ABRAHAM'S DECEASE. A MEDITATION ON GENESIS 25. 8. DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OF THAT WORTHY Servant of Christ, Mr. RICHARD STOCK, Late Pastor of All-Hallowes Bread-street: TOGETHER WITH THE Testimony then given unto him.  
By THOMAS GATAKER B. of D. and Pastor of Rotherhith.  
LONDON, Printed by john Haviland for Fulke Clifton, and are to be sold at his shop on New-fishstreet hill, under St. Margaret's Church, at the sign of the holy Lamb. 1627.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR HENRY YELUERTON Knight, one of the justices of his Majesty's Court of Common Pleas.  
RIGHT WORSHIPFUL;  
YOUR special interest in that worthy Servant of Christ, whom this weak work concerneth, by your singular favours to him and his deservedly procured, cannot but give you interest in the work itself before any. Unto your Worship therefore I address and direct it, as to one that may justly lay best claim to it: Not doubting but that, as you did in more than ordinary manner respect his person while he lived, so you do no less honour the memory of him now deceased. The work I wish were worthy either you or him. But, how little time I had for the composing and piecing up of these broken Meditations, cannot be unknown to those, & from them may be made known to others, that either sent or brought me the first word of his decease, being newly alighted from a wearisome journey, not above two days before the Funeral was to be performed. Besides that so sudden and unexpected tidings of the loss of so dear a Friend, causing much grief and distraction, could not but produce withal as great an indisposition to the minding of that that this office imposed on me did necessarily require of me; and defeat consequently that second 
a Diligentia subdium. Cicero pro Quinct.  help of redoubled diligence,  
which others are wont to use (as the seaman his 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  oars, when the wind slacketh or scanteth) to redeem the want of time with. That which made me (as conscious of the rawness of it) the more backward at first to yield to the importunity of those, (not a few) who both by letters and by word of mouth were very instant and urgent for the publishing of it. Nor have I had much loisure since to reuise and digest my confused notes; nor yet desire to add or alter much, lest (to those that then heard it) it might seem not the same. One short passage or two only I have inserted, that my memory then failed me in. Else the substance of all here was then delivered. Which if, especially in the Testimony then given unto him, whom this office was performed unto, it seem slight and slender, to that it ought or might have been: Besides the former considerations, which might well sufficiently excuse, let it be remembered; what a great Orator sometime said, that 
c Pictores pulchran absolutamque faciem rarò nisi in peius effingunt. Plin. Sec. lib. 5. epist. 10.  An exact face is very seldom drawn but with much disadvantage: how much more when a bungler but hath it in hand? I may well say of him, as he sometime of Basile, 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. in Basil.  There wanted but his own tongue to commend him with. A better I wish there had been employed therein than mine own; or that mine own (if but for his sake) had (at least then) been better. But the best is, The Sea needs not the Rivers, that 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ibid.  yet run into it; nor he either mine, or any other man's praise; that due honour and reverend estimation of him remaining in the minds of so many, that neither mine, nor any other man's, commendation of him, either need to add aught, or can add much thereunto. Howbeit this may bide, when they are gone. Which whatsoever it is, presuming that your Worship will accept of, if not for it own sake, yet for his, who liveth yet with you, and you desire (I know) should do so also with others, I recommend it to your patronage, and yourself with all yours to the protection of him who hath promised to be 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sol & Seutum. Psal. 84. 12.  Sun and Shield to all those that sincerely rely on him; and rest.  
Your Worships to be commanded in the Lord jesus, THO. GATAKER.   

THE TESTIMONY GIVEN TO THAT worthy Servant of CHRIST, Master RICHARD STOCK, at his Funeral.  
ALL 
a Christianor 〈…〉 corpora Christi membra, Dei templa. Tertul. de resurr. carn.  Christian men's bodies are 
b 1 Cor. 6. 15.  Members of Christ's Body, 
c 1 Cor. 6. 19  and Temples of God's Spirit; and are therefore in decent and comely manner to be laid up in their 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Dormitoria. Vide Durant. de ritib. lib. 1. cap. 23.  sleeping chambers or their 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cubilia. Esai. 57 2.  resting places, as the Prophet Esay termeth them. A decent and comely Sepulture than is due to all Christian corpse. But more than so, with some solemnity may this office well be performed to those, in whom the Holy Ghost manifested a more special residence by 
f 1 Cor. 12. 4, 6, 11.  a more plentiful measure of spiritual endowments, and more powerful operations flowing from the same, while they lived; and whom, having obtained 
g 2 Cor. 12, 27. 30.  a more eminent place in Christ's body, God hath made instruments of more than ordinary good to his portion and people here. 
h 1 Sam. 25. 1.  Samuel died (saith the Story) 
i 〈◊〉 Sam. 3. 20.  a Prophet of God, 
k 1 Sam. 7. 15, 16.  and Ruler of God's people, and all Israel assembled to his burial, and mourned for him.  
This being apparent, good ground there is for this solemn Assembly, which the decease of our right worthy, and deservedly beloved, and much respected Christian Brother, M. RICHARD STOCK, a grave and reverend Father in this our Church, a faithful Minister and servant of jesus Christ, and the vigilant Pastor of a neighbouring Congregation, for the performance of this last Christian office to the 
l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Resiquiae. Hinc I●l. Scaligeri epitaph. Scaligeri quod reliquum esi.  remainders of him with us, hath occasioned at this present.  
Concerning whom & his deportments, howsoever very much might justly be spoken, and be spoken justly by myself, not from others reports, but of mine own knowledge, having been 
m Test●s oculatus: qu〈…〉 auritis d 〈…〉 m praefer Plaut. Trucul. 2. 6. quos sccundae notae testes appellat. Sen. quaest. n●t. l. 4. c. 3. Name & serur 〈…〉 & sia●er●us visa solent, quam audita narrari, & in tertium nas transf●sa facilius coaces●unt. Goff●id. vit Be●n. l. 1. prae●●t. contra quam Apuleius: cui Florid. 1. Pluris est. au 〈…〉 us t●s●is uni●, quam ocular de●e.  an eye witness of them, as having been familiarly and inwardly acquainted with him ever since the fourth year of his abode in the Schools of the Prophets, and shortly after the time of my first access thither; (for there was no more distance between our two standings) yet neither will the straits of time permit it, nor will it be very needful so to do; his life, and courses, and constant labour in the work of the Word, being so well known, not in this, or the neighbour places only, but throughout the whole City, wherein he constantly continued the work of his Ministry by the space of well near thirty years. I will endeavour therefore to contract (what I well may) that which I shall speak of him, and hasten to those things that more nearly concern ourselves.  
And to begin with the times of my first notice of him. As in his first beginnings he was of eminent note in the College he lived in, both for his unweariable industry, and his singular proficiency in those studies of humanity, that are as 
n Theologiae anc●llari.  handmaids to Divinity, and help to lay a good ground for any future profession; So his care was so 
o Pietatem huma●ita●i intercalarem facere.  to entertwine pletie and humanity the one with the other, that 
p Tanquam subtemen & stamen.  as web and woof they ran on ever along together through the whole course of his studies. Nor was he careful only of this practice himself, but (according to that of the Apostle, 
q Hebr. 10. 24.  Observe one another, 
r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Quod ex Prou. 27. 17. tractum vid●tur.  to whe● on to godliness and well-doing;) he was no less forward to incite others thereunto; and not to incite them only thereunto, but to assist them therein, and to afford what helps he could (which well also he could do) unto any that were either desirous, yea, or willing, but to embrace them. In which kind I cannot without just note of ingratitude but acknowledge myself much indebted unto him; and have cause (with many others, beside myself, much my betters) to bless God that ever we came acquainted there with him. In a word, while he stayed in the College (which his desire was to have done longer than he did, if opportunity had served) 
s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. in B●sil.  he gave before hand, ere he came to it, evident signs of one likely to prove 
t 〈…〉.  a skilful Master-builder in God's work, and 
u ●uk 〈◊〉 16  a winner of many souls to God.  
Nor was he one of those 
a 〈…〉.  rathe-ripe wits, that promise fair in the blossom, but fail in the fruit; that like Comets, blaze brighter than the fixed stars for a time, but after a while vanish and come to nought, the matter of them being wholly either spent or dispersed. But his proceedings in public were correspondent to his beginnings in private. When it pleased God 
b 〈…〉.  to call him out and set him apart to that employment that he had ordained him to before, he proved a painful, a faithful Minister of Christ, a skilful, a powerful dispenser of God's Word. If any demand proof hereof: not to insist upon his constant and incessant employments, with general approbation and applause both of religious and judicious, continued for so many years (as was before said) together, not a Sabbath intermitted, wherein (if health served) he preached not twice, either in his own charge (where he was frequentest) or elsewhere abroad; besides his catechisings of the younger sort at certain times in the week days, and other such offices as to the pastor all function are necessarily annexed, and are privately to be performed; wherein also he was no less diligent than in the execution of his public Ministry. Not to insist (I say) upon this; (which yet were sufficient proof of it:) As the Apostle saith to the Corinthians, 
c 〈◊〉 Cor. 〈◊〉. 1, 2.  You are 
d 〈…〉.  the seal of my Apostleship, and 
e 〈◊〉 Co●. 9 〈◊〉,  my 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  letters testimonial. So may I well say of this our reverend Brother: So many Christian souls professing themselves to have had their first effectual calling and conversion from him, (in which kind, I suppose, not many in this City may compare with him) besides the multitudes of those that acknowledge themselves to have been edified, built up, and bettered by him, are the seal of his calling, and of 
g 2 Cor. 13. 3.  Christ speaking in him, and not verbal or vocal, but real letters testimonial of the efficacy of his ministry, through 
h 1 Cor. 3. 6, 7.  God's blessing thereupon.  
An 
i jacob. de Vorag. in A●dr. s●rm 4.  obscure Author saith, that the Apostles were like Fishermen, the succeeding Ministers like Huntsmen: 
k Pis●atores praedicatores primitive, Matth. 4. 19 qu● uno 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multitude 〈…〉 capiunt, ●uc. 5. 6. joan. 21. 6. Act. 2. 41. & 4. 4.  the Apostles like fishermen that catch many at one draught; 
l Praedicatores moderni ut venatores, Ier 9 16. qui cu● clamo●ibus & laboribus multis vix unam feram capi 〈…〉  the succeeding. Ministers like Huntsmen, that with much toil and clamour, running up and down all day, scarce take one Deer or Hare ere night. And such indeed is the hard condition of many of God's servants, that notwithstanding their faithful and painful discharge of their duty, they are enforced to complain with the Prophet, 
m Es●●. 53. 1.  who believeth our report? and, 
n Es●i. 49 4  I have laboured in vain; scarce able to produce or instance in any one, of whom they can with some good ground of assurance presume, that they have gained him at least to God. But well might this our Brother, through God's blessing upon his labours, stand out and say, not of one or two, but of troops, in the words of the same Prophet, 
o Esai. 8. 18.  Behold I and the Children, that God hath given me; and with the Apostle, 
p 〈◊〉 Cor. 4. 15.  These have I begotten to God by the Gospel of Christ jesus.  
Yea more than that; well assured I am, that diverse now famous lights in God's Church, and faithful Ministers of his Word, do profess to have lighted their candles at his lamp, yea some of them to have received their first beginnings not of light only, but of spiritual life and grace, (without which all light be it never so great, is no light, but mere darkness) from his Ministry. It is no small honour for a man to win, and it were but, any one soul: (
q jam. 〈◊〉 ●0.  He hath saved a soul, saith St. james; as a matter worthy the glorying in.) For 
r Matth. 16. 26.  to win a soul is to win more than the whole world again is worth. But what an honour is it then to be, not the winner of a soul, but the winner of such as prove winners of souls, and so 
s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. de 〈◊〉. 〈…〉 ct. cum princip.  by winning of some one immediately, to be a mediate means of winning many others by him? 
t Dan 12. 3.  They shall shine (saith he) as the Heavens, 
u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jun.  that instruct; and they 
x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iustifis 〈…〉. jan. ad 〈◊〉 convertentes. Geneu. & Reg. Bibl. Angl.  that convert others, as the stars. And how gloriously then (suppose we) doth this our 
y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  blessed Brother 
z Matth. 13. 43.  shine now in the Kingdom of God, that was an instructor of those that were instructers of others; that was a converter of those that were converters of others themselves?  
Many then (as 
a 〈◊〉. 1. 16.  the Holy Ghost saith of john the Baptist) did this our Brother win to the Lord. Many (I say) he won; though all he could not: that was more than 
b 〈◊〉 18. 6. 〈◊〉. 19  the Apostle himself was able to do. But many yet he won, and his desire 
〈◊〉 Thess. 3. 2.  and endeavour (with 
c Rome 10. 1. 1 Cor. 9 19 22. & 10. 33.  the same Apostle) was to win all; his own especially, of whom he used to protest, that it was more comfort to him to win one of them, than to win twenty other. But some refractory spirits (as 
d Psal. 58. 3, 4, 5. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. jer. 6. 16, 17, ●8. ●9. 30.  who almost doth not?) he met withal, that would not be reclaimed; that by their cross carriage were as 
e Quod de Cananaeis, josh. 23 13.  thorns in his eyes, and as goads in his sides, and 
f Quod de Sodomitis, 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8. De Hebraeis, Psal 106. 33.  a vexation of heart to this faithful servant of Christ: Whom, if any of them be yet living, the Lord vouchsafe mercy, and better minds to, and 
g Act. 7. 60. 2 Tim. 4. 16.  lay not this sin of theirs to their charge. And if there be any of those that lived any long time under so painful and powerful a Ministry as his was, that remain still unconuerted, unreclaimed, vnreformed, let them fear and beware of that dreadful censure of the Apostle, 
h 2 Cor. 4. 4.  If our Gospel be yet hid, etc. And let such know, that not 
i Mat. 10. 14 Luk. 9 5. & 10. 11. Act. 13. 51.  the dust of his feet, but the sweat of his brows, and the tears of his eyes, and his 
k Esai. 49. 4.  strength wasted with them, and his spirits spent upon them, shall one day rise up in judgement against ●hem to make their doom 
l Matth. 10 15.  the heavier, if by timely repentance it be not prevented.  
But because a man may win others, and yet lose himself; 
m Non salutis esse dispensatorem, hoc est salutis etiam esse participem, Aug. epist. 140.  he may save others, and yet not save himself: (
n Animam faciunt, etiam qui non habant. Contra quem Sen. Non faciunt animum, quia nec habent.  they may beget life in others, that have none in themselves.) The Word may work by a man, and yet not work on him: He may be 
o Per lapideum canalem transit aqua ad arcolas, in canali lapideo nihil generans, sed tamen hortis plurimii fructum affert. Aug. in joan. ●r. 5.  like a treene or a stonegutter (saith Augustine) that conveyeth water into a garden, but receiveth no benefit thereby itself; or like 
p Hermae, sive Statuae Mercuriales. jer. 31. 21.  the hand on the high way that pointeth others the way, which yet it never walketh itself; or 
† 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Diogenis dictum. Stob. c. 23. Quod & de Peripateticis Cleanthes ●sur●auit. Laert.  like an Harp (saith the Heathen man) that maketh others melody, or 
* Antisthenem Diogenes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dixit, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Din Prus. orat. 8.  a Trumpet, that soundeth loud, but heareth nothing itself; or 
“ Aqua baptismatis baptizatos ad regnum caeleste mitt●t, & ipsapostea in cleacam descendit. Gregor. in Euang hom. 17.  like to the baptism water (saith Gregory) that helps men to Heaven ward, and goeth after down to the sink itself: He may q preach to others, and not preach to himself; he may convert others, and yet 
r 〈…〉  prove a 
s 〈…〉  castaway himself. (And yet it is 
t 〈…〉  seldom seen, that much good is done, where a due 
u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Method. apud Epishan. haeres. 64.  consent is not between tongue and hand, between lip and life.) This our Brother therefore was none of those 
x Qui dicunt & non faciunt. M●tih. 23. 3.  that say and do not: but 
y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Basil. in Psalm. 63. Quod iussit & gassit. Bern. epist. 42. & in Cant. 20. Non verbis solum praeduans, sed exemplis. Idem de temp. 51. 〈◊〉 de Origen● Euseb. hist. lib. 6. cap. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  as he taught, he 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isider. Pelus. lib. 2. 〈…〉 st. 251. & 〈…〉 st. 271. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Itaque Menander. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Suadet loquentis vita, non oratio. Plutare. de leg. poet. & precept. pol t. Et Gregor. Nazian. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Qui docent tantum 〈◊〉 faciunt, ipsi praeceptis suis detrahunt pondus. Bonum quidem est recta & honesta praecip●re: sed nisi & facias, mendacium est. Lactant. instit. lib. 3. cap. 16. Nisi & 〈◊〉 que praecipit, soluta praecepta sunt. Qui praecipiunt, nec saciunt, abest ab cis sides. Praeceptus 〈◊〉 suis fidem de●abit, qui quod verbis astr●re conatur, r●●psa resoluit. Ibid. lib. 4. cap. 23.  wrought: His 
z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isid. 〈◊〉 l●b. 2. epist. 275.  doctrine and his practice concurred, and went hand in hand together: His actions were, though 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Gregor. Nazian. in Easil.  silent, yet real and effectual Sermons of that he preached in the Pulpit: The course of his 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pluta●e. de Stoic. repugn. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Si 〈…〉 cat. epist. 37. Concordet sermo cu● vita. S●nec. epist. 75. Ad legem suam quisque vi●at, 〈…〉 vita d●ss●ntiat. Idem epist. 20.  life was consonant to the tenor of his teaching. And 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isid. Pel. lib. 3. ep. 3●●.  both joining and conspiring in one, were a means to draw on many, who 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ibid. Qu●● erimobten peret, 〈…〉. 235. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristot. Ethic. lib. 10. cap. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  by the one alone peradventure had not easily been won. In a word; for his teaching, I doubt not but that they will give him the best testimony that heard him oftest; and for his life they that knew him best. For he was not a flash; one of those that show all in a Sermon, or that spend all upon some one curious good work, that they mind to make their Masterpiece. But both in his life and teaching he held on such a tenor, that the more men, 
e Vt enim de pictore, scalptore, fictore nisi artifex iudicare; ita nisi sapiens non potst perspicere sapientem. Plin. l. 1. epist. 10.  wise and judicious at least, were acquainted with either, 
f Miror magis, quô magis intelligo. Idem de Euphrate ibid.  the more they reverenced and admired him for either.  
