Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (2).pdf/19

Rh ſure. Fourthly, Be much in the exerciſe of mortification; and that will help you to keep a looſe grip, not only of the world, but alſo of your idols: and if ye be much in theſe, ye ſhall undoubtedly be prepared for death.

Direction 3. Be much in minding the excellent things of heaven. A Chriſtian that would be prepared for death, ſhould have all his thoughts and converſation there. I think it would be an excellent help (in preparation for death) to take a ſight of the crown every day.

Direction 4. 'Labour always to keep a good conſcience, void of offence towards God and man:' I ſay, labour to keep thy conſcience clear, and that ſhall be a continual feaſt unto thee.

Direction 5. Slight not thy known duty, do not crucify any conviction, neither break any reſolution, put theſe three together, and that will exceedingly help you to prepare for death: I ſay, See that ye adventure not to ſlight any known duty. See that ye adventure not to crucify any conviction, and fee that ye adventure not to break your reſolutions.

Now we come to the ſecond thing, which we obſerved from the words, viz. That this truth, that we ſhall once ſee death, is not much believed by any of us. And to make this appear, we ſhall only give ſome evidences unto you, to prove that we are nor as yet prepared for death

1. Evidence. Doth not the unſpeakable stupidity that hath overtaken many, ſay, That we are, not a people prepared for death? Alas! many of us would find ourſelves in a moſt ſtupid temper, if we were preſently to die; for many of us are no more moved with the threatenings and terrors of God, than if they did not belong unto us; and this faith, we are not as yet prepared for death.

2. Evidence. That we are not prepared for death, is our purſuing ſo much after the vain and paſſing delights of a preſent world. Many of us riſe up 'early, and go late to bed at night, and eat the bread of ſorrow all the day, and load ourſelves, with the thick clay;'