A WINDING-SHEET. Wrapped up in a Letter from an only living Brother, sent to his few surviving Sisters. DENOUNCING Unto them the sad Sentence of Death and directing them how to be prepared for the happy Entertainment of it. JOB. 17.13, 14. Though I hope, yet the Grave shall be mine house; and I shall make my bed in the dark. I shall say to Corruption, Thou art my Father, and to the Worms, Thou art my Mother and my Sister. PHILIP. 1.23. To be loosed and to be with CHRIST is best of all. MAT. 24.46. Blessed is that Servant whom his Master when he cometh shall find so doing. LONDON. Printed by B. A. and T. F. for F. C. and are to be sold at his Shop on new Fishstreet-Hill. 1626. A TO MY DEAREST AND MOST Loving Sisters, M.W. D.B. and E.G. an holy Life and a blessed Death in CHRIST JESUS. SISTERS, unto your Brother all as dear, As Sisters ought to be unto a Brother; A token of my love I send you here. (True love will flame or at the least will smother.) Though it be but a slender paper-scrowle, It further may the safety of your Soul. Should I wish to you Coffers packed with Gold; Or wish you noble Ladies at the Court; Should I you wish more days than can be told; And with long days all merriment and sport: What would these great, these glorious wishes prove, But the vain breath, of a mere carnal love? Can I you make all these things which I writ; Nay, should I you advance to state of Queens, With Beauties graced procure you all delight, With length of days the richest Judian Mines; And yet the care of your poor souls omit, This were nor love, nor honesty, nor wit. Life ends in Death, and death will quite undo The goodliest frame of earthly happiness. What then would all this glory come unto? What come of us and of our outward bliss? All vanish would, and in that woeful hour If we prevent not, Hell might us devour. From which most dreadful, doleful, dismal place, GOD of his mercy dear your souls deliver: And you vouchsafe his rich and saving Grace, Into this gulf that you do tumble never. Oh therefore while this gracious time doth last, Make your salvation sure and hold it fast. Make sure, make fast, and in your health prepare Against the hour of your most certain Death; Thrice happy you if you prepared are, When you must render up your fatal breath. This I do pray for, this I do contend: For this to you, this little Scroll I send. A Winding-Sheete 'tis called, which you I send: Refuse it not; let it as welcome be, As ever was from your best loved Friend, Your Wedding-gowne your Ring or better fee: The Wedding-gowne, you must be hind you leave, The Winding-sheete your body must receive. The Wedding-gowne, in time away doth wear, And oft with it the wedding comforts fade: Fresh springing comforts fall unto their share, Which in their Winding-sheet in peace are laid. And there in peace who do desire to lie, Let them oft put it on before they die. Do so with this, use it, and on it muse, Read it, and to your reading practice add; So Death shall never bring you heavy news, But be a welcome guest, a message glad; A day wherein to CHRIST you shall be wed, Your Sheet a Gown, your Grave the Marriage bed. Your Brother, in the flesh and in CHRIST: J. E. A WINDING-SHEET. DEAR Sisters, we have all been a good while upon our journey to our long home and there is none of us which is not past, or at least come to the middle way of this journey, though we were certain that we should fulfil the Age prescribed unto Mankind. (Psal. 90.10.) But of this it were folly for any of us to promise or presume any thing: The term of this our mortal life is uncertain and unknown. Whosoever is most backward upon this way by reason of years, may by the sudden stroke of Death get the start of his or her fellows. We have seen both of our near Friends, as our Brother W. E. and Sister D. C. some good while since; more lately, our Sister A. E. and these younger than ourselves go before on this way, whose staff standeth next the door we know not. And certainly, Death hath given loud bounces at some of our doors, who have been brought so near unto it that our recovery was beyond our own and others hope: You will say, wherefore do you write these things which we all so well know? Why, but to tell you all and myself that we must make better use of these things than I fear we yet have done. It standeth us upon to labour our hearts, that we may be touched with some deep and serious sense of our mortal case, and not slightly to examine ourselves how we are fitted for that hour. It is an ordinary fashion for us upon the death of Friends or others, to breathe out a sigh or two with some such words or wishes. Thus we see what we are, and whereto we must, or God make us ready for him: But I doubt our care to make trial of our fitness and to make ourselves fit doth vanish with our words, and is nothing but the smoke of a sudden passion. But good Sisters, we must know, that there is no trifling in a business of this nature. Death is an adversary with whom perforce we must grapple; and a thing which first or last we must undergo. And as once we shall dye and that but once, so upon that once dying doth depend our everlasting weal or woe. Marriage, is said to be a mighty thing; which, we are with much advisement to think of ere we attempt. For, oft our Wedding-day doth prove the first or last of all the good and pleasant days of our life; but much more is it so with the day of our Death. For, have we been unhappy in our match? If nothing else, at length Death will untie the knot and release us of that misery: but after Death no change or alteration of our estate can be expected. Dye we well? we are for ever (as we say) made men; nay, for ever blessed and glorious Saints in Heaven. Dye we ill? woe be unto us, that ever we were borne. We shall for ever be out casts from the Blessed presence of GOD and companions with all Damned wretches and Devils of Hell. Alas then! that we should make so light account of this hour: that we should spend so few thoughts about it, and cast away so much of our precious time on other things of no moment. Would we not hold him a very sot and idle fellow, who having some great business in hand whereon his whole Estate or his Life did depend; neglecting that, should spend his time and money in walking London streets, seeing the Lions, Bears, Exchange, and other Monuments of the City. Lo, what is this but our own case? There doth lie upon us the most weighty business that can be; and whereon doth stand our eternal Bliss or Misery; namely, to be ready for Death and to dye in the LORD. How do we forget ourselves then, that letting this lie by the walls we pass away our lives as a Dream, and employ the most and best of our time and strength in walking the Streets, on the gaudy Toys of the world, and hunting after the profits and pleasures of it, which at the last cast, when we shall most need comfort, will stand us in no stead, but rather add, to our grief and misery. This is an error which holy DAVID doth blame in men's courses, Psal. 39.7. Doubtless, Man walketh in a shadow, (or amidst shadows) and doth disquiet himself in vain; he heapeth up riches and cannot tell who shall gather them. They are but fleeting shadows and empty shows of good things rather than things truly good, with which men are deluded, pursuing them with much sweat and toil, and vexing their souls with many fears and cares about them, but alas! all in vain. For, as they have only shadows when they have got them, so they cannot hold them, nor yet leave and bestow them to whom they would. But there is a Wisdom which MOSES the man of GOD doth desire, that he might set his heart upon, Psal. 90.12. LORD teach me so to number my days that I may apply my heart unto Wisdom. And wherein standeth this, but in preparing ourselves for Death? And to say truth, this is the only true Wisdom; one dram whereof is more worth than all the carnal Providence and worldly Wit that is of such account with men, though it fill our Coffers with Gold and bring