Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showedMeditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed
Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showed; I. That some true believers on Christ are afraid of death, but that they have no just cause to be so. II. That good men as well as others may be taken out of the world by a sudden death. III. That not earth but heaven is the Christians home. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed; I. That some true believers on Christ are afraid of death, but that they have no just cause to be so. II. That good men as well as others may be taken out of the world by a sudden death. III. That not earth but heaven is the Christians home. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]
Increase Mather 1639–1723printed by Timothy Green, 1707
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That men have but a Little Time to be on the Earth. Here their Days are as a Shadow, and there is non• abiding; here they don't dwell, bu• only sojourn. The comparison of • Shadow is used to set forth the Electing condition of men in this world. To the same purpose Solomon has […] Eccl. 6.12. His Vain Life which he spend• as a Shadow. Yea, the Life of man is compared to a Declining Shadow; Ps. 102.11. My Days are like a Shadow […] Declineth. When a Shadow begins t• Decline, it grows less and less by degrees, and is quickly gone. Or, a• the Original word imports▪ a […] that is Extended ▪ that is in Evening Shadow. You observe▪ that when ti• almost […] then is the greatest Shadow, and that Extended Shadow does in a very little time ••nish into Darkness. Truly so it is as to the Life of man here in this world; it i• a Shadow that soon vanishes away▪ And the Life of man now is very shor compared with what once it was. […]
•n the Beginning or first Ages of the world▪ lived much longer on the Earth •han they do now, or have done for these many Ages last past. Before •he Flood some Lived Seven, Eight, •ea Nine Hundred Years and more▪ The first man that ever was made did •bide on the Earth Nine Hundred & Thirty Years. Methuselah lived Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Years. But within Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, the Age of man was wonderfully Contracted. In Moses's time, which was Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, & more than Three Thousand Years ago, Psal. 90.10. Our Days (said he) are Three-score Years and •en; and if they do amount to Four-•core, they are Sorrow and Trouble. •t is very rare for men to live longer •han that. Indeed, there have been •f Later Time some that have lived above an Hundred Years. Several in •ur own Nation, have lived above an •undred and Fifty Years. One that •yed lately in an Island belonging to Scotland, is said to have lived an Hundred
⟨p. 132⟩
and Eighty Seven Years. But such instances are exceeding rare Nay, where there is one that lives to Seventy, there are many that attain no• to that Age. But if a man should live an Hundred Years and more, that is but a little while. Jacob when he was an Hundred and Thirty Years old said, Gen. 47 9▪ Few have my Da•es been. The Truth before us appears from several things.
That men have but a Little Time to be on the Earth. Here their Dayes are as a Shadow, and there is non• abiding; here they don't dwell, bu• only sojourn. The comparison of • Shadow is used to set forth the Electing condition of men in this world. To the same purpose Solomon has 〈…〉Eccl. 6.12. His Vain Life which he spend• as a Shadow. Yea, the Life of man is compared to a Declining Shadow; Ps. 102.11. My Days are like a Shadow 〈…〉 Declineth. When a Shadow begins t• Decline, it grows less and less by degrees, and is quickly gone. Or, a• the Original word imports▪ a 〈…〉 that is Extended ▪ that is in E•ening Shadow. You observe▪ that when ti• almost 〈…〉 then is the greates• Shadow, and that Extended Shadow does in a very little time ••nish into Darkness. Truly so it is as to the Life of man here in this world; it i• a Shadow that soon vanishes away▪ And the Life of man now is very shor• compared with what once it was. 〈…〉⟨p. 131⟩•n the Beginning or first Ages of the •orld▪ lived much longer on the Earth •han they do now, or have done for these many Ages last past. Before •he Flood some Lived Seven, Eight, •ea Nine Hundred Years and more▪ The first man that ever was made did •bide on the Earth Nine Hundred & Thirty Years. Methuselah lived Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Years. But •ithin Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, the Age of man was wonder•ully Contracted. In Moses's time, •hich was Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, & more than Three Thousand Years ago, Psal. 90.10. Our Dayes (said he) are Three-score Years and •en; and if they do amount to Four-•core, they are Sorrow and Trouble. •t is very rare for men to live longer •han that. Indeed, there have been •f Later Time some that have lived •bove an Hundred Years. Several in •ur own Nation, have lived above an •undred and Fifty Years. One that •yed lately in an Island belonging to •cotland, is said to have lived an Hundred ⟨p. 132⟩and Eighty Seven Years. But such instances are exceeding rare Nay, where there is one that lives to Seventy, there are many that attain no• to that Age. But if a man should live an Hundred Years and more, that is but a little while. Iacob when he was an Hundred and Thirty Years old said, Gen. 47 9▪ Few have my Da•es been. The Truth before us appears from several things.