There are two things (saith one) that make a complete man. 
g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isid. l. 2. ep. 131. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ibid. ep. 175. ex. Mat. 10. 16.  integrity and judgement: the one whereof 〈◊〉 but 
h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Idem ibid. Non est vera simplic●as, nisi animiocul●, et plus sit, qui fallere nolit, et cantus sit, quo falli non possit. Bern. de precept. & dispens.  lame and maimed without the 〈◊〉; and in many oft they do not meet. But an happy conjunction of them both was there in this our Brother. For the proof whereof I may well refer myself to the judgement, both of those that so frequently desired to make use of him, for the oversight of their last wills, and for his assistance by way of direction, in the disposing of their estates: (and we know all, how cautious men are wont to be in that kind:) As also of those reverend Brethren, of the Ministry as well as other, who, either by letters or otherwise, out of all parts of this 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Vt animi scasa elequt, & apt possi, & li● err a●●deat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. T 〈…〉. 3. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 2. 2. 'tis 1. 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 G●eg. N●k. in Ba●il. & Is●●. Peld. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 302. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Mat. 5. 19 Isid. ib 〈…〉. cp. 235. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. ib d.  Realm (I speak what I know) did usually seek to him, as to one more than ordinarily able to give them satisfaction, for the resolution of their doubts.  
These two then (as he saith) make a complete man indeed. But there is somewhat more required to make a complete Minister, to wit, ⁱ that he can ᵏ speak his mind fitly, (for what use of 
l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Scholar A●siaph. Plut. Muti siquidem 〈…〉 est? Esai. 56. 10. Innocens & absque sermine conversatio, quantum exemplo prodest, 〈…〉 no● 〈◊〉 Hier●ad Ocean.  a mute Messenger?) and that he 
m jer. 1. 17. Act. 4. 29. Ephes. 6. 19 Tit. 2. 15.  dare do it freely. (For 
n Quis tibi 〈…〉 Dei non audebit? Ambr. ep. 29. Itaque Greg. Naz. ad Eunon 5. Oij 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. N●si sid●liter dixcrim, vobis erit 〈…〉 sum, mibip 〈…〉 o, 〈◊〉. Tuneo itaque damnum vestrum, timeo damnationem m●am, fi tacuero. 〈…〉. 99  of whom is courage and freedom of speech required more than of God's Messengers?) Nor was this our worthy Brother defect 〈…〉 e in either.  
For, as for the former, how well able he was, not to express only, but to v 〈…〉 sse to, nor to confirm alone, but to commend also, that that he delivered, with clear method, sound proopes, 〈…〉 je words, fit phrase, pregnant similitudes, plentiful illustrations, pithy persuasions, sweet insinuations, powerful enforcements, allegations of antiquity, and variety of good literature; that both the learnedst might receive satisfaction from him, and the very meanest and dullest also might reap benefit by him: and so as might well 
o D 〈…〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plin. See. l. 1. cp. 20. & 〈◊〉 relinqu●bat. Val. Max l. 8. c 9  leave an impression in the hearts and minds of his hearers; they cannot be ignorant, that for any space of time heard him. In a word, in this kind he was such an one 
* Quem imitari plurimi concupiscant, poucissimi pussint. Plin. de ●●nton. l. 5. cp. 10.  as many strove to imitate, not many of them matched.  
Again, because it is in vain to be able to speak to good purpose, if a man dare not use his tongue; if, as he said sometime of the Eretrians, he be 
p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Themislod●● apud Plut. in Them. & in a● ophth.  like the Swordfish, that 
q Name & gladio lingua consern solet. Diogenes de spur●a design à pulchro pros●cta, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. L●●rt. Et Apul. florid. 3. ut gladius usu splendescit, situ rubiginat. ita vox in vagina silentij condita diutino torpore hebttatur. Sed & s●r●o divinus glad●us dicitur, Esai 49. 2, Ephes. 6. 17.  hath a sword, but hath no heart; or like some cowardly companion, that carrieth a weapon about him for a show, but dare not draw it, or make use of it, though just occasion thereof be offered: For his freedom of speech therefore in reproving of sin, and that even to the faces of the gr 〈…〉 est, both in public and private, when occ 〈…〉 on required it, I doubt not but there are many here that are well able to testify, and some accidents made it to be more publicly known, than his desire was that it should have been.  
Much hath been spoken, and much more than I intended; and more time taken up then I made account of. And yet much more might be added, then hath been spoken, if time and strength would permit. Many things I have touched, and rather pointed at then insisted on. And yet many things (I know) many among you will miss, that might as justly have been spoken of, and that (it may be) some of you will deem should not have been omitted. One, his Zealous and earnest pursuit of reformation of some profanations of the Sabbath; wherein he prevailed also for alteration of some things in that kind offensive, as well 
r For their meetings on St. Themas day.  with the main body of the City, as 
s For their Moonday feasts.  with some particular societies: An other his discreet carriage in the catechising 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. dep●up●●t. Id 〈…〉 que in A 〈…〉 al. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Quibus gemina sunt Philostrati illa cp. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc. Itaque quod Plin. l. 6 cp 27. Facilis 〈◊〉; nonfacilis electio. est enim ex 〈…〉 s eius l●rga materia.  of the younger sort; the males apart one day, and the females another; the riper and forwarder first in the presence of the ruder and rawer, and the ruder and rawer apart by themselves after the departure of the former, that they might both reap what fruit might be by hearing them, and yet receive no discouragement by being heard of them: A third his pious care and diligence in the religious instruction and education of those that were under his private charge, children and others: Some one thing, some another. And I co 〈…〉 sse, with Nazianzen in somewhat the like case, 〈…〉 at it is herein with me, ᵗ as with one in a field or a 〈◊〉, replenished with fair flowers of all sorts, who w 〈…〉 casteth his eye on one, another offereth itself to him, and while he is catching at that, another cometh in his way, and while that pleaseth his eye, another withdraweth it to itself: And 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. in Patrem.  as the rings or circles that rise on the surface of the water, when a stone is cast into a standing pool, they come so thick one upon the neck of another, that, as if they strove for place, they justle out either other: so such variety of passages presenteth itself to me, that while I look after one, I lose and let slip another, and when I would fetch that up again, another choppeth in, as contending for room with it: And if I should pursue and insist upon every particular, that either others might expect, or that might justly challenge a place here time and speech would fail me before matter to speak of.  
To draw toward an end therefore together with his end; the end of his labours, but the beginning of his resis, the end of his work, but the receipt of his reward: In these and the like employments public and private, he spent his time, he spent his strength, 
x Sicut l●●erna se consumit in seru 〈…〉 'em al●orum. jac. de Vorag. de joan Bapt. 6.  like a torch or taper, wasting and consuming himself, for the behoof and benefit of others, 
y Esai. ●9●.  ha 〈…〉 g his work with God then, and his reward for it from God now. And for these employments principally it was that he desired recovery of health and strength; unto the performance whereof also (though therein injurious to himself, and contrary to his own desires) he oft strained himself, and that in the midst of his infirmity and weakness, not to the uncertain hazard only, but to the evident impeachment and impairing of either. 
z Esai. 38. 2●.  What is the Sign, said Ezekias, when he was promised recovery, that I shall go up to the house of the Lord? as desiring continuance of life and recovery of health for no one end more than that. And therefore also was this our Brother so desirous of recovery, that he might repair to God's house again, that he might return to Gods work again. To which purpose the very last Lord's day before his decease, having after many relapses recovered a little strength, he made shift to get out to a neighbour Congregation, there to join with God's people in public performance of such solemn service of God as that day is usually spent and employed in. And having held out to the end with them in both parts of the day, he rejoiced much therein, that he was able so to do; the rather because thereby he conceived some good hope, that he should be strong enough ere long, to return to his wont work and employment again. But the Lord saw it better (for 
* Psal. 135. 6. Ephes. 1. 11.  his will appeareth by his work) to put an end to his incessant labours here, and to translate him to the place of his endless rest else where. The gain is his; the loss ours, min●●wne (among others) not the least. The Lord sanctify it unto us, and to those whom any way it concernet 〈…〉; and vouchsafe in mercy to repair it, by raising up many alike qualified and endowed in his room. With whom now leave we him, and returning home to ourselves, afford we a reverend and religious care to those instructions, that for the fitting and preparing of us unto the way that he is gone before us, shall out of God's Word be delivered unto us.   

ABRAHAM'S DECEASE.  GEN. 25. 8. And Abraham gave up the ghost, and died, in agood old age, an old man, and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. 
BEfore was a long discourse 
Abraham's Death.  of Abraham's life: here is a report in few words of his death.  
Wherein (to come to 
Of it four Particulars.  them directly without further preface, because much time is already spent) we may consider these particulars:  

1 Quis, Who.  Who died;  

2 Quando, When.  How he died;  

3 Q●omodo, How.  When he died; and  

4 Quô, Whither.  Whither he went when he died.  
First, who died; Abraham. 
Particular 〈◊〉. Quis Person, Who. Point 1.   
Whence we may observe, that  
No state or condition here freeth men from death.  
For who might sooner or better have expected to have been freed from it then Abraham? Abraham (I say) 
a Gen. 20. 7.  a Prophet of God; 
b Gen. 23. 6.  a Prince of God; 
c I●m 2. 23. 2 Chron. 20. 7. Esai. 41. 8.  a special friend of God; 
d Rom. 4. 16.  the Father of the faithful, etc. And yet of this Abraham, a Prince, a Prophet, God's friend, his favourite, the father of the faithful, is it here said, that he died; and by the jews to our Saviour, 
e john 8. 54.  Abraham is dead. So 
f john 11. 〈◊〉, 36.  Lazarus Christ's friend; and yet, 
g john 11. 11.  This our Friend (saith Christ) sleepeth; that is (as afterward he there e 〈…〉eth himself) 
h fohn 11. 14.  he is dead. The 
i Luke 12. 4. john 12. 14, 15.  Apostles likew 〈…〉 Christ's friends; and yet they are 
k Matth. 20. 23. Luke 21. 16. john 2●. 19 Act. 12. 2, & 20. 29.  all dead: (For it was no true 
l john 21. 23.  Word that went among the Disciples concerning john, from the words of our Saviour either 
n Sic eum volo manner, etc. Vulg. perperam. Quod sequ●●tur tamen Ambros. in Psal. 45. &. 118. Aug. in joan. 124. & de temp. 149. B●da, Lyra, Rupert. etc. Propugnat Georg. Trapez. oppugnat Card. Bessarion. Graeci codices resellunt.  mistaken or misinterpreted, that that Disciple should not die.) David 
o 1 Sam 13. 13.  a man after Gods own 
m john 21. 22.  heart: and yet 
p 1 King. 2. 1.  he goeth the way of: all flesh. 
q Zech. 1. 5.  Your Fathers (saith the Prophet Zachary) where are they? or do the Prophets live for ever? And the jews answer him in the negative, No; 
r john 8. 52.  the Prophets are dead. In a word; as the Psalmist saith, that 
s Psal. 49. 10.  wise men die as well as fools: so 
t Ezek. 21. 4.  good men die as well as bad: yea, the good go oft before the bad. 
x Esai. 57 1.  The righteous (saith he) are taken away from the evil to come. And of jeroboam's young Son it is said; 
u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Menand. Plut. ad Apollon. God taketh the●● soon, whom he loveth best. Mo●●ce t● epitaph. sui.  
y 1 King. 14. 12, 13. Reason.  He shall die, because there is some goodness in him.  
Now the reason why the godly die as well as the wicked, is,  
First, if we regard natural causes, 
Natural. 1.   
1. Because they are made of the same mould and mettle that others are: 
a 2 Cor. 4. 7.  We have this treasure (saith the Apostle) in 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Testacea vasa. Hier. de virgin. fictilia. Greg. Mor. l. 3. c. 6. Natural. 2.  earthen vessels: they are but 
c Esai 64. 8.  earthen p●ts as well as 
d jer. 18 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Prov. Graec.— Vulgus fictilis, Qu● simul offendit ad fortunam, frangitur. Phaedr. fab. 72. Spiritual 1.  others.  
2. Because they are subject to the same casualties that others are. For, 
e Eccles. 9 2. Cuivis potest accidere, quod cuiquam potest. P. Syr. Spiritual 2.  All things come alike to all: The same 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 casus.  chance betideth the good and the bad; the clean and the unclean; 
g Malac. 3. 18.  the sacrificer and him that sacrificeth not; 
h Zech. 5. 3, 4. Spiritual 3.  the swearer, and him that 
i juramentum reverenti. jun. timenti. Pisc. Spiritual 4.  feareth to swear, that maketh conscience of an oath.  
Secondly, if we regard spiritual respects.  
1. The godly die also that they may rest from their labours: For, 
k Apoc. 14. 13.  They rest from their labours that are deceased in Christ.  
2. They die that they may receive their reward; to wit, 
l 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.  the Crown of righteousness; which they must 
m 2 Tim. 2. 5. jam. 1. 12.  not expect, till they have 
n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plutarc. contr. Epic.  finished their race.  
3. They die, that they may be rid of sin: 
o Rom. 8. 10.  they die for sin, saith the Apostle: yet not to pay for it, as the wicked do, but to be 
p Rom. 7. 24.  freed from it: For, 
q Rom. 6. 7.  He that is dead, is freed from sin.  
4. They die, that they may be 
r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Antiphan. Moriar? desinam alligari posse, desinam aegrotareposse, desinam posse mori. Sen. epist. 24.  freed from death itself: 
s 2 Cor. 5. 4.  that mortality (saith the same Apostle) may be swallowed up of life.  
5. They die, that they Ma.tie go to God: For, 
u 2 C●r. 5. 6.  While we bide here in the body, we are absent from 
Spiritual. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Gre Naz. in Basil, Spiritual 6.  the Lord: and 
x 2 〈…〉 58. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Gr●g. Naz. in Patr.  We desire therefore to remove hence, that we may go home to him.  
6. They die, that they may be with Christ: 
y Philip. 〈◊〉 23. Object. I.  I desire (saith he) 
z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uti Homer. Ody 〈…〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Solu●re, v●l●ram soluere: ut Fab. instit. l. 1. P●rm t●amus vela ventis, et oram soluentibus bene pre, emu●. Et l. 4 Solu●mus oram, prosecti sumi●s. Vtà nau●gatur●s tracts sit Uid. P●sc. in Luc. 12. 36. Hinc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 2 Tim. 4. 6.  to lose, or to be loosed, and to be with Christ.  
But against the truth of this point, may some objection be made.  
For first, if no state or condition free men from death, how (may some say) it is said of Enoch, that 
a Hebr. 1●. 5.  he never saw death; and of Elias, that 
b 2 King. 2. 11.  he was taken 
Answ.  up alive into heaven?  
To this I answer, that 
c Pr 〈…〉 a siagularia regulam non fa junt, regulam non i●f●ingunt. Priuil●gis sing●●orum le 〈…〉 me mmunem ●o s 〈…〉 t. H 〈…〉 on. in 〈◊〉 1 Bed. n Act.  singular and extraordinary privileges neither make a rule, nor mar a rule. It followeth not, because some one or two of this or that estate or condition have by special favour been some time exempted from this general sentence, that therefore the estate or condition itself exempteth any, or that all of the same estate are exempt and freed therefore therefrom. 
e Esai. 38. 3.  Ezekias walketh with God as well as 
f Gen. 5. 24.  Enoch, and yet 
g 2 King. 20. 21.  he died, when his lease of 
h 2 King. 20. 6.  fifteen years expired. Eliseus was 
i 2 King. 〈◊〉. 7.  a Prophet of God as well as Elias; and 
k 2 King. 2. 15.  the Spirit of Elias (it is said) rested upon Eliseus: and yet 
l 2 King. 13. 20.  he died, and was buried; as appeareth by the 
m 2 King 13. 21.  miracle, that God wrought by his corpse sometime after his decease. These were personal privileges: and 
n Pers●nasi●▪ ●ctio moritur cum I 〈…〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. 〈…〉 uris sunt pr 〈…〉 legia. N●n sunt amplianda priuil●gia. Ibid.  personal prerogatives pass no further than the persons 
d Heb● 9 26.  of those, whom they are conferred on.  
But secondly, if even 
o Apo. 2. 10. 13.  the faithful die also, (for 
Objection 2.  how should the faithful look to escape death, when 
p Rome 4 16.  the Father of the faithful, as we see here, himself dieth?) how (may some say) are the words of our Saviour made good where he saith; 
q I●bn 8. 51.  If any man keep my sayings, he shall never 
r Mortem videre. i mori. Psal. 49. 9 & 98. 48. ●eb●. 11. 6. Sicut vid●re vi●am ●i. vivere, I●bn 3. 36. Ineptum est enim quod C●rysost. nom. nescio quis in Marc 10. distinguit inter mortem gustare & videre. Answ.  see death; And, 
s jubn 11. 26.  He that liveth and believeth in me, shall 
t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  never die?  
