DOCTRINE ; It should quiet and satisfy the People of God when Evil Dayes are coming , that he can take them away to rest , and cause them to stand up again at the End of Time in their Lott .

The taking away of pious ones is the bringing them to rest till the End of Time when they shall stand up in their Lott .

There be four Propositions in the Doctrine .

1. God can and sometimes doth take away his precious Ones by Death , when Evil is coming . 2. When the Saints are taken hence , they go to Rest. 3. All so removed and laid to Rest , shall Stand up again at the End of Dayes . 4. Each shall stand up in that Lott which is appointed for them .

Proposition 1. God takes away some of his People when Evil Dayes are coming .

This was the case in the Text , unparallel'd Evil was coming , v. 1. and now go thy way Daniel . Isa. 57. 1 , 2. is a plain Confirmation thereof . Scripture Instances abound for the proof of it : Methuselah dyed just before the Flood . Josiah was to go to his Grave in peace before the threatned Calamities came . 2 Chron 34. 28. Hezekiah was to have Peace and Truth in his Dayes , and the Judgments spoken of not to come till he was gone . Isa. 39. 6 , 7 , 8.

Daily Examples also confirm it .

The Reasons are ,

1. From the great love of God to his Children to call them home before Trouble comes . A tender Father & Mother will do so by their Children ; call them in when the night is drawing on , or when a Storm is rising . 2. From the Saints themselves , whom the Lord may find ripe , and so house them before a Storm , their work may be finished , and so he calls them off , to give them their Reward . 3. For warning to the wicked , and as a means to awaken them , if ought may prevail , or else to leave them without excuse . 4. On the account of the Godly that do Survive , who are concerned in the removal of them that go , & 1. For their further Exercise and Trial of their Faith and Patience ; and a great Trial it must needs be to be deprived of such Helps . 2. To necessitate them to Live by Faith ; when he takes away such Props that they leaned on . When Chariots and Horsemen , Studs and Pillars are removed , it 's time then to look to , & lean upon the Lord . 5. From God himself , who hereby discovers his Soveraignty in taking and leaving when he pleases . His Wisdom in having other ways to carry on his work than we can think of . His Power in raising up other Instruments when he pleases .

Or that he may appear so much the more clearly & gloriously with his own Arm and Power when Instruments ( that often eclipse his Glory ) are taken away .

Prop. 2. When Godly Ones go , they go to Rest .

For proof see Isa. 57. 1 , 2. Rev. 14. 13. Hence Death is called a falling asleep ; so did Stophen just before the heat , or at the beginning of that great Persecution . ( Acts 7. ult. )

Quest. What Rest do they go to ?

Answ. 1. A Rest from Labour . This Life is a laborious Life , especially to the Godly ; many others sin , and play and sleep away their time , but they labour and strive , & run , & fight , & wrestle ; all which are very laborious Imployments . Rev. 14. 13.

2. A Rest from Sin ; there is no man lives & sins not ; but when the Saints dye , they cease from Sin .

3. A Rest from the Temptations of Satan . There is no Serpent in that Paradise whither the Spirits of Just men go at Death .

4. A Rest from Oppression by , or any vexation from evil men . Job 3. 17 , 18 , 19.

5. A Rest from all Suffering and Sorrow from within , without , themselves , or others , they shall have no more Pain , Grief , &c. All Tears shall be wiped away .

6. To make up all that can be thought on that good is ; it is a Rest in Christ and with Christ , and that is best of all , yea all that is best or good .

Quest. Why do the Saints then Rest ?

Answ. Because they Laboured and Toyled while here , were faithful at their labour while they lived , and therefore go to rest when they dye . And it is a righteous thing with God to give the labouring and troubled ones Rest at that Day , 2 Thes. 1. 6 , 7. Our life-time is the Day wherein we are to work , there is no work , device or labour in the Grave , Eccl. 9. 10. which tho' it be a Judgment to the wicked , who slept away their labouring Time , that they shall then have no more Opportunity to work , yet it is a comfort to the Godly Labourers that they shall have no more need or occasion to work , but shall go to their Rest , & cease from all work .

