/Preface to the reader: Preface to the reader.
Christian Reader,
The design of the ensuing Discourse is to declare some part of that glory of our Lord Jesus Christ which is revealed in the Scripture, and proposed as the principal object of our faith, love, delight, and admiration. But, alas! after our utmost and most diligent inquiries, we must say, How little a portion is it of him that we can understand! His glory is incomprehensible, and his praises are unutterable. Some things an illuminated mind may conceive of it; but what we can express in comparison of what it is in itself, is even less than nothing. But as for those who have forsaken the only true guide in this [Auto-modernized] , endeavouring to be wise above what is written, and to raise their contemplations by fancy and imagination above Scripture revelation (as many have done), they have darkened counsel without knowledge, uttering things which they understand not, which have no substance or spiritual food of faith in them.
Nevertheless [Auto-modernized] , that real view which we may have of Christ and his glory in this world by faith, however weak and obscure that knowledge which we may attain of them by divine revelation, -- is inexpressibly to be preferred above all other wisdom, understanding, or knowledge whatever. So it is declared by him who will be acknowledged a competent judge in these things. "Yea, doubtless," says [Auto-modernized] he, "I count all these things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." He who does not so has no part in him.
The revelation made of Christ in the blessed Gospel is far more excellent, more glorious, and more filled with rays of divine wisdom and goodness, than the whole creation and the just comprehension of it, if attainable, can contain or afford. Without the knowledge of this [Auto-modernized] , the mind of man, however priding itself in other inventions and discoveries, is wrapped up in darkness and confusion.
This, therefore, deserves the severest of our thoughts, the best of our meditations, and our utmost diligence in them. For if our future blessedness shall consist in being where he is, and beholding of his glory, what better preparation can there be for it than in a constant previous contemplation of that glory in the revelation that is made in the Gospel, to [Auto-modernized] this very end, that by a view of it we may be gradually transformed into the same glory?
I shall not, therefore, use any apology for the publishing of the ensuing Meditations, intended first for the exercise of my own mind, and then for the edification of a private congregation; which is like to be the last service I shall do them in that kind. Some may, by the consideration of them, be called to attend to [Auto-modernized] the same duty with more diligence than formerly, and receive directions for the discharge of it; and some may be provoked to communicate their greater light and knowledge to [Auto-modernized] the good of many. And that which I design farther in the present Discourse, is to give a brief account of the necessity and use, in life and death, of the duty exhorted to [Auto-modernized] .
Particular motives to [Auto-modernized] the diligent discharge of this duty will be pressed in the Discourse itself. Here some things more general only shall be premised. For all persons not immersed in sensual pleasures, -- not overdrenched in the love of this world and present things, -- who have any generous or noble thought about their own nature, being, and end, -- are under the highest obligation to betake themselves to [Auto-modernized] this contemplation of Christ and his glory. Without this, they shall never attain true rest or satisfaction in their own minds. He it is alone in whom the race of mankind may boast and glory, on whom all its felicities do depend. For, --
I. He it is in whom our nature, which was debased as low as hell by apostasy from God, is exalted above the whole creation. Our nature, in the original constitution of it, in the persons of our first parents, was crowned with honour and dignity. The image of God, in which [Auto-modernized] it was made, and the dominion over the lower world with which [Auto-modernized] it was intrusted, made it the seat of excellence, of beauty, and of glory. But of them all it was at once divested and made naked by sin, and laid grovelling in the dust from where [Auto-modernized] it was taken. "Dust thou are, and to dust thou shalt return," was its righteous doom. And all its internal faculties were invaded by deformed lusts, -- everything that might render the whole unlike to [Auto-modernized] God, whose image it had lost. Hence it became the contempt of angels, the dominion of Satan; who, being the enemy of the whole creation, never had any thing or place to reign in but the debased nature of man. Nothing was now more vile and base; its glory was utterly departed. It had both lost its peculiar nearness to [Auto-modernized] God, which was its honour, and was fallen into the greatest distance from him of all creatures, the devils only excepted; which was its ignominy and shame. And in this state, as to [Auto-modernized] anything in itself, it was left to perish eternally.