1. The Duration of this world as to the […] F•rm o• it, will soon be at an end: 1 Cor. 7.31. The fashion of this world […] away. The Scripture often speaks of a wonderful Change which this Visible world shall be subject unto; Mat. 24.35. Heaven an• Earth sh•ll pass away: 2 Pet. 3.10, 11. The Heavens shall pass away with a great […]; the Elements shall melt with Fervent Heat: The Earth and the Works of it shall be bur•t up. All these things shall be Dissolved. It will be so, and within a little time too. Some Divines have thought▪ […] as the Earth is the place […] men have Sinned, ⟨p. 133⟩[…] that they who Dye with their Sins •npardoned, shall be Punished there: •hat the place of their Sinning shall […] the place of their Torment; and •hat therefore this Earth shall be turned into Hell. And many Writers, •ot only Christians Ancient & Modern, but the Jews also, have thought •is present world should not last a•ove Six Thousand Years, as it was •ade in Six Days; and if so, within • few Generations it comes to an end. however, it is but a few Days compared •ith Eternity. What is Six or Seven thousand Years, compared with Eternity? It is but as so many Days, nay […] a few Hours; Psal. 90▪4. A Thousand Years is as One Day in the sight of […]. Yea, as a Watch of the Night. • Watch of the Night, it is but for ••ree or Four Hours; a Thousand •ears compared to Eternity are but as […]: yea, less than that. David ••erefore says concerning his own […], Psal. 39.5. Thou hast made mine […] as Nothing. So may we say of […] Age of this present World, it ⟨p. 134⟩is as nothing before the Eternal God.
1. The Duration of this world as to the 〈…〉 F•rm o• it, will soon be at an end: 1 Cor. 7.31. The •ashion of this world 〈…〉 away. The Scripture often speaks of a wonderful Change which this Visible world shall be subject unto; Mat. 24.35. Heaven an• Earth sh•ll pass away: 2 Pet. 3.10, 11. The Heavens shall pass away with a grea•〈…〉; the Elements shall melt with Ferven• Heat: The Earth and the Works of it shall be bur•t up. All these things shall be Diss•lved. It will be so, and within a little time too. Some Divines have thought▪〈…〉 as the Earth is the place 〈…〉 men have Sinned, ⟨p. 133⟩〈…〉 that they who Dye with their Sins •npardoned, shall be Punished there: •hat the place of their Sinning shall 〈…〉 the place of their Torment; and •hat therefore this Earth shall be turn•d into Hell. And many Writers, •ot only Christians Ancient & Mo•ern, but the Jews also, have thought •is present world should not last a•ove Six Thousand Years, as it was •ade in Six Dayes; and if so, within • few Generations it comes to an end. owever, it is but a few Days compared ith Eternity. What is Six or Seven housand Years, compared with Eterty? It is but as so many Dayes, nay a few Hours;
2. The Experience of all Ages d•es Confirm the Truth before us. One Generation goeth, and another comes; but there is no man does live throughout all Generations. How many have there been in the world that are dead and gone out of it? Some have made their Conjecture, that there have been besides those now living▪ Twenty Thousand Millions of men in the world since the Creation. But of all those Thousands of Millions, there is not one of them to be seen upon the face of the Earth. And how many Millions are there now living? Some late Writers have made their Conjectures about that also. The Learned V•ssius supposeth Two Hundred Millions▪ Another Three Hundred & Twenty Millions. Another, that there are Nine Hundred and Sixty Millions o• men in the world. How many there are is known to God, and to no man; but be their Number more or less they will all be gone in a very little time. Hence Jo• speaking of the Grave ⟨p. 135⟩says, Innumerable are gone before, and •very man is following, Job 21.32. A Famous Emperor having a mighty Army▪ consisting of Seventeen Hun•red Thousand Soldiers, he ascended […] Hill to view them, and when he •pok'd on them he fell a weeping▪ because (said he) in less than an Hun•red Years every one of ••ese men •ill be Dead. So that the Experience of all Ages convinces men that •hey are but Sojourners on th• Earthpunc; Yea, and Experience teaches us, that Gods Servants are but Sojourners here. •hey as soon go out of the world as •ther men; Psal. 49.10 Wise men Dye as well as the Fool and Brutish person. Not only Brutish persons, that live as •f they had▪ no immortal Souls; that •ive as if there were no world bu• this▪•ut Godly Wise men are subject by Death, to be removed ou• of this world as well as others: Your Fathers •here are they? And the Prophets▪ d••hey Live for Ever? The Prophets, the servants of God do they live •or ever? No, on this Earth they are sojourners ▪⟨p. 136⟩and quickly remove. Men can not possibly preserve either their own life, or of those that are dear unto them, when once their appointed time is come. He can't by any means Redeem his Brother, that he should live for ever, and not see Corruption. A man has not power in the day of Death, he can't retain his Spirit; he can't keep his immortal Soul in his Body any longer when once Arrested by Death.
