Spiritual Perfetiiori and firong, than of the enjoyment and continuance of Life : There is no fear more infuperable, thanof certain and in- evitable Death. Thofe who do not fear it at a diftance, are ftruck with Terrors at the afpea and approaches of it. Car- iial Men, whofe Heaven is here, at the fearful apprehenfions and forefightof it, are ready to fink into Defpair. Nay, holy Men, who have the profpeE of Coeleftial Happinefs beyond Death, and believe that the pangs of Death are throws for their deliverance to Eternal Life, are apt to íhrink at the thoughts of theirDiffolution. If the change from an earthly to a heavenly Rate, were not by our being uncloth'd, but to be cloth'd upon with Glory, (whichSt. Paul declares to be the defire of Nature) the hopes of feeing Chrift in his Glory , and being transformed into his Likenefs, would fo inflame their AfeEions, that they would be impatient of being abfent from him. But the neeeffity of dying, that we may afcend into his reviving prefen2e, is fo bitter, that Divine Grace is requifite to induce us to content to it. . St. Peter was an ardent lover of Chrift , and appeals to our Saviour's omnifciency for a tefti- mony of it, Lord, thou that knoweft ill things, knoweft that I ,love thee ; yet our Saviour immediately tells him , When thou 333
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