Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (2).pdf/4

4 abſent from the body, and to be preſent with the Lord. Alſo it is clear, Philip. i. 23. 'I am in a ſtrait betwixt two, having a deſire to depart, and to be with Chriſt, which is far better.' I was his great end to have near and unmixed communion with Chriſt. What aileth you, Paul, (might one have ſaid) may you not be content to ſtay a while here? Nay, ſaith Paul, I deſire to be gone, and to be with Chriſt.' Waſt thou never with him here, Paul? I have been with him, ſaith he, but what is all my being with him here, in compariſon of my being with him above; Whilſt I am preſent in the body, I am abſent from the Lord? therefore, I will never be at reſt, ſaith he, get what I will, until I get Chriſt, until I get thoſe naked and immediate embracements of that noble Plant of Renown, the Flower of the ſtock of Jeſſe, who is the light of the higher houſe, the eternal admiration of angels.

2. It is lawful to deſire to die, when it floweth from the excellencies of heaven, from a deſire to partake of theſe excellent things that are there; this is clear, 2 Cor. v. 4 'We groan being burdened;' or, as the word is, We groan, as they who are preſſed under a heavy burden, that we may be clothed upon.' &c. What aileth you to groan ſo, Paul? O ſaith he, I groan that mortality may be swallowed up of life.

3. It is lawful to deſire to die, when it floweth from a desire to be ſaved from the body of death; and from theſe temptations that doth aſſault us: And from theſe oppreſſions whereunto we are ſubjected by it. Doubtleſs Paul desired to die on this account, when he cried out, Romans xii. 24. 'O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from the body of this death!' he longeth greatly for that day, 'wherein he ſhall be made white like the wings of a dove, covered with ſilver, whoſe 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.' Oh! faith Paul, I think every day a year, till I be poſſeſſed of that kingdom where Satan cannot tempt, and the creature cannot