To this I answer, that there is as 
a 1 ●or. 15 45.  a twofold life, so 
b Luke 9 60.  a twofold death: A twofold life; to wit, 
c G●n. 2. 7.  a natural life issuing from the conjunction of the soul to the body; and 
d Rome 8. 10.  a spiritual life arising from the conjunction of God to the soul. And a twofold death; to wit, 
e Ia●. 2 26.  a natural death arising from the disjunction of the soul from the body; and 
f Ep 〈…〉 s 2. 1, 12 & 4 18.  a spiritual death arising from the disjunction of God from the soul. For look 
g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 G●eg. N●z. a 〈…〉 g. Quoth an 〈…〉 a ●oc Deus est an●mae. Bern. s●rm. Par● 3.  what the soul is to the body, the same is God to the soul. 
h 〈…〉 a 73 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isia. P 〈…〉 3. ep. 252. Sicut anim● v●●a est co●poris 〈…〉 ita Deus vita est an●mae. Ber. ser part 3 V 〈…〉 nis an ma est, vita animae Deus est Aug. deci●it. l. 19 c. 6. & de v●rb. Apost. ●8. & 〈◊〉 Sanci. 16 A●esse debet, ut vivat corpus, anima, ut vivat anima, D●us. Ibid.  As the soul is the life of the body, so is God the life of the soul. And 
i Psal. 73 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isid. ibid. Moritur corpus cum re●edit anima: mo●●tur anima, si re●●da Deus. Aug. de verb. Apost. 28. Corpus mortu●m est sine anima; anima m 〈…〉 sine Deo. Idem de Sanct. 13. Mors co poris a spiritu deser●; mors spirit' à Deo. Idem de C●ui. l. 19 c. 26.  as the natural death ensueth, when the soul departeth from the body; so the spiritual death followeth, when God withdraweth himself from the soul. The faithful then may dye the natural death: but they never dye the spiritual death. 
u Eccle 12. 7.  Death may sever their souls from their bodies: but 
x Rom. 8. 38, 39  death cannot cut off either soul or body with them from Christ. The Faithful may die; and yet our Saviour's words true. For 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Callimach epigr. 14. Qu●p●● virtutem 〈◊〉, ba●d ●s interit. Plaut. Capt. 3. 5.  they die not, even when they die. 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. in Philip. hom. 3. Quod a Iudaeo●um doctoribus tractum docet 10. Capnio in Cabal. lib. 1. pag 755.  Wicked men (saith Chrysostome) are 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 1 Tim. 5. 6.  dead even while they live: good and godly men 
d Viwnt. omnes Deo, Luke 10. 38.  live even when they be dead. The life of the one is nothing but 
e Per vitam ad mortem 〈◊〉 est.  a passage to death: the death of the other is nothing but 
f Per mortem ad vitam reditus est. Ambr. de bon. mort.  an entrance into life. For it is 
g Non est vita sed mors dicenda, quae viventem à Christo separat.  no life but death, that severeth a man from Christ while he liveth: It is 
h Non est m. sed v. dic. quae morientem Christo sociat. Idem de Abel. l. 2. c. 9  no death but life, that bringeth a man home to Christ when he dieth.  
And thus much briefly for answer to these two Objections.  
Now for the use of the Point.  
First, it may serve to hearten and encourage us against the fear and dread of death. For do all, 
Use 1.  even the godly and faithful die? Why should we be loath to come to that, that so many Saints of God have come to before? As Photion said to one that was to die with him; 
i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Plut. in apophth. & de laud. sui. Isid. Pel. l. 3 〈…〉. 154.  Art thou not glad to far as Photion doth? So, why should any be loath to do as Abraham doth? Or why should we be afraid to go that way, that all the holy men of God have gone before us? It is true indeed, there might be some colourable cause of fear, if we were to go some 
k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Oppian. venat. lib 1. Auia— peragro loca, nullius ante Trita solo. Lucret. lib. 1. & 4.  uncouth and untrod way, such as none ever went before us; as 
l Qui cum Horat. lib. 1. ep. 19 dicere poterat; Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps: Non 〈◊〉 meo press● pede.  Abel did when he died. Or if none but the wicked had gone this way before us, we might justly fear, that it were indeed the high way to hell. But now when the blessed Saints and the best beloved of God have, either all or the most of them at least, gone this way before us; yea when he was no wicked but 
m Matth. 23. 35. justitiae princeps: cui Christus iustitiae primatum tribuit. Aug. nom. de mi●ab. SSae. l. 1. c. 3.  a just man, that 
n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost in Gen. 21.  went first of all this way: we may well and boldly follow him and them in it without fear, as being 
o Hac iter ad superos, magnique ad tecta Tonantis. Ovid. Met. l. 1 janua vitae, portagloriae. Bern. de temp. 48.  the high way to Heaven too; nor need we dread or suspect any 
p Si quid incommodi aut motus in hoc negotio est, ●●orientis vitium est. Bassus apud Senec. epist. 30.  evil in that, that 
q Quomodo malum, quod a Deo pro bono maximo datum est? Cic. Tuscul l. 1.  God, who loved them so dearly, would never have suffered to befall them, if it should have been any way prejudicial unto them.  
Secondly, do even such also die. This should teach us 
r 1 Thess. 4. 14. Non est lugendus qui antecedit, sed desiderandus, etc. Curio enim immoderate feras abyss, quem mox consequeris? Tertul. de patient. Quod latius Cypr. de mortal. Non sunt lugendi fratres nostri accersione don inica de seculo liberati, cum sciamus eos non ami●●i sed praemitti, recedentes praecedere; ut pro 〈…〉 es & 〈◊〉 desiderari eos debere, non plangi.  not to mourn or be grieved for the faithful deceased, as if any evil had befallen them. For if they 
s Apoc. 14. 13.  died in the Lord, if they 
t Hebr. 11. 13.  deceased in the faith; they are but gone the same way that Gods best 
Use 2.  beloved went before them that lived in former times. They are rather 
u Ab●erunt non ob●●runt. Ambr. in Theodos.  departed, than deceased; 
x Praecesserunt, non decess●runt. Aug. de diverse. 43. Pro●ecti, non omissi. ●i●●ron. ad Saluin.  sent before us, whither 
y 2 Sam. 12. 23.  we must follow, 
z Dimissi, praem ssi, non amissi. Cypr. sup. Aug. cp. 6. & ●20. Sen. ep. 63. & 99 & add Marc. c. 19  left only, not lost. Their death is rather 
a Abitus, Luke 2. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plato apolog 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Simocat. ep. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. tom. 6. ser. 43. Profectio est, quam mortem putamus. Tertul. de patient.  a departing, or 
b Exitus. Luke 9 31. 2 Pet. 1. 15. Excessus de corpore. Tertul de resur. de mundo digredi. Ammian. l. 29. Mors migratio est. Cic. Tuscul. l. 1. migrare magis quam mori. Vell●iusl 1. non emori, sed emigrare. Hieron. in Nepot.  a going out of this world, or 
c Transitus, john 13. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chrysost. & Theophil. Morstransitus est. Sen. ep. 65. Non est 〈◊〉 sed transitus. Cypr. de mortal.  a passage to heaven, or 
d Reditus. Eccles. 12 7. ●●p●triasse erit b●c. Bern de consid. 〈◊〉. 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epcharm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Are 〈…〉. Epict 〈…〉 R●uerti, unde vene 〈…〉 s, quid graue est? S 〈…〉 tranq. c. 11. Itaque Pl 〈…〉 us exp●sans, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. S 〈…〉 s. epist. 139.  a return to God, than a 
e Obitus. Non obiit. Ambr. de Th●od.  deceasing, or 
f Int●ritus. I●teritus non est. Ambr. de bon. mort. 〈◊〉. 8. & Cic. Tus●. l. 1. Mors non interimit. Lucret. l. 2. H●ud is inherit. Plaut. sup.  surceasing, or 
g Intermissio. Mors intermi●●it vi●am, non erip●t. Sen. ep. 36. nee illud qu〈…〉 e.  intermission, or 
h Intercisio.  intercision, yea, or 
i Diminutio.  diminution, either of l●fe, or of their good or happy estate. There is no cause therefore to mourn for those that die in Christ; there is cause rather to mourn for those that live out of Christ. For the one liveth still though he die: the other is dead, though he yet live, and shall one day die eternally, if he continue as he now is. 
k Luges corpus, i quo recessit anima? luge animam, à qua recessit D●us. Aug. de Sanct. 13.  Dost thou mourn (saith Augustine) over the body that the soul hath left: mourn rather over the soul that God hath forsaken; as 
l 1 Sam. 15 35.  Samuel did for Saul; and as 
m 2 Co●. 12 21.  the Apostle saith, he should do for such as had lived in lewd and loose courses, and not repent yet of them. 
n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Chryso●●. in Philip. ●om. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isid. Pel. l. 1. cp. 334.  Such there is cause therefore indeed to mourn for: But no cause in the world to mourn for those that are in no worse case, than Abraham and Isaak, and all the faithful are, that lived in former times, 
Use 3.  or than others of the same rank shall be hereafter to the world's ends.  
Thirdly, are 
o 2 Sam. 14 14. Rom. 4 12. Heb. 9 26. Mors per o●nes it. Sen. epist. 95. Mors omnes aequè vocat. Ir●tis d●js propi●jisque mori●dum est. Idem quaest. nat. l. 2. c. 59  all of all sorts subject to death, as well good as bad, Prophets as private men, & c? This than should admonish us to make the best use we can of our religious friends, neighbours, acquaintance, husbands, parents, pastors especially, while they are with us, (
p Io●● 12 35.  Walk, yea and 
q john 9 4.  work too, by the light, while you have it with you, saith our Saviour) since that 
r Nostros omnes sic habeamus, tanquam nihil nobis de p●rpetuitate, imò nihil de diuturnitate eorum promissum sit. Tanquam v●●essuris, imò iam recedē ibus fruamur. Tanquam extemplò abituros possideamus. Sen. ad Marc. cap. 10.  we know not how soon they may be taken away from us. It is that wherein most men are generally faulty, that as he saith of rarities and strange sights, 
s Ad quae noscenda iter ingredi, transmittere maria solemus, ea sub oculis posita negligimus: 〈◊〉 quia ita comparatum est, ut proximorum incuriosi longinqua sectemur, sed quod omnium rerum cupido languescit, cum facilis occasio est; seu quod differimus, tanquam saepe v●suri, quod datur videre, quoties v●lis cernere. Plin. sec. l. 8. ep. 20.  when they are near at hand with us, we regard not so much to see them, as we would, if they were further off, and we should come occasionally where they were, or as strangers are wont to be, that come out of other parts, whither they are after a while to return again; because having them at hand, we think we may see them when we will, whereas the strangers, unless he see them now, while he is here, thinketh he shall never have the like opportunity again: So we 
t Si●nter eos quos nunquam vidimus, floruisset, non solum libros eius, verum evam imagines conquireremus, ciusdem nunc honor praesentis & gratia, quasi sati●tate. languescit. Idem lib. 1. epist. 16.  neglect oft to make that good use that we might, of the means and the ministry that God hath settled among us, and of our religious friends that he hath settled us with, in hope that we may long enjoy them, and having them at hand with us, we may make use of them when we will. By means whereof it cometh many times to pass, that mere strangers, that visit them but by starts, profit more by them, than the most of those do, that constantly live and abide with them, and that 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Sophocl. A●ac.  when it is too late now, we come to see and consider to our grief, what opportunity we have overslipped of our own good. It is with us in these c●ses as it is with us for our books. A book of good use borrowed, which we know not how soon the owner of it may call for, we are careful to make present use of, whereas it might chance to have lain long by us, ere we looked on it, if it had been our own. Well it were therefore for us, if we could seriously consider, that 
u Rerum natura tibi illum non mancipi● dedit, sed commodavit Sen. ad Polyb. 〈◊〉. 19 Homo commodatus vitae, non donatus est. P. Syr.  our religious friends and Pastors, (as 
x Non tam data, quam commodata. Pri●as. in 1 Cor. Fortuna usu dat multa, mancipio nihil. P. Syr. Nihil horum dono d●tur: collat 〈…〉 iis & ad dominos redituris instrumetis scena adornatur: mutuò accipimus in incertum diem; ●sus fructus tantiem noster est. Sen. ad Marc. c. 10. Exposition 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Phoeniss.  all other things of this life, yea, and 
y Vita data est utenda; data est sine foenore nobis Mutua, nec c●rto persolüenda die. Pedo ad Liu. usuram vitae natura dedit, ●●nquam pecuniae, nulla pr●stituta die. Cic. Tusc. l. 1. Vitaque mancipio nulli datur, omnibus usu. Lucret. l. 3. Vsu & fructu nobis est vita, non mancipio tradita. Arnob. l. 2.  life too itself) are not so much given us of God, as lent us to use, and that 
z Cuius tempus ille are 〈…〉 o muneris tui temperate. Sen. ad Marc. c. 10.  for no longer than he shall see good; and therefore labour to make the best use we can of them, while we have them; as we would do of some tool or vtensile, that being lent us, we know not how long we shall have the use of. 
Particular 2. Quomodò. Manner How. Exposition 1.   
And thus much for the first particular, the Person that died, Abraham.  
The second followeth, and that is the manner how he died, noted in that it is said, 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 expiravit.  He breathed out, or, He gave up the Ghost.  
That which some expound of 
b Aequo ani●o. Calvin.  a willing end, of a willingness to depart: as it is said of our Saviour, that 
c john 19 30.  he bowed his head down, when all was finished, and 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  gave up his Spirit. And true it is, that as the Heathen man saith, 
e Sapientis est ●xire, non & e●●ci. Sen. ep. 70.  it is the part of a wise man, rather willingly to go out, than to be thrust out against his will, so it is the 
f Luke 2. 29. Act. 7. 59 2 Sam. 15. 26. 1 Pet. 4. 19  usual practice of God's children willingly to resign and give their souls up to God, when he pleaseth to call for them.  
Others understand it 
g De l●ui & leni morte, D. Kimchi & Abenezra.  of a quiet end, or an easy end, of dying without difficulty: as it is said of jacob, that 
h Gen. 49. 33.  when he had done blessing his sons, he plucked up his feet, and so gave up the ghost. And it is true also that 
i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pl●t● Ti. Exception. maeo. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. S●pbocl. Hinc Themist. Exposition 3. de anima. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Point 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Senectu● leniter emittit, non repente awlsum vitae, sed minutatim subduct●m. Sen. ep. 30. Animam senilem mollis exoluit Sopor. Sen. O●dip. 4. 2. Proof 1.  old men usually die with much ease; 
k Adolescent●s m●ri sic mi●● vi 〈…〉, ut cum aquae multitudine vis flame 〈…〉 opprimitur: se●es autem, sicun cum sua sp●nte nulla adhibita vi consumptus ignis extinguitur. Et quasi poma ex arboribus, si crudasunt, vi avelluntur, si matura & cocta, decidunt; sic vitam adolescentibus vis aufert, senibu● matu●itas. Cic. de select.  like an apple that being come to full maturity, doth without force or stress used to it, drop down of itself; or like a lamp, that 
l Ignis qui alimentis deficitur, sua sponte subfidit. Sen. epist. 30.  of itself goeth out, when the matter that fed it faileth.  
But because I find the word used 
m Gen. 6. 17. & 7. 21. Numb. 17. 12, 13. & 20. 3.  generally and indefinitely, as well of 
n job 3. 11. & 10. 18.  young as of old, as well of such as die 
o josh. 22. 20. Psal. 88 15. Z●ch. 13. 8.  strong and violent, as that die voluntary or easy deaths: I take it rather, that there is in this phrase of speech an intimation of man's frailty, and of the frailty of man's life. 
p Expiraui●.  He puffed out, or, 
q Spiritum efflavit.  He breathed out; that is, 
r Spiritus defecit.  His breath failed, or, 
s Spiritus ab●js.  His breath went away, and he died.  
So that the Point that hence I would observe then is this, that  
The life of Man is but a breath, but a blast:  
And so consequently the frailty and the vanity of man's life. That which may the better appear unto us, if we shall consider,  

1 What it is compared unto; and  
2 What it may be taken away with.   
First (I say) what it is compared unto. 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pindar. Pyth. 8. Plutarc. ad Apollon.  What is man? saith the Heathen man. Why? he is even the dream of a shadow. What hath less 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. P●u● 〈…〉.  truth in it than a dream? What less substance than a shadow? What either vanisheth away more suddenly, than the one; or is dispelled sooner than the other? Nor came another of them much short of him, who compared man's state, as the former did his life, not to the dream of a shadow, but to the 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aes●hyl Stob. cap. 96.  shadow of a smoke. They seemed (it seemeth) to them to have said little or nothing to speak of, that compared it, either to 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. ad julian.  a dream, or to 
e Vt calidus fu 〈…〉 abignibus Vanescit per spatium brcue sord does: Sic bic quo ●egimur, spiritus ●ff●uit. Sen. Troad. 2.  a smoke, or to 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Soph●●l. Aiac.  a shadow alone, when yet to minish the weight and add to the vanity of it, joining two of them together, they make it, not a smoke only, but the shadow of a smoke, that is far less; nor a dream barely, but 
† 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. ad Apollon.  the dream, not of some substance, which yet were a thing of nothing, but of a shadow. And, What is man saith one of the ancient Fathers. Why? he is 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. ex Gen. 2. 7.  Soul and Soil; or Breath and Body: 
g Psal. 78. 39 Esai. 2. 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & venti flatum & spiritum hominis designat. Eccles. 1. 6. & 12. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 item utrumque denotat. joan. 3. 8. & 4. 24. sed & anima & animus quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dictus, Cassiod Canin. alij. & pro vento etiam usurpatur. Seru. in Aen. ●1.  apuffe of wind the one, and 
h Gen. 3. 19 & 18. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, dust and ashes.  a pile of dust the other: no solidity in either, if you consider them apart; and most unlikely to impart any such thing either to other, if you consider them in themselves. I might add what they say, that compare men to the 
i Sirac. 14. 18. & Aug. in Psal. 101. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Musaeus. Clem. storm. l. 6. Et ab ills Homer. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc. Et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Quod laudat Zeno. Laert. citant Clem. storm. l. 6. Plut. ad Apoll●n. & Lucian Episcop. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. de tard. vindict. & de vit. Epicur. Sed & M mueru●●ss, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. etc. Stob. c. 96. Et Aristoph. avib. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Clem. airom. l. 5.  leaves of trees that soon shed; to 
k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. etc. Luc 〈…〉. Episc●p. H●mo bulla. Varr●. rust. l. 1. c. 1.  bubbles on the water, that fall as fast as they rise; to 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Epicharm. Clem. storm. lib. 5.  bladders puffed up of wind, that may be let out with the prick of a pin, and the like.  