2. The Experience of all Ages d•es Confirm the Truth before us. One Generation goeth, and another comes; but there is no man does live thro'out all Generations. How many have there been in the world that are dead and gone out of it? Some have made their Conj•cture, that there have been besides those now living▪ Twenty Thousand Millions of men in the world since the Creation. But of all those Thousands of Millions, there is not one of them to be seen upon the face of the Earth. And how many Millions are there now living? Some late Writers have made their Conjectures about th•t also. The Learned V•ssius supposeth Two Hund•ed Millions▪ Another Three Hundred & Twenty Millions. Another, that there are Nine Hundred and Sixty Millions o• men in the world. How many there are is known to God, and to no man; but be their Number more or less they will all be gone in a very little time. Hence Io• speaking of the Grave ⟨p. 135⟩sayes, Innumerable are gone before, and •very man is following, Iob 21.32. A Famous Emperor having a mighty Army▪ consisting of Seventeen Hun•red Thousand Souldiers, he ascended 〈…〉 Hill to view them, and when he •pok'd on them he fell a weeping▪ be•ause (said he) in less than an Hun•red Years every one of ••ese men •ill be Dead. So that the Experi•nce of all Ages convinces men that •hey are but Sojourners on th• Earthpunc; Yea, and Experience teaches us, that Gods Servants are but Sojour••rs here. hey as soon go out of the world as ther men;
3. The Scriptures do abundantly Testify concerning the Brevity of Life. Considering that common Experience may convince men, one would be apt to think there should be no need of the Scriptures saying any thing about it▪ Aye, but Sinners are exceeding apt to Dream of a long time in this world, especially if they live at Hearts case▪ and have the world about them▪Amos 6.3. Th•y put far away the Evi• Day, and drink Wine in Bowls. The day of Death will be an Evil day to Sinners that shall be found without an• Interest in Christ: But they put far ⟨p. 137⟩•way this Evil Day. As the Rich •ool said, Soul be merry, thou hast Goods […] up for many Years. I shall live a •ong life and a merry, thought he! Now because men are so apt to be ••cure, & to build their Nests here, as •ho' they should never be removed out •f this world, the Scripture therefore often puts them in mind of their •wn Frailty, and that they must soon […] gone; 1 Cor. 7.29. This I say, brethren, the Time is short. The time •f your being here on Earth is but ••ort. And thence the Time here is ••ckoned by that of Days, Psal. 90.•2. Teach us to Number our Days. •he longest liver in the world does •ot live so long, but it is an easy matter to number all his Days; to tell •ow many Days his Life has been. •he Scripture Illustrates this by Comparisons. Hence David says, Psal. •9 5. that his Days are but an Hands-breadth. My Life (says he) is bu•• Span long. The life of man is com••red to a vanishing Vapour: Jam. • 14. What is your Life? It is even a ⟨p. 138⟩Vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Therefore men are compa•ed to Flowers, yea, to the Flower of the Field, Psal. 103▪15▪ A Flower is soon nipped and bl•sted an• the Flowers in the Field are more exposed to blasting than the Flowers in the Garden. The Life of man is said to Flee away, Job 14.1, 2. Man that is Born of woman is of few Days, •e comes forth as a Flower, and is cut down▪ he fleeth also as a Shadow, and continues not. The Sojourners on the Earth are posting, yea flying out of it; Job 9.25, 26. My Days (says he) are swifter than a Post, or a Ship under Sail, or an Eagle hasting to the Prey. A man that goes Post quickly comes to his Journey's end. Ships at Sea, if they have a fair wind, and Sail Day and Night, quickly comes to the desired Haven.
