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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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⟩
. 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,
. 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,
. 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, 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 •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, Psal. 39.4. 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, Heb. 11.9. That 〈…〉 Faith he Sojourned in the Land, as in 〈…〉 Strange Countrey.
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.
Instruct. I. This should teach us Contentation, and to Moderate our •ff•ctions […] to all Earthly Enjoyments: Heb. 13.•▪ Let your Conversation be without ⟨p. 148⟩Covetousness, and be Content with such things as you have. The Consideration of the Vanity of the things here below, and that we are to be here bu• a little time, should make us Conten• if we have not much of this world. A Traveller if he has but enough to bea• his Charges till •e come home, that satisfies him. The Children of God are in a Journey to their own Country, and if they have but enough to support them until they come to their Journey's end, they should rest satisfied: And Food and Raiment is Enough. If they have that they ought to be Content. So says the Apostle, 1 Tim. 6.8 If we have Food and Raiment, let us therewith be Content. For we can carry nothing away with us. […] a man have never so much of this world, he can't carry one Penny, one Farthing with him into the othe• World. And if he could, it wou•d be •f no use to him there. As a Martyr said, I am going to a Country where Money bears no Mastery: To Heaven where Gold and Silver signifies nothing. ⟨p. 149⟩Are you the Children of God? Then what if you have but a little of this world, be not Discontented; •ou will have Riches enough when •ou get home to your own Country. There you will enjoy no less Riches •han that of a Kingdom▪ Jam 2.5. God has Chosen this Poor of the world, •ich in Faith, Heirs of a Kingdom. Then […] you have but little here below, what matters it; when you have a Kingdom reserved for you in the Country whither you are going. It was […] to the Sons of Jacob, Regard not •our Stuff, for the good of all the Land of Egypt is yours, Gen. 45 20. So may it •e said to Believers, regard not much •he things of this world, (which are •ut poor Stuff) be willing to leave •hem behind you; for all the Good of Heaven is yours. And if you abound […] Earthly Blessings, be moderate in •our Affections towards them: Psal. •2.10. If Riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Remember you are travellers! When Travellers pass through a Country, and see this and ⟨p. 150⟩that desirable thing, they set not their Hearts on them: (Especially if they have better in their own Country;) Because going away from them. So are m•n in this world going away from all their delightful Enjoyments. On the other hand;
Instruct. I. This should teach us Con••ntation, and to Moderate our •ff•ctions 〈…〉 to all Earthly Enjoyments: Heb. 13.•▪ Let your Conversation be without ⟨p. 148⟩Covetousness, and be Content with such things as you have. The Consideration of the Vanity of the things here below, and that we are to be here bu• a little time, should make us Conten• if we have not much of this world. A Traveller if he has but enough to bea• his Charges till •e come home, that satisfies him. The Children of God are in a Journey to their own Countrey, and if they have but enough to support them until they come to their Journey's end, they should rest satisfied: And Food and Raiment is Enough. If they have that they ought to be Content. So sayes the Apostle, 1 Tim. 6.8 If we have Food and Raiment, let us therewith be Content. For we can carry nothing away with us. 〈…〉 a man have never so much of this world, he can't carry one Penny, one Farthing with him into the othe• World. And if he could, it wou•d be •f no use to him there. As a Martyr said, I am going to a Countrey where Money bears no Mastery: To Heaven where Gold and Silver signifies nothing. ⟨p. 149⟩Are you the Children of God? Then what if you have but a little of this world, be not Discontented; •ou will have Riches enough when •ou get home to your own Countrey. There you will enjoy no less Riches •han that of a Kingdom▪ Jam 2.5. God has Chosen this Poor of the world, •ich in Faith, Heirs of a Kingdom. Then you have but little here below, what matters it; when you have a Kingom reserved for you in the Counrey whither you are going. It was to the Sons of Iacob, Regard not our Stuff, for the good of all the Land of gypt is yours,
[…] the Lords Servants meet with great Sorrow, they should moderate their Affections, because they are Sojourners and have no abiding here. Their Sorrows will all be over in a little time; Job 14.1. Man is of few Days and full of Trouble. This is some alleviation of the trouble▪ that the days are b•t few. It may be there is a• heavy Cross imposed on them; well but they have but a little way to carr• it. They will soon be at their Journey's end; and the consideration o• that should moderate their Griefs and keep them from Fainting: 2 Co• 4.16, 17. We faint not. Why? Ou• Light Affliction is but for a Moment and that makes it light. This is th• Use that the Apostle makes of men being but a little time here in th•⟨p. 151⟩world, 1 Cor. 7 29. The Time is short: Therefore they that Possess should be •s tho' they Possessed not; and Rejoice, & Weep as tho' they Rejoiced •ot, and Wept not. If you abound […] says he) with Outward Comforts, […] moderate your Affections; the •ime of your Enjoying them is short: And if you meet with great Afflictions, moderate your Sorrows; the time of •our bearing them is short.
