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

Quest. "But may not a wicked man be willing to die? Ans. He may indeed be willing to die; but (observe) it is only in one of three cases. (1.) In a fit of passion, by reason of some trouble that he is impatient to be rid of. Thus many persons, when their passion has got the better of their reason, and when, on that account, they are most unfit to die, will be ready to cry, O to be gone! but should their desire be granted, and death come at their call, they ⟨p. 229⟩would quickly show they were not in earnest; and that if they go, they must be driven away against their wills. (2) When they are brim-full of despair, they may be willing to die. Thus Saul murdered himself: and Spira wished to be in hell, that he might know the uttermost of what he believed he was to suffer. In this manner men may seek after death, while it flies from them. But fearful is the violence these do undergo, whom the terrors of God do thus drive. (3.) When they are dreaming of happiness after death. Foolish virgins, under the power of delusion, as to their state, may be willing to die, having no fear of lying down in sorrow. How many are there, who can give no scripture ground for their hope, who yet have no bands in their death! Many are driven to darkness sleeping; they go off like lambs, who would roar like lions, did they but know what place they are going to: though the chariot, in which they are, drive furiously to the depths of hell; yet they fear not, because they are fast asleep.

Quest. "But may not a wicked man be willing to die? Ans. He may indeed be willing to die; but (observe) it is only in one of three cases. (1.) In a fit of passion, by reason of some trouble that he is impatient to be rid of. Thus many persons, when their passion has got the better of their reason, and when, on that account, they are most unfit to die, will be ready to cry, O to be gone! but should their desire be granted, and death come at their call, they ⟨p. 229⟩would quickly shew they were not in earnest; and that if they go, they must be driven away against their wills. (2) When they are brim-full of despair, they may be willing to die. Thus Saul murdered himself: and Spira wished to be in hell, that he might know the uttermost of what he believed he was to suffer. In this manner men may seek after death, while it flies from them. But fearful is the violence these do undergo, whom the terrors of God do thus drive. (3.) When they are dreaming of happiness after death. Foolish virgins, under the power of delusion, as to their state, may be willing to die, having no fear of lying down in sorrow. How many are there, who can give no scripture ground for their hope, who yet have no bands in their death! Many are driven to darkness sleeping; they go off like lambs, who would rore like lions, did they but know what place they are going to: though the chariot, in which they are, drive furiously to the depths of hell; yet they fear not, because they are fast asleep.