A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

When I awake, that is, out of the Dust, I shall be satisfied with thy Likeness. A Child of God hath his Content and Happiness to the full, when he comes to die. A carnal Man his Back hath been richly clothed, and Belly filled; but when he comes to die, he hath a sad Doom; Son, remember thou in thy Life-time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus his evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented, Luke 16.25. was said to Dives, who fared deliciously every day, and was clothed in Purple and fine Linen: Well, you have your Portion, and must look for no more, you give God a discharge for ought else. But for God's Children, then their Happiness begins, they are going down to sleep in the Grave; and when they awake, they shall be filled: they have not only God's Favour here, but Eternal Felicity hereafter. They that are called to a Feast, will not fill themselves at home with courser Fare. The rich Glutton who had his Belly full of hid Treasure here, was shut out; but Lazarus is carried into Abraham's Bosom, and feasted there: for this was their Table-gesture to lie in one another's Bosoms. Christians, reserve your Appetite a little, you will be satisfied; it is but staying a little longer for a better Meal. We expect to be like Angels, let others be like Beasts, whose Happiness lieth in feeding. (2.) Then for the other part, the transmission of Honour and ample Revenues to Posterity. It is true, Man is much carried out this way, he would fain advance his House, and live gloriously in his Posterity. Posterity is a shadow of Eternity; Children are but the Father multiplied; when the Father's Thread is spun out, then the Knot is knit; his Name and Memory is continued in the World by his Children: therefore Men would live in their Posterity, and have their Families great. But this is a sad Exchange, to forfeit Heaven, that our Children may enjoy the World; as many times it falls out that the Father goes to Hell for getting an Estate, and the Son goes to Hell for spending it: ⟨p. 129⟩Tho they have an ample Patrimony, yet they know not who shall enjoy it; Who knows whether he shall be a wise Man or a Fool? Eccles. 2.19. A Man hath no knowledge of future Events, nor no power of them. So that you see still, we have no cause to envy worldly Men even in this Happiness.