I'ItEE wise this will not be. After a long sincere endeavour for the mortification of all sin, I find it will never be absolutely perfect, but by this reduction into the dust. Thou shalt no more be a residence for the least remain- der ofsin unto eternity, nor any clog unto my soul in its actings on God. Rest therefore in hope: for God in his appointed season, when he shall have a desire unto the work of his hands, will call unto thee, and thou shalt answer him out of the dust. Then shall he by an act of his almighty power, not only restore thee unto thy pristine glory, as at the first creation when thou west the pure workmanship of his hands; but en- rich and adorn thee with inconceivable privileges and advantages. Be not then afraid; away with all reluc- tancy, go into the dust, rest in hope, for thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days. That which will enable us hereunto, in an eminent manner, is that view and consideration of the glory of Christ; which is the subject of the ensuingmeditations. For he who is now possessed of all thdt glory, under- went this dissolution of nature as truly and really as ever we shall do. Thirdly, There is required hereunto, a readiness to comply with the times and seasons wherein God would have us depart and leave thisworld. Many think they shall be willing to die when their time is come; but they have many reasons, as they suppose, to desire that it may not yet be, which, for the most part, arise mere- ly from fear, and an aversation of death. Some desire to live, that they may see more of that glorious work of God for his church, which they believe he will accom- plish. So Moses prayed, that hemight not die in the wilderness, but go over Jordan, and see the good land, and that goodly mountain, and Lebanon, the seat of the church, and of the worship of God; which yet God thought meet to deny unto him. And this denial of the request of Moses, made on the highest considera- tion possible, is instructive unto all in the like case. Others may judge themselves to have some work to do in the world, wherein they suppose that the glory of God, and the good of the church is concerned, and therefore would bespared for a season. Paul knewnot clearly whether it were not best for him to abide a while longer in the flesh on this account. And David often deprecates the present season of death, because of the wgrk which he bad to do for God in the world. Others rise no higher than their own private interests or con- ACE. ceros, with respect -unto their persons, their families, their relations, and goods in this world. They would see these things in a better or more settled condition, before they die, and then they shall be most willing so to do. But it is the love of life that lies at the bottom of all these desires in men, which of itselfwill never forsake them. But no man can die cheerfully or com- fortably, who lives not in a constant resignation of the time and season of his death unto the will of God, as well as himself with respect unto death itself. Our times are in his hand, at his sovereign disposal, and his will in all things must be complied withal. Without this resolution, without this resignation, no man can enjoy the least solid peace in this world. Fourthly, As the times and seasons, so the way and means of the approachesof deathhave especial trials, which unless we are prepared for them, will keep us under bondage with the fear of death itself. Long wast- ing, wearing consumptions, burning fevers, strong pains of the stone, or the like from within; or sword, fire, tortures, with shame and reproach, from without, may be in the wayof theaccess of death unto us. Some who have been wholly freed from all fears of death, as a dissolution of nature; who have looked on it as amia- ble and desirable in itself, have yet had great exercise in their minds about these,ways of its approach: they have earnestly desired that this peculiar bitterness of the cup might be taken away. To-get above all per- plexities on the account of these things, is part of our wisdom in dying daily. And we are to have always in a readiness, those graces and duties which are necessary thereunto. Such are a-constant resignation of ourselves, in all events, unto the sovereign will, pleasure, and dis- posal of God. May he not do what he will with his own? Is it not right and meet it should be so? Is not his will in all things infinitely holy, wise, just, and good? Doth he not know what is best for us, and what conduceth most unto his ownglory? doth not he alone do so? So it is to live in the exercise of faith, that if God calls us unto any of those things, which are pecu- liarly dreadful auto our natures, he will give us such supplies of spiritual strength and patience, as shall ena- ble us to undergo them, if not with ease and joy, yet with peace and quietness beyond our expectation. Multitudes have had experience, that those things whichat a distance have had an aspect of overwhelming dread, have been far from unsupportable in their ap-
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