〈…〉 the Lords Servants meet with grea• Sorrow, they should moderate their Affections, because they are Sojourners and have no abiding here. Their Sorrows will all be over in a little time; Job 14.1. Man is of few Dayes and full of Trouble. This is some alleviation of the trouble▪ that the days are b•t few. It may be there is a• heavy Cross imposed on them; well but they have but a little way to carr• it. They will soon be at their Jour•ney's end; and the consideration o• that should moderate their Griefs and keep them from Fainting: 2 Co• 4.16, 17. We faint not. Why? Ou• Light Affliction is but for a Momen• and that makes it light. This is th• Use that the Apostle makes of men being but a little time here in th•⟨p. 151⟩•orld, 1 Cor. 7 29. The Time is short: Therefore they that Possess should be •s tho' they Possessed not; and Re•oyce, & Weep as tho' they Rejoyced •ot, and Wept not. If you abound 〈…〉 sayes he) with Outward Comforts, 〈…〉 moderate your Affections; the •ime of your Enjoying them is short: And if you meet with great Afflictions, moderate your Sorrows; the time of •our bearing them is short.
Instruct. II. Hence they all whose Happiness is in Earthly Enjoyments are Miserable men. They whose Names are written on the Earth, and whose Portion is in things here below are Miserable men indeed; Psal. 17.14. The men of the world, whose Portion is in this Life. They whose Portion is in this life, suppose them to have never so great a Portion, if that be all, they are very miserable. As indeed for the most part it is so, that they who have much of this world given to them, that is their Portion; that is all the Good they must ever enjoy▪ therefore miserable are they. Christ says of ⟨p. 152⟩Ungodly Rich men, Woe to them, for they have received their Consolation, Luk. 6.24 All the Comfort, all the Happiness that ever they are like to see, they have received it. It is all in the vain things of this world; then they must needs be miserable: For these things can never make the possessor of them to be truly Happy. For a man may have them, and yet lose his Soul▪ and so be Eternally Miserable. Wha• if he should gain never so much when God takes away his Soul, what good will these things do him? Christ says, If a man should gain the whole World, and lose his Soul, what is he profited? A Religious man did once advise a very Rich man, to remember those words of Christ, and to meditate on them every Day, tho' it were but for a• Quarter of an Hour. Nay, these things will add to a mans misery, if he Dyes in his Sins at the last; he will be the more miserable, because of the Earthly Felicity that once he had. As it was said to Dives, Remember in thy Life-time thou hadst thy Good things. ⟨p. 153⟩That Remembrance made him the •ore miserable. There are some •hose Riches is Unrighteous Mammon: And if they have got their abundance •y any way of Unrighteousness, by •ying, Oppression, Cheating, Gaming, •r by any such Ungodly Practices, the remembrance of it in Hell will sting •hem, and aggravate their misery. •r if they have abused their Power •o Oppress the Poor, or their Riches •o nourish Pride and Voluptuousness, •hese Gifts of God will be brought as Witnesses against them, to aggravate •heir Condemnation at the Last Day. •ow terribly does the Apostle Thunder against Ungodly Rich men?
