A69538:69
The last work of a believer his passing prayer recommending his departing spirit to…
The last work of a believer his passing prayer recommending his departing spirit to Christ to be received by Him / prepared for the funerals of Mary the widow first of Francis Charlton Esq. and after of Thomas Hanmer, Esq., and partly preached at St. Mary Magdalens Church in Milk-Street, London, and now, at the desire of her daughter, reprinted by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by B. Griffin for B. Simmons, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
O learn this Doctrine Christians, that you may use it in the hour of your last distress: The hour is near: the distress will be the greatest that ever you were in : As well as we seem now while we are hearing this, our turn is nigh: The Midwife is not so necessary to the life of the Child, that Receiveth it into the world, as Christs Receiving will be then to our everlasting life. To say over heartlessly these words [Lord Jesus receive my Spirit] will be no more than a dead hearted Hypocrite may do: such formal lip-service in life or at death, doth profit nothing to salvation; Now make such necessary preparation, that at Death you may have well-grounded confidence, that Jesus Christ will receive your Spirits
O learn this Doctrine Christians, that you may use it in the hour of your last distress: The hour is near: the distress will be the greatest that ever you were in : As well as we seem now while we are hearing this, our turn is nigh: The Midwife is not so neccssary to the life of the Child, that Receiveth it into the world, as Christs Receiving will be then to our everlasting life. To say over heartlesly these words [Lord Jesus receive my Spirit] will be no more than a dead hearted Hypocrite may do: such formal lip-service in life or at death, doth profit nothing to salvation; Now make such necessary preparation, that at Death you may have well-grounded confidence, that Jesus Christ will receive your Spirits
1. And first, let me bring this to the carnal unprepared sinner.
Poor sinner, What thoughts hast thou of thy dying hour, and of thy departing Soul! I wonder at thee, what thoughts thou hast of them, that thou canst sin so boldly, and live so carelessly and talk or hear of the life to come so senselessly as thou dost! Thou mightest well think I wronged thee, if I took ⟨p. 21⟩