PHilosophers (who saw no farther than the clouds of humane reason) could say, A wise mans Life should be a continuall meditation of Death; therefore Christians discovering in the Glasse of Scripture, the lying Vanities of this world, and the glorious Felicity of that which is to come, should often call to remem­brance their latter end, as Moses wishes the People of Israel, Deut. 3 Job 14. [...] and ever wait for the appointed time of their solemne change.

Joseph of Arimathea, had his sepulchre in his garden, and Je­sus Christ at the Publicans feast, falls into a serious discourse of his Passion, and Ascension, to teach us that in times and places of greatest Pleasure, we should put our selves upon Theams of mortalitie. Heathens indeed had their burying places without their Cities, but Christians in and about their Churches, to sig­nifie that in our devotions, we should thinke upon our dissolu­tions, which was one reason why Alphonsus King of Arragon used to confesse, that dead men were his best friends; they gave him sound and seasonable counsell, to remember Mortality here, and provide for Eternitie hereafter.

To this end, S. John in his Book of the Revelation, is some­times advising us to make Preparation for Death; Remem­ber [Page] [...], and repent. Blessed are they that watch, [...]ev. 22.14. and blessed are they that do the Commandements, they shall enter into the City. And sometimes encouraging us against the approaches of Death, by describing the glorious reward of the Saints departed, as in this Text. Blessed are the dead, &c.

It is therefore well observed by Divines, that the three Books of St. John have speciall reference to the three Theologicall vertues, Faith, Hope, and Charity. His Gospel hath reference to Faith; there he makes a description of Christ in his Merits & Mercies, and would engraft us into him by a lively Faith. 2 His Epistles to Charitie; there he makes a description of Love, and would unite our hearts in the bond of Peace and Amitie. And then 3. His Book of Revelation hath reference to Hope; there he makes a description of Heaven, and would encourage us against fear of death, by the consideration of that blessed Sab­bath of eternall Rest, to be celebrated by all the Saints depar­ted in the faith of Christ: So saith the Text, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, &c.

Division Text.In which words there are three things chiefly observable:

• 1. A Proposition, Blessed are the dead.
• 2. The Exposition, Not all the dead, but they which die in the Lord.
• 3 The Confirmation, partly by way of Testimonie, So saith the Spirit, and partly by way of Reason and Demonstration, They rest from their Labours, and their Works follow them.

Put the two former together, and they make up this conclusi­on: That

[...]ctr.Th [...]y that die in a state of Grace, live in a state of Glorie. This Observation I take to be the scope and quintessence of the Text, and therefore shall make it the proper subject of my pre­sent discourse. It will be necessary to handle the point by way of

• Explication.
• Confirmation.
• Application.

First by way of Explication, to shew what it is to die in the Lord. That implies two things especially. 1. To die in the Lord is to die for the confession of the Faith. 2. To die in the pro­fession [Page 3] of the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ.

First, to die for the confession of the faith; so Beza reads the words. Blessed are they who die for the Lord, who sacrifice their lives for Christs sake, and the Gospells sake, who suffer Martyr­dome either Passively in act only, as the Innocents at Bethleem, or Actively in act and will also, as Saint Stephen and the rest of the faithfull witnesses of Christ, in all ages.

These indeed are blessed in their Works, and blessed in their Reward: In their Work, because they suffer as Christ, and for Christ; as Christ, according to that of the Apostle, I rejoice in my sufferings for you; Colos. 1.24. and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my fl [...]sh, for his bodies sake, which is [...]he Church. To fill up that which is behind, Why? Are the suffe­rings of Christ imperfect? Is there not absolute freedom and satisfaction wrought by his Passion?

Yes, by one offering he hath perfected for ever those that are sanctified,Vid. Daven. Ep. in locum. Heb. 10.14. but yet there are [...] and [...], fore-sufferings and after-sufferings of Jesus Christ. H [...]s fore-sufferings are those torments he endured in his owne flesh, and his after-sufferings are the manifold afflictions of his Mem­bers upon Earth. He may be persecuted at Damascus after his Ascension, and crucified at Rome in his Members.Act. 9.4. Rev. 11.8. Here is all the difference, His fore-sufferings were for the expiation of Sin, his after-sufferings for the triall of Patience, and the credit of the Gospel.

But then, as they suffer as Christ, so for Christ, for thy sake we are killed all the day long:Rom. 8.36. in the Primitive times Christi­ans were wont to call Martyrdome by the name of Corona Martyrii, the Crown of Martyrdome, because this was the crown, and complement, and perfection of a mans happinesse upon earth, to suffer for Christ, and to Seale his Profession with his dearest blood. Heathens accounted it their greatest honour to die for their Countrie, Christ thought it an honour to die for sinners, the just for the unjust, how much more should sinners esteeme it honourable to die for their Saviour, the unjust for the just, that's the best peice of service we can doe him, and such a high degree of promotion, as the highest Angel in Heaven is not permitted to arrive at.

Thus they are blessed in their Work: And 2. they are blessed in their Reward. They that suffer with Christ in the Vale of Teares, shall reigne with Christ in the Kingdome of Glorie: They that have the marks of the Lord Jesus upon their Bodies, shall have the crowne of Life upon their Heads. They that goe to Mount Calvarie with Christ, and for Christ, in this world, shall go to Mount Olivet, Mount Sion, with Christ, to triumph in the world to come. Who are they that are welcom to the spirituall Canaan, but they that are forced thorough the red Sea of their own Blood? Who are they that are carried in white Robes,Rev. 7.9.14. with Palmes in their hands, but they that come out of great Tribulation for the name of the Lord Jesus? If a Julian will honour the memorie of those that were slaine in his warres; how much more will Jesus reward all his faithfull witnesses, that have lost their lives, that have been prodigall of their blood in this quarrell, and for his sake? Right deare in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his Saints. Psal. 115.16.

In the second place, To die in the Lord is to die in the Pro­fession of the Faith of Christ, in the state of Grace, and eternall Salvation. And this is considerable in three particulars:

• 1. To die in the Favour of God.
• 2. In the Faith of Christ.
• 3. In the Peace of a good Conscience.

First, To die blessedly, is to die in the favour of God; so Moses died: according to the Word of the Lord. The Caldees Paraphrase is,Deut. 3 4.5 Hee died with a kiss from the mouth of God. God is pleased sometimes to kisse the righteous in their death, to smile upon them on their Death-beds, to embrace them in the armes of his Love, to present them with a bunch of Grapes before they come at Canaan▪ giving them some speciall tokens of his Favour, as a Pawn and Pledge of that Glorie which is to be revealed in Heaven. And surely they die most comfortably who have the strongest assurance of the love of God in their hearts: A man may leave Egypt with joy, when he hath a Land of Promise before him; he may well part with an earthly Pos­session, when he hath Writings sealed for an Immortall Inheri­tance; he may goe to his owne house of D [...]ath, to his long home in the Grave with unspeakable comfort, when he shall have such [Page 5] a message from Heaven as that in the Gospel, Sonne, Math. 9, 2. be of good cheere, thy sins are forgiven thee, thy warfare is accomplished, and thou shalt receive double at the hand of the Lord, Esay 40.2.

2. To die in the Lord is to die in the faith of Christ, and that is first to confesse the name of Christ, because there is no Salvation but in his name; Act 4.12. all sufficiency in his name, insuffici [...]n­cy in any other name. No hope for those that are out of the Pale of the Church.

2. It is to professe the truth of Christ, because a man cannot be saved in any Religion: there is but one Truth, one Faith, one Baptisme, one Mediator. Ephes. 4.5. Varro may reckon up 30000 Gods a­mong the Gentiles, where there is one onely; and men may forge and phansie 30000 Truths, whereas they shall finde but one in the conclusion.

3. It is to apply the merit of Christ, because Christ in the ge­nerall notion will never bring a man to heaven. It is not suffici­ent to be a Christian in name, or a Protestant in Profession, ex­cept a man be a reall and living member of Christ, by a faith of application as well as apprehension. They die in the Lord who are united to Christ, and engrafted into his body, by a lively faith in his blood. There are many that leave the doctrine of Sal­vation by Christ hovering in the air, they take up in a historicall commemoration of his Passion, in a knowledge swimming in the b [...]ain, whereas it must be a knowledge sinking and soking into the heart, a knowledge accompanied with application, which will afford a sinner sound and substantiall comfort. The Angells ser­mon was driven home by way of application, unto you is borne a Saviour. It is not the report of a Saviour, but the embrace,Luke 2.11. and application of a Saviour, that renders a man Truly happy. M. Luther said very well; Dulce nomen salvatoris &c. Sweet is the name of a Saviour, oh but the sweetnesse lies in the Pronoun, (says he) that Christ is my Saviour, and thy Saviour, theres the com­fort.