Instruct. II. Hence they all whose Hap•iness is in Earthly Enjoyments are Mi••rable men. They whose Names are written on the Earth, and whose Portion is in things here below are Miserable men indeed; Psal. 17.14. The men of the world, whose Portion is in this Life. They whose Portion is in this life, suppose them to have never so great a Portion, if that be all, they are very miserable. As indeed for the most part it is so, that they who have much of this world given to them, that is their Portion; that is all the Good they must ever enjoy▪ therefore miserable are they. Christ sayes of ⟨p. 152⟩Ungodly Rich men, Wo to them, for they have received their Consolation, Luk. 6.24 All the Comfort, all the Happiness that ever they are like to see, they have received it. It is all in the vain things of this world; then they must needs be miserable: For these things can never make the possess•r of them to be truly Happy. For a man may have them, and yet lose his Soul▪ and so be Eternally Miserable. Wha• if he should gain never so much when God takes away his Soul, what good will these things do him? Christ sayes, If a man should gain the whole World, and lose his Soul, what is he profited? A Religious man did once advise a very Rich man, to remember those words of Christ, and to meditate on them every Day, tho' it were but for a• Quarter of an Hour. Nay, these things will add to a mans misery, if he Dyes in his Sins at the last; he will be the more miserable, because of the Earthly Felicity that once he had. As it was said to Dives, Remember in thy Life-time thou hadst thy Good things. ⟨p. 153⟩That Remembrance made him the •ore miserable. There are some •hose Riches is Vnrighteous Mammon: And if they have got their abundance •y any way of Unrighteousness, by •ying, Oppression, Cheating, Gaming, •r by any such Ungodly Practices, the •emembrance of it in Hell will sting hem, and aggravate their misery. r if they have abused their Power o Oppress the Poor, or their Riches o nourish Pride and Voluptuousness, hese Gifts of God will be brought as Witnesses against them, to aggravate heir Codemnation at the Last Day. ow terribly does the Apostle Thuner against Ungodly Rich men?
He •ids them weep and howl because of •he misery coming on them▪ in that •hey had defrauded the Poor, kept •rom the Labourer his hire, and that Cried in the Ears of the Lord of Hosts against them, that they had laid •p a great deal of Gold and Silver▪ & •hat the Rust of that would witness against them; and that they had lived • pleasure and been wanton, he tells ⟨p. 154⟩then▪ they are like Brute beasts, fat•e• for the Day of Slaughter, Jam▪ 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
He •ids them weep and howl because of •he misery coming on them▪ in that •hey had defrauded the Poor, kept •rom the Labourer his hire, and that Cryed in the Ears of the Lord of Hosts against them, that they had laid •p a great deal of Gold and Silver▪ & •hat the Rust of that would witness •gainst them; and that they had lived • pleasure and been wanton, he tells ⟨p. 154⟩then▪ they are like Bruit beasts, fat•e• for the Day of Slaughter, Iam▪ 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Instruct. III. Here we see the Sin & F•l•y of those that demean themselves a• tho' they were not Sojourners on the Earth▪ As tho' they should continue in this world for ever: As indeed that is the inward wish and desi•• of the most of men. They can't say as Job did, Job 7.16. I would not live always. If God should say to them, You shall have your Choice, either to live for ever on this Earth, or to be with Me in Heaven, the greatest part of the Children of men would choose to be here always, rather than to go to the Heavenly world. They are not like the Holy Patriarchs, that tho' they lived in one of the best Lands in the world, yet they Desired the Heavenly Country▪Heb. 11.16. And if we may judge of the inward Thoughts of men by their actions▪ we must then Conclude, that they think they are not Sojourners on Earth, but tha• they shall abide here for ever: Psal. 49 11.13. Their ⟨p. 155⟩inward thought is, that their Dwellings shall continue to all Generations: •his their way is their Folly, yet their •bsterity after them approve of it. •herefore we see that men make very ••eat Provision for this world; and it •ay be little or none at all for another World. This their way is •heir Folly. If a man that is a Tenant […] another, and his Lease almost out, ••ould now go to Building, would •ot the world wonder at his Folly? •o is the Case here; Men are Tenants […] will, the world they live in is none […] their own: Yea, and their Lease is ••most out; What then need they •ake such ado to get so much of this world? Man, the Lease of thy Life is ••most out; why then dost thou set […] Heart on the World as if thou […] to be here for ever?
