Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (1).pdf/3

( 3 ) do in the day of our viſitation, when deſolation ſhall come from afar? Where will we flee for reſt? And where will we leave our glory? Old rich men, where will ye flee, when death aſſaults you? Old poor men, where will you flee, when death aſſaults you? Old women where will you flee, when death aſſaults you? Young women, where will you flee, when death aſſaults you? It was an ancient obſervatio. of David Pſalm xxxix. 5. that God made his days as an hand-breadth. This either may relate to the fourfold ſtate of man, viz. His infancy, his child-hood, his man-hood, and his old age. Or, it may relate to the fourfold time of his life, viz. His morning, his forenoon, his afternoon, and his evening. Yet, all our life time is but a day. And, O think ye not that our day is near unto a cloſe?

Now, before that I begin to ſpeak any thing from the words, I ſhall ſpeak a few things to theſe two queſtions, which I conceive may not altogether be unprofitable.

Queſt. 1. Whether s it lawful for any to deſire to die, and return unto their long and endleſs home? Whether it be lawful for one to cry out, O time, time, flee away (and all my ſhadows let them be gone) that ſo, long eternity may come?

Anſ I ſay, It is lawful in ſome cafes for one to deſire to die; for it was Paul's