3. The Scriptures do abundantly Testify concerning the Brevity of Life. Considering that common Experience may convince men, one would be apt to think there should be no need of the Scriptures saying any thing about it▪ Aye, but Sinners are exceeding apt to Dream of a long time in this world, especially if they live at Hearts case▪ and have the world about them▪Amos 6.3. Th•y put far away the Evi• Day, and drink Wine in Bowls. The day of Death will be an Evil day to Sinners that shall be found without an• Interest in Christ: But they put far ⟨p. 137⟩•way this Evil Day. As the Rich •ool said, Soul be merry, thou hast Goods 〈…〉 up for many Years. I shall live a •ong life and a merry, thought he! Now because men are so apt to be ••cure, & to build their Nests here, as •ho' they should never be removed out •f this world, the Scripture there•ore often puts them in mind of their •wn Frailty, and that they must soon 〈…〉 gone; 1 Cor. 7.29. This I say, •rethren, the Time is short. The time •f your being here on Earth is but ••ort. And thence the Time here is ••ckoned by that of Dayes, Psal. 90.•2. Teach us to Number our Dayes. •he longest liver in the world does •ot live so long, but it is an easy mat•er to number all his Dayes; to tell ow many Dayes his Life has been. he Scripture Illustrates this by Comrisons. Hence David sayes, Psal. 9 5. that his Dayes are but an Hands-eadth. My Life (sayes he) is bu Span long. The life of man is comred to a vanishing Vapour: Jam. 14. What is your Life? It is even a
But then a Bir•••yes swifter than a Ship can Sail, or […] Post can run or ride; and the Eagle is the swiftest of all Birds, and whe•• hastening to the Prey flies more swiftly than ordinary. These Scriptur•⟨p. 139⟩similitudes are used to set forth the shortness of mans time on Earth. And Job has another Comparison, Job 7.6. My Days (says he) are swifter than Weavers Shuttle. The Weavers Shuttle ••ies from one end of the Web to the •ther in a moment of time▪ This is spoken to show how men are hastening out of the world; that they are Sojourners on the Earth, that their Days •re as a Shadow, and that there is none abiding.
But then a Bir•••yes swifter than a Ship can Sail, or 〈…〉 Post can run or ride; and the Eagl• is the swiftest of all Birds, and whe•• hastening to the Prey flies more swiftly than ordinary. These Scriptur•⟨p. 139⟩•imilitudes are used to set forth the •hortness of mans time on Earth. And Iob has another Comparison, Job 7.6. My Dayes (sayes he) are swifter than Weavers Shuttle. The Weavers Shuttle ••ies from one end of the Web to the •ther in a moment of time▪ This is spoken to shew how men are hastening out of the world; that they are Soj•urners on the Earth, that their Dayes •re as a Shadow, and that there is none abiding.
