Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (2).pdf/18

18 that noble practice of Paul exceeding worthy of imitation, 1 Cor. xv. 31. 'I die daily.' Which I think doth comprehend theſe three things: 1. That Paul had death always in his ſight. 2. It comprehendeth this, that he endeavoured to keep ſuch a frame as every moment he ſhould be ready to die; ſo that whenſoever death ſhould put the ſummons into his hand, he would be content to anſwer. 3. It comprehendeth this, that he laboureth to lay aſide and remove all things out of the way, that might detain him from laying down his tabernacle. Oh! ſaith Paul, I labour to clear myſelf of all hinderances, as that whenever I ſhall be ſummoned to remove out of time, I may willingly lay down my life. Therefore, I would aſk you this queſtion, viz. When ſhall ye make your laſt teſtament? I think it were ſuitable for us to be renewing our letter will every day; for, in ſo doing, Paul made an excellent teſtament, the better of which none that died ſince have made, 2 Tim. iv. 7-8. 'I have fought a good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith ;' theſe are very ſweet articles; and then he addeth, 'henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteouſneſs, which the Lord, the righteous judge, ſhall give me at that day.' And think ye not that very ſweet, that he would leave ſomething to you in Chriſt's name? viz. 'And that not for me only, but for all them that wait for his appearance.' Now I come to the third thing propoſed, viz. To give ſome directions for helping you to prepare for death.

Direction 1. I entreat you be much in preparation for death every day, for it is even a preparation for heaven, to be taking a ſight of your grave and latter end every day.

Direction 2. I entreat you be much in those duties: Firſt, In ſelf- examination; that your counts may be clear with God, for many a ragged count ſhall we have when death and we shall meet. Secondly, Be much in the exerciſe of repentance, that ye may have every fault and corruption in you mourned for, before death and you meet. Thirdly, Be much in the exerciſe of faith, making your calling and election