Death the sweetest sleep, or, a sermon preach't on the funeral of Mr. William Hiett, late citizen of London by Tho. Lye ...

JOH. 11.11.

Our Friend Lazarus sleepeth.

THese Words are an Affirmativ Propo∣sition, delivered by our blessed Sa∣viour, wherein we note

• 1. The SUBJECT of it, or the Person spoken of, who is here described, by his Name,(a) LAZARUS, with his Relation, a FRIEND, OUR Friend.
• 2. The PREDICATE. Sleepeth. Our Friend Lazarus sleepeth.

First, As for the Subject. Lazarus, OUR Friend. Not My Friend, but Ours. q. d. Behold, my dear Disciples, I, who am your Liege Lord, and King, do yet stoop so far, as To own you not only for my Ser∣vants, and Subjects, but for my FRIENDS, and faithful Lazarus, tho' now dead, to be my Friend; I am indeed your Friend, and ye are my Friends, and so was Laza∣rus,

whilst Living, my Friend, and your Friend. Our Friend Lazarus. From hence I infer

I. That there is A Mutual Friendship, a dear and intimate Lov betwixt the Lord Jesus and tru Believers. 'Twas so betwixt Christ and Lazarus. CHRIST was certainly a Friend to Lazarus. Both his Sisters attest it. Lord, he whom thou lovest, is sick, ver. 3. The Evangelist averrs it, Jesus loved Lazarus, v. 5. and the Jews, from his melting Tears, and yerning Bowels, conclude it, ver. 36. Be∣hold, how he lov'd him. And that LAZA∣RUS lov'd Jesus, abundantly appears from his friendly Converse, and Communion with him, his friendly treats and entertainments of him. Christ did often eat of his bread, and drank of his Cup. That BETHANY, which, by Lazarus's Death, may justly now be stil'd an hous of Sorrow, was, in Laza∣rus Life-Time, to Christ a real BETH∣LEHEM, an house of bread. And so it was, and is betwixt the Lord, and all Tru Believers. ABRAHAM is stiled the Friend of God by Jehoshaphat; 2 Chron. 20.7. and Jam. 2.23. becaus of his firm Co∣venanting,

and frequent Communion with him: and GOD owns him as his Friend. Isa. 41.8. The like doth Christ our Lord. Henceforth I call you not servants, but friends. Joh. 15.14, 15. This friendship is(b) Mu∣tual I lov them, that lov me. Prov. 8.17. My Beloved is mine, and I am His. Can. 2.16.

From hence Learn.

1. The heigth, Ela, Zenith of a Tru Belie∣ver, a clod of dust, and sin, his Exaltation, that, as the Son of God is not ashamed to call him Brother, so both Father and Son are pleas'd to own and embrace him, as a Friend.

2. The infinit stoop, and condescension of the Lord Jesus, who, tho' he thought it no robbery, but rather claims it as his just Prerogative, to be equal with God, judges it no disparage∣ment, to match himself with weak, and wretched men. Our Friend Lazarus. Friendship be∣speaks a kind of (a) Parity.(c) There may be lov, where there is the greatest inequality. Lov descends. But Friendship either finds, or makes an Equal.

II. That All those, that are Tru Friends to Christ, are mutually loving Friends each to other.

Not my Friend, but OUR Friend, saith the Text. Not a Friend to me only, who am the head, but To you also, and all, that are like you, living Members of the Mystical body. The holy Ephesians, that had tru Faith in Christ, had a sincere lov to All the Saints. Eph. 1.15. So had the Colossians, Col. 1.4. The Beloved Discipl assures us, that 'tis impossible to lov the Father, or his Eternal Son, if we lov not his adopted Chil∣dren. The Mutual lov of Saints is the very badg, livery, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Distinctiv Character of a Tru Discipl. By this shall all men Know, that ye ar my Discipls indeed, if ye lov one ano∣ther. Ecce, ut Christiani se mutuo diligant, was the blessed Elogy, the convinced Hea∣thens gav the Warm Christians of Old, who, were they now aliv, would see too much reason to decry, yea condemn the fro∣zen hearts, and yet distemperd heats of the shallow Professors of this divided Age.

We hav dispatcht the Subject; pro∣ceed we to

Secondly, The PREDICATE of our Saviours Assertion-, SLEEPETH; i. e. is dead. The Apostl makes use of that,

which we call an Euphemismus. By a soft expression hinting that, which is of a more harsh signification. So, to depart hence, is To Die. The Syriack Version renders it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, jacet, cubat, decumbit, is Laid down to sleep; to rest himself on a bed of Earth, on a pillow of Dust. So the word is used, and interpreted by the Septuagint.

But our Lords own Mouth is his Best Commentary, What he Here calls Sleep, ver. 13.14. he most expresly, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. most plainly, without a Metaphor, calls Death, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is dead.

From hence we gather This Note, That

Obs. A Tru Believers Death is a Sleep. A sweet, a Blessed Sleep. Not a Natural sleep, such as that Mat. 28.13. is. Luk. 22.45. Act. 12.6. of this the Discipls misunder∣stood the words of Christ, ver. 12, 13. of this Chapter. But a Metaphorical sleep. Our sleep here is but a shorter Death, and our Temporal Death but as a longer sleep. None can Know the Estate of Life or Death, so well as our Blessed Saviour, who is Lord of Both. It is enough, that he tells us, that Death is no other than Sleep.

Quest. But, What is That, that is said to sleep in Death?

Sol. 1. Negatively. 'Not the Soul, after its departure from the Body, No: The Bodies of men indeed, after Death, return to the dust and see corruption, Act. 13.36. But their Souls having an immortal subsi∣stence, and vivacity, neither die, nor sleep, but immediatly return to God that gave them, Eccl. 12.7. The Souls of Belie∣vers ar, at their Death, made perfect in holiness, the spirits of just men ar then made perfect, Heb. 12.23. and do immediatly pass into glory. So our Blessed Saviour assures the penitent Thief, that that very day, he, i. e. his Soul should be with him in Paradise, Luk. 23.43. and Paul Knows, that as soon as ever his Soul departs out of his body, it will be with Christ, Phil. 1.23. and that, when this our earthly house of this Tabernacle is dissolved, the Soul hath a building of God, an house not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens. 2 Cor. 5.1.6.8. That, as soon as we ar absent from the Body, we ar present with the Lord. Not the Soul then, but

2. Positivly. The(a) Body, that, and that only is said to sleep. This Metaphor of sleep applied to Death is taken from the Body only. Now the great Resemblance between a Believers(b) Death, and Sleep appears in four Things.

1. From those many Synonymical Texts, that do all with one Mouth Eccho to this Truth. David slept with his Fathers, 1 Kin. 2.10. Solomon; 1 Kin. 11.43. Asa, Je∣hoshaphat, Hezekiah. 'Tis Pauls usual Idiom, to call death, sleep; 1 Cor. 7.39. and 11.30.— and 15.6.18.20.51.— a sleep in Jesus, 1 Thes. 4.13, 14, 15.— Since the Fathers fell asleep, 2 Pet. 3.4, the sleep of death, Psal. 13.3. Thus the Protomartyr Stephen his Death is exprest; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, He fell asleep.

2. From those Terms, that are given to the Saints Graves. They are call'd their Beds. They shall rest in their Beds. When a Believers Work is done, all he hath to do, is to go to Bed, and take his rest on his Bed, not of down, but dust. Hence the places of the Saints Burial, both in Greek, Latin, French, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Dormitoria,

Cemitieres, i. e. sleeping places. As in Dutch, Gods-acre, becaus bodies ar only sown there, to be rais'd again, which the Heb. express with a greater Faith, by calling the Grave Beth-chaim, the house of the Living.

3. From that which is Contrary to Death, viz. Resurrection. It is call'd An Awaking. When I awake with thy Likeness. Many, that sleep in the Dust, shall Awake; Dan. 12.2. To allude only to that Isa. 26, 19, 20. Awake, and sing ye, that dwell in the Dust.

4. From that notable Parallel, that most clearly runs betwixt Sleep, and Death, which, say judicious Divines, appears principally in two things, Rest, and Resurrection.

1. Rest. Sleep argues Rest, at least it tends to it, and disposes for it. They shall rest in their(a) Beds, Isa. 57.2. Sleep on now, and take your Rest, Mat. 26.45. When A Believer dies, he goes to his Rest, to a sweet repose in his Bed of Earth, Warm'd and Perfum'd for him by the precious Body of his Lord, and Saviour. A fivefold Rest, from Labour, Troubl, Passions, Sins, Temp∣tations.