And indeed, it is small comfort to know there is redemption wrought, if I hav [...] no right, and title, and inter [...]st in that re­demption. To know there are holes in Christs side, if my fingers be not in the holes. To know there is a rock of salvation if I get not into the clefts of the rock, and lodge in the secret places of [Page 6] the staires, in the wounds of Christ, in the heart of Christ: As Queen Mary said, if she was opened, one might see the Towne of Callis lie at her heart. As Christ lies at the heart of a Beleever by love, so a Beleever lies at the heart of Christ by faith; so that it is not Christ dying at Jerusalem, but Christ living in the heart, that must save us: Not Christ hanging on the Crosse, but Christ ta­ken downe; we must with Joseph of Arimathea take him downe from the Crosse, wrap him in clean linnen, lay him in a new Se­pulchre, a holy, heavenly, penitent, believing heart, then he is ours indeed.

Thrasyllus an Athenian being distracted in his brain, had a strong conceit, that all the Ships and their lading in the Port of Pyrea were his owne: It is not Fancy, but Faith which assures a Christian all the Merchandise of Heaven, all the ben [...]fits of Christ, all the mercies promised are his owne, and therefore he dare proclaime his unquestionable interest in Christ, and lay claime to Salvation,1 Tim. 1.15. as Saint Paul; Jesus Christ came to save sin­ners, of whom I am chief: This is to die blessedly in the Lord, that is, in the Faith of Christ, a faith of particular application. Thus the Primitive Christians died blessedly, they died in Faith, not in a generall Belief of the Gospell,Heb. 11.13. [...]. but in a full Assurance of the Love of God in his Son Christ, they embraced, or kissed the Promises, and laid hold on the purchased Possession, Eternall life by the hand of Faith.

Thus old Simeon died Blessedly, because he died Believingly, with Heaven in his Eye,Luke 2.29, 30. and Christ in his Armes, Lord let thy Servant depart in peace. That man is most sure to die in peace, whose eyes have seen the salvation of God, who hath the spirit of Christ in his heart, as Simeon had the body of Christ in his armes, who hath made his Calling and Election sure, and knowes for certaine that Christ hath shed his Blood for his Redemption in particular, according to that rare and ravishing expression, Gal. 2.20. Christ loved me, and gave himself for me, &c.

3. And lastly, To die in the Lord, is to die in the peace of a good Conscience. A conscientious man dies blessedly, howsoever, or whensoever, or wheresoever he dies; therefore when St. Paul had received the summons of Death, he fled to the Castle of his good Conscience; [...] Tim. 4.6, 7. there he sate like Noah in his Cabbin, in an [Page 7] Ark pitch'd within and without. I am ready to be offered, and he time of my departure is at hand; And here is my comfort,Verse 8. I shall go to my Grave with a Conscience as clean as my Winding-sheet: it followes, I have fought a good Fight, finished my Course, kept [...]he Faith, Henceforth is laid up for me a Crowne of Righteous­nesse.

Thus Samuel died in the Lord, when his heart bare witnesse of his integrity, insomuch, as he makes a glorious Manifesto, and Challenge to all the World. My departure is at hand, and who can accuse me of Deceit, or Briberie, or Oppression? Whose Ox have I taken? Or whose Asse, &c. Thus they that live the Life of the Righteous, shall die the Death of the Righteous: They shall be welcome to Gods Hive in Heaven, who come la­den with works of Piety and Charity from the field of the World. If the wise Virgins keep Oyle in their Lamps, and Oyl in their Vessels, Faith, and a good Conscience in the course of their lives, they shall attend the Bridegroom Jesus Christ, to sing the Marriage Song in Heaven, the Song of Moses, and the Song the Lamb.

To this purpose, I may very fitly apply that passage of Jehu to Jehonadab, Is thy heart right as mine is? if it be, 2 King. 10.15 give me thy hand and come into my Chariot. Thus may God speak to you in the language of Jehu, and say, Is thy heart right? Are your hearts believing hearts, closing with, and clasping about J [...]sus Christ? Are they soft and penitent hearts, steeped in teares of compuncti­on? Are they holy, humble, honest hearts, hating Sinne, and lo­ving Righteousnesse? Now, if you can make Jehonadabs answer, and say, they are right (Lord) in some measure, we believe, Lord help our Ʋnbelief; we are sorry for Sinne, Lord increase our Sor­row; We trust he have a good conscience, at least we desire to have one; then give me thy hand (sayes God) and come into my Chariot, He grace thee with my Favour in this World, and crowne thee with my Presence, my Glory, in the World to come.

So much by way of Explication. I proceed to the proof and confirmation of the Point, as it was laid down in the Text. First by way of Testimony; I heard a voice from Heaven, saying, write; and so saith the Spirit, that they rest, &c. Here (with Jonathan) we may taste of the Hony as it drops by the way, and observe, [Page 8] That it is the duty of all men to believe in heart, and to preserve in memory whatsoever is delivered from Heaven.

To believe in heart, because the Voice from Heaven confirmes it; in every Chapter we heare read, there is a Voice from Hea­ven; in every Sermon we heare preacht, which is consonant to the Doctrine of Scripture, there is a Voice from Heaven. Prea­ching is not the Word and Work of Man, but the blessed Ordi­nance of J [...]sus Christ, that noble Instrument which he hath chiefly appointed,1 Cor. 1.21. and sanctified for the salvation of Sinners. It is God the Father that invites you to Repentance, it is Christ that stands at your doore and knocks, and wooes for Entertain­ment; it is the holy Spirit that strives with you, as in the daies of Noah; Gen. 6.3. take heed you resist not the strivings of the Spirit, lest the Lord deliver you up to the rage of Satan, and to the rebellion of your own heart; take heed you shut not your eyes when Christ is in your company, that you do not stop your cares when the Voyce calls from Heaven, when the Spirit saith Write; make not the Ministers of the Gospel so unhappy, as to rise up in Judgement against you; do not give them occasion to com­plaine, as the Prophet of old, Who hath believed our Report? &c. We preach Repentance,Esay 53.1. and amendment of Life; we preach Christ, and him crucified; we preach comfort to the Penitent, and terror to the Obstinate; But who believes our report? We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned, and ye have not wept; we would allure you with the sweets of the Gospel, or else terrifie you with the threats of the Law; but yet we may complaine, Who hath beleived our Report? It is our Report, but it is Gods Message; we are Ambassadours of Christ,2 Cor. 5.20. we pray you in his stead to be reconciled, to seale the League, and compose the great D fference; we are Spokesmen for Christ (to speak it with reverence) we beseech you in His name, and for His sake, to accept of the match, to untwist the contract with Sinne and Satan, and to enter into a matrimoniall Covenant with Jesus Christ; and if you believe not us, believe him that sent us; we speak not in our owne name, the Voice from Heaven saith, Write; and write this as an unquestionable Truth, That they are blessed which die in the Lord.

Secondly, Learn from hence, to keep in memory what is deli­vered [Page 9] from Heaven, because the Spirit commands it; the Spirit saith, Write. The sinnes of Judah are written with a pen of Iron, and the point of a Diamond. As our Teares are bottled, and our Prayers recorded in Heaven, so our Sinnes are registred there, and put in a book of Remembrance, till they are blotted out, and washed away in the blood of Jesus Christ. The Commande­ments shall be written in tables of Stone, that we may write them in the tables of our Hearts.Rev. 2.8.12.1 Christ saith to the Angels of the Churches, write; to Smyrna, write; and to Pergamus, write; and to Thyatyra, write still. According to this Voice from Heaven in the Text, write.

Writing is one of the chiefest instruments of humane Com­munion, and the safest way to convey the blessings of God to posterity. Vox audita perit, litera scripta manet. The word in the Eare vanishes, but writ in the Book, remains by us to do us good hereafter.