In this condition -- lost, poor, base, yea, cursed -- the Lord Christ, the Son of God, found our nature. And hereon, in infinite condescension and compassion, sanctifying a portion of it to [Auto-modernized] himself, he took it to be his own, in a holy, ineffable subsistence, in his own person. And in this [Auto-modernized] again the same nature, so depressed into the utmost misery, is exalted above the whole creation of God. For in that very nature, God has "set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come." This is that which is so celebrated by the Psalmist, with the highest admiration, Psalms 8:3-8 This is the greatest privilege we have among all our fellow-creatures, -- this we may glory in, and value ourselves upon. Those who engage this nature in the service of sensual lusts and pleasures, -- who think that its felicity and utmost capacities consist in their satisfaction, with the accomplishment of other earthly, temporal desires, -- are satisfied with it in its state of apostasy from God; but those who have received the light of faith and grace, so as rightly to understand the being and end of that nature of which [Auto-modernized] they are partakers, cannot but rejoice in its deliverance from the utmost debasement, into that glorious exaltation which it has received in the person of Christ. And this must needs make thoughts of him full of refreshment to [Auto-modernized] their souls. Let us take care of our persons, -- the glory of our nature is safe in him. For, --
II. In him the relation of our nature to [Auto-modernized] God is eternally secured. We were created in a covenant relation to [Auto-modernized] God. Our nature was related to [Auto-modernized] him in a way of friendship, of likeness, and complacency. But the bond of this relation and union was quickly broken, by our apostasy from him. Hereon our whole nature became to be at the utmost moral distance from God, and enmity against him; which is the depth of misery. But God, in infinite wisdom and grace, did design once more to recover it, and take it again near to [Auto-modernized] himself. And he would do it in such a way as should render it utterly impossible that there would ever be a separation between him and it any more. Heaven and earth may pass away, but there shall never be a dissolution of the union between God and our nature any more. He did it, therefore, by assuming it into a substantial union with himself, in the person of the Son. Hereby the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in it bodily, or substantially, and eternally. Hereby is its relation to [Auto-modernized] God eternally secured. And among all the mysterious excellencies which relate to this [Auto-modernized] , there are two which continually present themselves to [Auto-modernized] our consideration.
1. That this nature of ours is capable of this glorious exaltation and subsistence in God. No creature could conceive how omnipotent wisdom, power, and goodness, could actuate themselves to [Auto-modernized] the production of this effect. The mystery of this [Auto-modernized] is the object of the admiration of angels, and will be so of the whole church, to [Auto-modernized] all eternity. What is revealed concerning the glory, way, and manner of it, in the Scripture, I have declared in my treatise concerning the Mystery of Godliness, or the Person of Christ. What mind can conceive, what tongue can express, who can sufficiently admire, the wisdom, goodness, and condescension of God in this [Auto-modernized] ? And whereas he has proposed to [Auto-modernized] us this glorious object of our faith and meditation, how vile and foolish are we, if we spend our thoughts about other things in a neglect of it!
2. This is also an ineffable pledge of the love of God to [Auto-modernized] our nature. For although he will not take it in any other instance, save that of the man Christ Jesus, into this relation with himself, by virtue of personal union, yet in that [Auto-modernized] he has given a glorious pledge of his love to [Auto-modernized] , and valuation of, that nature. For "verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham." And this kindness extends to [Auto-modernized] our persons, as participant of that nature. For he designed this glory to [Auto-modernized] the man Christ Jesus, that might be the firstborn of the new creation, that we might be made conformable to [Auto-modernized] him according to our measure; and as the members of that body, of which [Auto-modernized] he is the head, we are participant in this glory.
III. It is he in whom our nature has been carried successfully and victoriously through all the oppositions that it is liable to [Auto-modernized] , and even death itself. But the glory of this [Auto-modernized] I shall speak to [Auto-modernized] distinctly in its proper place, which follows, and therefore shall here pass it by.
IV. He it is who in himself has given us a pledge of the capacity of our nature to inhabit those blessed regions of light, which are far above these aspectable heavens. Here we dwell in tabernacles of clay, that are "crushed before the moth," -- such as cannot be raised, so as to abide one foot-breadth above the earth we tread upon. The heavenly luminaries which we can behold appear too great and glorious for our cohabitation. We are as grasshoppers in our own eyes, in comparison of those gigantic beings; and they seem to dwell in places which would immediately swallow up and extinguish our natures. How, then, shall we entertain an apprehension of being carried and exalted above them all? to have an everlasting subsistence in places incomprehensibly more glorious than the orbs in which [Auto-modernized] they reside? What capacity is there in our nature of such a habitation? But of this [Auto-modernized] the Lord Christ has given us a pledge in himself. Our nature in him is passed through these aspectable heavens, and is exalted far above them. Its eternal habitation is in the blessed regions of light and glory; and he has promised that where he is, there we shall be, and that for ever.
