THat mighty and continual care which the Divine Providence hath over us, is very gratefully repreſented by ſuch ſoft and tender expreſſions, and characters of God, as do beſpeak an abundant Affection and regard for us, giving us all the aſſurance and ſecurity imaginable of an infinite kindneſs and compaſſion conſtantly ingaged for us.

So when our Lord doth comfort his Diſciples with the Doctrine of Providence, he thus expreſſeth it, Your heavenly Father knoweth, that you have Mat. 6. 32. need of all theſe Things. What can be dearer and and more ſollicitous than the Affections and concernment of a Parent? Another of the like kind to the ſame end and purpoſe, is here mention'd and apply'd by David, who ſeems to aſſure or challenge to himſelf, the extraordinary care and protection of God, under all, the very worſt circumſtances, from the ſutable character of Kindneſs and Indearment he aſcribes to him, ver. 1. The Lord is my Shepheard, and thence makes this natural Inference, I will not want. He will moſt certainly take care of me, for to continue the Parallel or Similitude here before us, ver. 2. He maketh me lie down in green Paſtures, or Paſtures of tender Graſs, he leadeth me beſide ſtill Waters, or Waters of quietneſs: Which is ſpoken with alluſion to the moſt grateful things or conditions, that God will beſtow upon, or provide for his People; his goodneſs will take care, that they ſhall have what is moſt proper and convenient for them. And when they are brought to any diſtreſs, he will deliver them out of it, reduce them to a happy condition, and ſet them right and ſafe in their wayes, ver. 3. He reſtoreth my Soul, he leadeth me in the Paths of righteouſneſs for his Names ſake, and which is more, when they are under the moſt unpromiſing circumſtances, in that ſad and doleful condition, which we muſt all come to and lie under, the diſmal preſſure and ſtroke of Death; even herein the People of God are relieved and ſupported by this extraordinary Divine care and goodneſs; Yea, tho I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.

In which words are two things conſiderable:

Firſt, The terror or ſeverity of a dying State, Yea, tho I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

Yet Secondly under ſuch diſmal circumſtances God doth moſt abundantly comfort and ſupport us; Yea, tho I walk through the Valley of the ſhadow of Death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.

Firſt, 'Tis obſervable, that holy David doth here remember us of the terror and ſeverity of a Dying State or Condition; Yea tho I walk through the Valley of the ſhadow of Death; which is greatly ſignified by almoſt every word in it, Yea 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 etiamſi, Notwithſtanding, implying the utmoſt diſtreſs or extremity, I walk 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ambulavero, I ſhall walk; intimating a leaſurely, and ſo a more tormenting paſſage. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Valle, the Septuagint 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the middle, the depth or extreamity of the ſhadow of death 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , in Valle umbrae lethalis, in the thickeſt of the deadly ſhade, i. e. in ipſiſſimà & profundiſſimâ mortis umbrd, in the deepeſt and utmoſt ſhade or ſorrow of death. The Word here, Bithner.ſaith one, Notat horribilem quandam mortis ſpeciem & figuram (qualis morientium oculis obſervatur) triſti •• iman • . It denotes a very horrid appearance of death, and that moſt diſmal apprehenſion of it, which Men uſually have when they come to die, every way beſet with horror and diſtraction, in a word, a terrible and approaching deſtruction (qui • nim ad umbram accedit non longe a corpore abeſt) He that is in the ſhadow, is not far from the ſubſtance or thing it ſelf,

Thus the Pſalmiſt repreſents a dying State as moſt ſevere and terrible, agreeable to what he Pſt. 55. 4, 5. tells us of it from his own experience, My heart is ſore pained within me, and the pains of death are fallen upon me, fearfulneſs and trembling are come upon me, and horror, or as it is in the other Tranſlation, an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.

Death, or rather the preliminary paſſage to it, and the way into the other World, is attended with great horror and affliction, and is beyond expreſſion harſh and terrible; to which Job may Chap. 6. 2, 3, 4.have ſome reference, when he faith, O that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the ballances together, for now it would be heavier than the ſand of the Sea, therefore my words are ſwallowed up (that is, I want words to expreſs my grief) for the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poiſon whereof drinketh up my ſpirit, the terrours of God do ſet themſelves in array againſt me. And that this was the utmoſt extremity of diſtreſs or afflictoin, he could think of, appears from that Standard of Sorrow▪ which he makes it Chap. 24. 17, If one know them, they are in the terrours of the ſhadow of death, which he therefore calls The King of Chap. 18. 14. terrours. The greateſt of all humane Evils or Miſeries. And now that great terrour and ſeverity, which doth accompany a dying State or Condition, may be occaſioned;

Firſt, From the pains or agonies of it.