It is lawfull and commendable then, both for Preacher and Hearer, to write what is delivered: For the Preachers, the Spi­rit saith to the Angels of the Churches, write, that is,Fasciculum luminum. bundle of tings. the Mini­sters of the Gospel they are terrestiall Angels, celestiall Men: St. Paul himselfe made use of Notes, and therefore sent to Troas for his Patchments. 2 Tim. 4.13.

Thus the Scripture mentions a Writing, which Elijah the Pro­phet sent to Jehoram, 2 Chron. 21.12, 13. But how by Elijah, when he was translated before,2 Kings 3. and Elisha prophesied in his stead before this time in the daies of Jehosaphat? Some of the Jewish Rabbins have a groundlesse conceit, that Elijah sent the Writing from Heaven; more probable it is, that he left the Prophesie behinde him: but yet more probable,2 Kings 2 that by Elijah is here meant Elisha, who might be called Elijah, because he had received a double portion of his spirit according to his request.

He sent the writing to Jehoram, some think out of feare, be­cause he durst not reprove him to his face. Others, to declare the certainty of infl [...]cting the judgement denounced. Thus saith the Lord, Write this man childlesse; that is,Jerem. 22. he shall surely be childe­lesse. Haman would have the bloody Decree written, and Bel­shazzar's Doom is written upon the wall. As God will certain­ly execute the Judgement written,Psal: 149. so he will certainly accomplish [Page 10] the Promise written: and therefore, saith the Spirit, write, as a note of certainty and perpetuity, that they are bl [...]ssed who die in the Lord.

And then for the Hearers of the Word, that they may not be forge [...]full hearers, the spirit saith, write. We finde a company of religious Courtiers upon this imployment, and it is there recorded for their everlasting honour, [...]rov 25.1. that they (the servants of Hezekiah) copied out the Proverbs of Solomon: It is no lesse commendable in Christians, to copie out the glorious Oracles of the spirituall Solomon, Christ Jesus, as they are faithfully delivered in the Mini­stry of the Word and Gospell; the Spirit saith, write. In codice, in corde, in the Book, however in the Tallie of the heart, set it down, as an unquestionable truth, that the Saints departed are in a blessed condition.

So much by way of Testimony. Secondly this truth is confir­med by a double reason, They rest from their Labours, and their Works follow them. Their blessednesse consists in two things. 1. In a cessation from all sinne and misery, They rest, &c. 2. In a posses­sion of all glory and felicity. Their Works follow them.

First, They rest, &c. The Kingdome of Heaven, is often in Scri­pture termed a Rest,b. 4.1.9. a place of Rest, the Rest of God, the Rest of the godly; and therefore was it typified at first by Paradise, and afterward by Canaan, a land of Best and redemption from op­pression, and Persecution. The World indeed is a troubled Sea, but Heaven is the Haven of Rest; the World is an Egypt, a place of Burdens, and Bondage, but Heaven is a Canaan, that's resembled by the bosome of Abraham, a place of sweet refreshment, and soul satisfying Rest.

Here indeed the servants of God have rest in sps, but there in re. Here in expectation, there in full fruition, rest from all Labours; and that appeare in these four particulars, The Saints departed rest from the labou [...]s of their

• Corruptions.
• Afflictions.
• Temptations.
• Part [...]cular Vocations.

F rst, From the Labour of their Corruptions, their own sinnes, [Page 11] sinnes, and the sinnes of the World. 1. Their owne sinnes; they are a Load and Labour to them; David felt that weight upon the shoulders of his tender conscience, and therefore complaines grievously, Mine iniquities are gone over my head, Psal. 38.4. Psal: 89.19. and are become a burden too heavy for me to beare▪ So heavy is this burden, as the Scripture tells us, Help was laid upon one that was mighty: God sent his owne Sonne to beare the burden of our Transgressions, and this caused him to sweat, and groan, and bleed, and cry out to the amazement of Men and Angels, My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me?

So great is labour of sinne, that S. Paul cries out (as an undone man) for freedome from it. Oh wretched man that I am, Rom. 7.24. Who shall deliver me? &c When shall I have freedome from this wofull thraldome? Not on this side of the Grave.

Here the Saints are cloathed with infirmities, and infirmities in those things wherein they are most eminent.

Moses is the meekest man in the earth, and yet there was a scar in his curious complexion; He once spake unadvisedly with his lipps. Job a mirrour of Patience, yet put him into the balance of the Sanctuary, and he wants more than the graines of allowance; he once cursed the day of his Birth. The glory of Davids confi­dence is eclipsed with a distrustfull feare of man, I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul.1 Sam. 37.1. Thus in this world they are party-coloured, like Jacobs Lambs; there is some darknesse in their clearest light; some Drosse in their purest Gold, some Blemish in the beauty of all their Graces. When shall they be deliver'd then? The Apostle tells us in the world to come,Rom. 6.7. He that is dead is freed from sin, is eased of that burden: When an old House falls flat to the ground, then will the Vermine be gone: so when the Taberna­cles of Clay, the old Houses of our Bodies, fall to the ground by Death, then will the Vermine of our corruptions be dispersed and destroyed: Those earthen Vessels that were legally pollu­ted, could not be clensed, but by breaking all in pieces: so the best of Gods servants, whom the Scripture calls earthen Vessels, they cannot be sufficiently purged from their sinfull pollutions, till they be broken all in pieces by death. The life to come is the time of their full R [...]demption, and compleat Sanctification, then shall all Canaanites be destroyed, all the Egyptians shall lie dead [Page 12] behinde them upon the Sea-shore; then they may say of all their sinnes, as Moses did of the Egyptians, These Egyptians which you have seen to day, you shall never see them again; they are all drowned in the Red sea of Christs Blood. Adam was happy in Paradise, in a posse non peccare, a possibility not to sin: how blessed are the Saints triumphant in the celestiall Paradise, in a non posse peccare, being free from all possibility of sinning, and falling away from that incomparable happinesse, which the disobedient Angels lost?

Againe they rest from the labour of corruption, that is from the sinnes of the World, they are a grievous burden to the chil­dren of God. So they were to zealous Elijah, the sinnes of the times made him weary of his life; the Pride, and Whoredome, and Idolatry of Jesabell; the great neglect of the worship, and contempt of the Prophets of the Lord, went to his heart,1 King. 19.4. and caused him to wish earnestly for a Rest from that Vexation. It is enough for me, let me die, for I am not bet­ter than my Fathers. So they were to righteous Lot, the sinnes of Sodome were as so many Swords at his Heart,2 Pet. 2.7. Verse 8. [...]. Mr. Leigh's Crit. Sac. Psal. 119.158. as cruell Racks to his tender conscience; So much the word in the Originall imports, The soule of just Lot was vexed (or racked) with the filthy conversation of the Sodomites. So they were to holy David, I be­held the transgressors and was grieved, and mine eyes gush out with water because men keep not thy Law. Here David is drown'd in a flood of Tears, because the World was drown'd in a Sea of sins.

Now here is the blessednesse of the righteous departed; their conversation is not with Idolatrous Jesabells, and unclean Sodo­mites but with glorious Angels, and glorified Saints; they live in a Land where no venomous creature can live; in an Ark, where no unclean Beast can enter; in Jerusalem above, which is free, wh [...]re the presence of all good, & the absence of all evill is, and ever will be, where is nothing but pure Joy, and perfect Peace, and perpe­tuall Singing of P [...]aise & glory to him that sits upon the Throne.

Secondly, they that die in the Lord, are blessed, for they rest from the labour of Affliction. I need not tell you the servants of God on earth are subject to Afflictions: Is not the Church in generall compared to the Ark, floating upon the waves of distra­ction, and persecution? Is it not the little City besi ged? The Bush on a flame? The Lillie among thorns? The little Flock in [Page 13] the midst of Wolves? The Woman weeping in the Wildernesse? Need I instance in particular members of the Church, when the Apostle assures us, that all that will live godly must suffer Tri­bulation, suffer Tribulation in one way or other,2 Tim. 3.12. Acts 14.22. at one time or other? No Crosse, no Christ; no Crown of Thorns, no Crown of Glory; no Tribulation here, no Glor [...]fication hereafter. Hence it is that the Psalmist concludes from his owne observation & expe­rience, Many are the troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of all. D [...]livers them, When? Aut hic, aut hinc, Psal. 34, 19. either in this life, by taking the Troubles from them; or, however, in the end of this life, by taking them from their troubles by death. Joseph gave his Brethren Provision for the way, but the full Sacks were kept in store, till they came home unto their Fathers house:Gen. 42. So the Lord will give h s people some Provision, some Refresh­ment in the way, a taste of his Mercy and Goodnesse here, but the full Sacks of Rest and Comfort are kept in store until they come to their heavenly Kingdome.

