PREFACE TO THE READER. 283
dissolution ? It is from a view by faith of Christ and his glory, whence the soul is satisfied that to be with him is incomparably better than in its present state and condition.
He, therefore, that would die comfortably, must be able to say within himself and to liimself, " Die, then, thou frail and sinful flesh : ' dust thou art, and unto dust thou slialt return.' I yield thee up unto the righteous doom of the Holy One. Yet therein also I give thee into the hand of the great Refiner, who will hide thee in thy grave, and by thy consumption purify thee from all thy corruption and dis- position to evil. And other^vise this will not be. After a long sincere endeavour for the mortification of all sin, I find it will never be absolutely pi rfect, but by this reduction into the dust. Thou shalt no more be a residence for the least remainder of sin unto eternity, nor any clog unto my soul in its actings on God. Rest there- fore in hope ; for God, in his appointed season, when he shall have a desire unto the work of his hands, will call unto thee, and thou shalt answer him out of the dust. Then shall he, by an act of his almighty power, not only restore thee unto thy pristine glory, as at the first creation, when thou wast the pure workmanship of his hands, but enrich and adorn thee with inconceivable privileges and advan- tages. Be not, then, afraid ; away with all reluctancy. Go into the dust, — rest in hope ; ' for thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days.' "
That which will enable us hereunto, in an eminent manner, is that view and consideration of the glory of Christ which is the subject of the ensuing Meditations. For He who is now possessed of all that glory underwent this dissolution of nature as truly and really as ever we shall do.
Thirdly, There is required hereunto a readiness to comply vnth the times and seasons wherein God would have us depart and leave this world. Many think they shall be willing to die when their time is come ; but they have many reasons, as they suppose, to desire that it may not yet be, — which, for the most part, arise merely from fear and aversation of death. Some desire to hve that they may see more of that glorious work of God for his church, which they believe he will ac- complish. So Moses prayed that he might not die in the mlderness, but go over Jordan, and see the good land, and that goodly movmtain and Lebanon, the seat of the church, and of the worship of God ; which yet God thought meet to deny unto him. And this denial of the request of Moses, made on the highest consideration possible, is instructive unto all in the Hke case. Others may judge themselves to have some work to do in the world, wherein they suppose that the glory of God and good of the church are concerned; and therefore would be spared for a season. Paul knew not clearly whether it were not best for him to abide a while longer in the flesh on this account ; and David often deprecates the present season of death because of the work which he had to do for God in the world. Others rise no higher than their own private interests or concerns with respect unto their per- sons, their families, their relations, and goods in this world. They would see these things in a better or more settled condition before they die, and then they shall be most willing so to do. But it is the love of life that Ues at the bottom of all these desires in men ; which of itself will never forsake them. But no man can die cheerfully or comfortably who lives not in a constant resignation of the time and season of his death unto the will of God, as well as himself with respect unto death itself. Our times are in his hand, at his sovereign disposal ; and his will in all things must be complied withal. Without this resolution, without tliis resignation, no man can enjoy the least sohd peace in this world.
Foiu-thly, As the times and seasons, so the ways and means of the approaches of death have especial trials ; which, unless we are prepared for them, will keep us under bondage, with the fear of death itself. Long, wasting, wearing consumptions, burning fevers, strong pains of the stone, or the like from within ; or sword, fire,
284 PREFACE TO THE READER.
tortm-es, with shame and reproach from without, may be in the way of the access of death unto us. Some who have been wholly freed from all fears of death, as a dissolution of nature, who have looked on it as amiable and desirable in itself, have yet had great exercise in their minds about these ways of its approach : they have earnestly desired that this peculiar bitterness of the cup might be taken away. To get above all perplexities on the account of these things, is part of our wisdom in dying daily. And we are to have always in a readiness those graces and duties which are necessary thereunto. Such are a constant resignation of ourselves, in all events, unto the sovereign will, pleasm'e, and disposal of God. " May he not do what he will with his own?" Is it not right and meet it should be so? Is not his will in all things infinitely holy, wise, just, and good? Doth he not know what is best for us, and what conduceth most unto his own glory? Doth not he alone do so? So is it to live in the exercise of faith, that if God calls us unto any of those things which are peculiarly dreadful unto our natures, he will give us such supplies of spiritual strength and patience as shall enable us to undergo them, if not with ease and joy, yet with peace and quietness beyond our expectation. Multitudes have had experience that those things which, at a distance, have had an aspect of overwhelming dread, have been far from unsupportable in their approach, when strength hath been received from above to encounter with them. And, moreover, it is in this case required that we be frequent and steady in comparing these things with those which are eternal, both as imto the misery which we are freed from and that blessedness which is prepared for us. But I shall proceed no farther with these particulars.