Instruct. III. Here we see the Sin & F•l•y of those that demean themsel•es a• tho' they were not Sojourners on the Earth▪ As tho' they should continue in this world for ever: As indeed that is the inward wish and desi•• of the most of men. They can't say as Iob did, Job 7.16. I would not live alwayes. If God should say to them, You shall have your Choice, either to live for ever on this Earth, or to be with Me in Heaven, the greatest part of the Children of men would choose to be here alwayes, rather than to go to the Heavenly world. They are not like the Holy Patriarks, that tho' they lived in one of the best Lands in the world, yet they Desired the Heavenly Countrey▪Heb. 11.16. And if we may judge of the inward Thoughts of men by their actions▪ we must then Conclude, that they think they are not Sojourners on Earth, but tha• they shall abide here for ever: Psal. 49 11.13. Their ⟨p. 155⟩inward thought is, that their Dwell••gs shall continue to all Generations: •his their way is their Folly, yet their •bsterity after them approve of it. •herefore we see that men make very ••eat Provision for this world; and it •ay be little or none at all for ano••er World. This their way is •heir Folly. If a man that is a Tenant 〈…〉 another, and his Lease almost out, ••ould now go to Building, would •ot the world wonder at his Folly? •o is the Case here; Men are Tenants will, the world they live in is none their own: Yea, and their Lease is most out; What then need they ake such ado to get so much of this orld? Man, the Lease of thy Life is most out; why then dost thou set Heart on the World as if thou to be here for ever?
Instruct. IV. If men are to be but a […] while in this World, if they are but sojourners here, then they ought to be •ery careful not to misspend their little •ime, but to improve it well. If a man •as a Commodity of great Worth & ⟨p. 156⟩Value, and but a little of it, he will be careful not to squander it away. Verily Time is such a Commodity: Time is more precious than Gold▪ If a man had all the Gold on Earth, […] could not purchase one Day, one Hour of Time with […] all. And men have but a little of this Precious Commodity: Then had they not need to beware that they squander none of it away. It is a sad thing to hear some men speak as if Time lay on their hands. They will say, we went into such an House, or into such Company to Pass away the Time. Alas for you! Go to pass away the Time▪ The Time will pass away fast enough whether you will or no. Time is going and flying when men are doing nothing: Time is going when men are sleeping: Time is going, and will soon be at an End. Men should be careful so to improve their Time, as to be able to give account of it to that God who gave it them; 1 Pet. 1.17. God will Judge men according to their works, without ⟨p. 157⟩respect of Persons, Pass the time of •ur Sojourning here in Fear. You are •o Sojourn here but a little while; •herefore pass your Time so as you •ay be able to give a good account •o God the Judge of all. Think often with thy self, Why did God send •e into the world? And why has He continued me therein? Has not the •ord allowed me so much time that I •ight Repent of Sin, and be prepared […] another World before it is too […]? The Lord said of Jezebel ▪ Rev. •▪21. I gave her space to Repent, and […] Repented not. God has given thee space for that End, that so thou •ayest Repent before Death puts an […] to thy Time. And Time is given […] that so they may Serve and Glorify God, and do good to men while •ere on Earth: Which after their •ime is ended they can't do as now […] may; Isa. 38.19 They that go •wn to the Pit cannot Praise thee; but […] Living, the Living shall Praise thee. […] a man has a great work on his hands […] but a few Hours in a short winters ⟨p. 158⟩Day to dispatch that work in, it makes him bestir himself. You have but a short winters Day to be here on Earth, and that Day is far spent. Then are you not concerned to improve your Time with all possible diligence?