Secondly, Mens miſgiving thoughts of their future State.

Thirdly, Their foregoing all the Pleaſures and Enjoyments of this World.

Fourthly, The ſence of Guilt or Sin, that will then crowd in upon us.

Fifthly, The more and greater Aſſaults of our Spiritual Adverſary.

Sixthly, The thoughts and conviction of an enſuing Judgment. Upon all which accounts our dying Circumſtances will appear ſufficiently dreadful and terrible.

The firſt great terror of Death doth ariſe FROM THE PAINS OR AGONIES THAT ƲSƲALLY ATTEND IT▪ For however it is to appearance, there may be, its very likely, even in the ſmootheſt paſſage from this to the other World, ſome rugged and uneven paths which can be perceived by none, but thoſe that tread them, certain it is that in the general, there is a great deal of hardſhip and difficulty at ſuch a time and in ſuch Circumſtances as theſe, from thoſe pains and ſorrows which do naturally attend that condition, for in looſing that knot, in diſſolving the cloſe Conjunction of Soul and Body, there muſt be, and we have reaſon to ſay there is, a great deal of unconceivable Anguiſh and Affliction, 'tis an extream violence to Nature, and the utmoſt contradiction to it. And therefore muſt mightily fret and moleſt us, for whence (but from the moſt horrid pain and uneaſineſs) can proceed ſuch extravagant convulſions, cold ſweats, deadly faintings, ſhort breathing, diſtraction of the Eyes, and other dreadful Agonies that attend it? For if theſe and the like, which we obſerve in daily Spectacles of Mortality are dreadful to behold; What muſt they be to thoſe poor Creatures that do, and to us that ſhall ſuffer under them? And therefore a good man, that is not afraid of death, can't but ſhrink and tremble to think of the way to it, that is beſet with ſuch horror and diſtraction in every particular; O my God may be the language of the moſt pious Soul, I am willing to die and prepared for thee, being deſirous to depart and to be with Chriſt, which is better than a continuance here, but my greateſt concern is, how to come to thee on the other Shore, there is a great Gulf between us, I muſt be toſs'd on a boyſterous Sea, and wrack'd by dreadful Waves, and Tempeſts. Is there no way to Canaan, but through a deſolate Wilderneſs, and muſt I go through the valley of the Shadow of Death, to that Land which flows with Milk and Hony, that Heavenly Jeruſalem? Theſe are things contrary to Fleſh and Blood, and ſuch as will make the ſtouteſt courage faint and tremble, the pains and terrours of death can't be expreſt or conceiv'd by any but who are paſt or under them. And doubtleſs the holy Spirit of God doth in ſome meaſure intimate to us the ſadneſs of them, when it mentions it as a great bleſſing to men that it is appointed to them, but once to die, Heb. 9. 27.and that there ſhall be no more death in the other Rev. 21. 4.State. One undoubted priviledge whereof, is, that there ſhall be no more of thoſe dreadful forerunners or concomitants of it, where are ſorrows ſo ſevere and terrible as endanger the ſafety of our Souls as well as Bodies, by urging us to impatience, diſtruſt, and the like; thence ſays our Church, ſuffer us not at our laſt hour through any pains of death to fall from thee. Our greateſt troubles and moſt dangerous conflict in this World is uſually our departure out of it, ſo that to this caſe alſo we may apply Zeph. 1. 14, 15.that of the Prophet, The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and haſteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord, the mighty Men ſhall cry therein bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and diſtreſs, a day of waſteneſs and deſolation, a day of darkneſs and gloomineſs, a day of clouds and thick darkneſs.

Thus the Pains and Agonies of a dying State render it moſt terrible and dreadful.

Secondly, It will appear again to be ſo, FROM MENS MISGIVING THOƲGHTS OF THEIR AFTER STATE. I do not mean their doubtfulneſs of it, for I am apt to think, that the greateſt pretenders that way are ſufficiently convinc'd when they come to die, and the ſence oft hat their languiſhing Condition will ſoon rub up their belief of another Life; but now moſt or all Men are under no ſmall diſtreſs and perplexity from the conviction and conſideration of that future Life, for which none is ſufficiently fitted and prepared, but hath reaſon, eſpecially from himſelf, to have ſome diffidence, ſome diſtruſt or ſuſpicion of his condition in it, and it is what becometh a prudent and a good Man; for an over-weening opinion of our ſelves, and a confident preſumption of our preparation for Heaven may be ill grounded and miſtaken, and ſeems to be inconſiſtent with a truly devout and penitent Soul, Be not high minded but fear is the Rule that ſuch go by even in theſe circumſtances. We muſt be ſenſible, and ought to be eſpecially ſo, when we come to die, That we have had a great work to do in a little time, and being that God now calls us to give up an account of our Stewardſhip, it muſt put us into very great fear and conſternation to think with our ſelves what we have done, and whither we are going, and how can we but ſuſpect our condition, when we conſider that we are not able to anſwer God one word in a thouſand; muſt it not then moſt deeply concern, and mightily affect our Souls, to conſider that near approach to their endleſs and unalterable State, and the beſt of Men may have ſome fear or ſuſpicion at leaſt of their Condition in it. This now is their grand Affair, and if they fail and miſcarry here they are irrevocably gone and loſt for ever: Who then can avoid being concern'd at this great and weighty change, when he thinks with himſelf, that he is now haſting into another world, and at the gate of Eternity, tho he fears not death, yet the apprehenſions of another State muſt ſtrike a damp into his Soul, and make him hugely ferious and perplexed in his thoughts; Mens hearts failing them for fear of what may become of them in another State. Nor is it blamable or unchriſtian to be ſo, for beſides what Reaſon the beſt of Men may have to ſuſpect themſelves, ſuch a temper as this, will diſpoſe us for all due care and circumſpection in that moſt ſolemn time and ſeaſon, and ſuch an humble diſtruſt of our ſelves may and will have better effects, than a very daring confidence and preſumption: For the comfort of good Men, at the moſt depending upon hope, doth ſhew that at the beſt they lie under ſome donbtfulneſs and inſecurity: And therefore as you ſee Mens miſgiving thoughts, as to a future State, is no ſmall trouble and perplexity to them in their dying circumſtances.

Thirdly, Their trouble herein doth further ariſe, FROM THE THOƲGHTS OF PARTING WITH ALL THE PLEASƲRES AND ENJOYMENTS HERE BELOW. Men that have lived in the World muſt needs have ſome intereſt and affections fix'd in it, and there is ſcarce any that do or can ſit ſo looſe to theſe ſecular Affairs, as to bear the removal from them with an even and undiſturbed Spirit; nay ſo far is it from this, that theſe frequently prove the moſt pungent conſiderations or reflexions in that diſmal ſtate: Have I, ſaith one, laboured all my life time for nothing but vanity and vexation of Spirit, for I find it to be ſo now; I am to be removed, and to be taken from it: For this have I beat my brains, wearied and moleſted my ſelf, for this have I cheated and purloin'd, for this have I overreach'd or ſupplanted my Brother, wrong'd or oppreſs'd my Neighbour, and muſt I be depriv'd of all in a moment? What ſorrow like to my ſorrow will the Worldling ſay? And thoſe pleaſures that others have too much in dulged, will but the more perplex their thoughts when they are thus forc'd from them; nay even the moderate and lawful enjoyment of theſe things, will occaſion in us no ſmall trouble and vexation of mind, at this final parting with them: Tho it behoves us to do it with Chriſtian courrage, and Reſignation, yet we cannot without extream ſorrow and concernment ſay at that time, Farewel Wife, farwel Children, farewel Friends, farewel the World finally farwel whatever was here dear and valuable. And give me leave to add, the more have been Mens comforts, and thoſe of good Men have been the moſt and trueſt, the more and greater muſt be the grief and concernment, for that utter removal, and diſmal ſeparation from them.

