Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (1).pdf/6

( 6 ) feathers are of yellow gold.” O! ſaith Paul, I am as one impatient till I be above, where I ſhall be clothed with theſe excellent and cleanly robes, the righteouſneſs of Chriſt. O! ſaith Paul, I think every day a year. till I be possessed of that kingdom where Satan cannot tempt, and the creature cannot yield, and where I ſhall be free from all my fears of sinning. Now, in all theſe reſpects, who would not desire to die? But, to guard all theſe, I would give you theſe four cautions.

1. Caution. Your desire to die ſhould not be peremptory, but you ſhould desire, to die with ſubmiſſion to the will of God; ſo that although he would fill up fifteen years more to your life, ye ſhould be content to live it out.

2. Caution. When your desires are haſty, and off-hand, ſuſpect them; for ſome, when they meet with an outward croſs (without all deliberation) will cry out, O to be gone ! O that I were dead ! But your desire to die ſhould be deliberate, but not haſty, or raſh.

3. Caution. It is not lawful to desire to die, becauſe of perſonal afflictions.— Many, when they meet with bitter afflictions, will cry out. O to be gone; they long for death even upon that account; ſuch were Job’s desires, Job xxi. 22. and chap. vi. 8, 9. “O that I might have my