Or what if the righteous, like Noah's Dove, can find no ground to set the sole of their foot on, because the waters of afflictions prevaile so much in the world? Yet in the end, Christ Jesus, the spirituall Noah, will put forth his hand from the Ark, and take them in, to settle them in everlasting Rest. Indeed, many times it goes very hard with the children of God in this world; Israel may make Bricks, when the Egyptians lie upon their Beds; Christ may be crucified, when Barabbas is delivered; John Baptist's head may dance on the Scaffold, when the daughter of Herodias is dancing in the Palace; Lazarus may be glad of C [...]ums, when the R [...]ch man fares deliciously. Well but this world will not last alwaies: there is a day of Rest and Retribution for the people of God: Death will come, and that to them is the end of all m [...]e [...]y, and the beginning of all felicity. Death is the funerall of all their sorrowes, and the life and resurrection of all thei [...] joyes. Then comes their Triumph after their Warfare and Victory, their Liberty [...]fter Bondage, their Kingdome after Banishment, their Inheritance after Poverty, their Rest after all their Labours: for then the Lord wipes away all teares from their eyes, there is no more crying nor dying, no more sobbing nor sorrowing, Rev. 21. [...] for the first things are past: there is no Laban to oppresse, no Potiphar to [Page 14] to imprison, no Herod to persecute, there all Mourning Sonnets are turned to Marriage Songs, all the Vinegar of temporall Crosses, to wine of eternal Consolation: so much the Heathen man knowledged, ante obitum nemo felix, a man may be accounted prosperous and fortunate in this world, but he cannot be truly happy till his end, according to the voice in the Text, Blessed are the dead, &c.

3. They that die in the Lord are blessed, because they rest from the labour of temptation. While we abide in the Flesh we are subject to manifold Temptations, from Satan, the World the Flesh; Temptations on the right hand in the Pleasures, and Profits, and Preferments of the World; Temptations on the left hand in the Crosses and Calamities of the World. Here Joseph hath an en­ticing Mistriss, and Sampson a cunning Dalila, and David a faire Bathsheba. But what speak I of these? Did not Adam finde a Serpent in Paradise? And our Saviour a Tempter in the Wilder­nesse? And if this was done to the Green Tree, What shall be done to the Drie? How shall Christians avoid temptations, or over­come temptations, when Satan is so politique and powerfull, watching all opportunities, and taking all advantages, and suiting his temptations according to their severall dispositions? He takes measure of the frame of our Spirits, and shapes his temptations accordingly: he had a wedge of Gold for covetous Achan, a convenient Vineyard for greedy Ahab, a beautifull Tamar for lascivious Ammon. Well may we pronounce the Saints departed in a blessed and glorious condition, when they are rescued from the paw of the roaring Lyon, when Lucifer, is cast downe, never to be entertained againe. No (beloved) there is no Serpent in the Spirituall Paradise, no Bathsheba in the New Jerusalem, no Tempter in Heaven: there is Freedome from all Feares and Di­stractions, from all Disturbances and Molestations, from all Sin, and from all Enticements and Provocations to Sinne: Blessed are they that die in the Lord, they rest from this labour of tem­ptations.

4 And lastly, They rest from the labour of their particular Cal­ling and Vocation, which is toilsome and troublesome, ever since God past this doom upon man for his offence in Paradise,Gen. 3.19. In the sweat of thy Browes shalt thou eat Bread. Indeed, Man in the [Page 15] state of innocency, was not excused from labour: Paradise, which was Adams Store-house, was his Work-house too; God put him into the Garden, not to sleep in those sweet Bowers, not to spend his time idly in those pleasant Walks,Gen 2.15. Vulg. lat. but to dresse and keep it (ut operaretur) that he might work and labour in it, onely here is the difference, Labour then was a Recreation to the mind, and now it is an Affliction to the body.

Now the Husbandman rises early, and rests late; now the La­bourer beares the burden of the day, the Marriner is exposed to the stormy wind and tempest, the Souldier endures hardship, the Minister works in the Vine-yard, and watches the Flock day and night; Man goes out out to his labour to the Evening, Psal. 104.23. every one is imployed in the work of his calling.

But then after Death, comes the Rest from this Labour, then the Husbandman g [...]ts his Harvest, the Labourer his Penny, the Marriner his Haven▪ the Souldier his Pay, and the Minister his Crowne, h s Reward in Heaven. This is the work of God in the ordinary course of his Providence, to crown his Servants labours with a comfortable issue. Jacob may endure the heat of the day, and the frost of the night, at last he comes to his Rest, to receive his Wages and enjoy his beautifull Rachel. Israel may have many a weary step in the Wildernesse, at last they come to Canaan, a Land of Rest: in a word, Gods people may endure the six daies work of toyle and trouble in this life, but at last they shall cele­brate a perp [...]tuall Sabbath of glory in the world to come. So the T [...]xt, Blessed are the dead, &c.

The second reason is laid downe in the last words of the Text, Their works follow them, therefore they are blessed: Their happi­nesse is not onely privative, consisting in a freedome from sinne and misery, but positive also, in a possession of all peace and glo­ry, in a consummation of Grace, in a perf [...]ct fruition of God, and a bl [...]ss [...]d communion w [...]th the Lord Jesus Christ.

Their works follow them, not their works in kinde,Opera eorum merces operu [...] quae [...]x gratia da [...]ur, Gerh. but their works in issue and effect, the fruits and reward of their works, the blessings of God which lie in the promises to works of piety and charity: These follow them to Heaven: Indeed Faith leads the way, that must be our Hatbinger to take up our lodging in the New Jerusalem, that like the Starre in the East, leades us to [Page 14] [...] [Page 15] [...] [Page 16] Bethleem, where Christ is, but then good works follow after, they are our attendants to the Court and Kingdome of Glo­ry.

Their works follow them to be recorded in Heaven, and rewar­ded in Heaven.

[...]sth 6.2.Recorded, as the good service which Mordecai did for the King and Kingdome was writ in the Chronicles, and called to remembrance in an acceptable time: as the coats and garments which Dorcas made, [...]cts 9.39. were brought forth after her death; so shall the good huswifery of the Saints, the good service they have done for Christ and his Church, be recorded in the Chronicles of Heaven for their everlasting honour; good works are so well pleasing to God, as he will never forget them; Christ will make mention of them at the Day of Judgement. [...]ath. 25.35. I was hungry, and ye fed me; thirsty, and ye gave me drink, &c.

You shall finde there the servants of God had kept no record of their acts of charity, they had clean forgotten what they had done for Christ, and for his Members.

Verse 37.They answered, When saw we thee an hungred or thirsty? &c. Well, saies Christ, if ye have forgotten your good works, I have not, [...]r. Caryll upon [...]b c 9 v. 15. I have kept a perfect Register: It is our duty to remember to do good, but let God alone to remember the good we have done, He is not unrighteous to forget our labour of love. Hebr. 6.10.

Then 2. Their works follow them to be rewarded in Heaven, and with Heaven, yet not for the merit of the works, for if God should mark what is done amisse in our sacrifices, and best per­formances, they would testifie against us. How then? Through the mercy of God he crowns his owne graces, [...]nunerat mu­ [...]a sua, non [...]ita nostra. [...]g [...]m. 6. ult. not our merits. The wages of Sinne is Death; but not the wages of Righteous­nesse is Eternall life, But the Free-grace, gift of God is Eternall life.

Thus far good works are necessary to Salvation, as the way to the Kingdome, not as the cause of raigning: We cannot be sa­ved without good works, because our Faith is dead, our Calling is fruitlesse without holinesse of life; yet we cannot be saved by good works as a meritorious cause.

