Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Although this doctrine be confirmed by the experience of all former generations, ever since Abel entered into the house appointed for all living: and though the living know that they shall die; yet it is needful to discourse of the certainty of death, that it may be impressed on the mind, and duly considered.

Wherefore consider first. There is an unalterable statute of death, under which men are concluded. It is appointed unto men once to die, Heb. ix. 27. It is laid up for them, as parents lay up for their children: they may look for it, and cannot miss it; seeing God has designed and reserved it for them. There is no peradventure in it; we must needs die, 2 Sam. xiv. 14. Though some men will not hear of death, yet every man must see death, Psal. lxxxix. 48. Death is a champion all must grapple with: we must enter the lists with it, and it will have the mastery, Eccles. viii. 8. There is no man that hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of wrath. They indeed who are found alive at Christ's coming, shall all be changed, 1 Cor. xv. 51. But that change will be equivalent to death, will answer the purposes of it. All other persons must go. the common road, the way of all flesh. Secondly, Let us consult daily observation. Every man seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and brutish person, Psal. xlix. 10. There is room enough, on this earth, for us; notwithstanding of the multitudes that were upon it before us; they are gone to make room for us; as we must depa• to leave room for others. It is long since death began to transport men into another world, and vast shoals and multitudes are gone thither already: yet the trade is going on stll; death is carrying off new inhabitants, daily, to the house appointed for all living. Who could ever bear the grave say, It is enough? Long has it been getting, but still it asketh. This world is like a great fair or market, where same are coming in, others going out: while the assembly that is in it is confused, and the more part know not wherefore they are come together; or like a town situate on the road, to a great city ro' which some travellers are past, some are passing, while others are only coming in,