Fourthly, The troubles of a dying State muſt be again very great, FROM THE SENCE OF SIN OR GƲILT THAT WILL THEN CROWD IN ƲPON ƲS. However we may forget God and our ſelves in a time of Health and Proſperity, when theſe decline or for ſake us, we are uſually brought to a ſober ſence, and in ſuch a languiſhing State and Condition can hardly avoid it; Conſcience, if ever, will certainly awake when we come to die, and we may have obſerved the greateſt Affliction that Men have then ſuff er'd under, was their not being able to avoid their own thoughts, which are now more bitter and terrible than ever, (and by the way 'tis not only juſtice but withal goodneſs in God to make it ſo.) Now the mind has quick and unbiaſs'd Reflections on its own Actions, and ſets forth its Guilt in true and proper Colours, and therefore the Apoſtle may well ſay, The ſting of Death is Sin. No terror in this State like that which doth redound to us from our guilty Conſciences which have now got us under hold, and will laſh us ſeverely. We can't now diſguiſe or diſſemble our guilt, there is no ſtifling of it by Riot or Intemperance, lewd and loofe Company can divert us no longer; all the live-long day our ſins will plague and fret us, and in the weariſom nights, when we count every minute, our guilt will ruſh in upon our thoughts, attend us in every Iſa. 57. 20. 21.turn and motion, and render our Souls as reſtleſs and uneaſie as our Bodies; if what the Prophet ſaith of wicked Men be true at other times, 'tis much more ſo at this, That they are like the troubled Sea when it cannot reſt, whoſe waters caſt up mire and dirt. There is no peace, ſaith my God, to the wicked. When we come to die, the greateſt melancholly that ſhall then ſeize our ſpirits, will be from the heavy load and burden of our ſins, that will be ready to oppreſs and ſink our Souls. Then we ſhall find that threatning verified in us, I will reprove Pſal. 50. 21. thee, and ſet them in order before thine eyes. And what grief or anguiſh can be comparable to that, which redounds from this? When we are going hence, and God gives us Warning to remove, muſt it not concern and afflict us beyond all thought or expreſſion, to conſider the danger our Sins have now brought us to? They hide God's face and mercy from us, and in our greateſt Diſtreſs and higheſt need of Comfort, threaten us with utter Ruin and Deſtruction; and nothing now can be ſo cutting and intollerable as the thoughts of a diſpleaſed and angry God. And well may that be ſo to us which was the greateſt of our Saviours troubles, for at his dying hour, the guilt of our ſins that lay on him, occaſioned the bittereſt agony of his Soul, and that diſmal exclamation, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me. Moſt certainly the ſence of guilt will be the bittereſt Potion, and the very dregs of that Cup of trembling, Our Hearts will faint, and our Souls will ſink within us, and we ſhall ſhake and fear, and cry mightily, and have on us ſuch paſſionate concernment as is inexpreſſible, from the diſmal apprehenſion of the Divine Wrath and Indignation which our ſins have kindled and provok'd againſt us. So that Gen. 4. 13.hereupon it may be ſaid with Cain, My puniſhment is greater than I can bear.

Fifthly, The troubles of a dying ſtate will appear further conſiderable, FROM THE ASSAƲLTS OF OƲR SPIRITƲAL ENEMY, WHICH WILL BE THEN MORE AND GREATER THAN EVER. For to this we may Rev. 12. 12.apply what is ſaid of him, Woe to the Inhabitants of the Earth, for the Devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, becauſe he knoweth that he hath but a ſhort time. And accordingly we may expect that he will apply his temptations, now more cloſely and vigorouſly than ever, for if he diſcharges this laſt part effectually, they are utterly loſt and gone, and he has gain'd them for ever. Wherefore he may be ſuppos'd now to ſet all his Engines on work, and to ply it cloſely. He takes all the advantages that may be of theſe extream and difficult circumſtances; herein he tempts us to fretfulneſs and impatience under God's hand, to a deſtruſt or diſpair of his goodneſs. Doſt thou ſtill retain thy Integrity? Curſe God Job 2. 9. and die. If this will not do, he tempts us with too great preſumption on the Divine goodneſs, to a neglect of due Examination and Repentance of our Sins, or diſtracts our thoughts with Secular Affairs. One way or other, he either keeps us from the duties requiſite for that State, or endeavours to make us increaſe our ſin in it. Moſt certain it is, that the Devil doth now hope, and induſtriouſly watch, for his Prey; the laſt effect of his Malice and Revenge. The caſe here may be ſomewhat liken'd to that mention'd of him, Rev. 12. 4 The Dragon ſtood before the Woman that was ready to be delivered, for to devour the Child as ſoon as it was born. But may our Souls eſcape like that, and be caught up unto God and to his Ver. 5. Throne.

Sixthly, A dying State or Condition, is render'd very dreadful and terrible FROM THE THOƲGHTS OR CONVICTION OF AN AFTER-ACCOƲNT OR JƲDGMENT. The Priſoner when going to his Tryal, hath all along every ſtep he takes, very ſtrange and perplexing thoughts, and is beyond expreſſion troubled and uneaſie within himſelf. And what muſt the caſe be with Men, when on the confines of another World, to think of that great and impartial Judgment and Tribunal, before which they are now ſummon'd to appear? And how muſt it affect and cut them, to conſider that they are now haſting to the preſence of that Rightoous and Almighty Judge, who ſhall ſtrictly examine every thought and idle word, before whom all things are naked and open? To conſider that after Death comes Judgment, is that which makes a dying State the moſt ſerious and weighty matter in the whole World. What concernment and anxiety muſt a man truly conſiderative have at ſuch a time? I am dying, I am departing; that is, in other terms, I am called to give up my Accompts, I am going to be Judged before the great God; behold, what matter ſo weighty, what concernment comparable to this? This ſingle conſideration duly weighed, renders ſuch circumſtances very ſtraight and terrible▪ No other can be the genuine effect of Mens thorough belief and conviction (at that time) of an approaching Judgment.

