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

Lastly, Consider the great imperfections attending this life. While the soul is lodged in this cottage of clay, the necessities of the body are many; it is always craving. The mud-walls must be repaired and patched up daily, till the clay-cottage fall down for good and all. Eating, drinking, sleeping, and the like, are, in themselves, but mean employments for a rational creature; and will be reputed such by the heaven-born soul. They are badges of imperfection, and, as such, unpleasant to the mind, aspiring unto that life and immortality, which is brought to light through the gospel: and would be very grievous, if this state of things were of long continuance. Doth not the gracious soul often find itself yoked with the body, as with a companion in travel, unable to keep pace with it? When the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. When the soul would mount upward, the body is as a clog upon it, and as a stone tied to the foot of a bird attempting to fly. The truth is, O believer! thy soul in this body is, at best, but like a diamond in a ring, where much of it is obscured: it is far sunk in the vile clay, till relieved by death.

I conclude this subject with a few directions how to prepare for death, so as we may die comfortably. I speak not here of habitual preparation for death, which a true Christian, in virtue of his gracious state, never wants, from the time he is born again and united to Christ; but of actual preparation or readiness in respect of his circumstantiate case, frame, and disposition of mind and spirit; the want of which makes even a saint very unfit to die.

First, Let it be your constant care to keep a clean conscience, a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man, Acts xxiv. 17. Beware of a standing controversy betwixt God and you, on the account of some iniquity regarded in the heart. When an honest man is about to leave his country, and not to return, he settles accounts with those he had dealings with, and lays down methods for paying his debts timeously; lest he be reckoned a bankrupt, and be attacked by an officer, when he is going off. Guilt lying on the conscience is a fountain of fears; and will readily sting severely, when death stares the criminal in the face. Hence it is, that many, even of God's children, when a dying, are made to wish passionately, and desire eagerly that they may live to do, what they ought to have done, before that time. Wherefore, walk closely with God, be diligent, strict and exact in your course; beware of a loose, careless, and irregular conversation: as ye would not lay up for yourselves, anguish and bitterness of spirit, in a dying hour. And because, through the infirmity cleaving to us, in our present state of imperfection, in many things we offend all, renew your repentance daily, and be ever washing in the Redeemer's blood. As long as ye are in the world, ye will need to wash your feet,