The Servants of God are very Sensible of this. They are sensible that […] is not their Home: That there •s another Country, and indeed another World that they are hastening •nto▪ They Esteem Heaven and not […] as their Country. And therefore they do on all occasions make a •ree open Confession of it. They are •ot (as they have no cause to be) •shamed of their Country. It is said of the Patriarchs, that they Confessed they were Strangers & Pilgrims on the Earth, Heb. 11▪13. Abraham made that Confession ⟨p. 140⟩before the Children of Heat, Gen· 23.4. And Jacob made that Confession before King Pharaoh and all his Courtiers, Gen. 47 9 The Years of my Pilgrimage: I have not attained to the Years of my Fathers in their Pilgrimage. I (says he) and my Fathers before me, Abraham and Isaac were Pilgrims here on the Earth, confessing their being bound for another Country. And David did often make this Confession: Not only in the Scripture now under our Consideration; but in Psal. 39 12. I am a Stranger and a Sojourner, as all my Fathers were▪ And, Psal. 119 64. Thy Statutes have been my Song in the House of my Pilgrimage. He did not look on this world as his Home, but only as the House of his Pilgrimage. And therefore the Servants of God are very sensible that they have but a little Time to be in this world. Thus Job, Job 16. ult. When a few Years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return. And as Age comes upon them, the sense of this does and may well increase ⟨p. 141⟩in them. Therefore Old Bar••llai said, 2 Sam. 19.34. How long […] I to Live? That is to say, I have […] long to live: I have but a very ••ttle Time more to be here in the world The like we see in Isaac, Gen. •• 2. I am Old, and know not the day of […] Death. He did not know but that •e might Dye before another Day, […] therefore would dispatch a matter […] was of great moment that very […]. It is true, that Isaac lived Forty Three Years after that, nevertheless •hen he considered his Old age, he […] not expect to have lived so long. •nd we find that David Prayed that […] might have more of the sense of […] upon his own heart, Psal. 39.4. Make me to know mine End, and the •easure of my Days, and how frail I am. […] is Faith in the Servants of God, that […] them to have a sense hereof. […] is said of Abraham, Heb. 11.9. That […] Faith he Sojourned in the Land, as in […] Strange Country.
The Servants of God are very Sen••ble of this. They are sensible that 〈…〉 is not their Home: That there •s another Countrey, and indeed another World that they are hastening •nto▪ They Esteem Heaven and not 〈…〉 as their Countrey. And therefore they do on all occasions make a •ree open Confession of it. They are •ot (as they have no cause to be) •shamed of their Countrey. It is said of the Patriarks, that they Confessed they were Strangers & Pilgrims on the Earth, Heb. 11▪13. Abraham made that Confession ⟨p. 140⟩before the Children of Het•, Gen· 23.4. And Iacob made that Confession before King Pharoah and all his Courtiers, Gen. 47 9 The Years of my Pilgrimage: I have not attained to the Years of my Fathers in their Pilgrimage. I (sayes he) and my Fathers before me, Abraham and Isaac were Pilgrims here on the Earth, confessing their being bound for another Countrey. And David did often make this Confession: Not only in the Scripture now under our Consideration; but in Psal. 39 12. I am a Stranger and a Sojourner, as all my Fathers were▪ And, Psal. 119 64. Thy Statutes have been my Song in the House of my Pilgrimage. He did not look on this world as his Home, but only as the House of his Pilgrimage. And therefore the Servants of God are very sensible that they have but a little Time to be in this world. Thus Iob, Job 16. ult. When a few Years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return. And as Age comes upon them, the sense of this does and may well increase ⟨p. 141⟩in them. Therefore Old Bar••llai said,
It was his Faith […] made him sensible of his being […] a Sojourner in the world as he ⟨p. 142⟩was. Faith in Gods Children hath • Three-fold Good Effect upon them.
It was his Faith 〈…〉 made him sensible of his being 〈…〉 a Sojourner in the world as he ⟨p. 142⟩was. Faith in Gods Children hath • Three-fold Good Effect upon them.