But we have ſufficiently repreſented the black and tragical part, it may be high time now to draw the Curtain, and ſet forth a fairer Seene. Well then, notwithſtanding a dying condition is thus ſevere and terrible, yet we have particular, extraordinary ſupports and comforts under it. Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the ſhadow of Death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR THOƲ ART WITH ME, to aſſiſt me in theſe ſtraits and neceſſities, and to afford ſuitable helps and advantages under them. And now thoſe great ſupports which God doth give us in theſe moſt difficult circumſtances, may be conſider'd under theſe following particulars.

Firſt, The thoughts of this State; as the appointment of God.

Secondly, That God is therein peculiarly preſent with us, and gives us extraordinary helps and aſſiſtances of his Divine care and goodneſs.

Thirdly, The near approach to Heaven and Happineſs.

Fourthly, The conſideration of Chriſts Death and Sufferings.

Fifthly, The belief and expectation of a future Reſurrection.

Sixthly, The promiſe and aſſurance of pardon and forgiveneſs.

Seventhly, The attendance of God's Holy Angels that are ready to receive our Souls.

Which duly and ſeriouſly conſider'd, will abundantly qualifie and remove all the terrours and difficulties of a dying State.

Firſt, It is a very great ſupport at that time to conſider, That the STATE WE ARE NOW BROƲGHT TO, IS ACCORDING TO THE DETERMINATE ORDER AND ALLOTMENT OF GOD, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. He is the breath of our Noſtrils, he put our Souls into theſe Tabernacles, and we are here only Tenants at Will, liable to be diſpoſſeſt at Pleaſure. And when we conſider, that 'tis appointed for all men once to die, and that it is an irrevocable decree of Heaven that we MƲST all walk through the Valley of the ſhadow of Death, why ſhould we fear any evil? be diſmay'd or terrified, at that which is the will and pleaſure of the Almighty, as if ſome ſtrange and unexpected accident did befall us? For may we not hereupon 1 Theſ. 3. 3.ſay with the Apoſtle, That no man ſhould be moved with theſe afflictions, for your ſelves know that we are appointed thereunto. Is not Gods hand in my ſuffering? Is it not in my death? 'Tis an undoubted mitigation even of this ſorrow and affliction to conſider that God hath appointed it as the unavoidable Lot and Portion of all men living▪ ſo that, on this account, we may ſay, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.

Secondly, In our dying State or circumſtances, GOD IS PECƲLIARLY PRESENT WITH ƲS, AND GIVES ƲS EXTRAORDINARY HELPS AND ASSISTANCES OF HIS CARE AND GOODNESS. Thou art with me. That Providence which is always vigilant over us, hath then a more deep and ſpecial regard and concern for us. Are the very hairs of our head all number'd? And doth his care extend ſo far, as that one of theſe ſhall not fall to the ground, but by the permiſſion of our Heavenly Father? May we not hence juſtly conclude, that he is peculiarly careful of us in ſuch danger and extremity as this? Thou art with me; it is render'd Penes me, in loquo quo ſto, Thou art near at hand, in the very place where I am, not as an indifferent unconcern'd Spectator, but to be a very preſent help in trouble. Then this our good God is with us, to comfort our Souls, to ſupport our Spirits, to eaſe our Pain, and give us patience under it, to ſoften our cares, to mitigate the pangs and terrours of Death; then the Eternal Deut. 33. 27. God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlaſting Arms. Such a mighty care of God over us, holy David was abundantly ſenſible of, and doth expreſs very paſſionately, Thou art about my path, and about my bed. The Lord will deliver Pſal. 41. him in time of trouble. Thou wilt not deliver him into the will of his enemies. The Lord will ſtrengthen him upon the bed of languiſhing; thou wilt make all his bed in his ſickneſs. The Hebrew word ſignifies turn, Thou wilt turn all his bed in his ſickneſs, as it were to make him lie more ſoft and eaſie. And he ſeems to have an undoubted reference hereunto, by what preſently follows in this verſe: Thou art with me, thy rod and thy ſtaff comfort me. At quid adſerunt ſolatis virga & baculus? adferunt & quidem plurimum, ſaith Eraſmus ingeniouſly upon it, What comfort doth the rod and ſtaff here import? A great deal; adverſus latrocinia daemonum hoc Molientium, They are thoſe Inſtruments whereby this great Shepherd doth defend his Flock from the rage and malice of the Devils, that wait to devour us. I am not ignorant, ſaith he, that ſome of the Ancients, by the rod here, underſtand ſome light affliction, wherewith God doth Chaſtize; by the ſtaff ſome more ſevere and heavy Judgment, whereby he doth puniſh his people. An opinion, though very pious, yet not ſo proper for this place; for obſerve, ſaith he, the Pſalmiſt doth not ſay, My rod and my ſtaff, but thy rod and thy ſtaff, and therein ſpeaks more agreeably, to the Metaphor here of Gods being a Paſtor; and ſo we may take the rod and the ſtaff here according to what is uſual in Scripture, the rod may be his aſſiſting Grace, the ſtaff our Defence againſt our ravenous enemy. Haec virga paſtoris Jeſu hic beculus ſolatio ſunt gregi imbecilli adverſus terrores omnium malorum. This rod, this ſtaff of the ſhepherd of our ſouls, Chriſt Jeſus, will be our protection and ſecurity againſt all kind of evil. St. Paul, ſaith he, mentions the fiery Darts of the Devil; theſe Chriſt keeps from us with his ſtaff here mentioned: Hoc an non magnum interim militaris itineris ſolatium. And is not this by the way a great incouragement of our Warlike State? How dearly doth our Lord Jeſus love us, who, as you ſee, will neglect nothing that may any wiſe conduce to our protection, our refreſhment, and our comfort? Thus far he, which I have the longer inſiſted on, becauſe it is ſuch a genuine, though unuſual Interpretation, and a ſeaſonable repreſentation of Gods ſo great, and peculiar care, and regard for us, in this moſt ſtraight and difficult condition.