Other encouragements there are innumerable to stir us up to [Auto-modernized] diligence in the discharge of the duty here proposed, -- namely, a continual contemplation of the glory of Christ, in his person, office, and grace. Some of them, the principal of them which I have any acquaintance with, are represented in the ensuing Discourse. I shall therefore here add the peculiar advantage which we may obtain in the diligent discharge of this duty; which is, -- that it will carry us cheerfully, comfortably, and victoriously through life and death, and all that we have to conflict withal in either of them.
And let it be remembered, that I do here suppose what is written on this subject in the ensuing Discourse as being designed to prepare the minds of the readers for the due improvement of it.
As to [Auto-modernized] this present life, it is well known what it is to [Auto-modernized] the most of them who concern themselves in these things. Temptations, afflictions, changes, sorrows, dangers, fears, sickness, and pains, do fill up no small part of it. And on the other hand, all our earthly relishes, refreshments, and comfort, are uncertain, transitory, and unsatisfactory; all things of each sort being embittered by the remainders of sin. Hence everything in which [Auto-modernized] we are concerned has the root of trouble and sorrow in it. Some labour under wants, poverty, and straits all their days; and some have very few hours free from pains and sickness. And all these things, with others of an alike nature, are heightened at present by the calamitous season in which [Auto-modernized] our lot is fallen. All things almost in all nations are filled with confusions, disorders, dangers, distresses, and troubles; wars and rumours of wars do abound, with tokens of farther approaching judgments; distress of nations, with perplexity, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. There is in many places "no peace to [Auto-modernized] him that goes [Auto-modernized] out, nor to him that comes [Auto-modernized] in, but great vexations are on the inhabitants of the world: nation is destroyed of nation, and city of city; for God does [Auto-modernized] vex them with all adversity." [2 Chronicles 15:5-6] And in the meantime, vexation with the ungodly deeds of wicked men does greatly further the troubles of life; the sufferings of many also for the testimony of their consciences are deplorable, with the divisions and animosities that abound amongst all sorts of Christians.
But the shortness, the vanity, the miseries of human life, have been the subject of the complains of all sort of considering persons, heathens as well as Christians; nor is it my present business to insist upon them. My inquiry is only after the relief which we may obtain against all these evils, that we faint not under them, that we may have the victory over them.
This in general is declared by the apostle 2 Cor. iv., "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." But for this cause "we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day be day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works [Auto-modernized] for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Our beholding by faith things that are not seen, things spiritual and eternal, will alienate all our afflictions, -- make their burden light, and preserve our souls from fainting under them. Of these things the glory of Christ, of which [Auto-modernized] we treat, is the principal, and in due sense comprehensive of them all. For we behold the glory of God himself "in the face of Jesus Christ." He that can at all times retreat to [Auto-modernized] the contemplation of this glory, will be carried above the perplexing prevailing sense of any of these evils, of a confluence of them all. "Crus nil sentit in nervo, dum animus est in coelo."
