Page:Great importance of a suitable preparation for death (2).pdf/9

Rh prepare for death. Thirdly, I ſhall give you ſome directions to help you to prepare for death. And then we ſhall proceed unto the ſecond point of doctrine, which we obſerved from the text, and I ſhall ſpeak a few things from it unto you, and ſo come to a cloſe for this time.

Firſt then, We conceive there are theſe ſeven advantages which attend thoſe who live within the continual fight of this truth, that they muſt die.

Firſt. The faith of approaching death, will make a ſoul exceeding diligent in duty: this was our bleſſed Lord's divinity, John ix. 4. 'I must work the work of him that ſent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work,' that is, death is approaching, therefore I muſt work. It is clear also, z Peter i. 12. compared with verse 14. In the .iz. verſe Peter is exceeding diligent in his duty, and the ground of his diligence is in the 14 verſe, 'Knowing, that ſhortly I muſt put off this my tabernacle,' &c. Yet it is even the Epicure's argument, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.' And, should not the Chriſtian much more cry out, 'Let me watch and pray, for tomorrow I may die. I ſay, if the Epicures did make uſe of this notion, to make them vigorous in the purſuit of their pleaſures, O how much more ſhould a Chriſtian improve it, for making him vigorous in the purſuit of his duty. Therefore I ſay unto you all, O be ye diligent, for your night is drawing near. 0 Chriſtians and expectants of heaven, are ye not afraid leſt ye be nighted before ye have walked the half of your journey ? For, if ye be nighted on your journey to heaven, before ye come to the end of your race, there is no retiring place whereunto ye may turn aſide to lodge. Therefore, 'O work, work, work, while it is to day;' for, behold death is approaching, and then ſhall we all be called to an account.

Second, The faith of approaching death, will make a Chriſtian exceeding active in duty, he will not only be diligent, but alſo exceeding ſerious, and zealous in the exerciſe of his duty; this is clear from that notable