To ſum up this Head; as nothing is ſurer than the day of Death, and our departure out of this earthly Body, which very likely may be attended with blackneſs and terrour, with dreadful pains, and Agonies, too great to be expreſt; yet I may comfortably ſay, that herein the Lord is my helper; yea, though I walk through this Valley of the ſhadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Tho the Arrows of the Almighty ſtick faſt in me, and his hand preſſeth me ſore tho my condition be painful and tormenting, and I be ſtretcht upon my Bed with grief and anguiſh, and my friends about me lament to think that the place which now ſeeth me, ſhall ſee me no more, notwithſtanding the Dan. 5. 26.decree is paſt. That God hath numberd my Life and finiſh'd it, and I am now befet with gloomineſs and darkneſs, mine eye bals rowl, and my Soul is juſt on the wing, ready to take its flight into the unknown Regions of the other World, Pſalm. 73. 23. Nevertheleſs I am continually with thee, thou haſt holden me by my right hand, Thou ſhalt guide me with thy Council, and afterward receive me to glory; Whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none upon Earth that I deſire beſides thee. My Fleſh and my Heart faileth, but God is the ſtrength of my heart and my Portion for ever. Which brings us to another thing that will relieve and comfort us, in a dying State and Condition, and that is

Thirdly, THE THOƲGHTS OR CONSIDERATION OF OƲR NEAR APPROACH TO HAPPINESS AND GLORY. Having hitherto run the race that is ſet before us. We may expect greater ſweets and troubles, and to be more tired, the nearer we come to the end of it. But this is the laſt Stage, if we can bear up under this only remaining difficulty, the day and the prize is ours, we may go on with patience Looking unto Jeſus, the Author and Finiſher of our Faith. How muſt it incourage our endeavours, and ſupport our ſpirits, under the ſoreſt preſſure of Death it ſelf, to behold, with an eye of faith, the glory ready to be revealed, and to ſee our Lord, with open arms, ready to receive us? Come, bear up under this, and as it is your worſt, it is your very laſt tryal. There are bleſſed Manſions prepar'd for you, where there ſhall be no more Rev. 2. 4. death, neither ſorrow, nor crying; neither ſhall there be any more pain, for the former things are paſſed away. Tho it may not ſeem conſiſtent with what I have already deliver'd, to leſſen the ſad and ſorrowful circumſtances of our dying hours, yet I may ſay, that if our Souls be duly fix'd on Heaven and Eternity, it muſt in a great meaſure abate, and will, I'm ſure, outweigh the worſt that can be ſaid or conceiv'd of that State. This is able to outballance the utmoſt tyranny of pains and agonies, and to diſpel all clouds and melancholly from our minds. The Night is come, but it brings us to the dawn of Eternity, and that ſhadow of Death is the confine of the days of Heaven. Yet a little while, and we are gone into YONDER World; and muſt it not be a mighty ſatisfaction to us now, to ſay with the Apoſtle, We know that if our earthly houſe of this tabernacle 2 Chro. 5. 1. were diſſolv'd, we have a building of God, an houſe not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. To think that the pain will be over in a ſhort time, is ſome eaſe to my mind in the greateſt affliction; but to add, and conſider withal, that it will be preſently ſucceeded with joy unſpeakable and full of glory, muſt adminiſter to our Souls the higheſt conſolation. I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; to ſay farther, and I ſhall be with thee, be transferred to that bliſsful State, to the Pſal. 16. 11.preſence of God, where there is fulneſs of joys and pleaſures for evermore, is my moſt unſpeakable ſupport, and the very height of comfort and ſatisfaction. Eccleſ. 12. The years draw nigh in which thou ſhalt ſay I have no pleaſure in them, while the Sun, or the Light, or the Moon, or the Stars, are darkned. In the day when the Keepers of the Houſe ſhall remble. Alſo when they ſhall be afraid of that which is high, and fears ſhall be in the way. The ſilver Cord is looſeth▪ Obſerve, upon that melancholly, and tho elegant deſcription, of our dying condition, Solomon ſubjoyns us a comfort againſt the diſmal thoughts of thoſe ſad circumſtances, and againſt Death it ſelf; the conſideration of our acceptance with God in the Immortal State. Then ſhall the duſt return to the earth as it was, and the ſpirit ſhall return to God who gave it. In a word, this ſingle conſideration, that we ſhall ever be with the Lord, duly weighed and rely'd on, will abundantly relieve and ſupport us againſt all the Powers of Death, in its moſt horrid and ghaſtly, appearances, and ſufficiently ſubdue the great difficulties of the dying State.