1. From Labour. This Life is the day of the Saints Labour, and Working, his Death is the Night of his Resting. The Sun ariseth, and Man goeth forth To his La∣bour till the Evening. Ps. 104.23. When the Sun of A Believers Life ariseth, he goes forth to his Labour till the Evening of Death. Till Evening, but no longer, for then he shall rest from his Labours. Rev. 14.13. A Christian here is like quick-silver, which hath in its self a principl of motion, but not of rest, is never quiet. His Life is a con∣tinued motion, his Death a continued Rest? Here as a Ball upon the Racket, as a Ship on the Waves, a Strong man in his Race, Death brings him To his Goal, to his Port of Rest. This life is but nois, and tumult, Death is silence.

2. Troubls, sufferings, oppressions, and these either publique or private.

I. Publique. The Lord foresees a storm of Blood, and Wrath to com, in mercy, he houseth A Believer, before the Storm falls. As the Egyptians hous'd their Cattle and Servants, before that dreadful thunder, and hail came. Merciful men are taken away

from the Evil to com. This the Lord is pleas'd To promise, as A gracious Answer, and Return, To Josiahs, praiers, tears, Hu∣miliation, reformation; viz. that he should be gathered to his Grave in peace, and that his eies should not see all the evil which God would bring upon Jerusalem. 2 Chron. 34.27, 28.

II. Private and Personal. Man is born to Troubl, as the sparks fly upward. They, that will liv Godly, must suffer persecution. Afflicti∣on is the Lot of Gods Israel. This World ever was, and ever will be An Egypt to the Saints, and here they must expect to find most cruel Task-masters. This Life is so full of Trouble, that 'twas the Observa∣tion of Jerom, an Antient Father, and the Resolution of the 3d. Toletan Council con∣cerning Christs weeping over Lazarus. Joh. 11.35. That it was not so much becaus he was dead, as becaus he was to be raised up again, to feel the burthens, and afflictions of this Life. Gods Jonahs find this Life to be a stormy passage, A tempestuous Sea-Voiage, wherein they meet with many Whales, many Leviathans, Death sets them safe on shore, puts them into safe harbour:

whilst here, the Archers sorely griev Gods Saints, shoot at them, hate them, draw out their Swords after them, strong Bulls of Bashan beset them round; the Plowers plow upon their backs, they make long their furrows, But there the weary is at rest, Job 3.17. There the wicked cease from troubling. No need now to fear A Gard∣ners Prison, Bonners Stocks, or Cole-house, nor a flaming Smithfield. Here Gods Peter's no more dread the Cross, nor Paul's the Ax, nor James's the Sword, nor Gods Elijah's a cursed-painted Jezabels bloody threats. In A Word, the whol Army of Gods Noble Martyrs, are here past all fear of halters, racks, wheels, stakes, gibbets, the most ex∣quisite Torments, that either PAPISTS, or DIVELS can invent, or are ready to in∣flict.

3. From Passions, and inward perturbations, griefs, Anxietys. Here in this Life, the Be∣lievers pulse beats slow, and faint, his heart pants, his eies moisten'd, and his cheeks blub∣ber'd with tears; you may read the Anguish of his Soul in his Countenance. But in Death every tear dried up in the eye, wiped off the

cheek, All sorrow, and sighing flown away, Rev. 21.4. The Saints Baca is turned into A Berachah, sighing into singing, misery in∣to mercy.

4. From sins, iniquities, corruptions. Whilst here, the poor sin-pester'd Saint cries out of the Law in his Members, warring against the Law of his mind, against the body of sin and death. You may hear his out-cry as of a person on a Rack. Rom. 7.23, 24—But now he, that is dead, is freed from sin, Ro. 6.7. 1 Pet. 4.1. Not the least spot or wrinkle left in his Soul. Eph. 5.27. Not one Agag spared alive. Every Egyptian not sprawling, but stark-dead upon the shore. The end of a Saints Living is the Non ultra of a Saints sin∣ning. With this, that good Martyr held up his head, when he encouraged his fel∣low with telling him, that my Lord of London, (he meant that BLOODY Butcher Bonner) was sending of them there, where they should sin no more.

5. From Temptations, assaults, trialls, com∣bates, Satans winnowing, &c. Not an Adam, no not in the Paradice of the Church, but hath an Eve in his bosom. Chast Joseph at∣taqu'd

by a Potiphars-Wife. A Messenger now and then from the lowest pit to buffet us. A damp arising from Satans deepest Mine, to choak us. Anakims To Wound, Daughters of Heth to Troubl, Daughters of Midian to Allure us. Snares, Ginns, Traps, Limetwiggs. Satan going about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour. This world is the poor Saints Gymnasium, Arena, Wrestling, place. And Tho' It be the Saints Honour at length to Conquer, yet It is, and cannot but be the Saints Troubl, thorn, pain, so long to Conflict. But now Death puts the Saints into so peaceabl an Estate, as that he is not only without foil, but fighting. Not only the Accuser, but the Tempter of the Brethren is cast out, Rev. 12.10. Thus we see The Paralel betwixt sleep, and death with Respect to Rest. Let us see next, how they suite in