But because these may peradventure seem unto some to have spoken somewhat 
l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plutar●. sup.  hyperbolically or excessively in the point: let us hear the Spirit of God, that speaketh no otherwise of things than as they are indeed, speak. If we demand then of the mouth of God himself, What Man is; he maketh us answer even in effect as they did: to wit, that 
m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Adam Abei● compar est. Ps. 144. 3, 4.  Adam is as Abel, or Abel's Mate: (for to the Names of those two patriarchs there is an allusion in the Original:) that is, Man (as it is translated) is as 
n Geneu. & Reg. Bibl.  vanity, or, 
o Vet. Bibl. Angl.  a thing of nought: his days pass away like 
p job 8. 9 Psalm. 102. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristoph. avib. Clem. storm. l. 5.  a shadow. He is 
q Psal. 73. 20. & 90. 5. job 20. 8.  as a dream that vanisheth when one awaketh: as 
r job 7. 7.  a wind, 
s Psal. 78. 39 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Soph●cl. Aia●.  that goeth away and cometh not again. 
t Esai. 2. 22. Quod de senibus Sen. ep. 30. Anim● senilu cum in primis fit labijs, haud magna vià corpore distrahitur.  His breath is in his nostrils; ready ever and anon to puff out: And 
u Psal. 146. 4.  when that breath of his is once gone, 
x Eccles. 12. 7.  he returneth instantly to his dust; to that dust, 
y Gen. 2. 7. & 3. 19  of which he was form at first. His life is 
a job 7. 9 Vt ●ubes, gravidas quas m●do vidimus, Arctoi Borgae dissipat impetus. So●. Tr●ad. 2.  as a cloud, that is soon dispersed with the wind; or 
b jam. 4. 14.  as a vapour, that appeareth for a while, and then vanisheth away. In a word: 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Omnis Adam totus Abel. Psal. 39 〈◊〉, 12.  All Man is all Abel; and that even then, when he is at the very best; that is, every Man, 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fundatus, constitutus.  be he never so well underlaid, never so surely and sound settled, he is nothing but vanity, that hath no solidity at all in it; or (as he saith elsewhere) but ᵉ ally, that hath no truth at all in it; or ᶠ as nothing 〈◊〉 yea, 
g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 62. 9  lighter 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 62. 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esai 40. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Sophocl. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Iambl. hortat. c 8. Proof 2.  (if aught may so be) than vanity itself; and (if more than so may be yet) even 
h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esai. 40. 17.  less than nothing. Which speeches (I suppose) come not an ace short of those other.  
Again, the frailty and vanity of man's life may appear, if we shall consider what it may be taken away with. And it is strange to think, 
i Ti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. de baptism.  how small a matter may put an end to man's life. When a great man sometime threatened a Philosopher with death, 
k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Diogenes Perdiccae. Laert. Et Theodorus Lysimacho; Enimuerò magnifi●a res tibi contigit, quia ●antharidis vim assecutus es. Cic. Tusc. l. 1. & Val. Max. l. 6. c. 2.  What is that more (quoth he) than à Spanish Fly may do? and he might well have added, not to me only, but to thyself. Yea, to pass by that of Cleopatra, who when to prevent public disgrace, she had made herself away with the help of an Asp, yet had nothing to be seen on her, save 
l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. Anton.  two small pricks, that could hardly be seen, made with the worm's tooth on the one of her arms; which yet were enough (it seemeth) to make an end of her, and 
m Tu qui te Deum credis, successu aliquo elatus, quantulo serpentis dente perire potes? Plin. l. 7. c. 7.  might as well have done of any other. To let that pass, I say, not a Spanish, but 
n Conrade. Visperg. Na●cler. ex joan. Cremon. & Io. Bal. in Adrian. Pp 4 qu● a 〈…〉 Papatum Nicholas Breakespeare dicebatur.  an ordinary Fly or a great, flying casually into his mouth, is said to have stifled that proud Pope, that made the highest State then in the Christian world stoop even to the holding of his stirrup. And indeed, 
o Nihil tam exiguum est, quod non in ●●r●●iem generis humani satis val at. Sen. nat. quaest. l. 6. c. 2.  what is there so small, that may not be a man's bane? The 
p V●gi●uli nos, & ne toti●s quidem dolour, sed aliqua 〈◊〉 latere eius s●issura conficit. Ibid.  paring of a toe, the cutting of a corn, the scratch of a nail, the prick of a pin, have been sometime, and 
q Quicquid enim fieri potuit unquam, & potest. Idem.  may again be, the means of a man's end. A 
r Tarqvinius Priscus piscis spina inter coenandum susfocatus es●. Guide Bitur.  fish-bone, a 
s Anacr contem Vuae passae succo exiles virium reliquias foventem unicus granipertinacior in aridis faucibus humor absumpsit. Val. Max. l. 9 c. 12 & Plin. l 7. c. 7. Quod de Sophocle etiam Sotades. Stob. c. 96.  grape-kernel, some 
t Fabius' Senator poto in lactis haustis uno pilo strangulatus est. Plin. ibid.  one hair, a 
u Est quos potio strangulaverit malè lapsa per fouces: stillicidio perire potes. Sen. q. nat. l. 6. c. 2. Use 1.  drop of water, 
x Saliva crassior suff●cat. Ibid.  his own spittle, let down unwarily, may choke him. 
a Abortus causa sit odor a lucer●●rum extinctu. Plin. l. 7. c. 7. Nunquid ut homo concidatres magni molimenti est? odor illisoporque, etc. mortisera sunt. Sen. ad Marc. c. 11. Animal aquarum novitatibus, flatuque non familiaris aquae, & tenuissimis causis atque off●nsionibus morbidum, putre, cassum. Ibid. jovinianus Imp. foetore prunarum & nidore parietum recens calceillitorum extinctus est. Hieron. in Nepot. Ammian. l. 25. & Aur. Victor. Fato gemino & Q. Catulus ob●jt. Vell●●us l. 2.  bad or unwonted air, an evil smell, a little smoke may soon stifle him. Man is as the grass, or as a flower (saith the 
b Psal. 40. 6, 7.  Prophet and the 
c Psal 103. 15, 16.  Psalmist) which if the wind blow but on it, it is by and by gone: and his life is as a candle, or a taper, a weak light, that every light, not gust, but puff of wind is ready to blow out. Yea not some malignant blast, or some evil breath only, but even the want of breath; nor the air, if it be infected, only, but the very 
d Suppresso tantum spiritu esse desierunt Licinius Macer, Zeno Cittieus, Metrocles Cynicus, Com●latro. Val. Max. l. 9 c. ●2 〈◊〉. ●●l. Suid. Hinc & Plin. l 31. c. 1. Nubes obtentu vital●m spiritum strangulant.  want of it to breathe with, will soon make man cease to be, and put a period to his life. 
e Psal. 104 29.  If thou withdrawest (saith he) from them their breath, they die, and return again to their dust.  
And what may this frailty and vanity of man's life then teach us?  
Surely; first, not to 
f jer. 17. 5.  make flesh our arm; not to rely upon so 
g Vti Laco de Athenis, quas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pindarus dixit, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  feeble, so frail, so fickle a stay, as the life even of the greatest, or what ever he be, 
h Esai. 2. 22.  Cease from man (saith the Prophet) whose breath is in his nostrils: for what excellency is there in him? And, 
i Psal. 146. 3.  Trust not in Princes (saith the Psalmist) nor in any Son of Man: for there is 
k Psal. 60. 11.  no certainty of help by them. For their life is but 
l Psal. 78. 39  ablast, and 
m Psal. 146. 4.  whe● their breath goeth they die, and return to their dust, even 
n Psal. 82. 7. Verum nos homunculi Sali●● 〈◊〉 animae, qui cum extempso amisimus, Aequo mendicus a●que ille opulentissimus Censetur censu ad Acherontem mortuus. Plaut. Trinum. 2. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lu●ian. Impares nas 〈…〉 r, pares mori●ur: aequat omn●● cinis. Sen. epist. 91. 〈…〉 rs exaequat ●m●ia. Idem ad Marc. c. 10. Quis discer●at species mortuorum? redoperiterram, & divites, si potes, depre 〈…〉 e. Ambr. de Nabuth. c. 1. Hinc illud antholog. lib. 3. cap. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  as others do; and then all their projects perish with them. Men think themselves safe commonly, if they can get into favour with some great man, or if they can by any means procure but the protection of such an one. But, not to press that which some yet well observe, that these prove oft but 
o Sunt infirma (infida) quaedamrefugia; ad quae cum quis fugerit, magis infirmatur, quam confirmatur. Aug. in Psal. 45.  untoward shelters, but unsafe sa●egards; like the tree to the passenger, that flieth to it for succour in a storm, 
p Multi c●dentibus eis ad qu●s confugerant, & ipsi quae siti sunt, quos nemoquaereret, si non ad eos confugissint. Aug. ibid. Quid ego de Regum familiaribus dicam, quos quidem regia saepe incolumis, saepe ●u●em lapsa prosternit. ●●eth. consol. l. 3. c. 5.  that either braineth or ●ai●eth him with the fall of a bough, who might have been safe enough, had he not shrouded himself under it: Yea that 
q Esai. 30. 3. & 31. 1, 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. de amic.  many are ruined together with them by their fall, as the underwoods by the Oak or the Cedar when it is felled, who never got by them while they stood. What surety of help or safety canst thou have from those, who have no surety, 
r Ad omnia patienda pares sumus: nemo alter● f●agilior est: nemo in crastinum sui certior. Sen. ep. 91. Vt caetorum hominum, ita principum illorum omnium, qui Dij sibi videntur, aewm omne & brave & fragile est. P 〈…〉 n. Paneg. Psal. 82. 6, 7.  no more than thou hast, of themselves? Or what surety or certainty can they have of themselves, whose life dependeth upon so fickle a stay, as is a puff of wind, or a blast of breath only? 
s Psal. 62. 8. & 84. 12, 13. & 146. 5. jer. 17. 7, 8.  Make God thy stay, therefore, who is 
t Esai. 26. 4. & 54. 10.  a rock of eternity, or an everlasting rock: not man, who is 
u Quid est 〈◊〉? Vas fragile, quassum, ia●●atu, non tempestate magna, ut d●ssipetur, est opus: ubicunque arietaverit, soluitur. S●m. ad Mar●. 〈◊〉. 11.  so frail, so feeble a fabric, as being supported and held together but with 
x Salillum animae. Plau●. sup.  a little breath, may with 
y Anxiae, solicitaeque tutelae, precarij spiritus, & malè inhorentis, quem pavor repentinus, aut ex improviso sonus auribus gravis ex-Vse 2. cutit. Sen. ibid. Cuius caduca possessio tam leu●afflatu c●cussadilabitur. Val. Max. l. 9 c. 12.  as small a matter again be thrown down and dissolved. And 
z Esa●. 8. 12, 13, 14. & 51. 6, 7, 8, 12, 14. Matth. 10. 28. & 16. 25.  take heed how for the procuring of the favour of the one, thou either watue the favour, or incur the dispeasure of the other.  
Secondly, the consideration hereof should admonish us with 
a job 14. 14.  job, to live in continual expectation of our end, in continual preparation for the time of our decease; since that 
b Gen. 27. 2. Eccles 9 1●.  we know not how soon or how suddenly, we may be smitten; and we know withal, how small a matter is enough to make an end of us. It was no evil counsel therefore, that besides 
c Sic quotidiè vinamus, quasi die illa iudi●andi simus. H●eron. in Matth. 23. Dies omnis pr● v●●im● habeatur. Martin. Du●iens. de morib. Respect 1.  Christian Divines, even some 
d Omnem creded●ē tibi diluxisse supremum. Horat. l. 1. ep. 4. Sic ordinandus est dies omnis, tanquam cogat agmen, & consummet atque expleat vitam. Sen ep. 11. Qui omnes dies tanquam ultimum ordinat, nec optat crastinum, nec time●. Id 〈…〉 de breu. vit. c. 7. Sic diem omnem aspi 〈…〉, tanquam esse vel ultimus possit. Paratus exire sum. Idem 〈◊〉 61.  Heathen have given, that a man should do well to  
Make every day his dying day.  
Which yet is not so simply to be understood, that a man should every day do the same duties, or be employed in the same works, that he either would or should, if he knew it to be the last day of his life: But that in some other special respects he should make each day to be so (to wit, as his dying day) to him.  
1. In the dispeeding of his repentance and 
e Sirac. 5. 8.  not delaying it a day longer. Be as careful to 
f D 〈…〉. 4. 27.  break off thy sins this day and every day, as if it were to be thy dying day. Make every day thy dying day, by 
g Rom. 6. 2, 11.  dying unto sin every day. It is an Heathen man's counsel; and it is good and wholesome counsel; 
h Hoc citra diem●mortis praesta: morian 〈…〉 r ante te vitia tu●. Sen. ep. 27.  Let thy sins die in thee before thou diest. Let them dye before thee; for 
i jer. 6. 29. 30. Vl 〈…〉 sne est criminum modus? & non prius est ut de vitâ hamines quam de iniquitate d●scedāt? Quis enim non cum suis iniquitatibus moritur? & 〈◊〉 ipsis ad●odum a●que in ipsis sceteribus 〈…〉 pelitur? Sal. de prou. l. 5. c. 8. Non cessant vitia civium usque ad excidia civitatum. Pr●● est interire qu● co●r●gi: Prius ipsos, quam in ipsis vitia, non esse. ib. l. 6. c. 12.  if they stay till death with thee, if 
k john 8. 22, 24.  thou diest before they die, thou art sure to die eternally. And how knowest thou but that thou mayst die before they die, if they die not in thee this day; when 
l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Eurip. Alcestis. Qu●s enimest tam adolesc●ns, cui fit exploratum se ad vesperum esse victurum? Cic. de sen. Quis s●it an adijciant hodiern● tempora vitae Crastina Dijsuperi? Horat. carm. 4. 7. Nemo tam Respect 2. divos habuit faventes, Crastinum ut possit sibi polliceri. Sen. Thyest. 3. Nihil dehodierna die promittitur, ni●il de hac ●or●. Sen. ad Mar●. c. 10.  thou hast no certainty of thy life's continuance till the next day? And it is the advice of a jewish rabbin, and might well have come from any Christian; 
m Vn● die ante mortem agas poenitentiam. R. Eleazar. Drus. apopht●. l. 1.  Repent thee a day before thou diest. Not meaning thereby, that a man should defer and put off his repentance, till he lay, as he thought, now a dying, or not like to live above a day longer: But that 
n Hodiè resipiscendum, ne forte cras moriamur. Ibid.  he should this present day repent, and 
o Quomodo enim de die in diem disferendo peccas, ●um extremum diem tuum nescids? Aug. ep. 145.  not put it off till the next day; because before the next day, for aught he knoweth, he may die; 
p Prou. 27. 1. jam. 4. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Anacrcon. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pindar. Isth 8.— aetas quid ●rastinavoluat scire nefas homini. Stat Th●b. l. 3. Ney●is quid serus vesper vehat. Varro. Liu. l. 45. Gell. l. 1. 〈◊〉. 22.  he knoweth not what or where he shall be to morrow. As Solomon therefore adviseth him, that hath entangled himself by suretyship, so do thou much more; (for the matter more concerneth thee) 
q Prou. 6. 4, 5.  Give no sleep to thine eyes, nor flumber to thine eyelids, before thou hast 
r 2 Tim. 2. 25, 26.  by sincere and serious repentance wound thyself and thy soul again out of those snares of Satan, 
s Prou. 5. 22. & 29. 6.  which by the practice of sin thou hast entangled thyself in.  