Fourthly, This is again render'd further eaſie and ſupportable FROM THE CONSIDERATION OF CHRISTS DEATH AND SƲFFERINGS; not only as they do expiate our ſins, and ſo bring comfort to our Souls, as we may have occaſion to ſhew preſently▪ but withal, upon the account of his great and glorious conqueſt over Death and the Grave, which he vanquiſh'd and ſubdu'd, in the very worſt, and moſt horrid circumſtances, that they might have leſs power, and exerciſe leſs tyranny over us. Whereupon the Apoſtle triumphantly ſpeaks, Death is ſwallowed 1 Cor. 15. 54. up in Victory. O Death, where is thy ſting? O Grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

To conſider that Chriſt our Lord under went the ſame before us, and in a more diſmal manner than we are able to bear or imagine, is ſome mitigation in this moſt ſorrowful condition; conſidering withal, that in doing ſo, he hath made the way more ſmooth and paſſable for us. Death ſpent his moſt fiery Darts on him, and he hath ſo ſubdu'd his greateſt ſtrength and utmoſt power, that he either cannot, or dare not be over ſevere and rigorous with us; at leaſt, he can go no further than he will permit him. I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, Rev. 1. 18.Amen: And have the keys of Hell and of Death. Death is now purely under Chriſts command, and can do nothing but by leave from him; and therefore, we may juſtly hope that our gracious Lord will not ſuffer him to exert his utmoſt fury upon us. How ſuitable then is that pious Prayer Viſitation of the Sick.of our Church at this ſeaſon: O Saviour of the World, who by thy Croſs and precious Blood haſt redeemed us, ſave us and help us, we humbly beſeech thee, O Lord.

Fifthly, The troubles and ſorrows of a dying State, are again very much abated and ſubdu'd FROM THE THOUGHTS OF A FUTURE RESURRECTION, which will ſatisfie our minds, and make abundant amends for all the doubts or troubles that do now attend us. What though we ſuffer under pains, and may be griev'd to think that part of us ſhall be the prey of Worms and Corruption, yet the belief of this truth will ſoon diſpel the ſorrows that ariſe from thence. The time is coming (and Lord, what joy is it in theſe ſtraights▪) when my Soul now returning to God, ſhall meet this body again glorious and refin'd; never more to be vext with, or ſeparated from it. This ſhadow of Death, and that ſorrowful Night, that is now beſet with clouds and horrour, will conduct us to the morn of our Reſurrection; and how can we be ſorrowful as Men without hope? This our Church looks upon as the moſt comfortable ſupport, for the conſideration of our own, or others diſſolution, when in its great Prudence and Piety, it appoints that Leſſon concerning the great Article of the Reſurrection in the Burial Service, a Doctrine if rightly fix'd and believ'd, that will render us ſtedfaſt and immoveable in the deepeſt ſorrows. Thy Brother ſhall riſe again, was the comfort our St. John 11. 23.Saviour gave to Mary, and is ſuch as will be able to bear up our ſpirits, even in the heavieſt tryals of a dying State. For how muſt it ſupport me and others, at that time, to ſpeak after this, or the like manner? You behold me, Brethren, ſeemingly forſaken and diſtreſt; and, indeed, My complaint is bitter, for my ſoul is exceeding ſorrowful, even unto death, and my ſtroke is heavier than my groanings. But yet I would have you believe and think as I do, that I am only to withdraw for a ſmall ſeaſon; and as the Prophet Iſai. 26. 20. ſpeaks, to enter into my Chambers, and ſhut my Doors about me, and to hide my ſelf, as it were, for a little moment, for thy dead men ſhall live; together with my dead body ſhall they ariſe. And thereupon, obſerve what followeth: Awake and ſing, ye that dwell in the duſt. This long and ſolemn parting may cauſe grief in our hearts, and tears in our eyes; but ſhall we not be comforted, St. Matth. 5. 28.conſidering the time is coming, in which, All that are in the Graves, ſhall hear the voice of the Son of God, and ſhall come forth.

