A69538:92
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.
3. The greatness of the change will increase the amazement and misery of thy Spirit, if Christ receive it not. To leave a World that thou wast acquainted with, a World that pleased thee and entertained thee, a World where thou hadst long thy business and delight, and where (wretched man!) thou hadst made thy chief provision, and laid up thy treasure; this will be a sad part of the Change. To enter into a World where thou art a stranger, and much worse, and see the company and the things that before thou never sawest, and to find things go there so contrary to thy expectation; to be turned with Dives from thy sumptuous Dwelling, Attendance, and Fare, into a place of easeless torment; this will be a sadder part of thy Change. Here the Rich would have received thee, the Poor would have served and flattered thee, thy Friends would have comforted thee, thy Play-fellows would have been merry with thee: But there, alas, how the case is altered! All these have done; the Table is withdrawn, the Game is ended, the Mirth is ceased; and now succeedeth, [Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good ⟨p. 33⟩things, and Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented,] Luke 16. 25. O dreadful Change to those that made the World their home, and little dreamed (or did but dream) of such a day! Never to see this World again, unless by such reviews as will torment them! never to have sport or pleasure more; and for these to have such Company, such Thoughts, such Work and Usage, as God hath told us is in Hell!
4. If Christ receive thee not, the burden of thy sins will overwhelm thee, and conscience will have no relief. Sin will not then appear in so harmless a shape as now; it will then seem a more odious or frightful thing. O to remember these days of folly, of careless, sluggish, obstinate folly, of sottish negligence, and contempt of Grace, will be a more tormenting thing than you will now believe. If such Sermons and Discourses as foretell it are troublesome to thee, what then will that sad Experience be?