This is the design and general scope of the whole, and of the principal parts of this treatise. And, O that God would grant me my heart's desire on your behalf, in the perusal of it ! Even that it may prove a sanctified instrument in his hand both to prepare you for, and bring you in love with the unbodied life, to make you look with pleasure into your graves, and die by consent of will, as well as necessity of nature. I remember Dr. Stoughton, in a sermon preached before king James, relates a strange story of a little child in a shipwreck, fast asleep upon its mother's lap, as she sat upon a piece of the wreck amidst the waves ; the child being awaked with the noise, asked the mother what those things were ? She told it, They were drowning, waves to swallow them up. The child, with a pretty smiling countenance, begged a stroke from its mother to beat away those naughty waves, and chide them as if they had been its play-mates. Death will shortly shipwreck your bodies ; your souls will sit upon your lips ready to expire, as they upon the wreck ready- to go down. Would it not be a comfortable and most becoming frame of mind, to sit there with as little dread, as this little one did among the terrible waves ? Surely, if our faith hath but first united us with Christ, and then loosed our hearts off from this enchanting and ensnaring world, we might make a fair step towards this most desirable temper ; but unbelief and earth ly-mindedness make us loth to venture.
I blush to think, what bold adventures those men made, who,
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 481
upon the contemplation of the properties of a despicable stone first adventured quite out of sight of land, under its conduct and di- rection, and securely trusted both their lives and estates to it, when all the eyes of heaven were veiled from them, amidst the dark waters, and thick clouds of the sky, when I either start, or at least give an unwilling shrug, when I think of adventuring out of the sight of this world, under the more sure and steady direction and conduct of faith and the promises. To cure these evils, in my own and the reader's heart these things are written, and in much re- spect and love tendered to your hands, as a testimony of my gratitude, and deep sense of the many obligations you have put me under. That the blessing of the Spirit may accompany these discourses to your souls, afford you some assistance in your last and difficult work, of putting them off at death with a becoming cheer- fulness, saying in that hour, Can I not see God till this flesh be laid aside in the grave? must I die before I can live like myself? then die my body, and go to thy dust, that I may be with Christ. With this design, and with these hearty wishes, dear and honoured cousin, and worthy friends, I put these discourses into your hands, and remain,
A.MONG many other largesses and rich endowments, bestowed by the Creator's bounty upon the soul of man, the * sentiments and impressions of the world to come, and the ability of reflection and self-intuition, are peculiar, invaluable, and heavenly gifts. By the former, we have a very great evidence of our own immortality, and designation for nobler employments and enjoyments than this em- bodied state admits. And by the latter we may discern the agree- ableness of our hearts, and therein the validity of our title to that expected blessedness.
But these heavenly gifts are neglected and abused all the world over. Degenerate souls are every where fallen into so deep an ob- livion of their excellent original, spiritual and immortal nature, and alliance to the Father of spirits ; that (to use the upbraiding expres- sion of a great f philosopher) " they seem to be buried in their " bodies, as so many silly worms that lurk in their holes, are loth " to peep forth, and look abroad."
So powerfully do the cares and pleasures of this world charm all, (except a small remnant of regenerate souls) that nothing but some smart stroke of calamity, or terrible messengers of death can startle them ; (and even those are not always able to do it,) and when they do, all the effect is but a transient glance at another, and an unwill- ing shrug to leave this world, and so to sleep again. And thus the impressions and sentiments of the world to come (which are the natural growth and offspring of the soul) are either stifled and suppressed, as in Atheists ; or borne down by impetuous masterly lusts, as in Sensualists.
And for its self-reflecting and considering power, it seems in many to be a power received in vain. It is with most souls as it is with the eye, which sees not itself, though it sees all other objects. There be those that have almost finished the course of a long life, (wherein a great part of their time hath lain upon their hands, as
* We have demonstrated from the common consent of all nations and people since the creation of the world, especially from the consent of the good and learned, that the human soul is incorruptible and immortal ; and that therefore it survives the corrupted bod)-, that it may be for ever either rewarded for good actions, or punished for bad ac- tions. Zanch. on the immortality of the soul.
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a cheap and useless commodity, which they knew not what to do with) who never yet spent one solemn entire hour in discourse with their own souls * What serious heart doth not melt into com- passion over the deluded multitude, who are mocked with dreams, and perpetually husied about trifles ? Who are, (after so many frustrated attempts both of their own, and all past ages) eagerly pursuing the fleeting shadows, who torture and rack their brains to find out the natures and qualities of birds, beasts, and plants ; in- deed any thing rather than their own souls, which are certainly the most excellent creatures that inhabit this world. They know the true value and worth of other things, but are not able to estimate the dignity of that high-born spirit that is within them. A spirit which (without the addition of any more natural faculties or powers, if those it hath be but sanctified and devoted to God) is capable of the highest perfections and fruitions, even complete conformity to God, and the satisfying visions of God throughout eternity. They herd themselves with beasts, who are capable of an equality with angels. O what compassionate tears must such a consideration as this draw from the eyes of all that understand the worth of souls !