1. Because they are not our owne.

2. They are not absolutely good.

[Page 17]3. They are due to God, and there is no proportion betweene them and the Reward in Heaven. We are justified by Faith in the Blood of Christ, but good works declare our just fication, and give infallible testimony of the goodnesse and excellency of our faith.

Judeth alone cut off Holeferne's head; she went in first,Judeth 13.3, 4. and commanded all her attendants to stand without: but when the Deed was done, the whole company came in, and stood about her. So Faith alone (with Judeth) breaks the Ice, enters first, and cuts off Holofernes his head, grapples with, and conquers Sa­tan, apprehends and applies the mercy of God, and the merit of Christ, By Grace ye are saved. Ephes. 2.8. But the good works come in as Faith's attendants, to declare that the deed is done, that the Ser­pents head is broken, Satan vanqu [...]shed, and Heaven gate set wide open to entertaine Believers. All which is answerable to this passage in the Text. They that die in the Lord are blessed▪ for their works follow them. Faith went before, and these follow af­ter to be recorded and rewarded in Heaven.

So much by way of Explication and Confirmation: it remains now, that we come to the Use and Application. From this hea­venly Fountain we may derive several Streams of divine instructi­on. As,

F [...]rst, If the Saints departed, rest, &c. from hence we may conclude, there is no place of paine or punishment for the righte­ous in the world to come. This Doctrine quenches the fire of Purgatory: there is no room for that heathenish opinion in this Text.

The good Thief went immediately from the Crosse to Paradise, Lazarus immediately from the Rich mans Gate to Abrahams Bosome: Blessed are the dead, they rest; they that die in the Lord have no more to suffer, they have nothing to doe but to receive their R [...]ward.

A double Purgatory we have upon Earth,Zach. 13.1. 1 John 1.7. One in the Blood of Christ, which is the Fountaine opened to wash away the guilt of Sinne: Another in Affl [...]ction, which is a meanes (through Ver­tue in that Blood) to cleanse us from the pollution of Sinne: but,Dan. 11.35. for a Purgatory after death, a third place from Heaven, and Hell, is that which neither Moses nor the Prophets, neither Christ, [Page 18] nor his Apostles, ever mentioned: Indeed, the Scripture is cleare for a place of torment for the wicked, Tophet is prepared of old. When Lazarus was called to Triumph in Heaven, the Rich man was dragged to Torment in Hell. The Hypocrites have their reward (saith our Saviour) they have their Portion in this life, they have their Heaven here, and therefore are sure of a Hell hereafter: for, as a man lives, so commonly he dies; and as he dies,Eccl [...]s. 11.3. so certainly he lives in the world to come. As the Tree falls so it lies, to the North, or to the South, Heaven-wards, or Hell-wards: As Death leaves us, Judgement findes us. And if they onely are blessed which die in the Lord, it must follow (by the rule of contraries) that their condition is fearefull who die in their sinnes, in a state of impenitency and unbelief, without godly sorrow in their hearts for sinne, without interest in the blood of Christ by Faith. This arrow wounded Davids heart to the pur­pose,Plus impius quā rebellis [...]ffl [...]xit, &c. Aug. to consider his son Absolon died with all his sinnes about him, in his rebellion against God, and his Anointed. This drove him into such a strange passion, as it is hard to discover whether his love was more naturall, or carnall, or spirituall. Oh my Son Absalom, 2 Sam [...] 18.33. Would God I had died for thee, &c.

And indeed it is a wofull thing for a man to have his Lamp out when the Bridegroome comes, for a man to die unreconci­led to God, if we consider that after death there is no hope of re­conciliation with God. While there is Life there is Hope; but after Death comes Judgement, after Judg [...]ment Sentence, & after Sen­tence Ex [...]cution; no hope of a minutes Reprieve, no parlying with the Judge, or pleading for Mercy. It is then too late to cry, Lord, Lord, open, too late to knock at Heaven gate for mercy; too late to wring the Hands and bewaile former sinnes. Truly the answer will be cold and comfortlesse: Depart from me, I know you not. There was a time when Richard the third of that name, King of England, cried out, A Kingdome for a Horse, a Kingdome for a Horse: in the same language may a wic­ked man crie out at the day of Judgement, A Kingdome for a good Conscience, a Kingdome for a drop of Mercy, for an hour of Repen­tance and Reconciliation. But alas, then the Tide is past, and the Market is over. This Life is the time of Repentance, this is our working-day for Heaven: now the doore of the Ark is open, [Page 19] now Salvation is tendered; behold now is the accepted Time,2 Cor. 6.2. now is the day of Salvation: I but the Morning comes, and also the Night, if ye will enquire: enquire, returne, come.Isa. 21.12.

I find two Reasons rendred by D vines for our Saviours silence before Herod. He answered the H gh Priest,Luke 23.9. and he a [...]swered Pi­late, but he would not speak a word to Herod. First, Herod had taken away his voice, and therefore how should he speak? He had beheaded John Baptist, who was the voice of one crying in the Wildernesse, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Math 3.3. The second is more substantiall, Christ would not speak to Herod, because he would thereby reprove his wilfull ignorance, and damnable carelesnesse: he had lived a great while where Christ abode, where his Oracles and Miracles were known, and yet he had ne­ver seen his Person, or heard his Sermons. Now (beloved) if we neglect precious opportunities of Mercy, and seasons of Grace, if we be not acquainted with Christ now he lives in our Coasts, and knocks at our Doores, such a dreadfull time will come, when Christ will not speak a word to us, not one word of comfort to us in our greatest distresse; that voice of Wisdome justifies what I say, Th [...]n shall they call upon me, Prov. 1.28. but I will not an­swer; they shall seek me early, but shall not finde me. Then; When? When your feare cometh as Desolation, Verse 27. and your destruction as a Whirlwind. Well, What's the reason Wisdome will not answer? Because I called and ye refused I stretched out my hand and no man regarded. There is no reconciliation. 2.Verse 24. No hope either of Mi­tigation or R [...]demption, Ease or End: th [...]re is both Extremity and Eternity of punishment for the Wicked after Death, extre­mity of Heat, Fire and Brimstone, and Soule-tormenting fire is their Portion, extremity of Cold (as some think) by gnashi g of Teeth, then all the Viols will be poured out, Wrath▪ and Curse, & Vengeance, and all, without any possib [...]lity of refreshm [...]nt; there is no Light in the land of utter Darkn sse, no Ho [...]y in the roaring Lion, not a drop of Water in Hell to coole a scorched Tongue.Luk. 16.24, 25 &c. Verse 26. Immutabile D [...] decretum, ne quisquam un­quam transiret a statu damnato [...]m ad statum fidel [...]s.

Lastly, Eternity of punishment. There is a great Gulf fixt be­tween Heaven and Hell: he that would come from below can­not: there is an irreversible decree for eternity of joy in Hea­ven, and torment in Hell: the Fire is unquenchable, the Worme [Page 20] is ever gnawing, and never dying, the Destruction perpetuall Confusion, the wicked shall be punished with everlasting de­struction from the presence of God,2 Thes. 1▪ 9. and from the glory of his Power.

On consider this, ye that forget God ye that hazard the loss of eternall rest and happinesse, for the pleasures of sinne, which are but for a season: What will ye do in the day of v [...]sitation? What will it profit you to gaine the whole World and lose your own Soul? What will it profit you to get the Vineyard, and the Vengeance of God with it? To get the Talents and the Lepro­si? to have a Crowne on your head, and a Curse in your heart? To swim in a pleasant Stream of outward glory and prosperity for a Moment, and then to frie in Hell fire for Evermore? This will be the condition of every one that dies in his sinne, unrecon­ciled to God: and that is the first use of the point. There is nei­ther Purgatory for the righteous, nor Paradise for the wicked in the world to come.

The second use is for comfort to all the faithfull Servants of God. If the Saints departed rest from their Labours, here is then comfort in the Generall against all crosses and calamities in the world, and in Particular against the feare of our owne death, or the death of friends,

First, Against the crosses and calamities in the world. This sweetned the bitternesse of Moses his affl ction,Heb. 11.25, 26. he este [...]med the reproach of Christ greater riches than the Treasures of Egypt: Upon what ground? B [...]cause he had respect to the recomp [...]ce of reward: his Eye, and Heart, and Hope was in Heaven, that carried him through all calamities with unspeakab [...]e cheereful­n [...]sse.