1. It makes them see the Reality an• Excellency of things that are Invisible▪ One has well observed that Earthly minded men are apt to believe nothing but what they see with their Bodily Eyes, and that what is spoken concerning an Invisible World, is […] and not Reality. But to Faith Invis• ble things are as real as those that are Visible▪Heb. 11.1. Faith is […] Substance of things hoped for, and […] Evidence of things not seen. Things belonging to the Invisible world▪ things that are of an Heavenly Nature, & that are not seen with Bodily Eyes, Faith gives a Substance to them: It makes them Real. The Eye of Faith sees that which the Natural Eye cannot see. Moses by Faith saw Him that is Invisible. That Heavenly World which is the Country the Children of God do belong unto it can't be seen by men here on the Earth. It is a far Country, and the sight of a Mortal Eye cannot reach so ⟨p. 143⟩[…]; but then it is seen with an Eye •f Faith, so as that the Believer does •o more doubt that there is an Hea•en, than that there is an Earth which […] Eyes behold, and his Feet tread upon every Day; Heb▪ 11.3. By Faith […] understand that the Worlds were •amed. The Worlds in the Plural •u•ber; not only the Terrestrial world, but the Celestial Wo•ld that out of sight, by Faith we know […] there is such a World, and that is a Glorious World: Eph. 1▪18. Ha••ng your Understandings Enlightened, […] you may know the Riches of the […], &c. It is by Faith that the •ind of the Believer is Enlightened to […] the Riches of the Glory of the heavenly World. Yea, that it is so glorious as is inexpressible & uncon••veable by mortal men; 1 Cor. 2.•▪ Eye hath not seen, Ear hath not heard; […] hath it entered into the Heart of […], the things which God hath prepared […] them that Love Him. The world-minded man says, 'tis good to be the Earth still; he would be always ⟨p. 144⟩abiding here. But the Believer says of Heaven, as Peter said of being in the Holy Mount, when he was with Christ there, & with Glorified Saints, Mat 17▪4 It is g•od to be he•e. So says the Believer concerning Heaven, It is […] to be there. The Apostle thought that to be with Christ is m•ch be•ter tha• to be in t•is World. And the Psalm••t said, O•e Day in t•y Courts is better t•an a […] el•e-w•ere. So says […] Believer, his F•ith makes him t• […] and say, One Day in Heaven is b••ter th•n never so many here on Earth.
1. It makes them see the Reality an• Excellency of things that are Invisible▪ One has well observed that Earthly minded men are apt to believe nothing but what they see with their Bodily Eyes, and that what is spoken concerning an Invisible World, is 〈…〉 and not Reality. But to Faith Invis• ble things are as real as those that are Visible▪Heb. 11.1. Faith is 〈…〉 Substance of things hoped for, and 〈…〉 Evidence of things not seen. Things belonging to the Invisible world▪ things that are of an Heavenly Nature, & that are not seen with Bodily Eyes, Faith gives a Substance to them: It makes them Real. The Eye of Faith sees that which the Na••ral Eye cannot see. Moses by Fait• saw Him that is Invisible. That Heavenly World which is the Countrey the Children of God do b•long unto it can't be seen by men here on the Earth. It is a far Countrey, and the sight of a Mortal Eye cannot reach so ⟨p. 143⟩〈…〉; but then it is seen with an Eye •f Faith, so as that the Believer does •o more doubt that there is an Hea•en, than that there is an Earth which 〈…〉 Eyes behold, and his Feet tread •pon every Day; Heb▪ 11.3. By Faith 〈…〉 understand that the Worlds were •amed. The Worlds in the Plural •u•ber; not only the Terrestial •orld, but the Caelestial Wo•ld that out of sight, by Faith we know 〈…〉 there is such a World, and that is a Glorious World:
2 •aith make• the Believer see & b• sensible of the Va•it• of al• th•ngs here below: T•at they […]; Psa•▪ 39 6. E•e•y man at hi• best […] is altogether V••ity; they walk in a vain […]: and they disquiet themselves i• Va•n. Vain Vain! (Says the Psalmist) yea Vanity i• self, and altogether so A•l the Pomp of this world is but an Empty show. Faith will m•ke […] thus t• trample upon all […] things as Vanity. […] ⟨p. 145⟩[…] the Church is represented, Rev. •.1▪ as having the […] under her […]. There is a Vanity in all Earth•• Enjoyments on a Double account: […] in that they cannot Satisfy. […] when they set themselves to seek ••ese things, what do they do? They […] for that which will not satisfy! •he Believer is sensible of it▪ he says, cannot find that here on Earth that know is in mine own Country: All ••ings here below they can't satisfy •y Soul: But by Faith I have seen […] in Heaven which will satisfy my […]. God is there, and Christ is •ere; and with His likeness I shall be •••isfied. And Faith will make a man […] that these things are Vain, because […] are Transitory: They soon come […] an End. They are like a shadow▪ that th•y soon vanish & disappear, […]. 119.96. I have seen an End of all ••fection: But thy Commandment is […] Broad▪ All Perfection, all the happiness that this world can afford▪ […] soon come to an end. I have […] (says D•vi• ) that the Pleasures, ⟨p. 146⟩Riches, Honours of this world have no perfect Happiness to be found in them▪ But the Commandment directs men in the way to Heaven, that great Commandment, Believe on Jesus Christ the Son of God, sets men into the only way to Heaven, where Perfect and Eternal Happiness is to be Enjoyed.
