Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (2).pdf/7

Rh have ſtrength to wreſtle with, and overcome my idols. And without all controverſy, Hezekiah's deſire was a moſt precious and well grounded deſire. However, I would ſay this into thee, that thou ſhoudſt examine thy deſires to live (as much if not more) as thy deſires to die; for, we are ready to ſhun death, if we could, but he is that universal King, unto whom all of us muſt be ſubject ere long.

Now, in the words which are read unto you, there are theſe ſix things, which might be clearly obſerved from them.

I. That it is a moſt clear and infallible truth, that all perſons ſhall once ſee death, as is clear in theſe words, 'who is he that liveth, and ſhall not ſee death?'

II. That this truth (that we ſhall once ſee death) is not much believed or thought upon by many; therefore, it is that the Pſalmiſt doubleth the aſſertion, 'What man is he that liveth, and ſhall not ſee death; ſhall he deliver his ſoul' (that is his life) 'from the hand' (that is) 'from the power of the grave.'

III. That ſometimes a Chriſtian may wiſh to die ſolid ſaith of this truth, that once he canst die, this the Pſalmiſt wan unto, as it is alſo clear in that word (who) 'Who is he that liveth, and ſhall not ſee death?'

IV. That the certainty of this, that once we ſhall die, ſhould be ſtill kept in our mind; therefore, that note of attention, Selah, is put to it. As if he had ſaid, take heed, that there is none living that ſhall not die.

V. That howbeit ſome perſons put the evil day far away, as if they were not to ſee death; yet, is the day coming when they ſhall ſee death, and death ſhall take them by the hand.

VI. We ſhall take notice of this from the context, that the Chriſtian, who is much in minding the brevity of his life, will believe the certainty of his death: the Pſalmiſt was ſpeaking of the ſhortneſs of his life in the preceding verſe, and, in this verſe, he ſpeaketh of the certainty of death.