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such as Christ shall appear in, Matt. xvi. 27, to answer for all the things he has done in his body, without trembling? 2 Cor. v. 10, 11. The apostle calls the thoughts thereof "the terrors of the Lord." Indeed, to be perplexed with the thoughts of the one or the other, argues imperfection of faith and hope, but not an utter absence of either.

You have other and better things to do in this case, than to make such dangerous conclusions, viz. that you have no faith, &c., upon such weak grounds. You should rather, when you feel this over-fearfulness to die and come to judgment, labour to find out the ground of your error, and study to endeavour to reform it.

Unwillingness to die, may proceed from these causes:

First, From too high an estimation of, and too great a love to earthly things of some kind or other; which makes you afraid, and unwilling to part with them.

Secondly, You may be unwilling to die, because of ignorance of the superabundant and inconceivable excellencies of the happiness of saints departed, which if you knew, you would be willing.

Thirdly, Fear of death and coming to judgment, does, for the most part, rise from a conscience fearful of the sentence of condemnation, being without assurance, that when they die they shall go to heaven.

Wherefore if you would be free from troublesome fear of death and judgment, learn,

(1.) To think meanly and basely of the world, in comparison of those better things, provided for them that love God; and use all the things of the world accordingly, without setting your heart upon them, Psa. lxii. 10, as if you used them not, 1 Cor. vii. 29 - 31. (2.) While you live here on earth, take yourselves aside often in your thoughts from the cures and business of the world, and enter into heaven, and contemplate deeply the joys thereof. (3.) Give all diligence to make your calling and election, and right unto heaven, sure to yourselves, 2 Peter i. 10, 11: