And now his desires shall soon be satisfied; death comes apace to do his office; his jaws are loosened more and more, his hands and feet are cold as clay, and a cold sweat is upon him: but, oh how glad was he when he felt his spirit just a going! never was death more welcome to any mortal. Though the pangs of death were strong, yet that far more exceeding weight of glory, made him endure bitter pains with much patience and courage. In the extremity of his pains, he desired his eldest brother to take away one pillow from him that he might die with more ease: His brother replied, that he durst not for a world, do any thing that might hasten his death a moment. Then he was well satisfied, and sweetly resigned himself up wholly to God’s disposal: and after a few minutes, he gave himself a little turn on one side, and departed to the Lord.
Oh that all the relations which thou hast left behind thee, may live thy life, and die thy death, and live with Christ and thee, for ever and ever. _Amen, Amen._
He died June, 1657, aged 23‒24, and was buried in Kelshall Church in Hertfordshire.
An EXTRACT of the LIFE AND DEATH OF Mr. THOMAS HALIBURTON.
The PREFACE.
1. “THE _kingdom of |God|,” saith our blessed |Lord|, “is within you.” It is no outward, no distant thing: “but a well of living water” in the soul, “springing up into everlasting life.” It is “righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” It is holiness and happiness._
2. _The general manner wherein it pleases |God| to set it up in the heart is this. A sinner, being drawn by the love of the Father, enlightened by the Son (“the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”) and convinced of sin by the Holy Ghost; through the preventing grace which is given him freely, cometh weary and heavy laden, and casteth all his sins upon him that is “mighty to save.” He receiveth from him, true living faith. Being justified by faith he hath peace with |God|: he rejoices in hope of the glory of |God|, and knows that sin hath no more dominion over him. And the love of |God| is shed abroad in his heart, producing all holiness of heart and of conversation._
3. _This work of |God| in the soul of man is so described in the following treatise, as I have not seen it in any other, either antient or modern, in our own or any other language. So that I cannot but value it next to the holy scriptures, above any other human composition, excepting only the |Christian pattern|, and the small remains of Clemens Romanus, Polycarp, and |Ignatius|._
4. _Yet this great servant of |God| at some times fell back from the glorious liberty he had received, into the spirit of fear and sin and bondage. But why was it thus? Because the hand of the |Lord| was shortened? No verily: but because he did not abide in |Christ|; because he did not cleave to him with all his heart: because he grieved the holy Spirit, by some, perhaps undiscerned, unfaithfulness; who thereupon for a season departing from him, left him weak and like another man._
5. _But it may be said, “The gospel covenant does not promise entire freedom from sin.” What do you mean by the word sin? Those numberless weaknesses and follies, sometimes (improperly) termed sins of infirmity? If you mean only this, we shall not put off these but with our bodies. But if you mean, “It does not promise entire freedom from sin, in its proper sense, or from committing sin:” this is by no means true, unless the scripture be false: for thus it is written: “whosoever is born of |God| doth not commit sin:” (unless he lose the spirit of adoption, if not finally, yet for awhile, as did this child of God) “for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of |God|.” He cannot sin so long as “he keepeth himself;” for then “that wicked one toucheth him not.”_ 1 John iii. 9, 5, 18.
6. _We see then how to judge of that other assertion, “That the mercy of |God| to his sons in |Christ Jesus|, extends to all infirmities, follies and sins, multiplied relapses not excepted.” We grant many of the children of |God| find mercy, notwithstanding multiplied relapses. But tho’ it is possible a man may be a child of |God|, who is not fully freed from sin, it does not follow that freedom from sin is impossible; or, that it is not to be expected by all; for it is promised. It is described by the Holy Ghost as the common privilege of all. And “|God| will be mindful (O let us be so!) of his covenant and promise, which he hath made to a thousand generations.”_