It is a woeful kind of life, when men scramble for poor perishing reliefs in their distresses. This is the universal remedy and cure, -- the only balsam for all our diseases. Whatever presses [Auto-modernized] , urges [Auto-modernized] , perplexes [Auto-modernized] , if we can but retreat in our minds to [Auto-modernized] a view of this glory, and a due consideration of our own interest in that [Auto-modernized] , comfort and supportment will be administered to [Auto-modernized] us. Wicked men, in their distress (which sometimes overtake even them also), are like "a troubled sea, that cannot rest." Others are heartless, and despond, -- not without secret repinings at the wise disposals of Divine Providence, especially when they look on the better condition (as they suppose) of others. And the best of us all are apt to wax faint and weary when these things press upon us in an unusual manner, or under their long continuance, without a prospect of relief. This is the stronghold which such prisoners of hope are to turn themselves to [Auto-modernized] . In this contemplation of the glory of Christ they will find rest to [Auto-modernized] their own souls. For, --
1. It will in this [Auto-modernized] , and in the discharge of this duty, be made evident how slight and inconsiderable all these things are from where [Auto-modernized] our troubles and distresses do arise. For they all grow on this root of an over-valuation of temporal things. And unless we can arrive to [Auto-modernized] a fixed judgment that all things here below are transitory and perishing, reaching only to [Auto-modernized] the outward man, or the body, (perhaps to [Auto-modernized] the killing of it), -- that the best of them have nothing that is truly substantial or abiding in them, -- that there are other things, in which [Auto-modernized] we have an assured interest, that are incomparably better than they, and above them, -- it is impossible but that we must spend our lives in fears, sorrows, and distractions. One real view of the glory of Christ, and of our own concernment in that [Auto-modernized] , will give us a full relief in this matter. For what are all the things of this life? What is the good or evil of them in comparison of an interest in this transcendent glory? When we have due apprehensions of this [Auto-modernized] , -- when our minds are possessed with thoughts of it, -- when our affections reach out after its enjoyments, -- let pain, and sickness, and sorrows, and fears, and dangers, and death, say what they will, we shall have in readiness with which [Auto-modernized] to combat with them and overcome them; and that on this consideration, that they are all outward, transitory, and passing away, whereas our minds are fixed on those things which are eternal, and filled with incomprehensible glory.
2. The minds of men are apt by their troubles to be cast into disorder, to be tossed up and down, and disquieted with various affections and passions. So the Psalmist found it in himself in the time of his distress; from where [Auto-modernized] he calls himself to [Auto-modernized] that account, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me?" And, indeed, the mind on all such occasions is its own greatest troubler. It is apt to let loose its passions of fear and sorrow, which act themselves in innumerable perplexing thoughts, until it is carried utterly out of its own power. But in this state a due contemplation of the glory of Christ will restore and compose the mind, -- bring it into a sedate, quiet frame, in which [Auto-modernized] faith will be able to say to [Auto-modernized] the winds and waves of distempered passions, "Peace, be still;" and they shall obey it.
3. It is the way and means of conveying a sense of God's love to [Auto-modernized] our souls; which is that alone where ultimately we find rest in the midst of all the troubles of this life; as the apostle declares, Romans 5:2-5 It is the Spirit of God who alone communicates a sense of this love to [Auto-modernized] our souls; it is "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost." Nevertheless [Auto-modernized] , there are ways and means to be used on our part, through which [Auto-modernized] we may be disposed and made meet to receive these communications of divine love. Among these the principal is the contemplation of the glory of Christ insisted on, and of God the Father in him. It is the season, it is the way and means, at which and through which [Auto-modernized] the Holy Ghost will give a sense of the love of God to [Auto-modernized] us, causing us upon that [Auto-modernized] to "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." This will be made evident in the ensuing Discourse. This will lift the minds and hearts of believers above all the troubles of this life, and is the sovereign antidote that will expel all the poison that is in them; which otherwise might perplex and enslave their souls.
I have but touched on these things, as designing to enlarge somewhat on that which does ensue. And this is the advantage we may have in the discharge of this duty with respect to [Auto-modernized] death itself: It is the assiduous contemplation of the glory of Christ which will carry us cheerfully and comfortably into it, and through it. My principal work having been now for a long season to die daily, as living in a continual expectation of my dissolution, I shall on this occasion acquaint the reader with some few of my thoughts and reliefs with reference to [Auto-modernized] death itself.
There are sundry things required of us, that we may be able to encounter death cheerfully, constantly, and victoriously. For want of these, or some of them, I have known gracious souls who have lived in a kind of bondage for fear of death all their days. We know not how God will manage any of our minds and souls in that season, in that trial; for he acts towards us in all such things in a way of sovereignty. But these are the things which he requires [Auto-modernized] of us in way of duty:
First, Peculiar actings of faith to resign and commit our departing souls into the hand of him who is able to receive them, to keep and preserve them, as also to dispose of them into a state of rest and blessedness, are required of us.