Instruct. IV. If men are to be but a 〈…〉 while in this World, if they are but •ojourners here, then they ought to be •ery ca••ful not to mispend their little •ime, but to improve it well. If a man •as a Commodity of great Worth & ⟨p. 156⟩Value, and but a little of it, he will be careful not to squander it away. Verily Time is such a Commodity: Time is more precious than Gold▪ If a man had all the Gold on Earth, 〈…〉 could not purchase one Day, one Hour of Time with 〈…〉 all. And men have but a little of this Precious Commodity: Then had they not need to beware that they squander none of it away. It is a sad thing to hear some men speak as if Time lay on their hands. They will say, we went into such an House, or into such Company to Pass away the Time. Alas for you! Go to pass away the Time▪ The Time will pass away fast enough whether you will or no. Time is going and flying when men are doing nothing: Time is going when men are sleeping: Time is going, and will soon be at an End. Men should be careful so to improve their Time, as to be able to give account of it to that God who gave it them; 1 Pet. 1.17. God will Judge men according to their works, without ⟨p. 157⟩respect of Persons, Pass the time of •ur Sojourning here in Fear. You are •o Sojourn here but a little while; •herefore pass your Time so as you •ay be able to give a good account •o God the Judge of all. Think often with thy self, Why did God send •e into the world? And why has He •ontinued me therein? Has not the •ord allowed me so much time that I •ight Repent of Sin, and be prepared another World before it is too ? The Lord said of Iezabel Rev. 21. I gave her space to Repent, and Repented not. God has given thee space for that End, that so thou ayest Repent before Death puts an to thy Time. And Time is given that so they may Serve and Glofy God, and do good to men while ere on Earth: Which after their ime is ended they can't do as now may;
Therefore remember those words of Christ, Joh 9.4. I must work while it is Day, for the Night comes in which no man can work. The Day of Life will soon be gone, and the Night of Death will soon be here. Therefore improve your Time with utmost Care and Diligence. Remember also those words of Christ, in Joh. 12 35. Walk while you have the Light, yet a little while and you have the Light; therefore walk lest Darkness come on you. The Light of Life is but for a little while, and the Darkness of Death will come. You will be in the Dark Grave quickly: You will be in the Land of Darkness, where the Light it self is Darkness. If a man live an Hundred Years, yet let him Remember the Days of Darkness, for they are many. Yea, let him so remember them ⟨p. 159⟩•s to improve his Time, in preparing •or, & making sure of a better World. And the rather because a mans time may Suddenly be brought to a Period, •e knows not how soon. When the Morning comes, he knows not but that before Night his Time may be •rought to an End. Have we not lately seen awful Instances of it, in •oth Old and Young? A man knows •ot when he comes to hear a Sermon, •ut that he may be Dead before the sermon is Ended Very lately in a Town not far off, one came on the Lords Day well into the Meeting-House, and was carried out Dead. He was an Aged man. But let Young Men Hear the Word of the Lord. They are apt to think, We have time before us, there is no fear that we •hall Dye. Nay, but thou mayest Dye before many Old enough to be •hy Grand-father. Have you not seen •t? Was there not Two Days since, •n this Neighbourhood a Young Man who went well to Bed, and was found Dead in the Morning▪ This Providence ⟨p. 160⟩is a Sermon to Young Persons, calling them to Redeem their Time, to make sure of an Interest in Christ, and so Prepare for Death. Oh! that God would awaken Young People among us, and make them wise to consider their latter End, and to consider that their Time may be at an end before they are aware; it may be before another Week, or another Day.