Prop. 3. After their going away to Rest , they shall stand up again at the Last Day .

There needs no more to be said toward the Confirmation of this Assertion , save the Doctrine of the Resurrection , which is one of the main Articles of our Faith , and that without which all our Faith and Hope would be vain , as not reaching any further than this life , and so leaving us most miserable . 1 Cor. 15. 17 , 18 , 19.

Christ told Martha , her Brother should rise a-again , and she owned it . This was Pauls hope . ( Act. 24. 15. ) and Jobs Comfort . Job 19. 25. The Scripture is full of this Truth .

The ground of it is , partly from their Union to Christ their Head , who dyed and rose again , and so shall they by vertue of his Resurrection . Partly that they may receive their Reward according to their works .

Prop. 4. When they stand up , each shall stand in his Lott .

1. There shall be a Lott Laid out to each of them ; a peculiar place and station provided for every one : All the Saints both great and small , not only a general State of Glory for all , but each shall have his own Lott , Mansion , Crown . 2. He shall stand , abide or continue therein . The Lot is that State of Glory peculiar to every Believer . Indeed there shall be degrees , some greater , some lesser , tho' every Vessel shall be filled . Some shall have Five Cities , others two , every one answerable to the Measure of free Grace bestowed on him , and the Degrees of its acting in him , each shall be rewarded both for kind and measure according to his works .

And the Reason is from the Righteousness of God , who will therefore ( as Justice obliges ) render to every one what is his own , or due . Indeed not unto Believers on Christ for the sake of their works upon the account of their own merit properly , but for the sake of the Works and Merits of Christ only , yet still according to their works : Not for your sakes , but for mine own Name sake .

Uses of the First Proposition .

If God doth use to take away some of his Eminent Ones , or bid them go away before Evil Days .

Use 1. Then it is an ill Omen , and should be accounted matter of great awakening and solemn Consideration to see good men removed . If prudent and useful , especially if pious men be taken away , when meek and merciful ones are removed , it looks as if there were Evil at hand , which God is willing to Save them from . Noahs housing in the Ark , and Lot's entering into Zoar carried an ill face to the Old World and Sodom . Especially if the removal of such be not Laid to heart , their removal is signal , and not laying to heart Causal also of approaching Evil.

Use 2. Learn hence also that however the Death of any may prove to the Survivers , it 's always in mercy to the Godly . As all other Troubles , so Death is theirs ; let it come when and how it will . It is an effect of his Kindness to them , and in pursuance of his Care for them . Gods way often is to take away the best first , and lay them up safe out of harms way , and leave the rest , either to mend or grow worse ; and if they grow worse , so to ripen them unto ruin , for not growing better under such awakening Providences as the removal of the good .

Use 3. Then we should not be inordinately careful or solicitous , for fear of Trouble before hand ; do not distract thy self about what may be hereafter ; yea , tho' it seems to be near , even at the very door : For , besides that fixedness without fear of evil Tidings is attainable , and ought to be laboured after , as a fruit of Faith . Psa. 112. 7 , 8. and besides that many times evils feared do not come at all . I say besides both these , this may comfort us against approaching Trouble , that it may be we may be gone into the Grave before it comes : Who can tell how soon God may say to him , Go thy way Daniel , go to thy Rest out of the reach of that Trouble thou fearest , before it comes to such an height as to work thee any considerable Damage . A prudent foresight of evil , and guarding or preparing against it is good , and a Duty , but distracting thoughtfulness is always sinful , and oft needless , because possibly thou mayst not live to see it .

If thou art a good , faithful and diligent Servant , the Lord may accept of thy good will , and call thee off before the pinch comes . A good Master will do so by a good Servant that is diligent , and willing to do what he is able ; he will call him by name , and take him off when he sees the heat of the day a coming , or some pinch at hand that will be too hard for him , he will favour him , and lay the burden upon others . So did the Lord here say to Daniel , Go thy way , give over , thou hast done well , go lye down and take thy Rest .

Uses of the Second Proposition

Do the Saints go to Rest when they Dye ?