The soul is now parting with all things here below, and that for ever. None of all the things which it has seen, heard, or enjoyed, be it outward senses, can be prevailed with to stay with it one hour, or to take one step with it in the voyage in which [Auto-modernized] it is engaged. It must alone by itself launch into eternity. It is entering an invisible world, which it knows no more of than it has received by faith. None has come from the dead to inform us of the state of the other world; yea, God seems on purpose so to conceal it from us, that we should have no evidence of it, at least as to [Auto-modernized] the manner of things in it, but what is given to [Auto-modernized] faith by divine revelation. Hence those who died and were raised again from the dead to [Auto-modernized] any continuance among men, as Lazarus, probably knew nothing of the invisible state. Their souls were preserved by the power of God in their being, but bound up as to [Auto-modernized] present operations. This made a great emperor cry out, on the approach of death, "O animula, tremula, vagula, blandula; qu� nunc abibis in loca horrida, squalida," etc.. -- "O poor, trembling, wandering soul, into what places of darkness and defilement art thou going?" [1]
How is it like to be after the few moments which, under the pangs of death, we have to continue in this world? Is it an annihilation that lies at the door? Is death the destruction of our whole being, so as that after it we shall be no more? So some would have the state of things to be. Is it a state of subsistence in a wandering condition, up and down the world, under the influence of other more powerful spirits that rule in the air, visiting tombs and solitary places, and sometimes making appearances of themselves by the impressions of those more powerful spirits; as some imagine from the story concerning Samuel and the witch of Endor, and as it is commonly received in the Papacy, out of a compliance with their imagination of purgatory? Or is it a state of universal misery and woe? a state incapable of comfort or joy? Let them pretend what they please, who can understand no comfort or joy in this life but what they receive by their senses; -- they can look for nothing else. And whatever be the state of this invisible world, the soul can undertake nothing of its own conduct after its departure from the body. It knows that it must be absolutely at the disposal of another.
Therefore [Auto-modernized] no man can comfortably venture on and into this condition, but in the exercise of that faith which enables him to resign and give up his departing soul into the hand of God, who alone is able to receive it, and to dispose it into a condition of rest and blessedness. So speaks the apostle, "I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to [Auto-modernized] him again that day."
In this [Auto-modernized] , as in all other graces, is our Lord Jesus Christ our great example. He resigned his departing spirit into the hands of his Father, to be owned and preserved by him, in its state of separation: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," Luke 23:46; as did the Psalmist, his type, in an alike condition, Psalms 31:5 But the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in this [Auto-modernized] , -- the object and exercise of it, what he believed and trusted to [Auto-modernized] in this resignation of his spirit into the hand of God, -- is at large expressed in the 16^th Psalm. "I have," said he, "set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices [Auto-modernized] ; my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." He left his soul in the hand of God, in full assurance that it should suffer no evil in its state of separation, but should be brought again with his body into a blessed resurrection and eternal glory. So Stephen resigned his soul, departing under violence, into the hands of Christ himself. When he died he said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
This is the last victorious act of faith, in which [Auto-modernized] its conquest over its last enemy death itself does consist. In this [Auto-modernized] the soul says in and to [Auto-modernized] itself, "Thou art now taking leave of time to [Auto-modernized] eternity; all things about thee are departing as shades, and will immediately disappear. The things which thou art entering into are yet invisible; such as eye has [Auto-modernized] not seen, nor ear heard, nor will they enter into the heart of man fully to conceive.' Now, therefore, with quietness and confidence give up thyself to [Auto-modernized] the sovereign power, grace, truth, and faithfulness of God, and thou shalt find assured rest and peace."
But Jesus Christ it is who does immediately receive the souls of them who believe in him. So we see in the instance of Stephen. And what can be a greater encouragement to resign them into his hands, than a daily contemplation of his glory, in his person, his power, his exaltation, his office, and grace? Who that believes in him, that belongs to [Auto-modernized] him, can fear to commit his departing spirit to [Auto-modernized] his love, power, and care? Even we also shall hereby in our dying moments see by faith heaven opened, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God ready to receive us. This, added to [Auto-modernized] the love which all believers have to [Auto-modernized] the Lord Jesus, which is inflamed by contemplation of his glory, and their desires to be with him where he is, will strengthen and confine our minds in the resignation of our departing souls into his hand.
Secondly, It is required in us, to [Auto-modernized] the same end, that we be ready and willing to part with the flesh, with which [Auto-modernized] we are clothed, with all things that are useful and desirable thereunto. The alliance, the relation, the friendship, the union that are between the soul and the body, are the greatest, the nearest, the firmest that are or can be among mere created beings. There is nothing like it, -- nothing equal to [Auto-modernized] it. The union of three persons in the one single divine nature, and the union of two natures in one person of Christ, are infinite, ineffable, and exempted from all comparison. But among created beings, the union of these two essential parts of the same nature in one person is most excellent. Nor is anything equal to it, or like it, found in any other creatures. Those who among them have most of life have either no body, as angels; or no souls but what perish with them, as all brute creatures below.
