What a Comfort will it be, to be able to defy all thofe Tempta tions, which were wont to affault us in this World, with fo much violence, and (very often) with too much fuccefs?

And as Death frees us from Six, fo likewife from,

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2. Sorrow.

Hat this World is a Vale of Tears, and that your whole Life hath been full of Trouble, it would be needless to prove, fince your own Experience hath fufficiently convinced you. Recollect the Paffages from your Childhood to the present Time, and you may obferve; That whatever your Condition hath been, whatever Circumftances you have been under, you have ftill met with Labour and Sorrow. And have been daily

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expofed to a great many Hazards and Dangers, Afflictions and Miferies, Affronts and Injuries, Loffes and Disappointments.

If you have been Poor, then for want of the Accommodations of Life, you have not only been uneasy in your Self, but alfo to Others: And have been contemned, defpifed, and neglected.

If you have been Rich, then befides the Trouble of getting and fecuring an Estate, you cannot but be fenfible how apt you have been to abuse your Eftate, not only by Pride and Self-Confidence, but alfo by Luxury and Intemperance. So true is the Obfervation of St. Paul; They that will be Rich, fall into Tempta-\ tion and a Snare, and into many foolish and hurtful Lufts; which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For

For the Love of Money is the root of all evil: which while fome coveted after, they have erred from the Faith, and pierced themfelves through with many forrows. 1 Tim.

6. 9, 10.

you

If you have been Sickly, then have been a Burden to your Self, and perhaps to Others; and have loft the Relifh of all your Enjoyments.

If you have enjoyed your Health, which is the most valuable of outward Bleffings; then examine, if you have not been afflicted in other Inftances? By the Undutifulness or Misfortunes of Children, the Unfaithfulness of Servants, the Unkindness or Death of Friends, the Malice of Enemies, Difappointment in your Defigns, &c.

These and many other Inftances, do plainly convince you, that there is little elfe to be expected, but Trouble, and Pain,

and

and Sorrow in this World. And the longer you live, the worfe you will find it. For the Older you grow, ftill the more Troubles, and lefs Strength and Patience to bear them.

Now, having duly confidered the manifold Evils and Calamities you groan under; Have you no Defire to be eafed of your Burden? Are you not willing to be at Reft?

Why then are you afraid of Death; which comes not only to give you Eafe, but to Releafe you? To open the Prison-Doors, to knock off your Fetters, fet you at Liberty.

and

The Miseries of this World are confeffedly very great; but they would be intolerable if they were endless. What Cares and Fears, what Labour and Pain, what Sorrow and Difquiet, what

crofs

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2

crofs Accidents and Difappointments do continually befall us? ་ And therefore, let us Blefs God that we are to Die: That we may leave this howling Wildernefs, and go to Reft.

Bleffed are the Dead which die in the Lord, that they may r reft from their Labours. Rev. 14. 13. In the Grave, There the Wicked ceafe from troubling, and there the weary be at reft; and they hear not the voice of the Oppreffor. Job 3. 17, 18.

O the Bleffed Time, when there fhall be an end of Sin and Sorrow: When we fhall be out of the reach of Satan and Temptation: When we fhall be eafed of all our Pains, and freed from all our Fears: When God fhall wipe away all tears from our Eyes; and there fhall be no more Death, neither Sorrow, nor Crying; neither Thall there be any more Pain: for

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