in worldly wealth above our hearts wish. The more that we apply our hearts to this wisdom, and employ our time about it, the more wise and provident shall we prove to have been for our best good; and the sooner we do see about it, so much the safer work shall we make for our Souls. Our Life is here assigned us to make ready for Death; which if it were much longer and more certain than it is, were yet at the shortest for such a business; how much more in this shortness and uncertainty thereof? This work, then cannot be too early begun nor earnestly followed, which is of that great importance for our Eternal good or ill; and for which, so short a time and that uncertain is allotted us. Hear then I desire you to go along with me, and we will consider what is the best course to fit ourselves for Death, and gather out of GOD'S Word (which only can instruct us with this wisdom) some Observations which by GOD'S assistance, may give us all some help and furtherance in this matter. First, than it is a good step of preparation unto Death thoroughly to understand, that we are frail and mortal Creatures, with the cause from whence it springeth, that is Sin, and the consequent thereof, namely, Eternal happiness or misery. MOSES doth take his rise here and fetcheth this wisdom of making ready for Death from a serious apprehension of our Mortality. LORD, teach me (saith he) so to number my days, etc. Psal. 90. What is this numbering of our days, but to have a right understanding, and to take a serious notice of our life how short and frail it is? Let us know this and ponder upon it with the circumstances thereof, and it will excite us to an industrious and constant care of Dying in the LORD; whereof while we have little right knowledge & less thought, we are both unready, and careless to make ready for Death. It is a special part of that waking which our SAVIOUR doth pronounce Blessed, Luk. 12.37. Blessed are those Servants, whom the LORD when he cometh shall find waking. A man that is fallen into a sound sleep doth not for the time know what his estate and case is, much less scan and ponder it with himself. It is the waking man only, who can and doth understand the condition of his health, credit, and ability, and employ his thoughts about them to maintain or amend the same. We may be sure then that we have well shaken off that drowsy sleep, wherein by Nature we lie knowing little and minding less our mortal state, sinful condition, GOD and the future Life, when we begin duly to understand, deeply apprehend and earnestly mind, among other Spiritual things, our frail and mortal Nature, our sin which hath brought us under the dominion of Death, and the issue of it, which is (as I said) Eternal woe or happiness. It is not a common thing thus to awake; and rare is the man, that is endued with this understanding of his Mortality. It is a mystery not learned but in GOD'S School, and that by the teaching of GOD himself only. Wherefore else doth MOSES crave it of GOD, but that he was the only teacher of it? LORD, teach me to number my days, etc. Psal. 90. And DAVID likewise, LORD, let me know mine end and the measure of my days what it is, Psal. 39.4. By humane Arithmetic men attain to rare skill in numbering; they learn to divide, multiply, add and subtract, they are able to cast up great sums and even account infinite numbers: Geometry do teach men to measure Lands, to take the distance of Places, the height of Hills, and Towers; yea by Art, men adventure to define the Compass of the Earth; the breadth of Heaven; the height and magnitude of Stars and Spheres. But there is no Art or skill that can teach us aright to number our Days or measure our Life, but the Heavenly arithmetic taught us in God's word; no Master hath any faculty to instruct us hereunto, but GOD himself, who must open this mystery unto us & give us wisdom to apply our heart unto it. Nature and Reason can give us but a slender view and shallow understanding of this thing. What therefore is more common with us, then to take a false measure of our life? who of us truly doth number his days? We imagine all our life to be of many elles length which is but of an hand breadth. We conceive not perhaps that we shall live ever; nor do we duly consider that we may shortly and suddenly; that we must certainly Die, and that to our everlasting torment if we prevent it not. Children for want of discretion understand nothing of their Mortality; Young men who are in the flower and prime of their years, think that Death cannot yet be near them, and that it were but lost labour for them to think on it; Men of more mature age encumbered with multitude of worldly business have not leisure to consider of it. And of Old men, none is so aged who is not persuaded, that he shall or may live yet a Year, a Month, a Week, or at least a Day longer. It will here be said, that Heathen men have worthily discoursed of our Mortality. And who doth not acknowledge that he is Mortal? I grant it, and cannot but admire the speeches which I find in Heathen men, wanting the knowledge of GOD and of his Word touching this subject. But how speak they hereof? Much as a Grammar scholar, writing or declaiming on a Theme which he doth not well understand, uttereth many things wittily and prettily to the purpose; but they are such things, as he hath gathered out of some Authors or have suggested unto him by others, or fell from him at unawares, more by hap (as we say) then by cunning. Amongst many shafts shot by a blind man, it chancheth that some fly toward the mark. We have read of some ignorant man who in a trance or sleep have spoken Latin and Greek, made Verses, and talked of wonders, which for the present they mind not; nor when they awake, are they able to call to mind. Such like is the Discourse of learned Heathen men concerning Mortality, which they learned rather by Ocular observation then Divine instruction; and of which they let fall some true and grave speeches, but without thorough apprehension or full understanding of the point. For they had but a dark glimpse of that future state which ensueth Death; and knew nothing of the true cause of this our vanity and frailty, which they pored after in the war and contrariety of the Elements, whereof our Body is framed; but was truly in sin that hath put enmity between GOD and us, and cut us off from GOD which was our Life. And for the vulgar knowledge of our Mortality, what is it, but a fleeting fancy and swimming conceit, that maketh no deep impression nor constant apprehension of Death and the issue of it in our hearts. It is with us, as with a man viewing himself in a Glass (as Saint JAMES speaketh in another case) who for the present doth see what his face and figure is, but upon the turning of his back doth forget it: Even so, if some spectacle or speech of our mortality be offered, we entertain some slight thought of it, of the nature and sequel thereof; but in a moment it doth vanish and is shlipped out of memory ere it can take any firm footing in us. Finally, there is a natural knowledge of our Mortality gotten from experience of what we see daily from the principles of nature, and literal instruction of the word. A carnal man doth attain to this, but with no benefit while it doth show to him only the outside of this mystery and give him but a slight view thereof that doth never enter his heart, nor enlarge it to a serious meditation of his fickle state. And there is a spiritual knowledge also of this thing, which doth lay open our Mortality with the circumstances of it to the full, and doth present to our minds with such a clear and constant view thereof, that we cannot but think upon it and lay it to our heart. An Image of it doth still stand before our eyes, and a silent voice ever whispereth in our ears, that we dwell in houses of Clay, have our foundation in the dust, and perish from the Morning unto the Evening, Job. 4.16.19, 20. Whosoever hath gotten this understanding, he hath learned it of GOD, who awaking him out of the spiritual sleep that oppresseth carnal men, hath given him eyes and senses to see beyond them and pry more exactly into the mystery of Mortality, than they can do, who do but superficially know and more slightly lay to heart their mortal case with the cause and issue of it. This than we may resolve for certain, that we are in a good way of readiness for Death, if once we be come to a thorough understanding of these things and do deeply ponder them. There is none of common sense, that doth know and take special notice of the coming of a friend or foe, and their intent therein that it is for his singular good or utter undoing, but will look about him to be in some readiness to receive the one and resist the other; Even so, if the LORD have once well informed our minds of these things (I mean the certain coming of Death, the uncertain time thereof, together with the blessed issue of a good end and miserable of a bad) it will at once in some degree make us ready for Death, and awake us to a special care more and more, to prepare ourselves. See touching this, a worthy passage in calvin's Institutions, Lib. 3. cap. 9 sect. 2. A second thing which will further us in this work, is to watch for, and against this hour of Death. If we will not have the day of the LORD come on us as a Thief in the night, (saith blessed PAUL. Thes. 5.8.) let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. And blessed is he that watcheth, (saith the Holy Ghost, Reuel. 16.15.) Watching is a word of larger sense in these and such places of Scripture. But by Watching I here mean (which sense is also in them included) an expectation of Death, and such a one, as that we look for it every moment, and make account that we may, nay, that we shall meet therewith wheresoever we be. The flock is quickly wearied of the Wolf, and the House is soon broken up and spoilt of the Thief, if the Shepherd and Goodman of the house keep not good watch against them. The Watch not well kept hath oft given an opportunity to the Enemy to enter and sack a Town, to surprise an Army, and cut the throats of the Soldiers sleeping: but, the Enemy which is well Watched, doth much the less hurt. Thus we must make sure reckoning, that Death will take us at some advantage, and overtake us at unawares to our unspeakable hurt, if we set not a good and continual spiritual Watch against him. As then the careful Sentinel doth expect the Enemy all the night long, suspecting that if he come not at one hour he may come at another; if not one way, yet another, and dareth not let sleep to seize on his eyes no not for a moment; so are we to be in a like watchful expectation of our Death at all times and places. Make we account, that if he have us not by the back in our Childhood, he will in our Youth; if he balk us in youth, that we shall hear of him in our riper Age; if not then, yet surely in our Aged years. Doth he spare you at home? expect him abroad; Are you laid in your bed? look for him there to disease you; Feed you at your board? look for him there to be a guest with you; Be it day or night; be you alone or in company, in the field or in the Town, at your sport or about business, let this be your thought, here may Death come and arrest me. This hath been the ruin of many men, that as sometime careless Soldiers straggling abroad without order or armour, presuming not to meet with any Enemy, have been caught in an ambush and cut off when they least expected; so they not looking for Death then and there, have been set upon at unawares and taken away unprepared as they were. It is then extreme folly for us in any place or time to promise to ourselves security from the stroke of Death; an Enemy, that (like the jews against PAUL) hath vowed our destruction; that will make no league or take no truce with us; that no brazen Tower can exclude, no Gifts win, no Prayer entreat; an Enemy that doth chase us continually, sometime in visible form, of open danger and sickness, sometime in an invisible figure of secret perils and diseases; that hath a thousand ways to assault; and as many weapons to kill us, being never fare from us, and oft nearer than we think of; whose mortal stroke no fence can ward off, nor armour resist. What then can we do other (if we will do wisely) but ever meditate of our Death and expect it always? Even as well in the Prime of our years as the Winter of our age; in Health as Sickness; at a Banquet and in the midst of our mirth, as in a Battle and amongst the carcases of dead, and cries of dying men. Yea, but (you will say) this will mar all our mirth. For who can laugh and be merry, if his heart be ever taken up with the sad memory of Death; and such a ghastly Image be still before his eyes. It may be that this meditation will indeed quell and cool our Carnal mirth, which we take in laughing, gaming, dancing, and such outward things: And if it do so, farewell such mirth. Some affirm of Oxymel a syrup pleasantly tart, compounded of Water, Honey, and wine Vinegar boiled together, that where Phlegm doth abound, it availeth prettily to extenuate and cleanse it away; but if that be wanting, it preyeth on the substance and strength itself of Nature; and the frequent use of it rotteth the Teeth, dulleth the Sight, hurteth not seldom the Stomach, always the Sinews: It may be then wholesome as a medicine, to them that are circumspect in the use of it; but it is inevitably hurtful to them, that turn it into a usual food: Even so this worldly mirth is highly prized, and praised as a sovereign medicine to preserve our bodily health, and to put over sorrows and qualms off the heart, wherein also perhaps it may do somewhat, wisely and warily used; but it is perilous, yea pernicious, to the sound state of our better part, our Soul, I mean; chiefly, if it be followed as a Trade and taken up as a daily Diet. For what doth it but steal our hearts from GOD, our time from his service, make the Devil a fair way to ensnare us, and give Death an opportunity to seize upon us at unawares. And than what cometh of all our merriment and sport, but everlasting woe and lamentation? As CHRIST hath it in Luke, 6.25. Woe be unto you that laugh; for you shall mourn and lament. No good seed doth prosper in ground that is too rank and rich; Nor is there any place in an heart disposed only to this Carnal mirth, for godly sorrow, true repentance, fervent and frequent prayer, serious meditation of GOD'S Word, nor finally, for this serious Spiritual wisdom, in making ready for Death; of which the heart carnally merry, cannot endure the sight or thought. Anger or grief (saith SALOMON Eccles. 7.5.) is better than laughter; for by a sad Countenance the heart is made better. Our Children learn not most where they laugh most, and have most sport and play. The best School for learning is a place of sober and moderate Discipline, to restrain Children from wanton liberty and sometime to make them smart for it, and other faults. So the school of CHRIST, where we are to learn true wisdom, is not the House of mirth and feasting, but of godly sorrow and mourning. We shall then sustain no loss, if by this meditation of Death we lose and abate any thing of this worldly mirth, which is the bane of our soul's health. But for our true spiritual joy in GOD it will further that, making us so much the more to mind and seek heavenly things to solace our hearts in the hope of them, to hasten our repentance, and labour for the assurance of a life more stable and certain, by how much the more we mind the uncertainty and end of this our Mortal life, and all the comforts of it. And as for lawful and Christian solace in outward blessings, it will not hinder that, but direct and keep it within compass, that it bring not an oblivion of GOD and better things on us, and a security in the neglect of our salvation and the means thereof. It is not briefly the Christian expectation of Death, that will mar our good and honest mirth, but a servile fear thereof, and unreadiness for it. The more that we shall in a Christian sort expect Death, the more ready shall we be for it, and the less shall we stand in fear of it. As a man forewarned, is thereby also well fore-armed; so a godly expectation of Death, is a good degree of preparation thereunto. In the third place, this we must take heed of, that we be not fare engaged into the world, nor deeply plunged into the affairs of it, if we will be in a readiness for Death. The approach of the Enemy and the alarm unto the Battle, is unwelcome and heavy news unto a Soldier, who is turned Merchant, that hath great Trade by Land and Sea, hath got his houses full of Merchandise and Coffers of money; or is become a jolly Farmer, having about him a great stock of Corn or Cattle; And so will Death be unto us, if we keep our hands full of worldly business, and have our hearts set on the cares and pleasures thereof. No man (saith PAUL, 2. Timoth. 2.4.) that goeth on Warrefare is entangled with the businesses of this Life, that he may please him which hath chosen him for a Soldier. It is a special point of a good Soldier, to be always ready at his Captains call, be it never so sudden. Such a one will therefore keep himself free from other employments, that all times he may attend his Captains pleasure in going whether he shall send him, and doing what he shall Command. What are we, but GOD'S Soldiers under JESUS CHRIST our General? whom to please aught to be our special care; and to that end must we keep our hearts and hands free from the entanglements of this world's affairs and delights, that we may at all times be ready for whatsoever service he shall put us to, be it to hazard our liberty, credit, or wealth, for his name's sake; or at his call though very sudden, to lay down and give up our lives. Surely, to meddle fare with worldly matters and hamper ourselves, with them, must needs be a main impediment to this readiness. For these cares and pleasures, if once they insinuate into us, will so entrench themselves in our heart, that it will not be easy to expel them: Nay, they will justle out of place or much hinder this most special and greatest care to make ready for Death, drowning all thought thereof by their continual buzzing in our hearts and ears; and taking away our time by worldly employments, which they will one after another without rest put upon us. Good-fellows (as they are misnamed) and Ruffians, cannot brook the presence of sober and civil men; nor will they admit of such into their Chamber where they intent to be frolic and merry; or at least will not rest till they have thrust them out of doors, if by chance they be amongst them. As ill can worldly cares and pleasures consist and agree with spiritual and religious, which they will either greatly disturb, or utterly, put out of place, as whose fellowship is unpleasing to them. Nay, to say truth, godly thoughts and purposes cannot thrive and grow up to their maturity, among worldly cares and pleasures, Which as Thorns and Briers overshadow and choke up the good seed of GOD'S Word, sown in the Hearts of men. Luk. 8.14. Besides, this unspeakable mischief, how unwilling do they make us to departed this Life, when our time approacheth. O Death (saith one) how bitter is thy remembrance, to a man that hath pleasure in his Riches? But how much more terrible is the presence itself of Death to such a one? Did not the backwardness of the Guests which were invited to the King's wedding Feast come from hence, even from their worldly cares, pleasures, and business? One, had a Farm which he must needs go out and see; Another, had a yoke of Oxen to prove; A third, had married a Wife, whom he must Wait on and a Family growing on him which he must care for. Luk. 14.18. etc. Thus, for one thing or other, none could find leisure or get their goodwills to come unto the Feast; that is, to embrace the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. From the sound profession whereof, if worldly profits and pleasures, do keep us, when yet it doth permit us soberly to use and enjoy the same; much more will they make us unwilling to dye, when we must leave all such things, and appear before our judge Almighty GOD, to give account how we have gotten and used them. Is it not an ordinary complaint of men, that Death doth come too soon upon them? And whence grows it, but hereof, that they are too much ensnared and entangled with the World? For, what doth the Youngman complain of, but that he is taken away in the flower of his years, before he doth know the world, and have thoroughly tasted the pleasures of it? And what doth the Elder allege, but that he dies in the midst of much business, and hottest pursuit of his game? The one could be content (he thinks) to dye, if he had well satisfied himself with the delights and pleasures of the world: and the other, if he had brought about the world to his mind, for his Wife and Children. It is then a great let unto our readiness, to remove hence when we step too fare into the world, and hamper ourselves with the affairs thereof. Wherein also we are deceived by a vain confidence, that we can at our pleasure and on short warning, unwind ourselves from these entanglements, and rid our hands of them. But how, alas! was poor SAMSON beguiled with this conceit? When suffering DALILAH to shave off his locks against his vow, and to fetter him, he thought, as at other times; the Philistims assailing him, to break all and free himself, but the Lord, beside his expectation, being gone from him, he was not able so to do, but was taken prisoner by them, and his eyes being put out, he became a drudge to grind in prison, and a May-game unto his enemies. No less fear is there that they who suffer themselves to be entangled and fettered with worldly occasions shall find it much harder to clear themselves then they imagined. For earthly cares and pleasures are very heavy stuff and press down, yea, oppress such souls as undertake them, Luk 21.34. And they do further beside their weight, beset us with such cunning, and hang so fast upon us as it is, Heb. 12.1. that we cannot escape from them and shake them off at pleasure. If we have made them our familiars in our health, they will not in sickness be cast off, but like importunate companions, will then hang about us, press upon us, hinder our best consultations about our last passage, distract our thoughts to think and dispose of them, and dull our spirits that we shall not be able to pray, to receive, and apprehend any spiritual instructions and comforts, or constantly and cheerfully to meditate on the future life. As a poor bird caught in a snare at unawares feedeth securely, not mistrusting her own freedom; until upon the sight of the Fowler she assailing to fly away, findeth herself to hang fast, and that the more she struggleth and fluttereth to get lose, the more she doth entangle herself, and so beating herself to extreme weariness, she at length falleth into the Fowler's hands: Even so our souls being entangled with cares and pleasures, as it were snares, we all the time of our health nothing doubt, but that we are free enough, until that upon the approach of Death when we would get lose, we find our souls so fast hung and fettered, that with all their struggling and contention they cannot escape, but, unless God of singular mercy set them free, they become a prey to death, and to him that hath the power of death; that is, the Devil. The Lord therefore give us wisdom to keep our hearts free from these snares, to have our conversation without covetousness, and to be content with things present: The Lord teach us to keep within compass, that we do not overload our hearts and heads with worldly cares, nor out of an inordinate love of the world, thrust and engage ourselves further thereinto than that with ease and at the first call, we may retire. It were an happy thing for us (I am sure) if we would embrace that good advice of St. Paul, 1 Cor. 7. that is, having wife and