2. Resurrection, or Awaking. Natural Sleep is not perpetual. We sleep, and awake again. Believers, tho' they sleep, they shall arise again, as men, awaken'd out of sleep. This is expressed in the Words imme∣diately following our Text. Our Friend

Lazarus sleepeth, but I go to awaken him out of sleep. i. e. to rais him from the dead. The Apostle Paul is much upon this Metaphor; see 1 Cor. 15.18, 20, 51, 52. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Job 19.26, 27. Although after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, &c.

Death may, yea, shall prevail over the whol outward Man. Death spends both skin and reins; swallows up both flesh and bones, And yet for all this, this Total Consumpti∣on of the Body of Man, is no impediment, no barr in the way of Faith, to stop us from a firm Belief of our Resurrection. As Death shall triumph over Jobs Body, so Jobs Faith triumphs over Death. He, that believes in Christ, yea, tho he were dead, tho' totally cor∣cupted, and consumed, yet shall he live again. John 11.25.

I have done with the proof of our Point, the Improvement follows.

Use 1. Of INFORMATION. Is Natu∣ral Death a sleep, and no more, hence 'tis easy To inferr not only the Truth

of that great Articl of our Faith, the Resurrection of the Body, but the facility and easiness of Accomplishing it.— After Natural sleep men use to awake again. So, after Death, the Bodies of men shall be awaked: i. e. rais'd up out of their Graves to life, at the last day. And 'Tis most just, that those Bodies, which hav been the Souls Co∣partners in doing good, or evil, should therefore participate in the reward, and pu∣nishment: which cannot be done with∣out a Resurrection. But the white I aim at here, is the facility of the Accomplish∣ing it. How easily is a living man awak∣ed out of a shallow slumber, or deep sleep. Much more easy with God by his Almighty power, and voice To revive, and rais the dead at the last day. 1 Thes. 4.15, 16, 17.

Use 2. Of TERROUR to, and mourn∣ing over unregenerate, unbelieving, impe∣nitent ones, living, and dying in their sins, and lusts. Poor wretched Creatures. 'Tis Tru, you must dy certainly, and you may dy speedily: but Know, that your Death is

but A sleep. Those Bodys of yours must hereafter be awaked and rais'd out of your Graves at the last day; and united again To the Soul, that both Souls and Bodies may be cast together into Hell Torments for ever. Joh. 5.27, 28. Mat. 25.33. Oh how well were it for such, if their Souls, and Bodies might utterly perish, and be abo∣lished, by Death, as the Bodies and Souls of Brute Beasts. How happy is A dead Lion abov An ever-living-or-rather-an ever-dying damned-unbelieving Caitif.

Use 3. OF SUPPORT, AND CONSOLA∣TION TO SOUND Believers: Precious Souls!

1. You complain of sad and unpleasant lives, of dark and gloomy daies, of black and restless nights. Cheer up ye beloved of the Lord, and know, that the time is shortly coming, when ye shall lie down quietly in your Beds, and not have one waking mo∣ment, or distracting dream. When once you are gone down to this bed, the grave, when the Curtains of darkness ar drawn about you, you shall never open your

eies any more till the Morning of Eternity dawns, and breaks forth in lustre on you. Behold to your Everlasting comfort, That, which is To others 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. A King of Terrors, to you is the King, or chief of Comforts. what is DEATH to others, is but A SLEEP, a sweet sleep to you. You may safely play on the Hole of this Asp, on the Den of this Cockatrice, nay handl this Asp it self. This Death that was once A Serpent is now none, or if it be, 'Tis a Serpent without A Sting. T' hath left its sting in the side of Christ. 1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57. What that foolish Agag cracks out falsly, you may, in holy Triumph, cry out, Truly, surely The bitterness of Death is past, 1 Sam. 15.32. See how Death it self is even embalm'd, and clothd in such soft, and silken Language, that It carries even A sweetness, and beau∣ty in it. 'Tis A sleep, no more than A sleep.

2. Sleep, tho' it chains up the senses for a Time, yet it dissolvs not the union between the Soul, and the Body. So, neither doth Death, the Spiritual, mystical union betwixt Christ and Tru Believers; nor indeed be∣twixt

Believers themselves.

