A rreatife of Conf ience. 77 more. And fo Job ; Let me alone, that I may take comfort a lit- tle, before l go,whence I Jball not return. Thefe good men were then fomething unwilling to die : They might have many rea- fons; moft likely this was one, That they might,be better pre- pared, and more fit and ready for their departure. 4. Some of Gods people ; as there, Job and David, at other times ; I fay, fome of Gods people have fuch marvellous peace with God as that if it were Gods will they had much rather die then live ; I de fire to be diffolved, faith Paul, and to be with Chrifl ;which is farre better. It may be in regard of the Church, or the care of their children and charge God hath laid on them, they could be content to remain frill in t'he body : nevertheleffe, they ac- count their flare after death much better ; and, were it put to them whether to die or to live longer here, they would choofe death rather of the twain. Nay, Elias repelled for himfelf that he might die : It is enough, Lord : take away my life. Not that they love death it felf for death is evil in its own nature, con- trary to nature, a badge of linne : but for the love they have to and the affurance they have of eternall life after death. 5. Nay there is no child of God but may truly be faid to love death, and to love the day of judgement and the appearing of Chrift Jefus. Divines ufe to put this as a ligne of Gods children : Nay, the Apoftle maketh this as a propertie of Gods children, to love (hi-ills appearing: I have fought a good fight, faith Paul, I have finiJbedmycourfe: There he t&leth us of his own peace; and then he telleth us of his reward ; From henceforth is laid up for me acrown of righteoufneffe, which the Lord the righteous uflge fhaIlgive me in that day ;and not to me one), but to them alfo that love hù appearing: that is, to all his children : For all the children of God love the appearing of Jèfias Chrift to judgement. Though all do not delire it with the farne ftrengch of faith :yet all delire it with faith. They believe that Chrift hath :.teflroyed leim that hath thepower ofdeath,which is the devil ; they beleive Chrift hath taken away deaths fling, which is fine, and fmallowed death up in villory; and may all fay, Thank! be un- to Cod who bathgiven tee viîtory through our Lord jefus Chriff. Neither Job so.zo z s. Phil,I.z3, r Kings s94. z 111114.8 Heb.z,t4. s Cocrs, 56, 57.
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