Use 1. Then see what cause we have to bless God for Jesus Christ , who hath made one of the worst things in the Curse , viz. Death , to be matter of comfort unto all his , as it brings them to ease , quiet and rest . That dreadful thing Death , the King of Terrours shall be to them their Sleep and Rest .

Use 2. Then Death is not so dreadful to the People of God as it is represented and supposed usually to be . If it be their Rest , or that which gives them a Passage or Entrance into Rest , it is a very pleasant , sweet , desirable and comfortable thing .

It 's true , Death is indispensibly the Lot of all , and made so by Divine Appointment ; ( Heb. 9. 27. ) and it is to Nature very irksome , and unto sinning Nature terrible and affrighting , but to them that are in Christ , and so have their sins pardoned , &c the Sting of Death removed , it should not be so . And to prevent its being so , the Lord is pleased to find out the most sweet , pleasant and alluring Metaphors to set forth the Nature of it by , not only to take away the Terror of it , but to render it delightsome and desirable to them ; and among many other , these two of Rest and Sleep which are not only harmless things , but very desirable and attractive too ; how does the labouring and travelling man long for the setting of the Sun , and end of his Journey that he may rest , the sick and pained man to whom wearisome days and nights are appointed ; what would he give for a nights sleep ? Oh that I could sleep ! Oh that I could take my Rest ! that I could get a little sleep ▪ Then why should a true Believer be scared at Death ; there is no matter of Affrightment in going to rest . And that is one thing the Lord is aiming at , in making the World a weary World to his people , that they may be willing to leave it , long to be out of it , desirous of the Grave , that they may go to Rest therein .

Use 3. Then be not over much troubled at the removal of any of our pious Friends whom God has taken away by Death , they are but gone to Rest , and why should that grieve us ? When persons are sick or diseased and weak , one of the principal things we are solicitors about in their behalf is that they may take their Rest , when their eyes have been long held waking , O how do we wish for them that they might take their Rest , we make all quiet & still , suffer no noise nor any disturbance that might hinder them of their Rest ; and if we can see them take their Rest , we hope they shall do well . So when night comes we get our Children to bed , and if they be once asleep we are pleased , and think all is well with them . And why are we not as well satisfied and contented about our Friends that Dy in the Lord ; they do Sleep in Jesus , and so shall do well , they have been toyling in the world , and are tired with the labour of it , and are now gone to Sleep , why should we begrudge them their Rest ?

Indeed for our own loss of them we should grieve and for Gods displeasure that may appear in the stroke we should mourn , and for our sins that have made God angry , we should cry bitterly ; but for them that are gone to Rest , see that we weep as though we wept not .

The Grave is called an House and Bed , & it is so sanctified by the Death of Christ , that it is a good house , a good bed , both soft and warm , a comfortable bed , a place of quiet and repose , a place of Security and Secrecy ; hence Job speaks of Gods hiding him in the Grave . Job 14. 13. a man in the Grave is hidden from the strife of Tongues , hidden from the rage and malice of evil men , & out of the reach of all that devise mischief against him ; he is there freed from all Trouble and Molestation whatsoever : There the Servant is free from his Master , and they hear not the cry of the Oppressor ? Job 3. 13 , 17 , 18 , 19. They that are lodged in the Grave , are lodged in an house , where they are safe from fear , are not disturbed by all the noise and lumber in the World , tho' the Earth quake , & the Sea roar they are not moved , though the Mountains be cast into the midst of the Sea , they are not affected with it ; the sound of the Trumpet and Alarms of Wars do not affright them . There is no aking head , sick stomach , pained Bowels , spending , weakning Cough to break their Rest ; no Evil Tidings can make their ears Tingle , or hearts Tremble ; Diseases , Pains , Business , Cares , Fears , would not let them rest here , but none of these things shall molest them there ; nothing shall awaken them till the Last Trumpet sounds , when they shall arise to receive that Incorruptible Crown that fades not away ▪ reserved in the Heavens for them . Then let not us disturb our selves about them , be at rest concerning them , there let them rest quiet till the Morning of the Resurrection , in which they shall rise to the full Enjoyment of that Christ in whose Bosome they are now sleeping . If they be quiet in their Beds , let us be quiet also about them , if they be at Rest , labour we to compose our selves unto free submission to Soveraign Disposal ; yea , and comfort our selves in this , that however it may fare with us or others , yet such and such of ours are well and at rest , gotten quite out of harms way , that no evil shall come near their dwelling however , they are safe , enjoying quiet rest , till the Pit be digged for the wicked . Psal. 94. 13. Such of our Friends are out of the Gunshot of the malice and rage of men and Devils .