2 In the shunning and avoiding of all evil. Be as careful to shun sin e●ery day, as thou wouldst be, if it were to be thy dying day, 
t Vt quotidiè pridiè caveat, ne faciat, quod se pigent postridiè. Plaut. Sti●h. 1. 2.  Do not that (saith he) to day, that thou mayst repent thee of to morrow. Yea, do not that, (say I) to day, that it may be too late to repent of tomorrow. There is hardly any man to be found so desperate, if he believe at least that he hath a soul to save, that 
u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Zaleuc. legum prooem. Nuper me amicicuiusdam langu●r admonuit, optimos esse nos, dum infirmi sumus. Quem enim infirmum avaritia aut libido solicitat? non am●ribus seruit, non adpetit honores, opes negligit, nemini invidet, neminem desp●cit; a● ne sermoni●us quidem malignis aut attendit aut alitur. Innoxiam in posterum, si contingat evadere, vitam destin●t. Plin. Sec. l. 7. ep. 25. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Tyr. Max. dissert. 41.  would wilfully abandon himself to any evil act, if he thought but that he should or might die instantly upon the deed done. When thou shalt therefore be incited to the doing of aught, that thy conscience informeth thee to be evil, do but think thus seriously with thyself; Would I do this, if I were to die to day, or if I were to die as soon as it is done? And yet how knowest thou, but that thou mayst die in the doing of it, but that this puff of thy life may puff out, ere it be done? Thou mayst be taken with 
a Dan. 5 6.  Bal●asar, 
b 2 Sam. 13. 26, 29.  Ammo●, and 
c 1 King. 16. 9, 10.  Ela, besides 
d Ita Archias caetèr●qu● tyranui Thebanioppressi sunt, cum is vino plenus, literas coniurationis indices puluino subi●cisset. Plut. de Socrat. gen. & sympos. l. 1. c. 3. & in Pelopid.  others, amids thy cups, or upon thine alebench: Thou mayst with 
e Numb. 25. 8.  Zimri and Cozbi (and the like hath befallen others too) be smitten 
f Ita periere Spousippus Philos●phus. Tertul. apolog. Rodaldus Long●bard. Rex. Paul. Diac. lib. 4. cap. 17. joan. 12. Pp. Luitprand. lib. 6. cap. 11.  in thine unclean bed, yea in the 
g Quosdam concubitus extinxit. Sen. epist. 66. Inter usum Veneris absumptisunt. Corn. Gallus Praetorius, & T. Haterius Eques Rom. Plin. lib. 7. cap. 53. & Val. Max. lib. 9 cap. 12. Bellrandus Ferrerius Hispan. Pontan. de obed. lib. 1. cap. 10. Et Giachet. Salucianus una cu●scortosu●. Fulg. lib 9 cap. 12. sed & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Philetaer. in Venatr. Athen. lib. 13.  act of thine uncleanness: Thou mayst with 
* Num. 16. 32, 35.  Core and his complices, be swept away, in thy rebellious courses against Minister or Magistrate; or amids thy frivolous suits, and malicious pursuits of thy brethren. Thy lie, or thy vain oath may be thy 
h Dan. 434.  last word; thy drunken health thy 
i Accadion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Sed & Erasi 〈…〉 us sari fato 〈…〉. Ath●nd. 10. A●ginascil. vi 〈…〉, ut F●stus, q Turrian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Erasm. Changed 〈…〉. 4. ce●●. 8. adag. 2. L. Valla m●d●c 〈◊〉, dumm ●sip ●●o●em haurit; Ap. S 〈…〉 seius, c 〈…〉 hausisset. P 〈…〉. 7. 〈◊〉. 53.  last draught; thy fraud, or thine oppression thy last deed. In 
k Dum resp 〈…〉 s, quod aiunt, v●●sa▪ Respect 3. musque nos, iam murtal 〈…〉 aderit. Sen. de ●ra. lib. 3. cap. 43.  the twinkling of an eye, in the turning of an hand, while thou art but 
l Psal. 66. 18.  looking after some sin, as 
m Gen. 19 26. Ius. 17. 32.  Lot's wife looking to Sodom ward, (
n Dr. Wilkinson Sermon.  She turned her but, and she was turned) mayst thou suddenly be snatched away, with thy 
p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Orestes. Impura m●n●e, pura manu. Apul. ap●log.  mind defiled, though thy hand yet unsoiled. And certainly 
q Nulla res magis proderit, quam c●gitatio mort●litatis. S●n. de●ra. l. 3. c. 42. Nih●l ●què profuerit ad temperantiam 〈…〉 ●erum, quam srequens cog●tat●o breais au●, & huius inc●rti. Idem ep. 114.  no means would be more effectual to keep us continually within compass, than the serious consideration of the frailty and the uncertainty of our life, how soon and how suddenly it may 
r Excisa sestine avolat. Psal. 90. 12. Anima a ●orpore segregata, vento si niles avolamus. Hieron. ep. de Psal 90.  flit away from us.  
3. In embracing of all good occasions. Be 
s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lucian. in Nigrin. Sed propera, nec te venturas differ in horas. Qu● non est ho●iè, cras minus ap●us erit. Ouid. remed. l. 1.  as careful every day to entertain any occasion of welldoing, as thou wouldst be, if it were to be thy dying day. 
t Gal. 6. 10.  Let us do good (saith the Apostle) while we have 
u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Tempus ut noris, iubet. Sed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iste tempestiwm tempus est. Auson. ex P 〈…〉 i sent.  time, and opportunity so to do: considering that if we neglect it now, when it is offered, we know not whether it will ever be offered us again. 
x Prou. 3. 28. Praeceptum de 〈…〉 icordiae operibus non differendis. Aug. de verb. Dom. 59 Cum potes henefa●●re, noli differre. Polyc●rpi nom, ep. ad Philip.  Say not (saith Solomon) to thy neighbour, Go and come again to morrow, if thou hast that by thee wherewith 
Psal. 50 22.  thou mayst help him. And, 
a Eccles. 9 10. Quicquid agis, agas pr● virlbus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. des●●.  whatsoever thou dost (saith he) do it, as with all diligence; for there is no work, nor wisdom in the grave that thou goest to: so without delay; because 
b Eccles. 11. 2.  thou knowest not what evil may come, that may cut off all future opportunity of welldoing, either by taking thee from the means, or the means from thee. And as 
c Eccles. 11. 4. Incipe: virendi rect● qui prorogat ho 〈…〉, Rusticus expectat dum defluat anmis: at ille Labitur, & labetur in omne volubilis aewm. Horat. l. 1. cp. 2.  he that observeth the wind shall never sow; so he that regardeth the clouds shall never reap. But especially ᵈ neglect not the means of that main work, (
f Psal. 95. 7, 8. Hebr. 3. 7, 8, 11. & 4. 7.  To day, saith he, if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts, but 
g Psal. 81. 8, 13.  harken: And, 
h 2 Cor. 6. 1, 2.  Now while the acceptable time is, while it is the day of salvation, we beseech you, receive not the grace of God offered you in vain.) of 
i 1 Tim 6. 19  laying a good foundation for the obtaining of life eternal; and the 
k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 1 Tim. 6. 12.  laying hold of all opportunities that may tend thereunto. For this, if it be not first done, dismal and desperate will thine estate be, if death suddenly surprise thee. Whereas if it be once well and substantially done, 
l Rom. 8. 38, 39  death shall never be able to raze or to rip up thy work, come it never so soon after, or so suddenly upon thee. It is with us in this case, as it is for our wills. A man that hath not his Will made before hand, if he be suddenly taken with dead Palsy or lethargy, is 
m Quia in eo qui testatur, cius temporis quo testamentum facit, integritas mentis exigitur. Digest. l. 28. tit. 1. l. 2 Et Cod. Iust. l. 6. tit. 22. l. 9 Sancimus tale testamen●um hominis, qui in ipso actu testandi adversa vasetudine t 〈…〉 us est, pro nihilo esse.  thereby utterly disabled to do aught therein, or to settle his estate. Whereas if a man have before time made and finished his will, though he have no time or ability, being so taken, now to recognize it, yet 
n Surdus & mutus testamentum fa●ere non potest: sed si qu●s post testamentum factum, valetudine aut quolibet alio casu talu esse ceperit, ratum nihilominus permanet testamentum Digest. 〈◊〉, 28. ●●t. 1. l 6. Quoth ment● sana factum est, stat testamentum, etiam si furor mox sec●tus fu●rit. Cod. Iust. l. 6. tit. 22. l. 9  his will standeth firm and good still for all that, and shall as well take effect as if he had seriously now again considered of it, and signed and sealed it the second time. In like manner, those that neglect now the means of their salvation, in hope of having them, and making use of them time enough hereafter, if either death, or some 
o M●rhus 〈◊〉 ●●abilis, qui 〈◊〉 officiat, mentem con●utiat. Se●. cp. 58.  such disease, soduinly smite them, as is wont to deprive of, or disturb the use of understanding and reason, they are thereby utterly disabled to do aught therein. Whereas those that are now careful to make a good use of them, and neglect not the grace and mercy of God therein now vouchsafed them, having 
p Rom. 5. 1, 2.  reconciled themselves to God once, and made their peace with him; though death should take them so suddenly, that they have not time so much as to think on it, yet their 
q Esai, 54. 10.  peace with God shall stand firm and sure; nor shall the want of opportunity or ability to do aught then, any whit impeach or impair their everlasting welldoing.  
4. In the manner of doing all that we do. Be careful to do, whatsoever it is that thou dost, 
r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Respect 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Zaleuc. leg. prooem. St●b. tom. 2. c. 42. Ita Se● ep 61. Hoc ●nimo tibi hanc epistolam scribe, tanquam cum maximè scribentem m●rs eu●●atura fit.  as sincerely, as uprightly, as thou wouldst do it, if thou wert to do it, when thou art a dying; or as thou wouldst do it, if thou thoughtest thou shouldest die as soon as it were done, that presently after the doing of it, thou shouldest depart this world, and go to give an account of the doing of it to God. So do, I say: for 
s Dic tibi dormitur●; Potes non expergis●i. Dic experrecto; Potes non dormire amplius. D●c exeunti; Petes non reverti. Dic revertenti; Pates non exire. Se●. cp. 49.  so (for aught thou knowest) thou mayst do. And therefore, not only, when thou hearest now, so hear, as if this were the last Sermon thou should hear, as with 
t Act. 20. 9  Eutychus it had like to have been; so pray, when thou prayest, as if that might prove the last prayer thou shouldest make; (for the manner of preferring and commencing of it, I mean, though not for the matter of the suit commenced) but so 
u 1 Cor. 10 31.  eat and drink too, as if that might be thy 
* Ob●jt repent 〈◊〉. Manlius Torquatus, cum in coena plac●ntam appeteret; P. Quint us Scapula, cum apud Aqu lium Gallum coenare●; D 〈…〉 s Sauf●ius cum domi s●ae pranderet P 〈…〉 n. lib. 7. cap. 53. Ier●m. 41. 1, 2.  last meal; so buy and sell too, as if every bargain thou makest, might be the last that ever thou shouldest make: yea, so follow not thy serious affairs only, but thy lawful disports and delights too, as one that mayst 
x Nullis evidentibus causis ob●e●e, dum calceantur matutino, duo Caesares; &c. omnes usque ndeò sani atque tempestivi, ut de progr●d●endo cogitarent. Pl●. ibid. Particular 3. Quando. Time When. Branch 1. Exposition 1.  in an instant as well be taken away, (thy life lying in thy breath, and thy breath being but a blast) as others not a few before thee have been, either 
y Cn. Bcbius, cum à puero hor●e quaesisset; C. Serui●●us, cum in soro ad tabernam flaret in fratrem innixus; Bcbi●s Iud●x dum vnd●monium differri iub●t, M. Terentius dum in soro tabellas s●rihi●; C. julius Medicus, dum inungit, specillum per oculos ●rabens. Pliu. ibid.  in the one, or 
z Risu exanimatus est Philemon Co●ius. Val. Max. lib. 9 cap 12. Terpander ficu per lusum in esingesta. Trypho. antholog. lib. 1. cap. 37. Drus●us Claud●j Imp. sil●us pyro. Sueton. Claud. cap. 27. Mr. H. Mor●●s in the Tennis-court with the racket in his hand.  in the other.  
And thus much also for the second Particular here considerable, the manner how he died, and the frailty of man's life in the phrase here employed.  
The third Particular followeth; and that is the time when he died.  
He died, (saith my Text).  
1. 
a In bona canitie. Gen. 15. 15.  in a good old age, or with a good hoary head; for that the 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 distinguitur job 15. 10. 1 Sam 12. 2.  Word properly and primarily soundeth; and it is accounted 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plus est quam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. D. King 〈…〉 hi. Vide D●us. obsurd l. 6. c. 13. Sencctus l●ssae aetatis, non f●actae nomen est. Sen. ep. 26.  a further degree than the former.  
Good (I say) not (as some) morally; as 
d Dis●●dens in grat●a. 〈◊〉 in Gen. 15. quo etiam abire vid●tur C●rysest. b●m. 37. & Philo, Sed & Hugo. Boni in●p ent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bonis o●eribus; & implentur m●ritis operum suorum.  well spent, well employed, replenished with deeds and employments spiritually good: (albeit, no doubt, Abraham's old age also, as well as his younger time so was:)  
But good rather naturally; that is,  
Either 
e Multa, provecta. Pet. Martyr. Long●, diuturna. O 〈◊〉. jun. Exposition 2.  great: for in length and greatness in part consisteth the goodness of age; and 
f Sicus dicimus, Bona pars homini●, ●magnap●●s Mart. Quinqua sci e●p●st 〈◊〉 Zeno, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Laert. Sed & Demosthenes. Stob tom. 2. ● 4.  goodness in that sense goeth sometime for greatness:  
Or 
g Placida, tranquilla. Par. Prospera ac 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. Muscul.  quiet, happy, and prosperous; as it is said elsewhere, 
h Gen. 15. 15.  in peace and prosperity:  
Or 
i Integra. Oleast. commoda. Pisc, facili, bona valetudine. Mart. Branch ●. Exposition 1. Exposition 2.  hail and healthy, as we say; 
k Morlis, doloribus, ●uris vacua. Par. Point. General 3.  free for the most part from such 
l Vide observ 3 rat. 2. & Spec. 2. rat. 1.  annoyances and troublesome infirmities, as that age is wont to be infested withal: though not, it may be, so fresh and vigorous as 
m Deut. 34 7.  Moses, or so able and active as 
n I●sh. 14 11. Talis & Cyrus. Xenoph. P●d. l. 8. & Metellus. Cic. de sen.  Caleb, are near their ends said to have been:  
Or 
o Ol●ast. Par. etc.  all these; for the word may well include them all.  
2. 
p Senex, satur.  Old and full; not 
q Plenus plenitudine eius de quo joan. 1. 16. Procop. vide Hugon. sup.  of grace and goodness, as some: (that is most true indeed also of Abraham, but seemeth not here intended:)  
But of days, or of years; as it is expressed 
r Gen. 35. 29. 1 Chron. 23. 1.  elsewhere: having lived even as long as 
s Vt non appeteret vitae pr●rogationem. Oleast. ●●lu. M●rt. etc.  himself desired, or so long (as we say) as heart could wish.  
Whence the Point, that in the General we may observe, is this, that even  
The longest livers die at last. 
a Psal. 90. 10.  The days of man's life are seventy years; saith the Psalmist. But Abraham had lived a whole 
b 175. Vers. 7.  hundred to that, and yet at length, you see, he dieth. Yea that is the conclusion still (
c Enoch. Gen. 5. 24.  one only excepted) with all those Ancients that lived so long before the flood, (not three or four times, as they say of 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homer. Odyss. 〈◊〉.  Nestor and some 
e Vide pl●n. h●st. n●t. lib. 7. c. 48. & L●cian. de M●●rob.  other, but nine or ten times as long as the longest ordinary livers live now adays) 
f Et mortuus est. Gen. 5. 5, 8, 27, etc. Reason 1.  And he died.  
Nor is it any marvel, that they so do.  
For first, we are of 
g Vitrei sumus. August. de verb. Dom. 1.  a glassy matter, of a very brittle mettle: 
h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Qui simul ossndit ad fortunam frangitur. Pbaedr. fab. 72. ubicun pew a●ietaueri●, solu●tur. Sen. 〈◊〉. ad Marc. cap. 11.  ready with every light dash to crack asunder, to fl●e in pieces. And * we walk amids many casualties; ready ever anon to seize on us; and any one alone enough to make an end of us. And 
i Hydria tandé ad font●m srangitur. Eccles. 12. 6.  the pot (as the Proverb is) goeth so of● to the well, that at length it cometh home broken; or rather, that it never cometh home again. 
k Mors obique ●e exp 〈…〉: 〈◊〉, si sapis, eam ubique expectabis. August. nom. despir. & anim. c. 51. Bern. midst. c 3. & O 〈…〉. mor. c. 7. Se●ibus in i 〈…〉 is, ad descent bus in msidij● est. Bern. de 〈◊〉. 14.  Death lieth every where, in every corner, in wait for us; even 
l E 〈…〉 a quib●s hic 〈◊〉 administratur, a ●ua, terra, spiri 〈…〉, omnia tam causae viuend● sunt qua● 〈◊〉 ●ortis. Sen. ep. 117. Non ●ibus nobis, non hamor, non vigilia, non somnus sine mensura quadam 〈◊〉 sunt. Idem quaest, nat. l. 6. 〈◊〉. 2. O●or, sapor, humour, c●bus, & sine quibus viu●re non poorest, sunt 〈…〉 mini morlifera. Idem ad Marc. c. 11.  in those things themselves that are 
h Inter v●rios casus am 〈…〉 ꝰ. Aug●st. ibid. & 〈◊〉. 28. Sub 〈◊〉 casibus quotid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ambulamus.  the means to maintain life. Not 
m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. d● bapt.  a crumb of that bread we eat, nor 
n Potio●is stilla ma●e lapsa strangulat. Sen. quaest nat. l. 6 c. 2.  a drop of that we drink, but, if it go but an hair's breadth awry, it may be our bane. There is not 
o Passus inter me & m●rtem. 1 Sam. 20. 3.  a bare step, or a pace only between death and us, as David speaketh; or an 
p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Anath 〈…〉 〈◊〉 morteremotus Quatuo●, etc. Iwen 14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Arat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. D●o Prus. orat. 74. E● prope tam letum quam prape cernu aquam. O●d. Pont. l. 2. Inter v 〈…〉ae mortisquevias N 〈…〉 gracililim●●e ducto. Sen. Med 2.  hand-bredth, some few inches, as it is said of those that be at sea: but even scarce a nail's breadth, yea or an hair's breadth between us and it, if not 
q ●●ras si in n●uigat●one tantum existimas minimum esse quo mortevita diducit●r. In ●mni loco aeque tenue interuallum est. Non v●●que se mors tam prope ost●ndit, nbique tam prope est. S●nec. epist. 50. A morte semp●r ●atundem absumus. Quod enim tempus morti exemp 〈…〉 est? a quo prope non est, parata omnibus locis, omnibus mom●ntis? Id●m epist. 30.  at all times, yet at many times more at least, than we are usually aware of. And it is no marvel therefore if 
r Quem saepe casus transit, aliquado invenit. P. Syr. Circuit fatum; & si quem diu praeterijt, rep●rit. Sen●c. quaest. nat. l. 6. c. 1. Mors propter incertos casus quotidiè imminet; propter brevitatem vitae nunquam pot●st longè abesse. ●●c. Tuscul. l. 1. Nemo p●riculo proximus, iutus diu. Cyp. nom. de singul. cler.  death meet with us, or light upon us at length: it is marvel rather that it misseth of us so long.  