2 •aith make• the Believer see & b• sensible of the Va•it• of al• th•ngs here below: T•at they 〈…〉; Psa•▪ 39 6. E•e•y man at hi• best 〈…〉 is altogether V••ity; they walk in a vain 〈…〉: and they disquiet themselves i• Va•n. Vain Vain! (Sayes the Psalmist) yea Vanity i• self, and altogether so A•l the Pomp of this world is but an Empty show. Faith will m•ke 〈…〉 thus t• trample upon all 〈…〉 things as Vanity. 〈…〉⟨p. 145⟩〈…〉 the Church is re•r•sented, Rev. •.1▪ as having the 〈…〉 under her 〈…〉. There is a Vanity in all Earth•• Enjoyments on a Double account: 〈…〉 in that they cannot Satisfy. 〈…〉 when they set themselves to seek ••ese things, what do they do? They 〈…〉 for that which will not satisfy! he Believer is sensible of it he says, cannot find that here on Earth that know is in mine own Countrey: All ings here below they can't satisfy y Soul: But by Faith I have seen in Heaven which will satisfy my . God is there, and Christ is ere; and with His likeness I shall be isfied. And Faith will make a man that these things are Vain, because are Transitory: They soon come an End. They are like a shadow that thy soon vanish & disappear, . 119.96. I have seen an End of all fection: But thy Commandment is Broad All Perfection, all the ppiness that this world can afford soon come to an end. I have (sayes Dvi ) that the Pleasures,
3. Faith puts the Believer upon preparing for another and a better World. And that is a sure sign that he is sensible that he is a Stranger here: If he had not a sense of that, he would never prepare for another world so as he does: He would never make it his business to prepare for Heaven, if he did dream of a long abode here below. The Believer prepares for Heaven by Repenting of Sin, and by forsaking those things which render men that indulge themselves in them, altogether unfit for the Heavenly World: 1 Pet. 2.11. As Strangers and Pilgrims, abstain from Fleshly Lusts, which War against the Soul. You are Strangers & Pilgrims (says the Apostle) ⟨p. 147⟩•oing to another Country, therefore •ust abstain from those things that •ould hinder you in your way. So •oes the Believer, he orders his Conversation as one that thinks of and prepares for another world. They […] not by Sight, but by Faith ▪ 2 Cor. •▪7. They don't see by Bodily Eyes •hat is in the other World, but by •aith they see those Glorious things, •nd therefore they Walk and order •heir Conversation accordingly. The •eliever is careful in some measure to ••ve in Heaven, yea, to be daily Conversing with Heaven while on Earth: •hil. 3 20▪ Our Conversation is in Hea•en. If the Children of God had not • sense of their being Strangers and •ojourers on Earth, their Conversation would not be in Heaven.
3. Faith puts the Believer upon preparing for another and a better World. And that is a sure sign that he is sensible that he is a Stranger here: If he had not a sense of that, he would never prepare for another world so as he does: He would never make it his business to prepare for Heaven, if he did dream of a long abode here below. The Believer prepares for Heaven by Repenting of Sin, and by forsaking those things which render men that indulge themselves in them, altogether unfit for the Heavenly World: 1 Pet. 2.11. As Strangers and P••grims, abstain from Fleshly Lusts, which War against the Soul. You are Strangers & Pilgrims (sayes the Apostle) ⟨p. 147⟩•oing to another Countrey, therefore •ust abstain from those things that •ould hinder you in your way. So •oes the Believer, he orders his Con•ersation as one that thinks of and ••epares for another world. They 〈…〉 not by Sight, but by Faith ▪ 2 Cor. •▪7. They don't see by Bodily Eyes •hat is in the other World, but by •aith they see those Glorious things, •nd therefore they Walk and order •heir Conversation accordingly. The •eliever is careful in some measure to ••ve in Heaven, yea, to be daily Con•ersing with Heaven while on Earth: •hil. 3 20▪ Our Conversation is in Hea•en. If the Children of God had not • sense of their being Strangers and •ojourers on Earth, their Conversa•ion would not be in Heaven.