This was the Cordiall which held up the spirits of the faithfull Hebrewes,Heb. 10.34. they took joyfully the spoyling of their goods, know­ing that in Heaven they had a b [...]tter, an enduring substance. They were content to exchange Earth for Heaven, to Lose at first, and Win at last, to lose a Counter and win a Crown: they knew Pleasures above are perpetuall,John 16 22. Your joy can none take from you; Math. 6.20. Riches above are unplunderable riches, There no Thief can break through and steal.

Yea farther, This was our blessed Saviours encouragement in [Page 21] his Agony, in all his heart-breaking afflictions, namely, the Rest in Heaven, the glorious Crowne to be Received: He endured the Crosse, and despised the Shame. Why? Because of the joy that was set before him: He look'd upon the Pr [...]ze,Heb. 12.1. and there­fore ran his Race with Patience, though he sweat drops of Blood before he came to the end. What encourageth the weather b [...]aten Marriner, but his hope of a safe Harbour and Haven, after all the dangerous Stormes and Tempests? What encourageth the Traveller that hath ill Weather above his Head, and ill Way un­der his Feet, but the Meditation of his comfortable Rest at Home, his good F [...]re, and warm Lodging at night? What en­couraged Jacob to beare that hard Apprentish [...]p under Laban for seven yeares, and seven yeares more, but hopes of enjoying Rachel? He endured the H [...]at of the day, and the Frost of the night, because he knew his Rachel would make amends for all;Gen. 29.20. he loved her, & therefore the Time seemed to be but short. The same encouragements may all Christians have in the midst of their Afflictions; they may have a rough Tide and a dangerous Voyage, but there is a safe Harbour and Haven of Rest: they may have ill Weather, and ill way in their Journey, but their Home is Heaven, and there is a warm and welcome Lodging provided by their blessed Ha [...]binger, Christ Jesus: John 14.2. I go to prepare a place for you.

They may meet with many Labans upon earth, hard Appren­tish ps in this world, yet their comfort is, there is a Rachel to receive, Chr [...]st and his Kingdome to enjoy, Peace, and Glory, and Rest to possesse for ever in Heaven, and this will make amends for all.

There is an overflowing Fountain of comfort in that passage of the Apostle,Rom. 8.18, and it springs from the same ground with this in my Text. I reckon, that the Sufferings of this present time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revea­led hereafter.

I reckon, I have cast up the account, [...] and considered seriously of the matter, summed up all the Sufferings that can be endured or imagined, temporall and spirituall, and I finde they come in­finitely far short of that rest and recompence of the Saints in Heaven. I have put all the miseries of this life in the balance, [Page 22] and behold they are nothing no that exceeding weight of glory which shall be revealed in Heaven, they are not worthy to be compared (to be named the same day) with those incompara­ble and unconceivable comforts laid up for the righteous in the Kingdome of Glory.

2. And more particularly, the Text speaks comfort against the feare of Death, our owne death: there is naturally in man an unwillngnesse to die, and a feare of death: we would linger in Sodom, and live still in Babylon, though in a state of Bondage; Grace is ever willing. but Nature is ever fearfull to die: Death is terriblest of all terrible things, according to the Philo­sopher▪ and the King of Terrors, Job 18.14. as Job expresseth it; and there­fore the best of Gods Servants, Jeremiah, and David▪ and Peter, and Christ himselfe, as man, declares an unwillingnesse to die, at least a great sadnesse of spirit upon the approaches of death. A word of comfort will be very seasonable in this particular, which I would commend to you under these two notions.

1. Death cannot be an enemy to harm.

2. Death must be a Friend to help Believers, it cannot be an En [...]my. So farre that Promise reaches in the Gospel, Nothing shall by any meanes hurt you. Luke 10.19. Dogs that have no teeth may Bark, but cannot Bite; and Serp [...]nts that have no stings may Hiss, but cannot Hurt; and Enemies that have no weapons may Rage and Threaten, but cannot Wound and Destroy: So (beloved) Death once had the teeth of a Blood-hound, but Christ hath broken them all to pieces; Death once had the Sting of a Serpent, but it is lost in the Side of Christ, in the Wounds of his heart; Death once had a Weapon to destroy, but Christ hath disarmed it: and what infinite comfort is this to Believers, to see Christ ride in Triumph, to see the Captaine of their Salvation bring in Death as a Prisoner, and captived Enemy, saying and singing with the Prophet,Isa. 25.8. Death is swallowed up in Victory: and with the Apostle, O Death, where is thy Sting? O Grave, where is thy Victory? Cor. 15.55, 56. The sting of Death is Sinne, and the strength of Sinne is the Law: But thanks be to God▪ who hath given us Victory through Christ our Lord.

2. Death must be a friend to help us to help us to our Rest in Heaven. Blessed are the dead, they rest, &c. Death (like Lot's [Page 23] Angels) plucks us out of the Sodom of sinne and misery, and placeth us in Zoar, a city of rest, tranquility: like Peters Angel, it shakes off the Chaine of mortality, and opens the Iron gate, the gate of Pearle into the New Jerusalem: like Lazarus his Angel, it conducts the Soule from Earth to Abrahams bosome, from this Vale of Teares to the Kingdome of Glory. Moreover, as Death helps us to our Rest, so it is our R [...]st: Why should we feare it?

The Scripture termes it but a taking away of the Soule to Peace, a gathering to our People, a sweet sleep of the Body.John 11.11. Acts 7, 60. Our friend Laz [...]rus sleepeth, and the Patriarchs are fallen asleep, S. Stephen fell asleep: our burying places are but dormitories, slee­pi [...]g places. The righteous is taken away from the Evil to come: Esay 57.1, 2. And he shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds. Such a blessed Rest have the righteous in Death; as our Saviour wept, because his friend Lazarus was to be deprived of it: it is both the Observation of an ancient Father, and the Resolution of an ancient Council, concerning Christs weeping over Lazarus, S. Jerome Test Tolot. Concil. John 11.35. Deluit Lazarum, non dormientem, sed resurgentem. Christ did not weep because Lazarus was dead, and taken out of the world, but because he was to returne from the Grave into a Troublesome world after he was gone to his R [...]st.

It may be for the same reason,Fuisse quidam qui ortus homi­num lugerent, ob [...]tusque cele­brarent, &c. Ambr. de fi [...] resur. the Thracians of old used to la­ment at the Birth of their children, but rejoice at their Fune­rall.

Thus much we may learn from their practice (though we doe not commend it) that we have some cause to mourne when children are born; b [...]cause they are born to sinne, and brought forth in inquity; and becaus [...] they are cast into a troublesome Sea of m [...]sery, which they themselves are in part sensible of, and therefore weep at their coming in.

Yet have we this occasion of r [...]joycing, even in the death and funerall of our Friends, because they are past all the waves of Misery, and arrived at the haven of heavenly Rest and Felicity. This brings me to the third and last stream of comfort, against the death & departure of Friends. The time will come that we must part with our Isaacs, our Benjamines, nearest Friends, and dearest Comforts. Then remember my Text: If they die in the Lord, [Page 24] take no care for them, they are blessed, they are at their rest. Praemisimus, non amisimus, They are not lost, but laid up in hea­ven: when the Lord returned in mercy to Job, and was pleased to set him up the second time, we finde that he doubled all his outward comforts, he gave him as many more Camels and Sheep, and Oxen, as he had before; but he restored onely the same num­ber of children to him; as will appeare by comparing the first, and last Chapters of Job together, he gave him seven Sonnes, and three daughters. And the reason is rendred by St. August, because his Sheep and Oxen were utterly consumed, but his chil­dren were in the hand of God; they were at rest, though they suffered a sudden and violent death.