children, to be as if we had none: Having bought or otherwise gotten large revenues, to be as if we possessed no such thing, and to use the world as those that did not use it, or would not abuse it. Whatsoever comforts, as wife, children, wealth, credit, dignity, GOD shall beslow upon us, there is no doubt but that he doth allow us to use them as some solace to us in this land of our Pilgrimage; occasions of honest labour and travail: and furtherances of doing good and our better serving him. But such a lose affection ought we always to carry toward them, that the inordinate love of them do neither cause us to make any breach in our Conscience to get or keep them, nor to encumber ourselves with worldly business while we here sojourn; nor at GOD'S summons to be unwilling either to hazard them all for the Truth's sake, or by Death to go away from them all. Nay, such aught to be the disposition of our heart toward these earthly Comforts, that when Death doth warn us it should be all one with us as if we had none of them; and no less ready should we be to leave our best contentments and fairest hopes, to go unto the LORD, then if our life were wholly void and destitute of them; yea, were full of troubles and afflictions. The fourth thing which will specially prepare us for Death, is, to look hereunto, that we be always in a Spiritual manner well clothed and armed from top to toe. The armed Soldier is ready for the skirmish upon short warning, and the better he is appointed, with the more courage doth he enter the Field. If a man be ready girt and fully clothed, you may dispatch him away on a sudden journey; which, a naked man or halfe-apparelled cannot undertake, but upon greater leisure. So here, if we have our Spiritual clothing and armour ever well girt and closely buckled unto us, we shall never be unready for this battle, nor unfit to take our journey hence upon the shortest warning. To speak somewhat of them in several. Behold, I come as a Thief, saith our Saviour CHRIST, Reuel. 16.15. And what then? Why? Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, that he walk not naked and men see not his filthiness. Be CHRIST'S coming; be our Death never so sudden, there is no fear of our well doing, if we keep our garments about us to cover our nakedness, and hide our filth from GOD'S eyes. Now, what these Garments be we are told Reuel. 19.7, 8. The marriage of the Lamb is come and the Bride hath made her ready; And it is given her that she should be clothed with Linen pure and shining. And what is this pure and shining Linen? It is as there followeth, The righteousness of the Saints. Righteousnesses (saith the Scripture) not Righteousness only. For it is a double garment wherewith we must be clad. One is an inner garment, so to call it, that is the righteousness of Faith; namely, CHRIST'S righteousness, Obedience, and Merits, reckoned ours by GOD, and apprehended by Faith. The other is an outer garment, that is, The righteousness of a good Life through the sanctification of the Spirit, that doth renew us to the love, knowledge, and fear of GOD, and engender in us a general and constant care and purpose to walk in the ways of GOD. These are the Wedding garments, these the pure and shining raiments of the Christian soul; with the which, who so is apparelled, as a Bride being richly decked in her Wedding habit, is ready to consummate the marriage with her dearest Bridegroom; for is he always in readiness to go hence and appear before the LORD in the Heavens. For, there is no good use, which our garments perform unto our Body, which this spiritual raiment doth not richly perform unto our Soul. Our garments, first, are covers for our nakedness to hide our unseemly parts and secret deformities, from the view of men; secondly, they keep us warm, and defend us from Winter's cold, sharp blasts, and other annoyances of the weather; thirdly, they distinguish and put a difference between Nations, Sexes, and Degrees of men. So one is the habit of the French, another of the Dutch; one of the Woman, another of the Man; one of the Gentleman, another of the Yeoman. Lastly, they do serve to deck and adorn our persons by their comely show, procuring us acceptance, and adding to our respect before men. Thus, if we be clothed with the fine shining Linen of the Bride, this Righteousness of the Saints, our spiritual nakedness is thereby covered, and all our secret filth and deformity hid from God's eye, that it appear not to our confusion; we shall also feel our Souls to be filled with much spiritual Peace and Comfort, and well guarded against all chilling fears, and kill horrors of GOD'S wrath, that gripe and sting the hearts of wicked wretches; then, we shall thereby be made known both to GOD and Men, from profane and persons. Hereby are manifest the sons of GOD, and the sons of the Devil: Whosoever doth not Righteousness, is not of GOD. 1. john, 3.10. Lastly, we shall hereby be commended unto GOD, and presented before him, holy, pure, innocent and glorious, and find favour in his eyes to be accepted as his sons and daughters, to be reputed meet Brides for JESUS CHRIST, and to be made Glorious and for ever Blessed among the Saints. It is a folly, to trick and trim ourselves with any other garments against that day. A silken coat, though spangled with Gold and glittering with Pearls as stars, will not do us any service at that hour: Nothing will here serve our turns but a good Conscience purged by Faith in the Blood of CHRIST. For, all external ornaments though most gorgeous, have no justre in GOD'S eyes; and if they had, yet at this time they would nothing avail us. For Death, will strip us of them; and pulling us out of our false and borrowed habit, will lay us and all our filthiness naked to the view of God, and his holy Angels. But for these robes of Righteousness, if we have gotten them, death cannot rob us of them, nor pluck them from us; but maugre death, we shall carry them with us to present us holy and spotless before God. And in truth which is it that doth make us shrink at Death, and so unready for it, but a conscience of our spiritual nakedness? Death we know will draw us before the glorious presence, and set us in the view of Almighty God, whose eyes are purer than light, brighter than the Sun; whose Majesty doth dazzle the eyes of the Cherubins, and maketh them to cover their faces before it. Now with man is there so destitute of shamefaced bashfulness, that being naked and beside mishapen, filthy and deformed, would not be much ashamed to come forth in public view, and much more to show himself in a full assembly before the Prince and his Nobles. Sure it is, that King DAVID'S servants whom HANUN King of Ammon had used with that reproach, as to shave off half their beards, and cut off their garments by their buttocks, poor men, were exceedingly ashamed of themselves, and loath to be seen, 2. Sam. 10. And how then can we but be ashamed and confounded to appear before so excellent and glorious a presence, as is the God of glory, all his Saints and Angels, while our consciences tell us that we be spiritually naked; yea, very filthy and deformed, and then also want this pure linen of Christ's Spouse to cover and hide our filthiness and nakedness from God's eyes. When ADAM and EVE saw themselves to be naked, they were afraid of God's voice, and out of shame hid themselves from his presence, Gen. 3.8.10. But what nakedness made them thus to fear and be ashamed? That of the body? No surely, that was a lying excuse. For before their fin they were so naked, and yet did boldly and without blushing converse with God, Gen. 2.25. It was their spiritual nakedness, the loss of that glorious clothing of righteousness and holiness wherewith God had adorned them, which made them thus ashamed of themselves, and thus to tremble at God's voice and presence. What was it but the want of this spiritual wedding garment, that did strike the guest dumb and speechless, Mat. 22.12. which had thrust