I. Not between God in Christ, and Tru Be∣lievers, Tho' Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be dead To others, They are not so to God, Mat. 22.32. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. The Relation of God to Abraham, and of Abraham to God, was as strong, when dead, as living. The Sleep of the Wife breaks not the Marriage Knot between her, and her Bridegroom. The union betwixt Christ and Believers out∣lives Death. Tho' Death triumphs over the Natural union between the Body and the Soul, yet not over the mystical union between the Soul and Christ. Let them liv, they liv in, and to Christ: Let them dye, they die to, and sleep in Christ. 1 Thess. 4.14. Living, and Dying, they are the Lords. Ro. 14.8.

II. Nor yet between Believers themselvs. As Faith is the Evidence of things not seen, that are future, So It is a clear Reflection on things, that are past. By Faiths ey we may easily look on the pale face of the first Martyr, and with Faiths ear, Tho' he be dead, yet hear him speaking. Is a Godly

Sarah dead, 'Tis possible for her surviving spiritual Daughters to convers with her, as tho' aliv, mark her outward dress, her in∣ward ornaments, how she Trusted in God, and obeyed her Husband. 1 Pet. 3.1. to 7. There is not A Saint of God that dies, but leaves A glass behind him, in which, when ere you pleas to be Truly serious, you may behold their face, and conversation. The succeding Jews did so nearly convers with Jacob, that was dead 2000 years before, that they thought themselvs to be present with him, and his God at Bethel. Hos. 12.3, 4. By his strength he had power with God, yea he had power over the Angel, and prevailed. He found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us. The Holy Exampls of the dead, what ar they, but the Spiri∣tual, lively monuments of the Spirits of just men made perfect, now living.

3. Sleep is A refreshing, reviving Enjoyment. A man lies down in weakness, sleeps, and rises up in Strength. Like A Giant, refresht with Wine; mounts up like an Eagl, runs and is not weary, walks, and faints not: 'Tis Reported of Antaeus, A Giant of Italy,

that as oft as he was weary, he would but touch the Earth, and immediately he re∣bounds, and rises with renewed strength. The Death of a Believer, is like the Death of a grain of Corn. It dies, only to spring up in more lustr, beauty, fruitfulness. Joh. 12.24. if It dy, it bringeth forth much fruit. As by sleep A Believers Body is refresht, so by Death his Body is refin'd. 1 Cor. 15.42, 43. It is sown in corruption, It is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, It is raised in power.

Use. 4. OF EXHORTATION TO TRU BELIEVERS in General, Is your Death no more than a sleep?

1. Away then with all inordinate, immode∣rate, slavish, sinful(a) fear of Death. 'Tis Tru, Death to Nature is the King of fears, and it hath its poisonous sting, with which it will wound the wicked, whom it ushers into Hell. But now To prop you up against this sinking fear of Death. Know, 'Tis no wors to you, than FALLING ASLEEP. Even Gods own peopl ar too too much like

foolish Children, afraid to put off their cloaths, and go to bed in A dark Chamber. All this while, we utterly mistake the case of our dissolution. We take it for An Ene∣my, it provs a Friend: There is no littl plea∣sure in that, wherein we suppose the great∣est horrour. Who is afraid, after the weary toiles of the day, to take his rest by night? Or what is more refreshing to the spent Tra∣veller, then a sweet sleep. It is our infidelity, and unpreparedness, that makes Death any other than advantage! I grant indeed, A bloody Cain, A foolish Nabal, an Apostat Saul, An intemperate Felix, and that Rant∣ing company mentioned, Rev. 6.15, 16. may justly fear Death. The Conscience of Unregenerate men brings in A black Bill of Inditement against them, and convin∣ces them of Rebellion against their Lord and Soverain: and then no wonder, if, as ar∣raigned and condemned Malefactors, they live in continued fear of the Ax, or Gibbet. 'Tis no wonder, If their evil Conscience be To them like the hand-writing on the Wall to A Carousing Belshazzar, Dan. 5.5, 6. and makes their countenance to change, to caus

the joints of their loins to be loosed, and their Knees to smite one against another. But Believers, Through infinite Mercy, That's not your case. Death to YOU is not A sum∣mons To Eternal Death, but A gentl Lulla∣by, and softer Hush To A Sweet sseep, and that in order to A Resurrection, An Awak∣ing to An Eternal Life.

2. Adore, bless, lov the Lord Jesus for his infinite lov, and mercy To you, and All other sound Believers: in that, by his Painful, shameful, Accursed Death, he hath pluckt out the sting of Death: and alter'd both its Name, and Nature. That, which once was death, is now but A SLEEP. A Cooling, A refreshing shadow of Death, and no more. Heb. 2.14, 15. 1 Cor. 15.55, 56.

3. Carry it so, while you liv, that your Death may be A sleep, A sweet sleep, when you die. Eccl. 5.11. The sleep of A Labouring man is sweet. The sleep of A diligent Servant, of A Laborious Husbandman, of A painful Tradesman, O how sweet is it? Oh then my dearly Beloved, whilest you are yet awake in the World, ply your oar, follow

the plow, work, and work hard for your God, be stedfast, unmovabl, alwaies abound∣ing in the Work of the Lord, for as much, as ye know, that, as your labour shall not be in vain, so your sleep shall be sweet in the Lord. The Lord will giv you sleep, as his beloved, Psal. 127.2. Pro. 3.24. Psal. 3.5. and 4.8.

To make this sleep sweet indeed, I would offer these 2 things.

I. Carefully avoid Those things, that disturb sleep. I do but allude. Reflect we back on Eccl. 5.12. The sleep of the Labouring man is sweet, But the abundance of the Rich will not suffer him to sleep. Take heed, that the abundance of your Wealth, with the many cares, businesses, and fears, troubles, which are consequent thereupon Gen. 41.19. Pro. 3.10. Luk. 12.16, 17. —12. the fatness of diet, gluttony, and ex∣cess of delicious fare, cause not such Distem∣pers, as may hinder your sleep on your Beds, or disturb it in your Graves. I que∣stion much, whither Dives his every day sumptuous fare, did not rise in his stomach, after he was dead. Luk. 16.19. Abraham

seems to throw it in his Dish: v. 25. Take heed therefore to your selves, as you would hope to sleep undisturbed then, that your hearts be not over-charged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life Now. Luk. 21.34.

II. Sincerely follow the Blessed David home, To his Sleeping Room, Tread in his steps, imitate his Nobl Exampl. Read the lovly Epitaph, which the Holy Paul hath as it were written on his Tomb. Act. 13.36. Da∣vid serv'd his Generation by the Will of God, and then fell Asleep. He serv'd his GENE∣RATION, before he fell A sleep. Remem∣ber, Remember, Dear Brethren, and for∣get not, David thought it not Enough To serv his Generation, when he actually fell asleep, by letting fall som few ears, or gleanings then: No, No. David served his Generation, dispatcht the greatest part of his Work, and then sweetly laid him down To Rest. O that High, that Honourable, that Heavenly, that God-like frame of Spirit of living in, and dying for the service of our Generation. This, if any thing in the World makes Saints to be like David, Men after

Gods own Heart. How precious is the me∣mory of that Blessed DORCAS? How doth she shine as the Moon among the Stars, she, that was so full of good works, and alms-deeds which she did! she, that left so many Coats and Garments for the poor, which she made, whiles she was yet living. Act. 9.36, 39. Oh 'Tis Wisdom, as well as Chari∣ty, To make your OWN Hands, your Exe∣cutors, and your OWN Eyes, your Overseers. Do good, All good, I had Almost said, Do All your good, whilst you liv. I own it, Brethren, I own it for A great, and serious Truth. If any man provides not for his own, especially for those of his own House or Kindred, he hath denied the faith, and is wors than an infidel. Charity, Regular charity, must, and ought to begin at Home. But it must not stop, and center There. That Stomach, that greedily takes in food, meer∣ly to satiate, and glutt its own appetite, and not to transmit the digested food to the needy Parts, would quickly prove not so much A MEMBER, as A MONSTER. 'Tis Tru, You Ar Husbands. As such, next to God, your dearest Wives must hav your

Hearts. You ar Parents. Next to Wives, your Hopeful, obedient Children must hav your Bowels. You ar Brethren, and Sisters, and have neer, and it may be poor Relati∣ons. These do All put in for A Christian share. But then know, My Brethren, you hav OTHER Relations, which ar as near, and dear To God, to Christ, To the Spi∣rit, as Wives, Children, Kindred ar, or can be to you! Read, and read again. Mat. 12.50. And look, what e're you do to, and for these, is filed up, and registred, and shall be brought forth and proclaim'd at the Great day of Account. Mat. 25. from 35, to 41.

