§. 112. Of taking care of posterity at the time of our death.
THe time of Iacob's blessing the sons of Ioseph is here said to be a 1.1 when he was a dying. Of the composition and meaning of the word translated dying, See Chap. 7. v. 8. §. 51.
The participle here used, implieth not only the moment of giving up the Ghost, but also the neer approach of death, manifested by old age, sickness, or any other like occasion.
This circumstance of the time here noted, sheweth, that the time of a mans de∣parting out of this world, is a seasonable time to think of posterity, and to doe what lieth in his power for their good. In the history it is said that the time drew nigh that Israel must dye: and again, it was told Ioseph, that his Father was sick, Gen. 47. 29. and 48. 1.) when Iacob took order about matters after his death: so Isaac when he intended to bless his sons, thus saith: Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death, Gen, 27. 2. When God had told Moses, that he should be gathered to his people, then Moses thought of a successor, Numb. 27. 13, 16. Yea, Moses himself rendred this reason concerning his Declaration of the future estate of Israel, that he was an hundred and twenty years old, and could no more goe out, and come in among them, Deut. 31. 2. This reason Ioshua rendred on the like occasion: I am old and stricken in age, Josh. 23. 2. At such a time God appointed such a duty to Hezekiah, 2 King. 20. 1. Yea, Christ him∣self when he was upon the Cross, takes care for his Mother, Iohn 19. 27. So Peter at such a time manifesteth his care of the Churches, 2 Pet. 1. 14. and o∣ther Apostles.
- 1. The duty it self of taking care for posterity is an evidence of a holy zeal of Gods glory, and of true love to his Church, in that it contenteth us not to promote the one and the other in ourselves, or in our own time, but also endea∣vour to have it done by others after our time.
- 2. The time of ones death is in this respect the fittest, because, if that time be let slip, there remains no time after it for us to do any thing. There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, Eccles. 9. 10. When the night cometh, no man can work, John 9. 4.
- 3. The time of a mans departure, is the most seasonable time, because the words of a dying man make the deeper impression.
- 1. How many are there, who, as if the world were onely for themselves, take no care for their posterity. They neither care to instruct, nor to direct, nor to pray, in reference to future times, nor to make their will. About making a will, See chap. 9. v. 16. §. 94. See also Domestick duties, Treat. 6. Of Parents, §. 62.
- 2. A generall instruction may be here raised, for all who are mortal, and ought to learn to dye daily, daily to testify a care of posterity by instruction, ex∣hortation, encouragement in good things, admonitions against evill, and predi∣ctions of such things as we have good ground before hand to make known. See §. 119.