himself into the Wedding feast without it? For outward habit, it is like, he was as handsome as any other guest; yea, it may be for external appearance of holiness not inferior to them: but being destitute of the true spiritual wedding garment, viz. righteousness in Christ, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, when the King came in to take a survey of his guests, and fell to examine him, with Friend how camest thou in hither, and hast not on a wedding garment, he could not abide the trial, nor sustain his presence, whereas the other guests that were therewith decked, were nothing appalled at the King's presence, but stood boldly before him, and feasted cheerfully at his table. Till than we can get this spiritual clothing, and be decked with these spiritual robes of righteousness by faith, and an holy conversation, we shall not be able with true confidence to appear before our God. But if we be clothed therewith as becometh Saints, then as salomon's Queen, being clad in a garment of the gold of Ophir, stood boldly at the right hand of her King, Psal. 45. and as a man blusheth not to come forth before any presence, being apparelled in some comely sort for his calling and degree, so shall we ever be able with confidence to come before the King of heaven, and the peers of that heavenly court, neither shall we be afraid when death as God's Sergeant shall cite and summon us thereunto. But now we must not only be fairly clothed to undergo this service with success, but also thoroughly armed. Touching which, PAUL a worthy Captain in the Lord's army, and of great experience in the spiritual warfare doth thus advice, Ephes. 6.11.13. Put ye on and take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and having finished all things stand fast. Of all the evil days where with we shall be tried as there is none more certain, so none is more perilous and pernicious than the day of our death, wherein if we overcome, we are for ever safe, if we be foiled; eternally undone. In the which day we have no way to stand fast and go away conquerors, but by putting on God's complete armour which will ward all blows, and warrant us the victory. Do you desire to know what this armour is, and the parts of it? There is first (as they are reckoned up, verses 14.15. etc.) Verity, that is truth in our inward parts, and sincerity in serving God, doing all things with singleness of heart, and not in hypocrisy following that which is good for its own sake, as pleasing to God, and commanded by him, not to purchase the good will and applause of men, to gain honour, profit, etc. And this must be as a belt and girdle to gird up the loins of our minds unto every good work. It is an old saying, that a man ungirt is unblessed; here it is most true, that he is a man void of all grace, and so fare from GOD'S blessing that wanteth this girdle of Truth about his loins. Next, for a breast plate to defend the heart, the seat as of Natural, so of Spiritual life, there is added righteousness. And what is that, but an unfeigned and constant purpose and endeavour to keep a good Conscience before GOD and Men, desiring to live honestly in all things, to walk in all the ways of GOD, and shun every wicked way and work of darkness. Thirdly, for shows PAUL doth commend, say some patience; but as I rather take it, the knowledge of the Gospel, which doth publish to us our peace and reconciliation with GOD; wherewith we must furnish and prepare ourselves, that we may the better hold on our course through the most rough and thorny ways, and the thickest troops of our Enemies toward GOD, and that cheerily, knowing that we walk toward him that is at peace with us in CHRIST, and will at length send us peace and give us rest from all our troubles. Fourthly, for a shield we must take unto ourselves, and that above all things Faith, viz. A true justifying Faith, that doth dive and plunge itself overhead and ears (so to speak) into the wounds and blood of CHRIST, doth cast itself and wholly rest on him for Righteousness and Pardon of sin, assuring us of CHRIST his dwelling in us, and his being ours for Righteousness, Wisdom, Holiness and Redemption, with the unchangeableness of GOD'S love and goodwill toward us. For this is the only piece of armour that can repulse, or if they do fasten upon us, quench the fiery darts of Satan, that is, pacify and quiet all hellish fears and horrors wherewith he doth terrify our Consciences, through the remorse of our sins and apprehension of God's wrath, and silence all those woeful doubts which he doth raise in our hearts about our election and salvation. Fiftly, a blessed hope and expectation of Eternal life, for CHRIST'S sake promised to us, must serve for our helmet which we must put on, that we may be able at all times and especially at our Death, to hold up our head in a cheerful manner, as knowing that then the day of our Redemption doth approach. Sixtly, the Word of GOD, that is, the Sword which we are to gird unto our thighs, making use of all the parts thereof, as hiding up in our heart the precious promises thereof to secure our faith, and uphold our fainting hope; the threats and judgements to repress our rebellious flesh, and oppose against the sweet and fraudulent enticements of sin: the commandments to direct our paths, and spur on our diligence in doing good; the prohibitions as bits to restrain our wand'ring appetites and wanton lusts; the truths to establish us against all erroneous and false doctrine of such as lie in wait to seduce us. Lastly prayer even in all kind, and that fervent and continual must not be neglected, by which we are to beg of Almighty God skill to use this spiritual armour, and a good issue in this fight. Which is a man armed at all points, and unskilful in the use of it, but a Porter heavily laden, or a Prisoner shackled in his fetters? All the succour that we have from our spiritual armour, standeth in the good use we make thereof; which we cannot otherwise obtain, but by prayer from God, who alone teacheth our fingers to fight his battles, traineth us up in this warfare, giveth us courage, maketh us strong in him, and in the power of his might. Neglect this and it is all one, as if we were unarmed: Neither can we be sound and sincere of heart, nor follow righteousness to the full, nor have the whole comfort of our knowledge, hope and faith; nor well manage the sword of the spirit, that is GOD'S word to quell our spiritual foes, if we do not join to these, much and often prayer. For Prayer is as a whetstone to sharpen the edge of this sword, to make it cut unto the quick, and go home; and the furnace wherein the other pieces of this armour must be wrought to their right temper, that they may be of proof and impenetrable. And if then we be thus armed, Death can at no time set on us to our hurt; And what need he fear the approach of death? that being conscious to himself that his heart is void of guile, and upright toward GOD, and being daily employed in doing Gods will, and exercising himself to all righteousness, doth understand by the Gospel as a message sent from heaven, that God is at peace with him; is by faith persuaded of his interest in JESUS CHRIST and all his merits, for the pardon of his sins, and to set him free from God's vengeance and hell fire; hath an assured hope after death to enjoy that incorruptible Crown of glory, which is reserved for him in the heavens; and while he waiteth for it, doth walk under the safeguard, and in the light of God's word, trembling at the judgements, taking direction from the precepts, rejoicing in the divine mysteries, and receiving comfort from the promises thereof; and can pray with sighs and groans unutterable unto GOD, even in the agony of death for his mercy and aid, which at no time shall fail to secure him, and much less in that last conflict and bickering. The hills may sooner fall, and the pillars of the Earth be shaken, than the estate of this man can be overthrown, even by death itself. It