'Tis your GENERATION-Work. I am now pressing you to dispatch before you fall Asleep. You profess your Selvs not Nominal, but Real Sons of the Tru-Church, your Spiritual Mother, if so, let me Be∣speak you in the words of our Lord To his Belov'd Discipl, Joh. 19.27. Behold your Mother. Behold I say, and see, whether there be any sorrow like unto her sorrow, which is don unto her, wherewith the Lord, your displeased Father, hath for your sakes, and sins, justly afflicted her

in the day of his fierce Anger: Lam. 1.12. Fix your ey upon her, and let your ey affect your Heart, and do, as your Everlasting Fa∣ther did, when he was just preparing him∣self to his last sleep. He beheld Jerusalem, and wept over it. Luk. 9.41. Methinks I do, and surely you cannot but hear the Dole∣ful Groans of the sinking, dying Church, piercing not our ears only, but hearts, in ho∣ly Jobs Soul-stabbing Dialect, Hav pity upon me, hav pity upon me, O ye my Sons, Daughters, Friends, for the hand of God, the paw of Satan, the fangs of Antichrist hav touched, wounded, stab'd me. Job 19.21. As SUBJECTS, your Generation Work is To Giv To Cesar the things that are Cesars, and as Godly Subjects, To GOD the things that are Gods. As CITIZENS. O pray for the Peace of this our English Jerusalem, poor LONDON. They shall prosper, that lov Her. Endeavour to your utmost, that Truth, and peace, and piety may be within her Walls, and your Houses, and Prosperity within your Palaces. Psal. 122.6, &c.

As WEALTHY CITIZENS, O be wise

Merchants, and think not much To Ex∣change your Bristol-stones for Tru Diamonds. Make you friends of the Unrighteous Mammon. Luk. 6.19. Do you see any poor desolate Widows, be you Husbands To them; any perishing Orphans, be you Fa∣thers to them; any lean, meager, honest, industrious, poor Houskeepers, do not suf∣fer them to starv for want of Bread, or Work. This, this is your GENERATI∣ON-Work, To the speedy and faithful dispatch whereof, what mighty Encou∣ragement Hath the Father of All your Mercies given you in that grand Text. Psal. 41.1, 2, 3. I could wish it ingraven with the point of a Diamond on every wealthy Citizens door or glass, or heart in London. He, that hath promised To strengthen thee on thy bed of Languishing, yea, To make all thy bed in thy sickness, will certainly not fail after Death, To Turn thy bed of Dust in∣to A Bed of Down.

3. Is A Believers death A sleep? This should teach us immediately to prepare for Death. To be alwaies ready. Sleep creeps, steals upon us in a moment. Be praierful. Be

watchful. 'Tis our Saviours great advice. Luk. 21.34, 35, 36. Your sleeping by day is very like to prevent your sweet sleeping by night. Keep up in your Spirits a present PREPARED posture for natures dissoluti∣on. See, that you have not your Oil to buy, when 'tis To burn. Remember the 5 foolish Virgins. Let your Lamps be both Lighted, and Trim'd, and burning. Your Lord coms in an hour, that you look not for. Mat. 24.44. and 25.16. Paul was ready, i. e. prepared to be offer'd up. 2 Tim. 4.6. Job is ready, and prepared. All the daies of his appointed time waiting, till his change com. Job. 14.14. Set your houses, and hearts in order. Isa. 38.1. Never rest, till you have gotten a Well-grounded assurance of your real interest in Christ, and of your undoubted title to Heaven through him. Fight the good fight. Keep the Faith. Be indeed dead, mortified, crucified To the World, and all in it. Then may you with Paul, in an Ho∣ly Triumph, set your Foot on the Head of This stingless Serpent, 1 Cor. 15.55. 2 Tim. 4.7, 8. and breath forth your Soul into your Gods Bosom, in the Swan-like Song of good

old Simeon. Domine, nunc dimittas. Lord, now Lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace, and sleep and rest in peace. Luk. 2.19, 20.

2. Particularly To the DISCONSOLATE RELICT, and near Relations of our Worthy Friend Deceased. 'Tis Tru, It is, and can not but be A day of darkness, of clouds, and thick darkness To you, and us. It hath plea∣sed the Allwise God, To take from you The guide of your youth, the desire of your eies, the delight of your Soul, and from us, and our Society, A very considerabl Pillar. For this we do, and cannot but truly mourn. But yet, both you, and we must remember, that we mourn as becomes Believers, not as those, that hav no hope, but according To the Apostles Advice, 1 Thess. 4.13, 14.