Angels, being pure, immaterial spirits, have nothing in them, nothing belonging to [Auto-modernized] their essence, that can die. Beasts have nothing in them that can live when their bodies die. The soul of a beast cannot be preserved in a separate condition, no, not by an act of almighty power; for it is not, and that which is not cannot live. It is nothing but the body itself in an act of its material powers.
Only the nature of man, in all the works of God, is capable of this convulsion. The essential parts of it are separable by death, the one continuing to exist and act its especial powers in a separate state or condition. The powers of the whole entire nature, acting in soul and body in union [Auto-modernized] , are all scattered and lost by death. But the powers of one essential part of the same nature -- that is, of the soul -- are preserved after death in a more perfect acting and exercise than before. This is peculiar to [Auto-modernized] human nature, as a mean partaking of heaven and earth, -- of the perfection of angels above, and of the imperfection of the beasts below. Only there is this difference in these things: Our participation of the heavenly, spiritual perfections of the angelical nature is for eternity; our participation of the imperfections of the animate creatures here below is but for a season. For God has [Auto-modernized] designed our bodies to [Auto-modernized] such a glorious refinement at the resurrection, as that they shall have no more alliance to [Auto-modernized] that brutish nature which perishes [Auto-modernized] forever; for we shall be isangeloi -- like to [Auto-modernized] angels, or equal to them. Our bodies shall no more be capable of those acts and operations which are now common to us with other living creatures here below.
This is the pre-eminence of the nature of man, as the wise man declares. For to [Auto-modernized] that objection of atheistical Epicureans, "As the one dies [Auto-modernized] , so dies [Auto-modernized] the other; yea, they have all one breath: so that a man has [Auto-modernized] no pre-eminence above a beast. All go to [Auto-modernized] one place: all are of the dust, and all turn to the dust again," -- he grants that, as to [Auto-modernized] their bodies, it is for a season in them we have a present participation of their nature; but, says he, here lies [Auto-modernized] the difference, "Who knows [Auto-modernized] the spirit of a man that goes [Auto-modernized] upward, and the spirit of the beast that goes [Auto-modernized] downward to the earth?" Ecclesiastes 3:21 Unless we know this, unless we consider the different state of the spirit of men and beasts, we cannot be delivered from this atheism; but the thoughts of this [Auto-modernized] will set us at liberty from it. They die in like manner, and their bodies go equally to the dust for a season; but the beast has [Auto-modernized] no spirit, no soul, but what dies with the body and goes to the dust. If they had, their bodies also must be raised again to [Auto-modernized] a union [Auto-modernized] with them; otherwise, death would produce a new race of creatures to [Auto-modernized] eternity. But man has [Auto-modernized] an immortal soul, says [Auto-modernized] he, a heavenly spirit, which, when the body goes in the dust for a season, ascends to heaven (where the guilt of sin and the curse of the law interpose not), from from where [Auto-modernized] it is there to exist and to act all its native powers in a state of blessedness.
But, as I said, by reason of this peculiar intimate union and relation between the soul and body, there is in the whole nature a fixed aversion from a dissolution. The soul and body are naturally and necessarily unwilling to fall into a state of separation, in which [Auto-modernized] the one shall cease to be what it was, and the other knows not clearly how it shall subsist. The body clasps [Auto-modernized] about the soul, and the soul receives [Auto-modernized] strange impressions from its embraces; the entire nature, existing in the union of them both, being unalterably averse to [Auto-modernized] a dissolution.