▪4. A Thou••nd Years is as One Day in the sight of 〈…〉. Yea, as a Watch of the Night. • Watch of the Night, it is but for ••ree or Four Hours; a Thousand •ears compared to Eternity are but as 〈…〉: yea, less than that. David ••erefore sayes concerning his own 〈…〉,
Wise men Dye as well as the Fool and Brutish person. Not only Brutish persons, that live as •f they had▪ no immortal Souls; that •ive as if there were no world bu• this▪•ut Godly Wise men are subject by Death, to be removed ou• of this world as well as others: Your Fathers •here are they? And the Prophets▪ d••hey Live for Ever? The Pro••ets, the •ervants of God do they live •or ever? No, on this Earth they are •ojourners ▪
⟨p. 136⟩
and quickly remove. Men can not possibly preserve either their own life, or of those that are dear unto them, when once their appointed time is come. He can't by any means Redeem his Brother, that he should live for ever, and not see Corruption. A man has not power in the day of Death, he can't retain his Spirit; he can't keep his immortal Soul in his Body any longer when once Arrested by Death.
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⟨p. 138⟩
Vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Therefore men are compa•ed to Flowers, yea, to the Flower of the Field, Psal. 103▪15▪ A Flower is soon nipt and bl•sted an• the Flowers in the Field are more exposed to blasting than the Flowers in the Garden. The Life of man is said to Flee away, Job 14.1, 2. Man that is Born of woman is of few Dayes, •e comes forth as a Flower, and is cut down▪ he fleeth also as a Shadow, and continues not. The Sojourners on the Earth are posting, yea flying out of it; Job 9.25, 26. My Dayes (sayes he) are swifter than a Post, or a Ship under Sail, or an Eagle hasting to the Prey. A man that goes Post quickly comes to his Journey's end. Ships at Sea, if they have a fair wind, and Sail Day and Night, quickly comes to the desired Haven.
. How long 〈…〉 I to Live? That is to say, I have 〈…〉 long to live: I have but a very ••ttle Time more to be here in the •orld The like we see in Isaac, Gen. •• 2. I am Old, and know not the day of 〈…〉 Death. He did not know but that •e might Dye before another Day, 〈…〉 therefore would dispatch a matter 〈…〉 was of great moment that very 〈…〉. It is true, that Isaac lived Forty Three Years after that, nevertheless •hen he considered his Old age, he 〈…〉 not expect to have lived so long. •nd we find that David Prayed that 〈…〉 might have more of the sense of 〈…〉 upon his own heart,
. Make me to know mine End, and the •easure of my Dayes, and how frail I am. 〈…〉 is Faith in the Servants of God, that 〈…〉 them to have a sense hereof. 〈…〉 is said of Abraham,
▪18. Ha••ng your Understandings Enlightned, 〈…〉 you may know the Riches of the 〈…〉, &c. It is by Faith that the •ind of the Believer is Enlightned to 〈…〉 the Riches of the Glory of the •eavenly World. Yea, that it is so •lorious as is inexpressible & uncon••veable by mortal men;
.•▪ Eye hath not seen, Ear hath not heard; 〈…〉 hath it entred into the Heart of 〈…〉, the things which God hath prepared 〈…〉 them that Love Him. The world-minded man sayes, 'tis good to be the Earth still; he would be always
⟨p. 144⟩
abiding here. But the Believer sayes of Heaven, as Peter said of being in the Holy Mount, when he was with Christ there, & with Glorified Saints, Mat 17▪4 It is g•od to be he•e. So sayes the B•li•ver concerning Heaven, It is 〈…〉 to be there. The Apostle thought that to be with Christ is m•ch be•ter tha• to be in t•is World. And the Psalm••t said, O•e Day in t•y C•urts is better t•an a 〈…〉 el•e-w•ere. So sayes 〈…〉 B•liever, his F•ith makes him t•〈…〉 and say, One Day in Heav•n is b••ter th•n never so many here on E•rth.
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Riches, Honours of this world have no perfect Happiness to be found in them▪ But the Commandment directs men in the way to Heaven, that great Commandment, Believe on Iesus Christ the Son of God, sets men into the only way to Heaven, where Perfect and Eternal Happiness is to be Enjoyed.
