The last work of a believer his passing prayer recommending his departing spirit to…

But, 5. I shall only add that Use which the sad occasion of our meeting doth bespeak. What cause have we now to mix our sorrows for our deceased friend, with the joys of faith for her felicity! we have left the body to the earth, and that is our lawful sorrow; for it is the fruit of sin: But her spirit is Received by Jesus Christ: and that must be our joy, if we will behave our selves as true Believers. If we can suffer with her, should we not rejoice also with her? And if the joy be far greater to the Soul with Christ, than the ruined state of the body can be lamentable; it is but reason that our joy should be greater for her joy, than our sorrow for the dissolution of the flesh. we that should not much lament the passage of a friend beyond the Seas, if it were to be advanced to a Kingdom, should less lament the passage of a Soul to Christ, if it were not for the remnant of our woeful unbelief.

But, 5. I shall only add that Use which the sad occasion of our meeting doth bespeak. What cause have we now to mix our sorrows for our deceased friend, with the joyes of faith for her felicity! we have left the body to the earth, and that is our lawful sorrow; for it is the fruit of sin: But her spirit is Received by Jesus Christ: and that must be our joy, if we will behave our selves as true Believers. If we can suffer with her, should we not rejoyce also with her? And if the joy be far greater to the Soul with Christ, than the ruined state of the body can be lamentable; it is but reason that our joy should be greater for her joy, than our sorrow for the dissolution of the flesh. we that should not much lament the passage of a friend beyond the Seas, if it were to be advanced to a Kingdom, should less lament the passage of a Soul to Christ, if it were not for the remnant of our woful unbelief.

She is arrived at the everlasting Rest, where the burden of corruption, the contradictions of the flesh, the molestations of the Tempter, the troubles ⟨p. 59⟩of the world, and the injuries of malicious men, are all kept out, and shall never more disturb her peace. She hath left us in these storms, who have more cause to weep for our selves and for our Children that have yet so much to do and suffer, and so many dangers to pass through, than for the Souls that are at Rest with Christ. We are capable of no higher hopes than to attain that state of blessedness which her Soul possesseth: And shall we make that the matter of our lamentation as to her, which we make the matter of our hopes as to our selves? Do we labour earnestly to come thither, and yet lament that she is there? You will say, It is not because she is clothed upon with the house from Heaven, but that she is unclothed of the flesh: But is there any other passage than Death unto immortality? Must we not be unclothed, before the garments of Glory can be put on? She bemoaneth not her own dissolved Body: The glorified Soul can easily bear the corruption of the flesh: And if you saw but what the Soul enjoyeth, you would be like minded, and be moderate in your griefs. Love not your selves so as to be unjust and unmerciful in your desires to your friends! Let Satan desire to keep them out of Heaven, but do not you desire it. You may desire your own good, but not so as to deprive your friends of theirs; yea of a greater good, that you may have a lesser by it. And if it be their company that you desire in reason you should be glad that they are