Besides that, 
s Stygias ultrò quaerimus undas. Senec. Herc. fur. 1. Plures dentibus suis, quam alient ensibus perierunt. Vide jun. P●ov. 23. 2.  we ourselves also help oft to hasten our own end, while we betray ourselves to him, who lieth thus in wait for us, by wilful distemper, by disorder, by misdiet. As not one apple therefore of an hundred hangeth on the tree to full maturity, or so long, till it drop down with ripeness alone and its own weight, but either it is plucked off with the hand, or blown down with the wind, or prevented of its maturity by some one means or other: not one glass, or earthen pot of an hundred, that lasteth so long as it might, but by some mischance or other it cometh to its bane: So 
t Pauci ad Senectutem p●rue●sunt. Cic. de sen. Quota pars moritur tempore fati? Senec. Her●. O●t. 2. 2.  not one man among an hundred (what and I should say a thousand?) that 
u Implet dies suos. Esni. 65. 20.  fulfilleth his natural course, that liveth so long as in course of nature he well might, but hath his life shortened, and his end bastned 
x Multas natura mortis vias aperuit: multis itineribus fata decurrunt. Uno modo nascimur: multis morimur. Cestius. Senec. controu. 16. Vnum natura nobis introitum ad vitam dedit, exitus mul●os. Senec. epist. 70. Mille modis leti miseros mors vn● fa●igat. Sil. Theb. lib. 9  by sword, by stress, by sorrow, by sadness, by surfeit, by sickness, by some one such casualty or other.  
2. 
a Casus nostros. nobiscum in hac carne por●amus. Aug. hem. 28. Innumerabilia pericula in ipso sunt. sinu. Sen. quaest, vat. l. 6. c. 2.  We carry every one of us our own bane 
Reason 2.  about us. Every one (say some Chemics) hath his own balsam within him: but 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Metrodor. Stob. 〈◊〉. 16.  every one of us (sure I am) hath within him his own bane; and that that will be sure at length to make an end of him, though no such casualty, as before we spoke of, should befall him. 
c Vitrei sum●. Aug. sup.  We are of a glassy matter; (saith he) nay, 
d Si vitrei essemus, casus 〈◊〉 timere 〈…〉 s. Fragiliores sumus quam si vitrei essemus. Idemibid.  were it so only, we were better and safer th●n now we are. For 
e Quid fragilius vase vitre●? & tamen seruatur & durat per secula; & invenis calices ab avis & proavis reliotos, in quibus bibunt nepot●s & pronepotes. Etsi enim casus vitreo vafi timentur, se●ectus ei & feb●is non timotur. Ibid.  a Venice glass, as brittle as it is, yet if it be charily kept, if it be carefully set up, if it stand shut up under lock and key, out of use, out of harms way, it may hold out many ages, it might last peradventure even as long as the world itself is like to last. But 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Demost. Clem Strom. l. 6. Ipse situ & otio in tabem iturus est. Sen. ad Marc. c. 11.  shut you up man never so charily, keep him never so carefully, he may, nay he will drop away for all that, he hath poison within him, that will at length make an end of him. He was bred and borne with a dangerous, with a desperate disease on him, and such as by no care or art of man he can be cured of or recovered. 
g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Apollodor. Donat. ad illud Ter. Phorm. 4. 1. Senectus ipsa morbus est.  Old age (said he sometime) is itself a disease; and 
h Senectus insanabilis morbus est. Sen. ep. 100LS. Senectus m●rbus mgens. Nullis arcerive potest, pellive medelis. Erasm. desen.  a disease that cannot he cured. But 
i Ista vita morbus est.  this life itself (saith an ancient Father) is a disease; and such a disease as we must all of us needs one day dye of. 
l Morieris, non quia aegrotas, sed quia vivis. Sen. ep. 78.  Thou art sure to die (saith he) not because thou art sick, but because thou livest. For 
m Medici, cum aegrotos invisunt, phthisicus est, inquiunt, aut bydrop●cus, moriatur necesse est: deinde moritur tamen. Aug. ibid.  sick a man may 
k Morbus hic necesse est ut ad m●rtem perducat. Aug. de temp. 74.  be, and yet not die of it: (not to add, that 
n Mu 〈…〉 morte● m●●bus d 〈…〉 lit. S●●. ib: l.  a disease hath sometime delayed death.) But 
o Psal 89. 48.  what man liveth, and shall 
p Vt Psal. 49. 〈◊〉.  not see death? that is, who liveth, and shall not die? 
q Totus ist us vitae 〈…〉 rsus n●●●l aliud quam ad mortem de ●ursus est. Aug. Civit. l. 13 c 10. ●ola vita ad mor●●m iter est. Sen. add Polyb. c. 30.  The whole course of our life is nothing else but a passage to death: the several 
r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. de EI Delft. Agunt opus suum sata: nobis sensum nostrae necis auferunt. Quoque facilius obrepat mors, subipso vi●ae nomine lat●t. Infantiam ins● pueritia convertit, pu●ritia 〈…〉 pub●rtas, 〈…〉 ntututem senectus abstulit. S●n. M 〈…〉 c. c. 10.  ages of our life so many several degrees of death: 
s Quotid è morimur: qu●t commutamur. Hieron. Nepot. Quot. mor. quotidit d●mi●ur a 〈…〉 qua pars vitae. Seu. ep. 24.  we are dying daily 
t Ad mortem dies e●tre●us p●ruenit, a●ced●t omnis, ●arpit nos two, non corripit. Non repen●● nos in mortem incid 〈…〉, sed minutatim procedi●us minutatim subducimur. Sen. ep. 24. & 30. & 120.  by degrees. No sooner are we (I say not, 
u Nasce●tes more 〈…〉 w; finisque borigine peudet. Manil. l. 4 exquo primu● lucem vidit, 〈…〉 r mortis ingressus est. Sen. M●rc. cap. 20.  borne, but even) 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Plut. de EI.  bred, but we are dying and decaying. Every 
x Momentis singulis moximur. August. nom. ●●dit. cap. 24. Qu●d 〈…〉 aliud singulis momentis agitur, donec ea cons 〈…〉 mata mors quae agebatur impleatur, etc. August. Ci●it. lib. 13. cap. 10.  minute and moment that seemeth added to our life, 
y I 〈…〉 ipsa, si bene comsutes, damna sunt. Et illi ipsi qui addebantur adol●s●entiae anni, vitae detrahcbantur. Sen. Marc. cap. 20. Cum cressunt puers, quasi accedunt illis dies, cum reuerá decedant. Quicquid enim vixit, de summa minuit. Qua●do prodi. citur 〈◊〉 non aug●tur, nec addendo crescit, quia veniendo recedit. August. de verb. Dom. 1. & 17. ●o●. 1. 〈◊〉 de temp. 113. Ipsa suis augmentis vita ad detrimenta impellitur; & inde deficit, unde proficere creditur. Greg. Mor. l. 13. c. 27. Illa eadem vitam quae inchoat, bora ●apit. Camil. epitaph. Et 〈…〉 psit bora vitam prima quae dedit. Sen. Her●. fur. 3. 3.  taketh from it. For our life it is as a taper, that being once lighted, never linneth spending, till it be wasted all at last: as the hourglass, that being once turned and set a running, never stayeth, till the sand be all out.  
So that considering as well the variety of casualties, that we are all subject unto, as our own frailty and mortality, that we are broad and bor●e 
z Quemadmodum Clepsydram non extremum stillicidium exbaur. 〈◊〉, sed quicquid ante destuxit: sic ullima h●ra, qua esse des 〈…〉 nus, non sola mortem facit, sed sola confummat. Sen. ep. 2●.  with, it is no marvel if the longest livers of us die at last, it is marvel rather that any of us live so long.  
Now this may first teach us, not to please our 
Use 1.  selves with a conceit of long life, Why may not we live as long as such and such? To omit, that it is a thing altogether 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isocr. ad Demon. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. in Epicur.  uncertain. For 
b Eccles 3. 22.  who can tell a man what shall be? Certain it is, that 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Archin. Clem. Strom. l. 6. Omnes ●odem cogimur: omni●m Versatur urná serius ●cyus Sors exitura, etc. Horat. carm. 2. 3. Use 2.  first or last, 
d 2 Sam. 14. 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Antholog. Debemur m●rti nos nostraque: Horat. art. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. E●rip. Alcestis. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ibid.  die we must, live we never so long. As nothing more uncertain than how long we shall live: so 
e Morte nihil ●ertius. Be●n. epist. 10. & medit. c 3.  nothing more certain than that once 
f Hebr. 9 27.  we shall die. 
g Incerta omnia: sola mors certa est. August. in Psalm. 38. & de verb. Dom. 21.  As sure as death: we say. And 
h Quid diu est, ubi finis est? Aug. d● verb. Dem 42. Quicquid finitur parum est. Greg. Moral. lib. 7. c. 20. Nulla longa mora est eius, quod aliquando e 〈…〉 ict. T 〈…〉 tull. Mihi ne 〈…〉 turnuni quidem qu●cquam videtur, in quo est aliquid extremum. Cic. de s●n. & Aug. ciui●. l. 12. c. 11.  it never stayeth long, that cometh at last. Stay death never so long, before it come, it will seem to come oversoone when it cometh, to those that desire it not, and at last come it will. And 
i Si nongentos vitae excede● 〈◊〉 annos, ut ante dil●●ium viu●b●t●r, & Math● sal●m nobis tempora donarentur, tamen nihil esset praeterita longitudo, quae esse desisset. Et 〈…〉 inter eu● qui de●em vixit annos & eum qui mille, post quamid●m vitae sinis advenerit, etc. tra●sactum omne tantundem est. Hier. in Nepot.  last life never s● 〈…〉ng, it will seem but short, when it is once over. 
k Psal. 90. 4.  When it is gone, (saith the Psalmist) it is but as 
l Quarta pars nectis.  a watch in the night.  
Secondly, it should admonish us to take heed how we grow too far in love, either with this life itself, or with the things of this life. Since that, though we enjoy them never so long, yet we must leave them at last. For 
m 1 Tim. 6. 7. job. 1. 21. E●cl●s. 5. 14. Nihil intulis●i, ni●il hinc auferes. Aug. de verb. Dom. 5. & 41. E 〈…〉 red●untem natura, sicut intrantem. Non licet plus inferre quam intuleris. Sen. ep. 102.  we brought them not with us into this world; and it is certain that 
n Psal. 49. 17. Cedes co●mptis salt●bus, & do 〈…〉, Villique; & extructin al●um D 〈…〉 poti 〈…〉. Linquenda ●●llus, & d●mus, & placeus uxor: ●eq harum, qu〈…〉 s, a borum te pr●ter 〈◊〉 cup ●ss●s ulla brevem d 〈…〉 seq 〈…〉 tur. Horat. car. 23 & 14  we cannot carry them out of the world with us. If they leave not us while we live here, 
o P●ou. 23. 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysom. 〈◊〉. 5. ser. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ibid. 19  which oft also they do; yet 
p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lucian. anthol. lib. 1. c. p. 13. Finem sunt habitura, aut tuum, aut suum. Bern. de bon. deser. Et Sen. quaest. nat. l. 3. Aut p●ssi●ent●m des●ru●●, aut à possidente d●seruntur. Al●uin. in Eccles. praef.  we cannot but leave them when we go hence. For all the things of this life must needs leave us, when our life itself leaveth us, whereupon they depend. Let us so hold, and use these things therefore, that we 
q Ps●l. 62. 10. Saplings d●uitias non in animum, sed in domum recipiet. Sen. de b●at. c. 21.  set not our hearts on them; that we suffer not our 
r Coloss. 3 2.  affections to be glued to them. Let them 
s Omniaista nobis acceda●t, non adhaereant; ut si abducantur, sine ulla nostra ●acerationed d●s●edant. Sen ep. 74.  hang loose about us, that when we shall come to be stripped of them, they may, as our garments, go off with ease. Otherwise if they 
t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  cleave and stick fast to our souls, as clothes are wont to do to an ulcerous body, the parting one day, with them, which we can by no means avoid, will be 
u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Basil. Caes. hom. 7.  as painful unto us, as if our skin were pulled from our flesh, or 
x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Antipho. S●●b. c. 10. Quibu● 〈◊〉 p 〈…〉 sua obhaesit, sine sensu au●lli non potest. Sen. de tranq. cap. 8.  our flesh ●orne from our bones, or rather 
y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  as if some piece of our soul were reaved away together with them.  
Yea for life itself, if we love it, (as 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aesop. fab. Quis vitam non vult? Aug. hom. 4.  who loveth not life?) let us love that life, that is 
b 1 Tim. 6. 19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aeterna vita, veravita. Aug. de pec. mer. l. 1. c. 11. vera vita quae animam de morte eruit. Idem ep. 121. c. 2. Uita si diligitur, ibi acquiratur, 〈◊〉 nulla morte f 〈…〉 r. Idem ep. 45.  life indeed, and deserveth well that name. For this life that we live here, is in a manner 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Eurip. Hanc esse morsem quam 〈…〉 s vital du●imus, vitam il-Vse 3. lamb quam pro morte nos f●rmidamus. Lactant. instit. l. 3. 6. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Ista v●●que quae tantum amatur vita, quamlibet iucunda asque prodicta sit, nec vita d●cenda est. Aug. ep. 121. Vita falsa est. Idem de verb. Dom. 5. hom. 13. et de temp 212.  no life; it is 
d Quod de arc●● Herac●●t. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eustath. ad Igad. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. ad Apollen.  life in name, but in deed and truth 
e Mors est potius d●cenda quam 〈…〉 a, vel mortis quaedam pro●xitas. Gr●g. in Euang. 36. Hae● vita qu● v 〈…〉 ꝰ, magis mors est, etc. Bern. in Psal. 90. ser. 17.  death. It is no true life that cannot overcome death; that yieldeth to, that tendeth to, that endeth in death.  
Thirdly, the consideration hereof should cause us to 
f Luk. 12. 15, 22.  surcease and cast off this our immoderate care for the things of this life. As it hath been said by way of reproof of some people, that they used to 
g De Acragan●●●is Empedo●●●s; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lac●t. l. 8. De Rhodijs Stratonicus, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. de avar. Ideque ferè de Megarensibus Diogenes. Tertul apolog.  build as if they looked to live for ever: so it may well be said of many among us, that they 
h Esai. 5. 8.  purchase, and 
i Jer. 22. 14, 15.  build, and 
k Eccles. 4. 8.  gather goods together, as if they made full account to 
l Psal. 49. 11.  live ever to enjoy them. Whereas neither are these things able to lengthen their lives: for 
m Luk. 12. 15.  have a man never so much of them, his life dependeth not thereupon: nor to keep them from death: for 
n Psal. 49 7, 8, 9  no price can procure any immunity from it: nor to save them in death; for 
o Prou. 11. 4. Ezck 7. 19  riches avail not in the day of wrath: nor to avail them after death; for there will then be no use of them. And for men therefore 
p Eccles. 5. 17.  to beat their brains so much with thought and care for these things, and 
q Eccles. 4. 8.  to take such pains, as so many do, for the compassing of them, is but 
r Psal. 39 6.  to toil and moil about that, that they must leave to others at length, and to inherit 
s Psal. 49. 17. Eccles. 5. 15.  nothing but 
t jer. 17. 11. Luk. 12. 20.  folly and 
u L 〈…〉 s. 5. 16. & 6. 2, 4.  vanity themselves, when others, 
x Psal. 39 6. Eccl. 6. 2.  they know not who, 
y Eccl. 2. 18, 19  inherit the fruit of their labours.  
Lastly, this might teach us not to fear death. 
a S●ultum est timere, quod vitari non potest. P. Syr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Arrian. 1. Epict. l. 1. c. 27.  It is a fond thing (saith he) to fear that, that cannot be 
Use 4.  avoided. A folly it is to trouble & turmoil ourselves with fear and care about that, that by no thought or forecast we can shun or shift off. But such is death. 
b Differri potest, auserri non potest. Aug. de diverse. 36. Mortem differunt ista, non au●●runt. Idem de verb. Apost. ●8.  Delayed it may be, but avoided it cannot be. And 
c Sed etsi tardius quis moritur, nunquid ideò non moritur? Idem de temp. 74.  be it nover so long put off, yet 
d Quid autem ad rem pertinet, quadiu vites, quod evitare non possis? Sen. epist. 93.  it will come at last. As an ancient Father therefore well and wisely adviseth; 
e Noli timere, quod velis, ●olis, e 〈…〉: id time, quod, si nelueris, non erit. Aug. de diverse. 36.  Fear not that, which whether thou wilt or no, will be; fear that rather, which if thou thyself wilt not, shall never be. That is, fear not this temporal death, the death of thy body, which of itself cannot hurt thee, and by no means or care of thine can be prevented: but fear that eternal death, the death of thy soul, 
f De hoc verè dici potest, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristot. Ethic. l. 3. c. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ep 〈…〉. La●rt. Timor●m maximus leti metus. Lucan. ●b. 1.  the greatest of all evils that can possibly befall thee, which by mature care and diligence now used, may be prevented. But we are (as another well observeth) herein, the most of us, 
g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Chrysost. tom. 6. serm. 43.  like children, that are 
h Persona 〈◊〉 deformis 〈◊〉 ●um facit. Sen. de constant. sap. cap 4. Laruam timent, lucernam non timent.  afraid of a visor, but fear not the fire; shriek and start at the one, but thrust their fingers into the other. 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Arrian. Epict. d 〈…〉 t. l. b. 1. cap. 5.  We fear the bodily death, but not the spiritual death, the death of the soul, the death in sin, and dying in sin, without which the other cannot hurt. The fear of death troubleth and distracteth much our minds: but the fear of future matters, that are truly fearful indeed, and but for which death needednot at all to be feared, doth no more trouble or affect the most, than as if no such thing were at all, or they were 
i Esse aliquos manes, etc. Nec pueri credunt, nisi qui nondum ●relauantur. Iu●enal. Sat. 2. Nemo tam p●e● e 〈…〉, ut ista ●●meat. Sen. epist. 24.  babes only that believed them.  
And thus much for the General, that from this third Branch we observe:  
Some Particulars follow; which I will point at rather than insist on.  