Sixthly, The Terrours of a dying State are mightily qualified and abated, FROM GODS MOST COMFORTABLE PROMISE AND ASSƲRANCE OF PARDON AND FORGIVENESS. The greateſt and the trueſt ſorrow of a dying State, is that which is occaſion'd from the ſence of Sin and Guilt▪ Hinc illae lacryniae. This is the cauſe of our chiefeſt trouble and uneaſineſs at that time, and very juſtly too, for it is the moſt diſmal rate as ever was threatned; St. John 8. 24. Ye ſhall die in your ſins. But when I come with a meſſage of Pardon and Forgiveneſs, and this be St. Matth. 9. 2.rightly receiv'd and well grounded, then 'tis Son be of good chear, thy ſins be forgiven thee. To be convinc'd that I have made my peace with God, and that my Pardon is ſealed in Heaven, this will ſtrengthen us in the midſt of ſorrows, even to the defiance of all pain and anguiſh: Inſtead of complaints, we may hereupon joyfully ſay, Lord, now letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace. I do neither care nor value what I ſuffer, ſo I be reconciled, to God, and have my ſins waſh'd away by the Blood of Chriſt. And ſuch may be the ſtate of every one of us, for upon a ſincere Faith and Iſa. 55. 7.hearty Repentance, God will have mercy upon us, and abundantly pardon. Though your ſins be as ſcarlet, 1 18. they ſhall be as white as ſnow; though they be red like crimſon, they ſhall be as wool. This bleſſed promiſe takes away the ſting of death, and puts us beyond the reach of its terrour and malignity; and therefore our Church may well preſcribe it as the great, or only comfort, and ſecurity, in ſuch a ſtate or condition. Thus ſaying, The Almighty Lord, Viſit. of Sick. who is a moſt ſtrong Tower to all them that put their truſt in him, to whom all things in heaven, in earth, and under the earth, do bow and obey, be now and evermore they defence, and make thee know and feel, that there is no other name under Heaven given to Man▪ in whom, and through whom, thou mayeſt receive health and ſalvation, but only the name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

The Seventh, and laſt comfortable Conſideration that we have againſt the great ſorrows of Death is. THE ATTENDANCE OF GODS HOLY ANGELS READY TO RECEIƲE OƲR SOƲLS AND TO CONDƲCT THEM INTO THE MANSION OF THE BLESSED. For he Pſal. 91. 11.will give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways, certainly then in theſe, the moſt difficult of any. For are they not all Miniſtring ſpirits Heb. 1. 14.ſent forth to Miniſter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for them that ſhall, or are ready to inherit Salvation?

The bleſſed God whoſe inſtruments the Angels are (and who is therefore alone to be ador'd for it) hath out of wonderful condeſcenſion towards us, aſſign'd thoſe glorious happy Beings, for our ſafety and protection in our dying Strength and Difficulties. For the holy Scripture St. Luk. 16. 22.tells us, They carried Lazarus his Soul into Abrahams boſom. And in our Saviours dreadful St. Luk. 22. 43.Agonies there appeared an Angel unto him from Heaven ſtrengthening him. And if ſuch were able to bring him relief in his Circumſtances, they may well do it to ours, which at the worſt, come vaſtly ſhort of his ſorrowful Death and Paſſion. Why now ſhould we be amaz'd, and terrified at the thoughts or approach of that moſt ſerious and ſolemn hour. Pſal. 43. 5, 6. Why art thou ſo heavy, O my ſoul? And why art thou ſo diſquieted within me? O put thy truſt in God. He and his bleſſed Angels continually watch over us Rev. 3. 10. for good. God in the ways we have heard, or others, as he knows beſt, Will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which ſhall come on all the World. Pſal. 46. 1. God is our refuge and ſtrength; a very preſent help in trouble: Therefore will we not fear, tho the earth be moved. The Lord of Hoſts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

In all time of our Tribulation, in the hour of Death, and in the Day of Judgment, Good Lord deliver us.