But some will say, how shall we live when friends leave us, and Comforts faile us; As Amaziah said of the Talents, What shall I doe for the hundred Talents? 2 Chron. 25 9. I answer; though friends die, yet the Redeemer lives; if comforts faile, rest upon Providence, rely upon the all-sufficiency of God, the sure mercies of David; then put your bonds in Su [...]t, the promises of the Gospell, which are all, yea and Amen. That Promise in Math. 6.33. and that especially, Hebr. 13.5. He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

[...]sal. 37.25. [...]xperto creden­ [...]m est.Then remember Davids experience, I have been young, and now am old, yet I never saw the righteous forsaken. David had ob­served much in his time, but this he could never observe, that the righteous man was ever forsaken in affl [...]ction. Minde the place well, he doth not say, I never saw the righteous in affliction; but I never saw the righteous forsaken in affliction, in Poverty, in Disgrace, in Banishment, Imprisonment, &c. God hath sup­plies and supports for his people in distresse; when Temporall comforts are abated, spirituall joyes abound; as our Saviour said of his meat, so may we say of the Comforts of the godly, they have Comforts which the world knowes not of, and Comforts which the world cannot deprive them of. The testimony of a good Conscience, the L [...]ght of Gods countenance, the love of Christ, and the comforts of the Spirit; these, like the tree at Me­ribah, sweeten the bitter waters of all worldly Tribulations.

But some will say, Shall we meet with our friends againe de­parted in the faith? Yes, without peradventure, if we walk in [Page 25] wayes of obedience to the end. It was Davids comfort upon the death of his Child.2 Sam. 12.21. While the child was living he fasted and wept, and lay upon the ground; but when it was dead, he arose and anointed himselfe, and ate bread: His reason is very strong and convincing.

1. An impossibility of recoverie, He shall not come to mee.

2. An assured hope of meeting againe in Heaven, But I shall go to him: He shall not come to me, that would be for his losse, to part with his Rest in H [...]aven, for a restlesse condition on Earth; but I shall go to him, I have not lost him for ever, we shall meet againe as comfortably as Jacob and Joseph met in Egypt; meet againe in Heaven and never part. Now you know it never troubles us to see the Sun set, because we know it will rise againe in the morning; it never troubles us to part with a friend wh n he goes to bed, because we hope to s [...]e him againe in the morning. Beloved, the death of a Friend is but lik [...] the setting of the Sun, or the uncloathing of a man when h [...] goes to bed, there will be a glorious appearing in the morning of the Resurrection,1 Thes. 4.13. and therefore S. Paul condemnes immoderate sorrow for the dead, I would not have you sory, as those that have no hope: Nature will be sorrowfull, but let Grace moderate the sorrow, and keep it within the bounds of hope; and the ground of hope is set downe, If ye believe that Jesus died, Verse 14. and is risen againe, even so also them that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.

I come now to the third and last use of Exhortation, to per­swade us all to make preparation for death; it is nothing to know the Reward in Heaven, except we doe the work on Earth; no­thing to wish to die the death of the righteous, except we en­deavour to live the life of the righteous; therefore, that we may be blessed in life and death, that we may live to the Lord, and die in the Lord, give me leave to commend something to your consideration, and something to your care and consciona­ble practise. To your consideration:

• 1. The certainty of Death.
• 2. Uncertainty of the time of Death.

The certainty of Death from Gods doom, Dust thou art &c.Gen. 3.19. [Page 26] Dust thou art;Gen. 3.19. there is materia prima, the matter of which man was Composed; and Ʋnto dust thou shalt return: Resolutio in ma­teriam primam, a resolution into the first matter again.

2 Sam [...] 14, 15. Heb. 9 27.Indeed there is a necessity for death, since the fall of man, yet not such a necessity as hath no Law; for there is plaine Statute for it; Statutum est, &c. It is appointed to all men once to die.

Here I must make answer to a double question:

• 1. Whether the Law of mortality be naturall:
• 2. Whether it be universall or not.

To the former, I answer negatively; man was not made mor­tall, but made himselfe immortall by his sinne. Pelagius his Er­ror hath been condemned by Councells, and therefore I need not stand to confute it, That man died naturae necessitate, non peccati merito, by a necessity of Nature, not by a penalty for Sin. This Doctrine would bring the wisdome of God in question, pre­scribing a Law of mortality, after he had created man mortall.

2. It would bring the justice of God in question, to punish with death where no offence is committed. Every penalty is for some iniquity:Omnis poena est propter aliquam culpam. Aquin. This is therefore the conclusion of all Ortho­dox Divines, Non expoliandus Corpore, sed supervestiendus im­mortalite. There had bin no separation of the body from the soul by death, had there not been a separation of the soul from God by sinne: a possibility to die, is from Nature, a necessity to die is from Sinne, and an impossibility to die is from Grace, The Wages of Sin is Death. Rom. 6. ult.

To the second question, I answer affirmatively. The Law of Mortality is universall. Though the Scripture mentions some that have not died, as Enoch and Elias: their translation may teach us, that God may make an exception to a generall rul [...], he can and will dispense with that Law, whereof himselfe is the sole and mediate Author, as he did with the Morall law, in some cases with the sixth commandement, Thou shalt not kill, when he commanded Abraham to sacrifice his Son: and with the eighth Commandement, Thou shalt not steale, when he commanded the Israelites to spoyle the Egyptians. God is free, and an indepen­dent Agent; he doth not binde himselfe, when he bindes his people; his Prerogative is above the Law, his Mercy is over all his Works: As the Judge may passe Sentence and yet reprieve [Page 27] the Malefactor, so God may condemne the race and generation of Mankinde to be liable to death, and yet may send his royall Dispensation, his gracious pardon for any one in particular. Who can say unto him, What doest thou?

2. Though the Scripture mention some that shall not die, as they that shall be found alive at the coming of Christ to Judge­ment. St. Paul tells us in plain termes, we shall not all sleep, 1 Cor. 15.51. but we shall be changed: The meaning is, they shall not so sleep, as to continue in the state of the dead, but be changed in a mo­ment, in the twinkling of an eye; yet such a change, as they shall have a dissolution, and in the same moment, a redintegration,Dr. Donne, in Psal. 68.20. a reall Death, and a reall resurrection, though no sleeping in the Grave of Corruption.

Well then, Let this consideration of certainty of death, sink into your hearts, and take deep impression, and work your spi­rits to a holy and heavenly frame. Plato once complained of the Argentines, These men live (sayes he) as if they should never die. Truly many Christians live so vainly, and wantonly, and wickedly, as if they should never die, or be called to account, as if Death were but a Scar-crow, or Bugbeare, a painted Hell.

You see one Generation passing, and another Generation co­ming, one Friend and Neighbour drops into the Grave after a­nother, and when your turne shall be you know not: This you may be assured of, Death will come certainly, and it may be spee­dily, it may be suddainly, What man is he that liveth and shall not see Death? Psal. 89.48.

Then againe, consider the uncertainty of the time of death: The rich man promised himselfe a certainty, sung a R [...]quiem to his soule, as if God had sealed him a Lease of his life for many yeares, Soule take thine ease, thou hast goods laid up for many years. Luke 12. Oh (saith our Saviour) How this man fools himself, he promiseth many years, when he cannot assure himself of one moment: This night shall thy soule be required of thee: You know not what hour the Judge will come: You know not what o [...]e day may bring forth: Many have gone well into the fi ld, and have been brought home in the Been; Many have gone well to bed, and wakened in the pangs of Death; Many make but a step from the Credle to the Grave. Like that creature, Ephemera, which lives but eight [Page 28] hours. Many die in their ful strength, when their bones are full of Marrow, and their breasts full of Milk: I know it is the practise of the world to procrastinate Repentance, to defer Preparation for death to the very last of all. Presse this duty, and many will an­swer with Faelix, Acts 24.25. We will heare of this at a convenient season, We will think upon Death and Judgement at our leisure: Or with the Jewes, Hag 1.2. The Time is not yet come: You tell us of pray­ing & repenting, and pleading for mercy; but the time is not yet come, we must p [...]ease our phansies, and pamper our lusts first, partake of the jolli [...]ies and jocundities of the world first, we must have the Prod galls spending time, before his repenting-time, we must have Davids Pleasure, and Davids Penance, we must have a little more Sleep, a little more Slumber, we will think upon Repentance afterward.Ezek. 18.21. God is mercifull, and At what time soever a Sinner repents, he will put all his wickednesse out of his remembrance. Oh but consider, you run upon a desperate ha­zard all this while: Life is uncertaine, God may cut you off in the midst of your sinnes, and then what will become of your soules? It was a notable answer the widow Woman gave to Trajan the Emperour: She comes to him, and demands justice upon him that had slaine her Son: Well, sayes the Emperour, I am now upon my march, and when I come againe, thou shalt have justice. Oh but, replyed the woman, What if my Lord ne­ver [...]ome againe? So there are many put off Repentance, and preparation for D [...]ath from youth to middle-age, from middle-age to old age: Why, what if old age never come? Or, what if it doe come? Have you any assurance of the means of grace, or a blessing upon the meanes? God indeed hath promised par­don to the Penitent; but where hath he promised repentance to the Peccant? Repentance is the gift of God as well as Forgive­nesse, and truly there is no certainty of it, it is promised but with a peradventure, if God peradventure, will give them repentance. God gave one Sinner repentance at the hour of death (the good Thief on the cross) lest any should despair;2 Tim. 2.25. yet but one in all the Scriptur [...], lest any should presume, as S: Aug. excellently. So much as to your consideration.