Therefore remember those words of Christ, Joh 9.4. I must work while it is Day, for the Night comes in which no man can work. The Day of Life will soon be gone, and the Night of Death will soon be here. Therefore improve your Time with utmost Care and Diligence. Remember also those words of Christ, in Joh. 12 35. Walk while you have the Light, yet a little while and you have the Light; therefore walk lest Darkness come on you. The Light of Life is but for a little while, and the Darkness of Death will come. You will be in the Dark Grave quickly: You will be in the Land of Darkness, where the Light it self is Darkness. If a man live an Hundred Years, yet let him Remember the Dayes of Darkness, for they are many. Yea, let him so remember them ⟨p. 159⟩•s to improve his Time, in preparing •or, & making sure of a better World. And the rather because a mans time may Suddenly be brought to a Period, •e knows not how soon. When the Morning comes, he knows not but that before Night his Time may be •rought to an End. Have we not •ately seen awful Instances of it, in •oth Old and Young? A man knows •ot when he comes to hear a Sermon, •ut that he may be Dead before the •ermon is Ended Very lately in a Town not far off, one came on the Lords Day well into the Meeting-House, and was carried out Dead. He was an Aged man. But let Young Men Hear the Word of the Lord. They are apt to think, We have time before us, there is no fear that we •hall Dye. Nay, but thou mayest Dye before many Old enough to be •hy Grand-father. Have you not seen •t? Was there not Two Dayes since, •n this Neighbourhood a Young Man who went well to Bed, and was found Dead in the Morning▪ This Providence ⟨p. 160⟩is a Sermon to Young Persons, calling them to Redeem their Time, to make sure of an Interest in Christ, and so Prepare for Death. Oh! that God would awaken Young People among us, and make them wise to consider their latter End, and to consider that their Time may be at an end before they are aware; it may be before another Week, or another Day.
Instruct. V. If men have but a little Time to be here in the world, then they should be thinking of that World where they must abide for Ever. They should be thinking of going Home: Here is not their Home. No man is not at the Home where he must dwell Everlastingly, while he is in this world. Every man in the world is going home, and to a Long Home; Eccl. 12.5. Man goes to his Long Home. The Grave is a long home. Some have been Lodged there this Five Thousand Years and more. And then the Invisible World which men are going into, is an infinitely longer Home than the Grave. They must rise out of ⟨p. 161⟩the Grave; but they are going to a World where they must continue to Eternity. All men are going to their Long Everlasting Home; tho' not to •he same Home: For they are not all going in the same way. Some are going in a narrow clean Way; others in a broad and foul Way. Some are going up hill, they that are going to Heaven do so. But they that are going to Hell, are going down hill: Like the Gadarene Swine when the Devil was in them, they went down a steep place and perished. So they that go on in their Sins, are going down •ill they perish in the Deep. Nevertheless, all are going to another world, to an Eternal World; to a World that is not seen and is Eternal. It must needs be so, because the Souls of men are Immortal, and therefore must •bide for Ever in some world or other. They have Never Dying Souls, and because their Souls are Immortal they must be for ever either in a Happy, or in a Woeful Wo•l•. As •or men that are in a state of Sin, and ⟨p. 162⟩Dye in that Estate, when once their Souls are out of the Prison of their Bodies, what Prison are they in? It is said of the Souls of men who were Drowned and Damned Thousands of Years ago, that they are in Prison, 1 Pet. 3.19 The Sinners who lived in the Old world before the Flood, their Spirits are in Prison, they are in a Dungeon. When wicked men dye, their Immortal Spirits go into a dismal and an Eternal Dungeon; Jude 13. ver. For them is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever. How long must they be in that dark dismal World? It is said of Hell, There the Worm dies not, there the Fire never shall be quenched. As for the Servants of God when they Dye, they go to a blessed World, they go to Heaven: there is our House, there is our Home where we must be to all Eternity; 2 Cor. 5.1.
