A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…

2. At Death you will need a Treasure of Faith and Patience. The reign of Sense is expired; somewhat is necessary to support a dying man, more than a living healthy man. What is it that makes Death terrible to a poor creature? The withdrawing of all a mans outward comforts, and the Appearance of all his Sins: When one is dying, they must leave husband, wife, children, parents, friends, house, all. Now Faith will give us a real sight of the other world; and one sight of that quite disgraces and annihilates all the comforts of this world. Adieu poor house, I see a far better ready for me! adieu my dearest friends and relations, I see those enjoyments before me, that utterly eclipse you all! And then, when your Sins are mustered up before you, their heinous nature, and deserved punishment, and that Satan bestirs him, to represent them with the greatest Terror, to the Aged dying person; if Faith be dormant, the poor soul is driven into the pit of despair. ⟨image 156⟩But a lively Faith flies to Jesus Christ, runs into his wounds, lays hold on his everlasting righteousness, and so bids defiance to Satan, yea even to the law, and all his sins, with, Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that dyed. It is related in an Epistle prefixed to Brentius's works, that when a certain Senator in Suevia lay dying, one like a Scribe came into his chamber with pen and paper, calling to him to reckon up his sins; for, saith he, I am sent from God to bring an account of them to his Tribunal: Well, saith the Sick man, raising up himself as well as he could, and perceiving that he had to do with his great Enemy, the Devil; write this down first, The seed of the woman shall break the serpents head, and thou mayst write all my sins under it: Whereupon the Accuser of the brethren presently vanished, and left the weak man in peace.

2. At Death you will need a Treasure of Faith and Patience. The reign of Sense is expired; somewhat is necessary to support a dying man, more than a living healthy man. What is it that makes Death terrible to a poor creature? The withdrawing of all a mans outward comforts, and the Appearance of all his Sins: When one is dying, they must leave husband, wife, children, parents, friends, house, all. Now Faith will give us a real sight of the other world; and one sight of that quite disgraces and annihilates all the comforts of this world. Adieu poor house, I see a far better ready for me! adieu my dearest friends and relations, I see those enjoyments before me, that utterly eclypse you all! And then, when your Sins are mustered up before you, their heinous nature, and deserved punishment, and that Satan bestirs him, to represent them with the greatest Terror, to the Aged dying person; if Faith be dormant, the poor soul is driven into the pit of despair.