is so indeed, that until we be thus armed, we shall not be hardy enough to encounter Death; We cannot but tremble at the thought, much more at the presence of that grim King of fear; For we are in death to grapple with most ghastly enemies much to strong for us, and breathing nothing but blood and destruction; namely sin, Satan, all the powers of Hell, and the curse of GOD. It would daunt the stoutest heart to be thrown into the midst of many ravening Bears, and roaring Lions all naked without any weapon to defend himself, or offend them. And where is he that hath the courage to encounter sin accusing him, Satan and Hell gaping for him, and GOD'S wrath like Lightning flashing at him; if he be not well provided of this spiritual armour, which only can secure him in this conflict, and keep him that he be not swallowed up of them. But as a faint heart would dare to enter the field against most furious foes, that were furnished with such armour of proof, as no blow or shot could pierce; So get we on this armour of GOD, and we shall have heart enough to look Death in the face; nor shall at that time, our sins, Satan's fury, or GOD'S wrath appall us, being so thoroughly fenced and armed, that none of these can hurt us, who understands that GOD is become our friend, our sins are pardoned, and that Satan is as a Lion chained up, stamping and roaring at us, but not able to hurt us. With what a constant and magnanimous spirit doth holy DAVID expect the approach of Death? I will not (saith he Psal. 23.) fear any evil, though I should walk thorough the valley of the shadow of death. And whence doth this his courage grow; but from faith, which made him see God present with him, to conduct him safe thorough that dark and gloomy valley (for thou art with me, saith he;) Nay, whom he felt to be present with him in restoring his soul, and leading him in the paths of righteousness. How cheerfully was blessed PAUL also affected toward death? When he saw it to draw nigh, 2 Tim. 4, 6. etc. I am even now ready to be offered, and the time of my departing is at hand, etc. And what is it that maketh him thus cheerful and confident in this case? First, a good conscience that did bear him witness of his sincerity in serving God in all his course, and then his faith which he had kept sure and inviolable, as Verse 7. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Next, an assured hope of salvation which did spring from these: From henceforth is laid up for me the Crown of righteousness, which in that day the Lord, that righteous Judge shall give me, Verse 8. And in like sort, whosoever he be that is thus armed, he shall be able with equal confidence to stand against Death, yea, to bid defiance thereto with the same, PAUL, saying as in 1 Cor. 15.55. etc. Death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? It is (believe me) only sin and unbelief that doth strip us naked, and maketh our soul's penetrable by the venomous sting of Death. Procure we to ourselves faith and a good conscience, to take away the guilt of sin, and quell the power of it, we shall be so and firm, that Death may hisse at us, but not sting us; nibble us but not bite us; and as it was told the Viper gnawing at a File, that she should sooner wear and break her own teeth than fret the File; So shall Death blunt her venomous sting, and break her viperous teeth, but not fasten them upon us to do us any hurt. The last thing that I would advice unto in this business, is ever to keep an even and just reckoning with GOD. What was it that made the unjust Steward, Luke 16. to hear of giving up an account with so ill a will, but because it was not even, nor could he render a good reckoning? If a debtor be fare behind hand with his Creditor, and be much on the score, he doth hang back from coming to an account; but if matters stand even between them, the one is not more forward to call for a reckoning, than the other is to give one. And what is it that doth more daunt and appall us at our death, then that we see that our account with GOD doth not stand even, and that we are infinitely indebted and run behind hand with him, thorough our extreme carelessness and ill husbandry. It is a common proverb among us, that even reckoning doth make long friends: and we dare walk openly, and show our face boldly before men, when we are clear with them and own them nothing. It is then a singular course to make and continue friendship between the LORD and ourselves, to keep even with him, whereby we shall also obtain a spiritual boldness to come, and at any time show ourselves before him. To this end we are to imitate good husbands of this world, who in their generation are wiser than the children of light; and to keep a book and record of our thoughts, words, and deeds, briefly of all businesses between GOD and us; then oft to survey and examine it, and what upon this survey we find amiss, out of hand to set to rights. It is the course of good husbands to keep a book of all their take, borrow, and layings out, that they may know what they own, and what is owing unto them; and such as keep no record of their doings, have little care of their own state, or how they deal with other men. This must we do, if we will be good husbands for our souls; in which respect they are surely bad husbands, that keep no register of matters between God and them, but let all things pass without remembrance and observation. Such persons can never be thankful unto God for his mercies, nor penitent for their sins, no nor have any certain knowledge of their state and case, what it is toward GOD. If they imagine that the less they take notice of it, the more quiet they shall have in their minds, and have the less to answer for, they are much deceived. For although we be careless, the LORD will not neglect the business, but writeth up all in his Book, which in time he will unfold, and set all our debts and sins in order before our faces to our great amazement. Now Satan that cutthroat will not let the matter slip so; but as a cruel and griping Usurer, who hath to do with an unthrifty Gallant, that careth only to borrow money and spend it, will be sure to keep together all the Bills and bonds that are owing him, and at length if he do not timely provide to discharge them, will clap an Execution on his back, and lay him up for them: So the Devil will score up all our wicked and pranks, wherewith we make ourselves merry, and will be sure with all rigour to charge us with them, and exact them at our hands. What shall we then get by this sloth, that we keep no record of any matters between GOD and us, but that we shall be infinitely indebted not knowing of it, and lie secure without fear, when we are even in the hands and under the execution of the Devil, that unmerciful broker and murderer of men's Souls? As therefore, we care any thing for our souls good, let us not fail to keep a precise record, and therein to set down GOD'S benefits, as so many receipts which we are to answer for; then our whole carriage toward the LORD, that by a view of these we may be furthered in our repentance and thankfulness, and know whether we go back or forward with the LORD. And this we shall know by so much the better, by how much the more often we do survey and search this book. No man shall be much the better for his reckoning book, if he do not peruse it: and he that will be well acquainted with his estate, must oft examine that book and cast up his account. The like must we do, overlooking the book of our Conscience and summing up matters between GOD and us. This was holy DAVID'S exercise. I considered my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies, Psal. 119.59. This consideration of his ways, what was it but a survey of all his courses, that he held an examining of them to find out his errors, to repent of and amend them, and so to set all to rights between GOD and him. The oftener that we thus cast up our account with GOD the better. It is a great benefit that we shall