Instruct. V. If men have but a little Time to be here in the world, then they should be thinking of that World where they must abide for Ever. They should be thinking of going Home: Here is not their Home. No man is not at the Home where he must dwell Everlastingly, while he is in this world. Every man in the world is going home, and to a Long Home; Eccl. 12.5. Man goes to his Long Home. The Grave is a long home. Some have been Lodged there this Five Thousand Years and more. And then the Invisible World which men are going into, is an infinitely longer Home than the Grave. They must rise out of ⟨p. 161⟩the Grave; but they are going to a World where they must continue to Eternity. All men are going to their Long Everlasting Home; tho' not to •he same Home: For they are not all going in the same way. Some are going in a narrow clean Way; others in a broad and foule Way. Some are going up hill, they that are going to Heaven do so. But they that are going to Hell, are going down hill: Like the Gada•ene Swine when the Devil was in them, they went down a •teep place and perished. So they that go on in their Sins, are going down •ill they perish in the Deep. Nevertheless, all are going to another world, to an Eternal World; to a World that is not seen and is Eternal. It must needs be so, because the Souls of men are Immortal, and therefore must •bide for Ever in some world or other. They have Never Dying Souls, and because their Souls are Immortal they must be for ever either in a Happy, or in a Woful Wo•l•. As •or men that are in a state of Sin, and ⟨p. 162⟩Dye in that Estate, when once their Souls are out of the Prison of their Bodies, what Prison are they in? It is said of the Souls of men who were Drown'd and Damn'd Thousands of Years ago, that they are in Prison, 1 Pet. 3.19 The Sinners who lived in the Old world before the Flood, their Spirits are in Prison, they are in a Dungeon. When wicked men dye, their Immortal Spirits go into a dismal and an Eternal Dungeon; Jude 13
We have an House Eternal in the Heavens. If Death find us believing in Christ, and serving God, we shall go to a City which has Foundations. All the Cities on the Earth shall perish, ⟨p. 163⟩but the Heavenly Jerusalem is a City, that shall abide for ever. Therefore should the Children of God be often thinking of it. As the Prophet said to the Lords People, Jer. 51.50. Let Jerusalem come into your minds. So should the Heavenly Jerusalem come into our minds. Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! should come into our minds every Day, and often in a Day.
We have an House Eternal in the Heavens. If Death find us believing in Christ, and serving God, we shall go to a City which has Foundations. All the Cities on the Earth shall perish, ⟨p. 163⟩but the Heavenly Jerusalem is a City, that shall abide for ever. Therefore should the Children of God be often thinking of it. As the Prophet said to the Lords People, Jer. 51.50. Let Ierusalem come into your minds. So should the Heavenly Jerusalem come into our minds. Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! should come into our minds every Day, and often in a Day.
Increase Mather
1639–1723
PuritansNew England
Minister of the Second Church in Boston and President of Harvard College.
▪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.
. So may it •e said to Believers, regard not much •he things of this world, (which are •ut poor Stuff) be willing to leave •hem behind you; for all the Good of Heaven is yours. And if you abound 〈…〉 Earthly Blessings, be moderate in •our Affections towards them: Psal. •2.10. If Riches increase, set not your •eart upon them. Remember you are •ravellers! When Travellers pass •hrough a Countrey, and see this and
⟨p. 150⟩
that desirable thing, they set not their Hearts on them: (Especially if they have better in their own Countrey;) Because going away from them. So are m•n in this world going away from all their delightful Enjoyments. On the other hand;
They that go •wn to the Pit cannot Praise thee; but 〈…〉 Living, the Living shall Praise thee. 〈…〉 a man has a great work on his hands 〈…〉 but a few Hours in a short winters
⟨p. 158⟩
Day to dispatch that work in, it makes him bestir himself. You have but a short winters Day to be here on Earth, and that Day is far spent. Then are you not concerned to improve your Time with all possible diligence?
. ver. For them is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever. How long must they be in that dark dismal World? It is said of Hell, There the Worm dies not, there the Fire never shall be quenched. As for the Servants of God when they Dye, they go to a blessed World, they go to Heaven: there is our House, there is our Home where we must be to all Eternity;