Something I suppose you expect con∣cerning our dear Friend departed, I con∣fess, I hav not the art of embalming the dead, And, whilest I utter any thing of them, would not willingly giv the least occasion To Any To cry out assomtimes they did of that great Lawyer, Now, Now, He pleads, not for the Caus, but his Fee. However, had I not been so happily prevented by

that fair, full, proportionat character, which that Re∣verend, and Faithful Minister of Christ gave of him to that solemn Assembly, that waited on his Herse To his Grave, 'Tis more than probabl, that I should hav ventur'd at som dashes at least with my Ruder Pencil, which now to do, after such an Apelles, would bee, not so much To add a gloss and lustre, as a Blot, and soil To so well drawn a Pic∣ture. And yet for All this, I should not be able To stem the Tide of my Affections, did I not great∣ly fear, that should I giv them the least rein, they would soon transport me into som Excesses con∣cerning my dear, faithful, and Friendly Gaius. (For such He was to me and mine, from the first hour we saw his face, which is now near 23 years) which A Malevolent Capricio would not stick To censure for Paint, and Flattery. However before I Take my leav of his Ashes, Giv me leav To Tell the World, that he liv'd, and died, with a perfect An∣tipathy against Popish Principls, and Practises: dreaded the Return of Popery as much, if not more, than Death: bewailed and abhorred the Debauche∣ries of the Times and place wherin he lived. A cordial well-wisher to the best of Men and Interests. What A sober Citizen he was, and How Tru An Englishman, let the Common Council speak, amongst whom he sate for many years, and his Vote was alwaies for

Truth, and peace, and soberness both in City, and Kingdom. As for his charity, The backs, and Bellies of the poor Orphans of Christs Hospital may be in∣stead of Tongues. to declare it. As for his justice, in Commerce and Trade, (that sparkling Diamond in the Ring of Christian Profession) The whol Circl of his Acquaintance, To my utmost Obser∣vation, giv him this Attest, That his Word to Him, was as Obligatory, as His Bond: and what he spake with his Mouth, he would faithfully fulfil with his Hand. A false Tongue, and Ballance were both an abomination to Him. He had learnt that from the God of Truth, and Righteousness. He durst not go be∣yond, or defraud his Brother in any matter, as well Knowing, That his just All-seeing God would avenge that.

A Word to his Mournful surviving-half, and I shall dismiss both the Text, and this Assembly. Your nearest, dearest Bosom Friend is now gon to sleep, to sleep in Je∣sus. It cannot be long, you know not how soon, you may from Heaven be called to mingl Ashes with him. Whatever you clearly saw, and dearly lov'd, as Truly good in him, take it for your Copy. Never forget that good God, that gav you so large an Interest in his Heart, and Hand. Your God by Him has fill'd your Hand with power, O may the same God fill your Heart with grace, most faithfully to improve your All for him, who hav so graciously received your All from Him. Fix, and keep your ey steady on Luk. 12.48.

FINIS.

Notes

• (a)

  in Heb. E∣leazar.
• (b)

  Jer. 31.33. & 32.38, 39. Zec. 13.9. Hos. 2.23.
• (c)

  Amicitia est inter pares.
• 1 Joh. 4.20, 21.
• Joh. 13.35.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: dormit. i. e. mortuus est.
• 2 Sam. 7.12. & Isa. 14.8.
• Gen. 3.19. Almondo a Via. My body dies, my spirit livs. The day of death to the body, is the birth of Eternity to the Soul.
• (a)

  Mat. 27.52
• (b)

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Plat.
• Act. 7.60.
• Isa. 57.1, 2.
• Psal. 17.15.
• (a)

  Ut somnus mortis, sic lectus imago sepulchri.
• Vidus Bressius. If Gods Spirit say Tru, I shall strait rest from my Labours: my Soul is even taking VVing to fly to her resting place.
• Exod. 9.20. Isa. 57.1.
• Christus non ploravit Laza∣rum mortuum, sed ad hujus vi∣tae arumnas plo∣ravit resuscitan∣dum.
• Lucius to Urbi∣cius, I thank you with all my heart, that by death will free me from wicked Gover∣nours.
• Cyprian, God be blessed for this Goal deli∣very.
• Babylas. Now will God wipe away all Tears.
• Pic. Mirand. Death is wel∣com, not so much as an end of Troubl, as of sin.
• 2 Cor. 12.7.
• 1 Pet. 5.8.
• You must wake again, and when you wake, you will awake dead∣sick.
• Heb. 11.1.
• Heb. 11.4.
• Heb. 12.23.
• (a)

  Heb. 2.15.
• Job 18.14.
• 1 Cor. 15. last.
• Luk. 20.25.
• 1 Tim. 6.18. Rich in good works, ready to distribute.