More specially therefore we may hence further observe;  
First, that in some cases 
Point. Special 1.   
To live long is a blessing.  
It was foretold Abraham, as a favour, that he should 
k Gen. 15. 15.  die an old man: and it is here recorded that so he did. And it was foretold Eli, as an heavy judgement that should betide his posterity, that there should 
l 1 Sam. 2. 32.  never be any old man in his house. Long life, as in the 
m Exod. 20. 12. Ephes. 62. Deut. 4. 1, 40. & 6 2.  Law it is promised oft as a blessing: and God where he describeth by the Prophet the flourishing estate of his people, saith, 
n Esai. 65. 20.  There shall no more be, 
o Potest & verti, ex eyes, ut ad utrumque tam infantulum quam senem, r●●eratur illud, Qui n● impleat dies suos, quod & Piscatori placet; ●iue, cuius dies Deus non impleat, ut jun.  from them, or go thence, an infant of days; that is, none of them shall die young or in infant's estate; nor any old man that hath not fulfilled his days; that is, 
p Vivendi sinis est optimus, cum integra ment caeter. sque sensibus op 〈…〉. 〈…〉 sa suum eadem, 〈◊〉 coagmentau●●, 〈…〉 tura d●ssoluit. 〈◊〉 de sen.  lived so long as in course of nature he well might: but the child shall die an hundred years old; that is, he that is now a child shall live till he be so many years old: (which place the rather I recite & open at large, in regard of some frivolous 
q Vise ●is Hieron. in Esai. 65. Greg. Mor. l. 1●. c. 24. Hug. Card. & Piscat. in Esai. etc. Hinc emanavit Proverbium, Puer centum annorum. Quod mirum est Drusium non aduert●sse a● hoc loco, sed perpera● accepts, mutuatum.  crotchets that not a few have fished out of it, clean beside as well the meaning as the drift of God's Spirit:) So the shortening of man's life is threatened oft as a curse. 
r job 15. 32, 33.  He shall die 
s Die non s●o, i. quem per naturam attinger● pote●at. Ita Firm. l. 8. c. 19 ●rit longaews, in senecta soelix, & qui sua ●or●e moriatur. Et de C●s●r●s percussoribus Sueton. Nemo sua mor. Reason 1. ●●d functus est. Et Sen. ●p. 69. Alioqui certum est quod ibid. Sen. Nemo nisi suo d●e moritur.  before his time, as the green grape is nipped off the Vine, and the Olive blossom shake off the tree; saith Eliphaz of the wicked. And, 
t Psal. 55. 23.  He shall not live out half his days; that is, 
u In medio dierum suorum tolletur, ut Psal. ●02. 24.  half the time that he might in the course of nature have attained to; saith the Psalmist of deceitful and bloody men.  
And well may it be so deemed.  
For first, 
a Levit. 19 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reason 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Phocylid.  Old age is honourable. Yea, as the Apostle saith of 
b Hebr. 13. 4.  Marriage, It is honourable 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plato leg. l 9 Apud antiquissimos Romanorum, neque generi, neque pecuniae praestan●●or honos trib●● quam aetati solitus: maioresque natu à minoribus colebantur ad deum prope & parentum vicem; atque in omni loco, inque omni spec●● honoris potiores prioresque habiti. Gell. l 2. c. 15. Senect 〈…〉 〈…〉 ventus ita cumulatum & circumspectum honorem reddebat, tanquam maiores nat● adolescentium communes ●atres essent. Val. Max. l. 2. c. 1. Magna ●uit quondam capitis reverentia cani. Quid fast. l. 5. Credehant tunc grandenesas, & morte pian●um, Si v●tul● Iwenis non assurrexerat. Iwen. sat. 13.  among all men. It is 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Clem. Paedag. l. 3 〈◊〉. 3.  a resemblance of God's antiquity, who is called 
e Dan. 7. 13.  the Ancient of days. 
f Prou. 20. 29.  The glory of young men is their strength: (saith Solomon) and the beauty of old men is the gray-head. And, 
g Prou. 16. 31.  Old age, or the gray-head, is a crown of glory, that is, 
h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. de sen. polit.  a glorious crown, where it is found in the way of righteousness.  
Secondly, It is a blessing to live to see posterity, especially to live to see withal God's blessing upon it. 
i Psal. 128. 1.  Blessed is the man that feareth God (saith the Psalmist) 
k Psal. 128. 6.  For (among other things, though it come last, yet not the least) he shall live to see his children's children, (that which is recorded also, as a part of 
l job 42. 16. Reason 3.  jobs happiness) and peace upon Israel.  
Thirdly, it is a matter of grief to men 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Alcestis.  more than ordinary, when friends are taken away from them by 
m In ●tatis flore morientur. 〈◊〉 Sam. 2. 23. Hinc illa qu●Reason 4. rela, Immaturu●●bij●. Senec. ad Marc. c. 20. Dol●● illum immatura morte indignissimè raptum Pl●●. l. 6. ep. 6.  immature death: when the ordinary course of nature is inverted, and they 
n Nullum non acerbum funus est, quod parens sequitur. Sen. ibid. c. 17. Quod decuit natum patri praestar● sepulto; Hoc contra nato praestitit ipse parent. Epitaph. Olim parentum defunctorum liberi laudes dicebant. En rerum in nobis ordo mutatus est; & in calamitatem nostram perdidit sua iura natura. Quod exhibere senibus i●uenis debuit, hoc iweni exhibemu● senes. Hieron. ad Nepot.  bury, those by whom they ought rather to have been buried.  
Fourthly, it is a great grace to a godly man, that he may do God any good service. Such account it their greatest honour, as 
o Act. 5. 41. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Elegantissimum oxymorum. Casaub. S● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Phil. 1. 29. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ignat. ep. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Idem ep. 11. Est & confusionis gloria, & confusio gloriosa. Ambr. in Psal. 43 Hac tempestate (D●o●l●tiano ●●uiente) certat 〈◊〉 in glow 〈…〉 sa certamina ruebatur, multoque avidius martyria gloriosis mortibus quaerebantur, quam ●unc Epis●opatus ●●auis ambi●ionibus appetuntur. Sever. hist. l. 2. Rom. 5. 5. Intribulationibus glorian●●r, contum 〈…〉 gloriam reputantes, opprobrium gaudium, d●spectionem exaltationem. Bern. de temp. 71.  to suffer in God's cause, so to be employed in God's work. But the longer a man liveth, the more glory may he bring to God, the more service may he do to the Church and Children of God, be he a public person, or a private; not in regard of occasions and opportunities only, but in regard also of aptness and ability thereunto: Since that continuance of years bring●th 
p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Clem. p●d. l 3. c. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. P 〈…〉. O● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. I 〈…〉 Beller. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Soph. O●dip. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. P 〈…〉. paedag. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Idem de sen. polit. Non omnia grandi●r aetas Quae fugiam●● habe●: seris venit usus abannis. Quid. Met. l. 6. Quisquis adsapientiam pervenit, annis pervenit. Sen. ep. 69. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Hippolyt.  wisdom and experience; and antiquity carrying a kind of 
q job 32. 4, 6, 7. Philem. 9 Apex se●ectutis est aut ●ritas. Cic. de sea. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut desen. Senatus ergo à senib 〈…〉 Hin 〈…〉 A 〈…〉 stus, Aud●te iwenes sen●m, quem audivere iu●en●m s●nes. Ibid. Point. Special 2.  authority with it, procureth reverence and respect: The former whereof fitteth men for the doing of the more good to others, the latter others for the receiving of the more good from them.  
Long life in these respects therefore may well be deemed a blessing.  
Secondly, we may hence observe, that it is  
A great mercy of God to have a good old age.  
It is a mercy more than ordinary for men at those years to be kept free in some good measure, though not from such weakness as the decay of nature necessarily importeth, yet from such aches, and pains, and grievances, and diseases, and annoyances, as that age is wont commonly to be annoyed and pestered with.  
For first, 
r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reason I. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Sclcrias S●ob. cap. 101. Scolio● hoc citat & Pl●●o in Gorg. & A 〈…〉 ot. Rhet. l. 2. c. 22 Sed & Plat. leg. l. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. E● ibid. l. 2. idem ferè babet. Quin & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deliacamcitat Aristot. Ethi●. Nicom. l 〈◊〉. c. 8. & Eadem l. 1. c. 1. quá 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur. Senar. Grae. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. i. mens sana in corpore sano. Iwen. sat. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Plato Gorg.  Health and the enjoyment of it, is at all times a great mercy; (
s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉▪ Plut. de sanit. & de tranq. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ifidor. Pel: l: 3. ep. 192. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ariphron. Athen. lib ult.  no outward thing being comfortable or delightful without it) that which nothing showeth so well as 
t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hera 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Basil. Caes, hom. 〈◊〉. Quid boni hav●at sanitas, languor ostendit. Hier. n. consol. Pa〈…〉.  the want of it at some times, and the inconveniences that ensue thereupon. And if to enjoy it at any time then be no small benefit, even at such times wherein others are wont usually to enjoy it: how much more is it a great mercy to have it at that age, wherein most men are wont to find a much more than usual want of it? The more infectious the times and places are that we live and abide in, the greater goodness of God it is to us, if we keep free from infection: So therefore 
u Eccles. 12. 1. ●8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Reason 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Antiph. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. I●●. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Bion. I●ert. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. O●nom. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Glauc. Objicit innumeris c●rp●s lacerabile morbis. Auson. idyl. 15. circumsilit agmi 〈…〉 sacto Morborum omne genus. Iwen. sat. 10.  old age is subject to diseases and disasters, the greater mercy it is for old men to be kept free then from either.  
Again, it is not so much the bare decay of nature or abatement of bodily strength, as either maketh old age so 
x 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: Onus Aetna gravius. Cic. de sen. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Eurip. Bacch. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Pherecrat.  cumbersome & burdensome to men, and depriveth them of all alacrity and cheerfulness of spirit; (you shall see old men, though so weak and feeble, that they can scarce stir from the place where they are set, yet as 
y Plena ●st voluptatis senectus, fi illa scias uti. Sen. ep. 12. His mihi rebus le●is est s●nectus; nec solum non mol●sta, sed etiam iucunda. Cato. Q●●d est enim iu●undius senectute stipata stud 〈…〉 'tis? ●ic. de sen.  cheerful and frolic, as we say, and as hearty, yea much more lightsome many times, than many far younger than themselves) or that disableth them to doing good, and to the performance of good offices for the behoof and benefit of others: (For such albeit their bodily strength be most past, yet their 
z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eurip. Peleo. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plu●. de sen. pol. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Menand. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. jone. Non sentio in animo 〈…〉 is iniuriani, cum sentiam in corpore. Vigetanimus: illius flos senectus. Sen. ep. 26.— nec tarda senectus Debilitat vires animi, mentis●ue vigorem. Virg. Aen. lib. 9  wits may be still fresh: and though they cannot afford much help of the hand, yet 
a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plu●. de sen. pol. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Melamp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. B●o●. La●r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Sophocl. Thyest. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Antiphan. Philoct.  by sage counsel and grave advice, they may further affairs more either public or private, 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. A●tiop. Polyb. lib. 1. Plut. de sen. Pol. Galen. de art. Stob. 〈◊〉. 52. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Oppian. pisc. l. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Agatho. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Menand. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Gabr. Fab. Hinc Agamemnon decem Nestores potius quam Aiaces optat. Iliad. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Cic. de sen. Plut. de sen. pol.  than many younger and stronger are able●●doe with their hands: 
* 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristoph. vesp.  a few grey hairs, saith on●; may be more worth, than many young locks; and a few grey beards do more than many green heads. It is not that decay of nature or bodily strength so much, I say, as such 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pl●t. ibid. Non proprium senectutis est vit●um, sed commune valetudinis. Cic. de●en.  pains and diseases as usually accompany old age, that are wont to make it to be either so tedious to them themselves, that they grow 
d job 7. 15, 20. Nunc quia longa mihi gravis est & inutilis aetas, vivere cum nequeam, sit mihi posse mori. Maxim. eleg, 1.  weary oft even of their lives, or that ma●eth them so unprofitable to others, yea and oft so 
f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Menand. Tum equidem in senecta hoc depuso miserrimum, Sentire ea aetate esse odi●sum alteri. Caecil. Vsque adeo gravis vx●ri, natisque, sibique, Vt captatori moveat fastidia Cosso. Iwen. 10.  burdensome too, that they grow as weary of them, as they are themselves of their lives. Which to be freed therefore from, either for the most part, or in some good measure, in that age, must needs be counted no small merey.  
Thirdly, observe we hence, that there is a kind of  
Satiety and fullness of life:  
not so much, I say, an 
g Quosdam subit eadem videndi saciendique sati●tas, & vitae non odium, sed fastidium. Sen. ep. 24.  irksomeness, and tediousness, 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Eurip. Menalip. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Soph. S●yr.  as 
h Habet enim natura, ut aliarum omnium rerum, sic vivendi modum. Cic. de sen.  a satiety and fullness; when a man, though not weary of a thing, yet he hath his 
i Vixi quantum satis er at: mortem plenus expecto. Sen. epist. 62.  fill, so much as he desireth, of it; to the godly especially; for I find not the phrase used in the word but of them only; as of Abraham here, of 
k Gen. 35. 29.  Isaak, of 
l job 42. 17.  job, of 
m 2 Chron. 24. 15.  jehoiada, of 
n 1 Chron. 23. 1.  David, of whom it is said also, that he died 
o 1 Chron. 29. 28. Reason 1.  with a good grey head, full of days and riches, and honour.  
Now this satiety and fullness of life commonly befalleth such;  
First, when some special promises of God have been made good to them, or some special 
p Omnino rerum omnium satietas vitae facit satietatem. Vitae autem satietas tempus maturum mortis assert. Cic. de sen.  blessings of God enjoyed by them, correspondent to their own desires. So Simeon, when he had lived so long (
q Luke 2. 26.  which it was foretold him he should do) as to see our Saviour in the flesh, he hath even enough of this life, he desireth not now to live an hour longer. 
r Luke 2. 29, 30.  Lord (saith he) now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; since that mine eyes have once seen thy salvation, my Saviour, and the Saviour of all mankind. So jacob, when he saw his son joseph again, whom he had 
s Gen. 37. 33, 35. & 42 36, 38.  given up for dead and gone long ago, not alive only, but in honour, and not him alone, but his issue too; 
t Gen. 46. 30.  Let me now die; (saith he) I have lived long enough; I desire life now no longer; since I have seen thy face, and that thou art yet alive. For 
u Gen. 48. 11.  I made full account never to have seen thy face; and behold God hath made me see thy seed.  
Secondly, where their 
a Sunt pueritiae certa stud●a; sunt & ineuntis adol●scentiae; sunt & constantis aetatis; sunt & extremae sene-Reason 2. ctutis: istaergò 〈…〉 occidunt, fit vitae sa 〈…〉, 〈◊〉. desen.  employments here are at a full point, at a period; when they have done their task that God had assigned them, and there 
b Non acerbum iam iudicant vivere, sed supersluum. Senec. epist. 24.  seemeth to be now here no further work for them. 
c Act 13. 36.  David (saith he) when he had served his set time by God assigned him, slept. And the Apostle Paul, as 
d Philip. 1. 24, 25. Ita Martinus decumbens; Domine, si adhuc populo tuo sum necessarius, non recuso laborem, etc. Sever. epist. 3. & B●rn. ser. de Mart.  he was content to stay longer in the flesh for the good of the Philippians, and the furtherance of their faith, than he desired otherwise to do: so he saith on the other side, that 
e Act. 20. 24.  his life was not dear to him, he cared not how soon he laid it down, if so be that he had fulfilled but the course of his ministry, and that his work it were once at an end.  
The Use of which several Points in a word, may be,  
First of the two former, to admonish old men, and such more specially as through the goodness of 
Use 1.  God enjoy a commodious and comfortable time of it, free from many such griefs as they hear others of their years oft complain of, to acknowledge Gods great mercy and goodness to them therein; as 
f Psal. 91. 16.  in lengthening out their life, and satisfying them with a greater number of days than others ordinarily attain unto, by means whereof they may live to see those brought up under them, and bestowed by them, that are of their charge, and whom God hath here blessed them with: so 
g Psal. 103. 5.  in freeing of them from such annoyances, as are usually attendants of that age, and which might make their continuance here the more tedious and uncomfortable to them: And 
h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. desen. polit. & de vit. Epicur. Senectus non modò languida & iners non sit, verum etiam sit operosa, & semper pro eyes, qua● habet viribus, agens aliquid & moliens. Cic. d● sen.  to apply themselves therefore to such holy and religious Employments, so far forth as their present estate and condition shall permit, whereby they may bring glory to God, and do some service to him, who is so good and gracious to them above many others in that kind: Remembering withal, that howsoever 
i Cognatasunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, v● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eustath. Il 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. E●ymolo●. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pythag. l. acrt. Use 2.  old age of itself be an honour; yet it is nothing less, if it be not 
k Prou. 16. 31 Venerabilis senectus; verum virtutum, non anno●um numero computata. Guil. de Theodor. de amor. Dei. c 9 Alioqui nihil turpius quam grandis natu senex, qui nih. l habit, quo se prob●t diu vixisse p●aeter aetatem. Sen. de t●āq. c. 3. Non enim cani rugae que, sed honeste acta aetas, autoritatem afferunt. Ci●. d●sen. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Philo antholog. l 1. c. 16.  found in the way of righteousness, as the wise man speaketh, if it be not religiously employed: And that, howsoever to the godly long life may be a blessing, yet 
l Es●i. 65. 2●.  the wicked man, (saith the Prophet) though he live an hundred years, shall be but an accursed wretch.  
Secondly, the use of the last of these points may be to show a difference between godly and worldly men. The godly have oft even a satiety of life: 
m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Bion. Stob. c 1. Rarus qui exacto con en●us tempore vitae, Cedat, uti con 〈…〉 a satur. Hor. sat 1. Cur non ut plenus vitae c●nuiuareced s Lucret. l. 3.  As willing they are to leave the world, as men are wont to be to rise from the board, when they have eaten their fill, or so much as they desire. But with worldly men for the most part it is far otherwise: they have never enough, as of 
n Prou 30. 13, 14. Hab. 2 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Solon. Arist. polit. l. 1. c. 5. Plut. de avar. Basil. hom. 24 Stob. c. 10. Nemo est, cui foelicita● sua, etiamsi cursu veniat, satisfaciat. Seu. ep. 115. Non potest cupjditatibus, etiamsi expleatur diui 〈…〉. Ambr. de bon. mort. c. 1. Auarus an mus nullo satiatur lu●ro. P. Sjr. Seu. ep. 49. Fortuna multis dat nimis, nulli satis. Martial. l. 12. ep. 10.  the wealth of this world, so of 
o Deinde animi ingrati naturam p s●ere semper, Atque explere bonis rebus, satiareque numquam; Qued faciunt nobis annorum temp●ra, circum Cum redeunt, foetusque serunt, variosque lepores, Nec tamen explemar vital sruct. bus ●nquam. Lucret. l. 3.  this present life: by their good will they would never die. It is true indeed, that sometime, either crosses and calamities, extraordinary disasters, or sore torturing pains and long lingering diseases, out of a kind of impatiency, may make them 
p Hae res vitae me, soror, saturant: Hae m●hidiuidiae & s 〈…〉 osunt. Plaut. Stich. 1. 1.  weary of their lives and 
q Taedio vitae ad ●ortem curritur. Epicur. Sen. ep. 24. mo●bi. Plin. Sec. l. 3. ep. 3. Liboris. Cu●t. l 5.  desirous of death, which but for those grievances and annoyances they would else be far from: Whereas the godly, with Abraham & David, even then also, 
r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Muson. Stob. c. 1. Ill 〈…〉 lauda & imitare, quem non piget inor● cum iwat v●uere Sen. ep. 54. cum v●uere aceroum non si●. Idem ep 24.  when they have a good and a comfortable continuance of life, accompanied and attended as well with health of body, as with 
s 1 Chron. 29. 28.  honour and wealth, yet have their fill of it, and are as well willing to leave it, as the other are some dish of meat that they have eaten their fill of. Yea 
t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plutarc. d● tranquil. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Idem de clar. foem. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Epi●tet. S●●b. c. 120. Inter mortis metum & vitae tormenta miseri fluctuant: & vivere no●unt, & mori nes●iunt. Sen. ep. 4. Pati non vultis, exire timetis: quid faciam vobis? Cypr. de mortal.  so fond are worldly men herein oft affected, and their hearts so possessed with the love of this life, that though they know not how to live, yet they are not willing to die; though their life be so irksome and painful unto them, that they seem to be 
u De ●●redico Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. de tard. vind. Quid buius vivere est? d●u mori. Sen, ep. 101. Mortis habet vices, Lentè cum trahitur vita dolentibus. Sen. Herc. O●t. 1. 2.  long a dying rather than to live long, and 
x Morsque minus p 〈…〉 nae quam mor● mortis habet. Onid. ep. 10.  the delay of death far worse with them, than death itself could be to them, yet they desire 
y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Homer. Odies. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eurip. Aulid. Debilem facito manu, Deb. lempede, coxa: Tuber adstrue gibberum; Lubricos quate dentes. Vita dum superest, bene est, Maecenas. Quod miserrimum erat, si incidisset, optatur, & tanquam vitapetitur, supplicij mora. Inuenitur qui malit inter supplicia tabescere, & perir● 〈…〉 mbratim; & t●ties per stillicidia ●mittere animam, quam semel exhalare? Inuenitur, qui velit trahere 〈◊〉 ●o● tormenta tracturam? Est tanti habere animam, ut agam? Sen. epist. 101.  to endure rather any extremity of grief and torture with life, than to have an end put to their pains and torments by death.  
But let us rather herein strive to be affected as God's Saints are, especially when it hathpleased God to bless us with long life, with many years more, than the greater number of folk are wont to attain to; 
* Id agendum est, ut satis vixerimus. Sen. epist. 23. Vt satis vixerimus, nec anni, nec d●es facient, sed animus. Idem epist. 62.  labour to find and feel in ourselves this satiety and fullness of life; and be willing and content to leave it, when God shall please to call for it, though no special affliction or pain enforce thereunto, not 
z Fastidio illis esse cepit vita. Sen. de tranq. 〈◊〉. 2. Est etia● vitae ipsius nausea quaedam. Idem ep. 24. Et de Abr. in hunc locum Paraeus, Pertaesus vitae aerumnosae. Quod minus buc quadr●t. Particular 4. Quo. Place, Whither.  as a meat loathed, (which the natural man oft doth) but as 〈◊〉 dish, though well liked, that we have fed our fill of.  
And hitherto also of the third Particular, to wit, time when he died.  
The fourth and last followeth, and that is whither he went when he died; whereof the Text saith here, that  
He was gathered to his people; and in another place of him, that  

a Cap. 15. 15.  He went to his Fathers.  
And there is nothing more frequent and common in Scripture than these and the like phrases used of persons deceassing, that 
b 1 King. 2. 10. & 11 43. & 14. 30. & 15. 8, 24.  they sleep with, 
c Gen. 15. 15.  they go to, 
d Gen. 35. 29. & 49. 33. Num. 20. 24, 26. & 27. 13. & 31. 2. Deut. 32. 50.  they are gathered unto, either their people, that is, their countrymen, or their ancestors, for that is, 
e Act. 13. 36. Point. General 4.  their Fathers. So that,  
Men, when they die, they go to their people, to their 〈◊〉 Fathers.  
That which may well be understood two ways; and the Holy Ghost might well therein aim at both, because both go under one general, and the phrase as it may fit either, so 
f Statum mortuorum in genere. Vnde dieu●t Hebr. Qui moritur, ambulat per viam, per quam ambularunt patres cius. Oleast.  it may well include both.  
First in regard of the body: because 
g Gen. 3. 19 Eccl. 12. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Epicha●m. Ced●● enim re●rò, de terra quod fuit an●e, In terras: & quod missum est ex aethor●s oris, Id r 〈…〉 sum coeli rellatum templa rec●ptant. Lu●ret. l. 2.  it returneth to the earth, the common 
h Sic hominum terra, ut ●oelum De●; quae nos nas●entes excipit, natos abt, semelque, editos sust●net s●mper, nou●ssime ●o●plexa gremto j● a reliqua natura abdicates, tum maxim, ut matter, operiens. Plin. l. 2. c. 63. T●rra quae dedit, ipsa capit, n●que d●spendi facit hilum. Haec enim gentes omnes pepe●●t, & r●sum●t denuo. Ennius Epithar. Varro deling. Lat. l. 4. capit omnia tellus Quae g●nuit. 〈…〉 can. l. 7.  receptacle of all. As 
Reason I.  it is said of David, that 
i Act. 13. 36.  he was laid unto, or laid up, with his Fathers. For howsoever of Abraham it 
k Paraeus.  seem to some, that it cannot be so meant, because 
l Gen. 25. 9, 6.  his corpses was interred in the Land of Canaan, (
m Psal. 105. 11.  so generally termed) in a strange country, where his countrymen in likelihood none of them lay: yet it followeth not thence, that it may not even in that sense also be said of him too: since that the grave in general, 
n See the worthy Primate of Armaugh Answer to Jesuits Challenge, pag. 291 etc.  not the artificial one, but the 
o Omnibus natura s●pulturam dedit. Nausragos idem fluctus, qu● expulse, s●peht: sussixorum corpora 〈…〉 bus in sepulturam suam d●stuunt: e●s, qui v 〈…〉 vr●n●ur, poena sunerat. Sen. controu. 4. l. 8. sepelit natura relictos, Me 〈…〉 apud Sen. epist. 92.  natural, (which 
p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  the Hebrews also well distinguish) is (as job fitly termeth it) 
q 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 job 30. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Naz. ad Av●an. Omniparens, eadem re●um commune sepulcrum. Lucret. l. 5. Sic Ca 〈…〉. ad Madl. Trow 〈…〉 as, common sepul rum Asiae Europaeque.  the Congregation house of all living, that is, the place wherein they all meet together after decease, be the places of their sepulture never so far asunder; yea whether they have any sepulture or no, as jacob supposed that joseph had not, whom he yet saith, he would die, and 
r Gen●s. 37. 37. V●se Drus. obs●ru. lib. 4. cap. 23. In luctu permanebo donec me terra suscipiat, ut filium meum sepulcrum 〈◊〉 sus 〈…〉. Al●um. S●pul●ra enim in Scripturae locu mul●is intelliguntur, non ea solum quae ad d 〈…〉 nem humanorum corporum videntur esse constructa, vel in saxis excisa, aut in terra d●s●ssa; sed om●●s lo●us in quo●umque vel integrum 〈…〉 pus humanum, vel ex par●e aliqua iacet, etia●●si 〈◊〉 d●t ut unum corpus per loca ●●lta a●sp rsum sit. Origen. in Esai. lib. 8. Euseb. apolog. 〈◊〉 Plin. lib. 7. cap. 54. Sepultus d●citur qu●quo modo conditus; humatus, humo con 〈…〉.  go down to, to the grave. And as well might Abraham, for his body also, be said, to be gathered to his people, though he were buried in some other place then the most of them were, as Jacob might be said to go to joseph, because 
s Gen. 50. 13.  he was to be laid in the ground when he died, joseph being, as he supposed, 
t And●. Caes. in Apo 〈…〉 16 à cambus de●oratos, conum vent●es viva stpul-Reason 2. General. cra sortitos. Qued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Diogenes di 〈…〉 it. Stob. c. 123. A 〈…〉 t cadaver alites, alit fera●vivum sepulcrum mortuo sic obtigit. Et A●us Atreo; Natis sepuicrum est ●pse pa●es. Cic. office l. 1.  buried in the bowels of some beast: since that, as Solomon saith, 
u Eccles 3. 10.  all go to one common place; all return again to their dust.  
Secondly, in regard of the Soul.  
First 
a De commun● generis humani (quoad vitam futuram) societate. Calu 〈…〉.  in General: because it departeth hence indefinitely into another world, not proper and peculiar, as he said 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plut. de superst●●. Special.  each one did when he slept, but 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. a bo 〈…〉. lib. 3. cap. 6.  common and general: it goeth hence to the 
d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Anár. in Apoc. c. 63. Dicunt animas corpore liberatas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 petere. i. licum qui non videtur. Ambr. de bon. mort. c. 10. Vide Platon. in Phaedone.  unseen world, as the Heathens termed it, or to the 
e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Qued Christian● seculum futurum, judaei s●c●uum animarum d●cunt. Brought. in Symbol. & S●●indler. lexic. Pentaglot.  world of Souls, as the Hebrew Doctors call it; to that other world, (including both Heaven and Hell) in general, that is the Congregation House of Souls, as the Grave is of Corpses: As 
f Augelum tuiis simulans se Satanas, non Samuel. Aug. ad Simplic. l. 2 q. 3. & de wirab. l. 2. 6. 11.  the supposed Samuel told Saul, (though he meant not, nor intended it so to be taken, that Saul should be in the same special state or place that Samuel was then in, when he died) 
g I Sam. 28. 19  To morrow shalt thou be with me; that is, in the other world, wherein both thou and I, and all other good and bad are after decease.  
Secondly, more specially; the Souls of God's Saints and servants may well be said to go to their people 
S●v definite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Greg. Nyss. in Macrin. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theophyl. in Luc. 16.  and their Fathers, when they die; 
h Ex Hebraeorum sententia Pet. Mar. tire, & Paraeus.  because they go to that peculiar place, where all their godly Countrymen and Ancestors are; to the 
i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Heb. 12. 23. Q 〈…〉 m 〈◊〉 Doctores 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉. Che●adam. alphab. mystic. c. 1.  Congregation house (as the Apostle terms it) of the Firstborn, and of the Spirits of the Iust. Nor doth it hinder, but that of Abraham it may so also be understood, albeit that both his Countrymen, the most, it may be of them, and his Ancestors also, many of them, might be idolaters, as 
k josh. 24 2.  himself also at first was; since that many yet no doubt of both those ranks, both were pious, while they lived, and went to God, when they died: Besides that, well also may they all be termed and styled 
l Ruth. 1. 16.  his people, or countrymen, though little of kin to him otherwise, that were the people, while they lived, of the same God that he served: Yea as well might 
m Eorum filij dieimur, quorum fidem & mores ●mitamur. Orig 〈…〉 Ezik. hom. 4. & 6. Omnes high matorcs tui sunt, si te illis dignum ges. seris. Sen. epist. 44.  all the faithful that went before him, be termed his Fathers, whether he were lineally and carnally descended of them or no, as 
n Mat. 3. 6. Rom. 4. 16, 18. Gal. 3. 29.  all the faithful that came after him, are termed his sons.  
But to hasten to an end:  
First, this may serve to strengthen us against the fear of death, or of what shall become of us when we are dead: Since that, as 
a Ambulat per viam, per quam ambulaverunt pa●res c●us. Hebr. ex Psal. 49. 19 O 〈…〉 st. sup. Use 1.  we go not any strange way when we die, such as none have gone before us, but a beaten path, that 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 josh. 23. 14. 1 King 2. 2.  all, even good, have gone; so we go not to any strange place, where either none are already, or none that we have any acquaintance withal; but we go to our Christian friends, to our religious Forefathers, 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Antiphan. St●b. cap. 124.  to a place, where we shall meet again with all those, that we 
d Consecuturi prae misimus. Senec. ad Marc. c. 19 Eô cito perventuri, qu● illi pervenerint. Idem ep. 63. 2 Sam. 11. 23.  sent from hence before us, having deceased in the faith. It is that indeed that much troubleth men and women many times, when they are enforced to travel into strange countries, and to change the places of their wont and ancient abode; to forethink, what an uncouth thing it will be, to come among a strange people, where they know none, and none know them. It would have troubled jacob not a little to have removed into Egypt, had he not been 
* Gen. 45. 58. & 46. 3, 4.  sure to find joseph there. But the godly need not be troubled with any such thoughts, when they are to remove hence: For they shall go to their own people, their Friends, their Fathers: they shall be sure to 
e Mutamus amicos, non r●linqu●m●. Hieron. in Nepot.  find countrymen, kindred, acquaintance enough in heaven, that will be 
f Praestolatur n●s Ecclesia primitivorum: de siderant no● sancti; expectant nos iusti. Desideremus ergò de siderantes nos: pr●p●remu● ad praestolantes nos: expectantes nos votis prae 〈…〉 upemus. Bern. de temp. 98. Use 2.  ready to receive them, to welcome them thither, to give them the best entertainment that can be there. Yea this should make us the rather desirous to die and to go hence, 
g Equidem efferor studio patres vestros, quos colu● & dilex●, vid ndi. Neque verò eos solum conu●nire aveo, quos ipse cognovi, sed illos etiam de quibus audiut & legi. Cie. de. sen.  that we may go to, and be with those worthies, whom either having known here ourselves, or having read of, or heard report of from others, we have admired, and desired either to see, or to live with, while they lived here.  
And lastly, if we desire to go to them when we die, let us be sure to follow them while we live. 
h Psal. 119. 63.  Adjoine thyself to them, associate thyself with them, while thou livest here, if thou desirest to be with them, and to partake with them, when thou departest hence. 
i Rom. 4. 12.  Walk thou must in the steps of faithful Abraham, while thou livest, if thou lookest to have a place 
k Luke. 16. 22.  in Abraham's bosom, when thou diest, and 
l Matth. 8. 11.  sit down with him, after this life, in the kingdom of heaven. Oh (it may be that some of you will s●y of this our blessed Brother now deceased) that my soul were where his is: that I might be sure to die as he did, and to go whither he is gone, when I die. Hear what the Apostle saith; he pointeth thee the way, he telleth thee how it may so be, how thou mayst have thy desire. 
m Hebr. 13. 7.  Think upon those (saith he) that have had the oversight of you, and that have declared the word of God unto you; and follow their faith, considering what the end of their life hath been. Be not like Balaam, 
n N●m 23. 10.  that wished to come where the godly were, but 
o Impoes & foelix si● simul esse cum 〈…〉 t, V 〈…〉, ius esse, velit tamen ess● bea●us: Quod nitura negat, 〈◊〉 ratio patitur. De Maeria. apud jul. Capitol. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Isidor. Pel. l. 〈◊〉. epist. 168. Bonum quaeris; malum facis; in contrarium curris: quando pernenis? Aug. nom. de Stoic. & Epic. c. 3.  had no mind to go the way that they went. But 
p Hebr. 13. 17.  follow the rules that he taught thee, 
q Philip. 2. 17, 20.  go the way that he led thee, by life as well as by lesson, while he lived; and then shalt thou be sure to go to him when thou diest, and to enjoy there with him and other the faithful gone before thee, those joys and that bliss, that with God and Christ they are there fully possessed of already.  
FINIS.   

Faults escaped.  
PAge 18. line 21. read walked. p. 32. l. 11. r. stranger. p. 27. l. 2. r. with wind. p. 28. l. 18. r. hardly he discerned.  
In the Margin.  
PAge 20. l. ᵃ peritat. p. 22. l. ᵈ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. p. 23. l. ˢ seu quod. p. 25. l. ᵏ sicut cum. p. 26. l. ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. l. ⁱ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. p. 27. l. ᵃ dissip●●. p. 28. l. ˡ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. p. 29. l. ᵃ sap●rque etc. & ibid. famil. a●rae. p. 30. l. ● caet●rorum. p. 32. l. ᵖ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Add p. 49. l. 9 after, have been buried.  
In regard whereof that 
* Croesus' apud Herodot. lib. 1.  great King sometime, though than none, preferred 
† 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  peace before war; for that 
“ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  in time of peace usually Children bury their Parents, whereas in time of war Parents are wont to bury their Children.