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

Obj. 3. But is this the Property of God's Children, when we see carnal Men sometimes out of Weariness of the present Life, and Trouble of the World, will even long for his coming, and wish for Death?

Answ. That is an Offer of Nature after Ease, this is a Desire stirred up by the Spirit. Sometimes God's Children in their Passions desire to be taken out of the World, as Jonah 4.8. He fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. And Elijah, 1 King. 19.4. He requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough, now, O Lord, take away my Life; for I am not better than my Fathers. But this is but a shameful Retreat from Duty, and the Heat and Burden of the Day, and the Labours of the present Life; these are froward Thoughts, not sanctified Desires; Words of a feverish Distemper, not of Affection, but it comes from the Sickness and Weakness of their Souls. But this I speak of is a solid looking for, desire and longing for the glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.

Answ. That is an Offer of Nature after Ease, this is a Desire stirred up by the Spirit. Sometimes God's Children in their Passions desire to be taken out of the World, as Ionah 4.8. He fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. And Elijah, 1 King. 19.4. He requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough, now, O Lord, take away my Life; for I am not better than my Fathers. But this is but a shameful Retreat from Duty, and the Heat and Burden of the Day, and the Labours of the present Life; these are froward Thoughts, not sanctified Desires; Words of a feaverish Distemper, not of Affection, but it comes from the Sickness and Weakness of their Souls. But this I speak of is a solid looking for, desire and longing for the glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.