Therefore [Auto-modernized] , unless we can overcome this inclination, we can never die comfortably or cheerfully. We would, indeed, rather choose to be "clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life," that the clothing of glory might come on our whole nature, soul and body, without dissolution. But if this may not be, yet then do believers so conquer this inclination by faith and views of the glory of Christ, as to attain a desire of this dissolution. So the apostle testifies of himself, "I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better" than to abide here, Philippians 1:23 Says [Auto-modernized] he, Ten epithumian echon, -- not an ordinary desire, not that which works [Auto-modernized] in me now and then; but a constant, habitual inclination, working in vehement acts and desires. And what does he so desire? It is analusai, -- "to depart," say we, out of this body, from this tabernacle, to leave it for a season. But it is such a departure as consists in the dissolution of the present state of his being, that it should not be what it is. But how is it possible that a man should attain such an inclination to [Auto-modernized] , such a readiness for, such a vehement desire of, a dissolution? It is from a view by faith of Christ and his glory, from where [Auto-modernized] 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 himself, "Die, then, thou frail and sinful flesh: dust thou art, and to [Auto-modernized] dust thou shalt return.' I yield thee up to [Auto-modernized] the righteous doom of the Holy One. Yet in this [Auto-modernized] 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 disposition to evil. And otherwise this will not be. After a long sincere endeavour for the mortification of all sin, I find it will never be absolutely perfect, but by this reduction into the dust. Thou shalt no more be a residence for the least remnant of sin to [Auto-modernized] eternity, nor any clog to [Auto-modernized] my soul in its actings on God. Rest therefore in hope; for God, in his appointed season, when he shall have a desire to [Auto-modernized] the work of his hands, will call to [Auto-modernized] thee, and thou shalt answer him out of the dust. Then shall he, by an act of his almighty power, not only restore thee to [Auto-modernized] 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 advantages. Be not, then, afraid; away with all reluctance. 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 to this [Auto-modernized] , in an eminent manner, is that view and consideration of the glory of Christ which is the object of the ensuing Meditation. 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 to this [Auto-modernized] a readiness to comply with the times and seasons in which [Auto-modernized] 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 aversion of death. Some desire to live that they may see more of that glorious world of God for his church, which they believe he will accomplish. So Moses prayed that he might not die in the wilderness, but go over Jordan, and see the good land, and that goodly mountain and Lebanon, the seat of the church, and of the worship of God; which yet God thought meet to deny to [Auto-modernized] him. And this denial of the request of Moses, made on the highest consideration possible, is instructive to [Auto-modernized] all in the like case. Others may judge themselves to have some work to do in the world, in which [Auto-modernized] they suppose that the glory of God and the 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 to [Auto-modernized] their persons, 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 lies 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 to [Auto-modernized] the will of God, as well as himself with respect to [Auto-modernized] 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 this resignation, no man can enjoy the least solid peace in this world.
Fourthly, 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 lice from within; or sword, fire, tortures, with shame and reproach from without, may be in the way of the access of death to [Auto-modernized] 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, to [Auto-modernized] the sovereign will, pleasure, 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? Does he not know what is best for us, and what conduces [Auto-modernized] most to [Auto-modernized] his own glory? Does not he alone do so? So is it to live in the exercise of faith, that if God calls us to [Auto-modernized] any of those things which are peculiarly dreadful to [Auto-modernized] 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 has 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 to [Auto-modernized] the misery which we are freed from and that blessedness which is prepared for us. But I shall proceed no farther with these particulars.
There is none of all the things we have insisted on -- neither the resignation of a departing soul into the hand of God, nor a willingness to lay down this flesh in the dust, nor a readiness to comply with the will of God, as to the times and seasons, or the way and manner of the approach of death -- that can be attained to [Auto-modernized] , without a prospect of that glory that shall give us a new state far more excellent than what we here leave or depart from. This we cannot have, whatever we pretend, unless we have some present views of the glory of Christ. An apprehension of the future manifestation of it in heaven will not relieve us, if here we know not what it is, and in which [Auto-modernized] it does consist, -- if we have not some previous discovery of it in this life. This is that which will make all things easy and pleasant to [Auto-modernized] us, even death itself, as it is a means to bring us to [Auto-modernized] its full enjoyment.
Other great and glorious advantages, which may be obtained in the diligent discharge of the duty here proposed, might be insisted on, but that the things themselves discoursed of will evidently discover and direct us to [Auto-modernized] the spring and reasons of them; besides, weakness, weariness, and the near approaches of death do call me off from any farther labour in this kind.
[1] Dr Owen refers to the Emperor Hadrian, who, among other short poems which have been ascribed to him, is said to have composed , towards his death, the following lines:
"Animula, vagula, blandula,
Hospes comesque corporis,
Qu� nunc abibis in loca?
Pallidula, rigida, nudula,
Nec, ut soles, dabia joca."