thereby more exactly know our estate with GOD; and it will be a good course, that we run not fare behind with him. Besides often reckonings are the lighter, and the more easy made: but reckonings that are long let run, grow the more heavy in the end and troublesome to discharge. Who finds this more, than they that neglect this duty their whole life long, and so at their Death have a reckoning to make for all matters? It doth bring them then to their wit's end, and overwhelm them with despair, to consider what a long and huge scroll of debts they are to answer for. We shall therefore do wisely to reckon with GOD, and to make all even between him and ourselves every day. Our blessed SAVIOUR in the Prayer which he hath left us, doth send us every day to our heavenly Father, no less for the forgiveness of our sins, than our daily Bread. And how can we obtain the pardon of our sins, unless we find them out and acknowledge them, which is a special part of this reckoning whereof we speak? If then CHRIST would have us every day beg of GOD the pardon of our sins, he would have us every day sum up the Book between GOD and ourselves, to find out our sins and debts what they be. And this, good DAVID did advice his enemies unto, Psal. 4.4. that so they might come to the knowledge and acknowledgement of their wickedness, in opposing him whom GOD had appointed to the Kingdom. Examine your heart (saith he) upon your bed and be still. Lie not down any night upon your bed, but ere you sleep search your hearts, examine and call to mind all your ways, and set all things to right between GOD and you. The profit of this course is so notable, and the necessity of it so clear, that even Heathen men have seen it, and so have both used and commended this practice. Pythagoras charged his Scholars always before they slept, to call themselves to reckoning for all the business of the day past, according to certain Latin verses, which are thus in English: Suffer not gentle sleep before thine eyes to seize upon: That thou have called all to mind which in the day was done. Thus we read of others also: But yet this is not all we are to do: For, by this daily reckoning, if we proceed no further, we shall only find out our sins and see what our debts be; which when we shall see to be much more than we are able to pay, will make us grow desperate and careless which end go forward, or overwhelm us with fear and horror. To this then, we must further labour to get our debts crossed and sins pardoned. And here what course SALOMON doth advice a man, unto him that is surety and in great bonds for another, that course must we take every day with the LORD. Let us hear then what SALOMON saith in such a case, Proverbs 6.1.2. etc. My son, if thou be surety for thy neighbour, and hast stricken hands with the stranger, thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thine own mouth. Do this now my son deliver thyself, seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbour, go and humble thyself, and solicit thy friends. Give no sleep to thine eyes nor slumber to thine eyelids; Deliver thyself as a Do from the Hunter, and as a Bird from the hand of the Fowler. If a man be indebted to another, and have not to satisfy, or be loath to pay another man's debt, his way is to humble himself unto his Creditor, to beg his favour; to solicit his Friends, that they would pay or at least entreat for him. And this business he must follow, not coldly, but earnestly, not giving rest unto himself nor his friends till he be free; and then for afterward he must play the good husband looking to it, that by unthrifty courses or rash surety he fall not again into the like case. Now it is certain, that we shall not any day or time of the day, look over matters between GOD and us, but we shall find ourselves further in arrearages with GOD, than we are able to satisfy. It is not then safe or wisdom for us, carelessly to pass it over, but ere we sleep or take our rest, let us get the book crossed and our debts canceled. For which intent we must humble ourselves to GOD, confess our sins, accuse ourselves unto him, acknowledge our unsufficiency, to satisfy, bewail our woeful case, into which we have brought ourselves, implore and be earnest with the LORD for his mercy to pardon and forgive our sins, and to give us Grace, that we may be more wary and better husbands for our Souls in time to come. We must try our friends, of whom in this case we have only one who can do us good; that is, jesus Christ, whom we must by Prayers solicit, and beseech to undertake the matter, and intercede for us with his Father; nay, whom by Faith in Prayer, we must take and present to Almighty GOD, desiring him to take CHRIST surety for us, and to accept in our behalf, of that full payment and satisfaction which he hath made in his Death and Sufferings. And this being done, we must renew our Covenant with GOD; and take new and unfeigned purposes, to leave all our unthrifty courses, to be good husbands for our Souls, to keep out of debt; at least, not wilfully and carelessly to run behind hand with GOD, strongly crying for his Grace, without which we can do nothing to work in us a faithful performance of these our purposes and desires. If we shall thus do day by day, it cannot be said what peace we shall have in our souls; with what boldness and confidence we shall walk before GOD, and with what comfortable resolutions expect Death. As a man out of debt walketh boldly before men, and is not afraid of a Bailiff though he see him come toward him; but if a man be greatly in debt he walketh by night, and whensoever he goeth abroad, he goeth in great fear; and if he see a Bailiff come toward him, taketh him to his heels, mistrusting that he cometh to arrest him, and have him to Prison; Nay, feareth almost every stranger, I may say, every bush to be a Bailiff, that watcheth to catch him: So is it here. If we thus keep even with the LORD, we shall have great boldness, and not shrink at the approach of Death, as if it should do us any hurt. But if we neglect this course, and abide securely in the LORDS debt, as we shall have little quietness all our life, so the thought and approach of Death will be most ghastly, whom we cannot otherwise apprehend of, but as a Pursuivant to carry us away to Hell. I will conclude all this with that of ZOPHAR, Job 11.13, 14.15 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him; If iniquity be found in thine hand, put it fare away, and let no wickedness dwell in thy tabernacle. Then truly shalt thou lift up thy face without spot, and shalt be stable, and shalt not fear. Your affectionately loving brother, and most careful of your eternal welfares, I. E. IN CONCLUSION OF THIS Worke. A Winding Sheet, is here sent from a Friend, To warn, three Sisters for their latter end: Showing them how, to be prepared for death, Before he come, to stop their vital breath. A work so great, that who so findeth this, Shall have great glory, with eternal bliss; That tongues of Angels, nor of men can tell, The joys, so great, the freedom is, from Hell. This Winding-sheete, was only sent to Three, Never intending, it should Printed be; But, that which then, was pointed but for them, Must now perused be, of many men. Now God, grant grace to them and many more That, in reading this, they may have such store, Of faith, repentance, and a sound conversion To withstand sin, and all hellish temptation. Then they may say, to Death, where is thy sting? And to the Grave, which is a cruel thing, We conquered have, you all, through Christ our head, And so our Grau's become, the sweetest bed. There shall we rest, and lie without all pain, Till the last Trump doth sound; Then rise again, And then shall meet, our Saviour, in the Air, And so sit down with him, as in a Chair. Judging, the Twelve tribes, with all other men. And after that, ascend, with Christ in heaven, And there behold, the glory which he had With God the Father, the world was made. D. W. FINIS.