Jonathon Robinson, 1694
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.
PAPER X.
I Sensibly find my outward Man perish and decay, but how comfortable would it be to me, if I could as easily perceive the inward Man to be renewed day by day? This Earthly Tabernacle is tottering, and ere long will tumble down; but in what plight is the poor Soul that now inhabiteth this ruinated Cottage? What Provision hath it made against that Day when it must be turned out? hath it got an Interest in, and a Title to an enduring Substance; a House above, eternal in the Heavens? This Life of mine is but a Vapour, it appeareth but for a little while, and then vanisheth away. Lord, teach me to number my Days, that I may know how frail I am. This outward Man is daily consuming, wasting, perishing and decaying, and shall I be careless, negligent, remiss and unconcerned about my future State, how it will go with me hereafter in the other World? Though my bodily Strength abate, yet let the inward Man be renewed every Day, and wax stronger ⟨p. 77⟩and stronger: When the Comforts of this Life are, as Job saith of the White of an Egg, unsavoury, have no Relish, and are no Satisfaction to me, let me have Comforts and Cordials that this World knoweth not of, even the Light of thy Countenance, and that will put Gladness into my Heart, more than all the Treasures and Pleasures of this vain World. Whatever thou deniest me, deny me not thy self to be my God and Portion; and let me have an Interest in thy Son, my only Saviour and Redeemer: and do thou graciously give thy Holy Spirit to direct, guide, quicken, counsel and comfort me the remaining part of my sojourning here. How few Days may put a Period to my Life, I know not: In all probability it will not be long before I leave the Stage of this World, and be summoned before the Bar of God, to give a strict and impartial Account of my past Life. O it is an awful thing to die and come to Judgment! I beg, O Lord, I beg that I may be made meet for the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. Sanctify me wholly; let my whole Spirit, Soul and Body, be preserved blameless unto the Coming of my Lord Jesus Christ. O be thou pleased to preserve me unto thy Heavenly Kingdom. Many Fears, and much Ground for Fears have I, ⟨p. 78⟩