The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

It is reported of good Agathon, ¹that when death approached he was much troubled, whereupon his friends said unto him, What dost thou fear? He answered, I have endeavoured to keep the commandments of God; but I am a man, and how do I know whether my works please God or no? for other is the judgement of God, and other is the judgement of men. He must needs be troubled to be removed from present pleasures, who knoweth not that he shall go to a better place. Twenty pounds a year certain is counted better then (and a man will be unwilling to part with it for) forty pounds a year that is doubtful. It is assurance only of a better life which will carry the soul with comfort through the bitter pangs of death. Hence it was that Job called so frequently, and cried so earnestly to be laid to bed; O that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for, even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand and cut me off, then should I yet have comfort. Let ⟨p. 86⟩him not spare, for I have not concealed the words of the holy one, Job 6.8, 9, 10. Job had lived with a good conscience, and therefore feared not to dye with great comfort. His fidelity to God, encouraged him to expect mercy from God; He had not concealed nor shut up Gods faithfulness from men, and therefore knew that God would not conceal his loving kindness from him. But David on the other hand, when night (in his own thoughts) drew near, was as importunate to fit up longer; God seemed to call him to bed, but he begs hard, O spare me that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more, Psa. 39. ult.

It is reported of good Agathon, ¹that when death approached he was much troubled, whereupon his friends said unto him, What dost thou fear? He answered, I have endeavoured to keep the commandments of God; but I am a man, and how do I know whether my works please God or no? for other is the judgement of God, and other is the judgement of men. He must needs be troubled to be removed from present pleasures, who knoweth not that he shall go to a better place. Twenty pounds a year certain is counted better then (and a man will be unwilling to part with it for) forty pounds a year that is doubtful. It is assurance onely of a better life which will carry the soul with comfort through the bitter pangs of death. Hence it was that Job called so frequently, and cried so earnestly to be laid to bed; O that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for, even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand and cut me off, then should I yet have comfort. Let