2. And lastly, (and so I shall draw to a conclusion) as to your care, and conscionable practise; I beseech you imbrace and im­prove [Page 29] these few directions, in order to a pious Life, and a peace­able Death.

First, if you would live to the Lord, and dye in the Lord, labour for exemplary purity of life; Not every one that saith, Mat. 7.21. Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdome, but he that doth the will of the Father. 'Tis not holinesse in Profession, but holinesse in Conversation, Practicall holinesse, that must carry it out at the day of Judgement. Blessed are the pure in heart, Mat. 5.8. they shall see God, and blessed are they that doe the Commandements, they shall enter into the City. They are entituled to Heav [...]n,Rev. 22.14. they are qua­lified for Heaven, they must be pure Virgins that follow the Lamb, they must be cloathed in white Linnen, and have robes washed in the blood of the Lamb; Solomon had two Altars, one to sacrifice Beasts on, another to burne Incense on, to teach us to goe to the outward Altar: first, sacrifice our Beasts, mor­tifie our Corruptions, walke before God in Holinesse and Righ­teousnesse of life, and then goe to the inner Altar, to offer up our Incense of everlasting praise to God in Heaven.

Beloved, holinesse of life is the end of your Redemption, and the ornament of your Profession, and the way to Eternall Salvation: be not deceived,1 Cor. 6.9. No unrighteous person shall enter into the Kingdome of God. Where there is no Purity, there will be no Peace, no Grace, no Glory, no Holinesse, no Happinesse; marke that of David, He that ordereth his Conversation right, Psal. 50.23. to him will I shew the Salvation of God. He that orders his Con­versation right, that is, by a right rule, the Word of God in a right manner, as becomes the Gospell of Christ, and to a right end, the advancement of Gods glory in workes of Piety and Charity; To him will I shew Salvation, he shall dye in the Lord, and rest from all his labours.

Secondly, If you would live to the Lord, and dye in the Lord, g [...]ve the world a bill of Divorcement, otherwise it w ll clip your Wings, and clog your Souls, and hinder your pursuit of Heaven; there is nothing in all the world that is worthy of your affecti­ons, nothing but what is transitory, and unsatisfactory, and therefore look on it and passe away.

Gregory Nazianzen, Ozyza, speakes of a Land which had abundance of curious Flowers in it, but no Corne for Bread to satisfie the [Page 30] peoples hunger; the world is very like that Land, here are ma­ny Flowers, which may please our Sences and our Phantasies, but here is no Corne for Bread, no substantiall satisfying comforts; therefore the Prophet chides, [...]say 55.2. Why doe you lay out your Money for that which is not Bread, and labour for that which satisfies not? a man may drinke of Jacob's well, but that water will not quench his thirst, he may feed upon husks of worldly v [...]nities, but they will not fill his belly. The Blessed Trinity onely can fill the Tri­angular heart of man, my Grace is sufficient, there is [...] suffici­ency in Grace and Glory, but not in Wealth and Honour; Heavens joyes are filling joyes, [...]sal. 17.15. When I awake I shall be satisfied, and therefore doe not prize the Fl [...]sh-pots, a [...]d [...]he Cucombers of Egypt above the Milke and Honey of Canaan; the rivers of Damascus, above the streames of Jordan; the pleasures of Mortality, above the treasures of Eternity; but place your Af­fections upon right Objects, upon things above, and not on things below. As Death should be the Subject of your Medita­tion, so Heaven the Center of your Affections. Richard the fi [...]st, sometimes King of England, gave charge that his bowells should be buried at Charron, [...]eds Chron. but his heart at Roan, the faithfull City, the City of his love: Truly the world deserves but our wast parts, we may bury our bowels in the Earth, but our hearts should be laid up in Heaven, the Royal City, the new Jerusalem, there our Treasure is, there should our hearts be also; our best comforts are in Heaven, [...]l. 3.20. [...]. and our best friends are in Heaven, and therefore should our Conversation be in Heaven, our Traffique and Commerce in Heaven, this was the ground of the Apostles earnest wish for dissolution, [...]. 1.23. [...]. I desire to be loosed, to be with Christ, &c. it is a Metaphor from Marriners, that are winde-bound in a forraigne Countrey, I desire to lose Anchor, I stay but for a winde that may wast me over into the Isle of Mercy, that I may be with Christ, enjoy the beatificiall Vision, see my Saviour and live for ever with him that loved me, and loved me so dear­ly, as to shed his blood for my Redemption.

Thirdly, Be provident for Eternity, you are Tenants at will, provide for your flitting, [...] 10.4. act the parts of the wise Steward in the Gospell, to make sure of another house, before you be put out of this.

Most men have a forecast for the world, to provide Fewell and Fodder in Summer, Oh that we could learne this piece of Spirituall Husbandry, to forecast for Heaven, for the good of the Soule, the one thing needfull. Oh that we could in Health, lay up thoughts for Sicknesse, in the Summer of Prosperity, pro­vide for a Winter of Adversity; that we could in plentifull years, lay in a stock of Grace, against a spending time of Sick­nesse, Distraction, Death and Judgement. Damascene writes of a Countrey, where the people used to chuse their King common­ly out of the meanest sort of the People, and upon any dislike would depose him, and banish him into an Island, where he was to be famished to death. One wise King sent before him great store of Money and Provision into the Island, so that when his time of banishment came, he was received with exceeding great joy and Triumph. Now the time is coming when we must be deposed from all worldly Honour, banished by Death, without any Provision with us. Naked we came, Job. 1.21. and naked we must re­turne, it will there [...]ore be wisdome in us to foresee the danger, and provide for the Storme, to send something before us to Heaven, to send our Prayers and Teares, our Faith and Obedi­ence, to send a good Conscience before, and then after banish­ment from Earth, we shall finde comfortable and plentifull en­tertainment in Heaven. 4. And lastly (so I conclude.)

Pray for Patience, and Perseverance to the end, how many with Demas forsake Christ, and embrace this present world?2 Tim. 4.1 how many faint and tire in the race to Salvation, before they come at the mark of Glory? like the Israelites, they come to Kadesh barnea, but come not to Canaan. Whereas indeed the motion of piety should be velocior in fine, quickest in the end; we should not content our selves with Moses, to look into Ca­naan, by an outward Profession, but with Joshuah, enter Cannan by practice, and perseverance in a holy Conversation. Some Philosophers conceived the Soule grew more and more Divine towards the time of its parting from the Body, it should indeed be the Christians prayer and care to grow in grace as he grows in y [...]ars, to bring up the best wine at last, to mend his pace in his journey, and hold out to the end, like the two Milch Kine, which left their Calves behinde them, and went still for­ward, [Page] till they came at Bethshemesh, Sam. 6.12. that so his latter end may be better than his beginning, and the day of his Death be better than the day of his Birth.

[...]emin. ex [...]ristot.Some report of the Mole, that though she is blinde all her life, yet she seems to open her eyes when she is ready to dye; I feare many of us are blinde in Soule for many yeares, we doe not remember our Creator in the dayes of our youth, we doe not present God with the fat of the Sacrifice, and the first fruits of our yeares, yet however when we came neare the borders of Death, let us open the eyes of our Soules, and look up to our Redeemer Christ Jesus, that we may sing old Simeons Swan-like Song with cheerfulnesse; Lord let thy Servant depart in Peace, for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation, that so after a Troublesome Life, we may have a peaceable Death, and after Death a glori­ous reward of everlasting rest in Heaven, according to this, voicc from Heaven in the Text. Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works follow them.