Rather let us so believe and live , so work and labour while here , that when we dye we may rest with them , than spend our time in inordinately grieving for them who are at rest .

Use 4. Let this serve also to comfort and quiet us against all the labour , toyl and travel that God hath appointed to us in this World . Work willingly , labour chearfully , bear our Cross which God lays on us without repining or reluctance , it is but for a little while , Rest is a coming .

It comforts the Hireling while he is bearing the heat and burden of the day , that it is but for a Day , and when he hath accomplished his Day , there is a Recompence and Rest ready for him , when he hath ended his work , he shall have his Reward , and go to his Rest . And as the Rest of a labouring man is sweet , when it comes , so the fore thoughts of it should be sweet while he is at work ; be sure it should be so with all the Godly . It should make every good mans work go off hand with the more content and comfort : I shall rest anon and the harder my work , the sweeter my Rest .

The Parents of Noah , when he was born , by a Spirit of Prophecy ( no doubt Gen. 5. 29. ) called him Noah ; promising themselves Rest by him under all their Toyl , &c. Jesus Christ is the true Noah ▪ from whom all true Rest comes ; he hath by his lying in the Grave made it a place of Rest ; and this should be thought on , together with that Everlasting Rest that Death leads to ; and with this should we comfort our selves and one another .

And as this Consideration should comfort us while we live , so it is suitable to make us willing to dye ; yea , to long for Death as much as ever a tired Traveller or weary Labourer did for his bed ▪

Alas ! for all that lothness to dye which is to be found in us , either we are not weary of the world but have too much content and rest in it . Or we do not look upon the Grave as a place of Rest .

Or we do not consider the sweetness of that Rest ; or we are not well assured that it is a Rest for us ; or else [ Go thy way and go to Rest ] would be a sweet word to us .

This should make us Love Death , be fond of it embrace it as a very welcome Messenger sent to poor weary Creatures to put them to Bed . We read of some who out of their extream misery have been seeking Death , courting the Grave , hunting for a passage into the Grave ; but how much more earnest and intense should we be , if beside the Troubles here to drive us , we had the hope of Rest to allure us .

Uses of the Third Proposition .

After they have rested shall they stand up ?

Use 1. Then Death is not an Annihilation , it is a Dissolution , but does not annihilate , it returns men to Dust , but not to nothing .

Use 2. This serves to magnify the power of God that can make a dead person stand up again , not only one that hath been four days , but more than so many thousand years dead , to appear again . And the Consideration of the power of God in the work of Resurrection should strengthen our Faith with reference to all other difficult cases whether bodily or spiritual , personal or relative , that our selves in particular , or the Church in general may meet with , however discouraging and afflictive ; if the Lord can make the Body after its Dissolution and resolution into its principles to arise & stand up again , then he can do so by the Soul also which is sunk , and low and discouraged , is ready to say that he is shut up , and shall come out no more , is become like the dry bones in the valley , the Lord can make him stand up . In like manner can he do by his own work , Religion , the Cause and Interest of Christ and his people ; it may sem to run low , and Israel may be brought very low , but the Lord can revive his work , and people ; He can raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen : He can build up the walls of Jerusalem . Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life , both to Zion in general , and to all the true Sons and Daughters thereof ; and will certainly give a Resurrection to his fallen Cause and Work , and cause it to stand up .

Use 3. Hence also , Pious Friends though gone away are not lost ; as they are not annihilated , so as not to be , so neither are they lost so as not to be found . As to this world , so they are lost never to be seen here any more in that Capacity as formerly : the place that has known them , shall know them no more , they shall no more have a Portion in ought that is done under the Sun ; but really they are not lost , they shall all be found and stand up : Not one Grain shall be lost ; all the Dead both small and great shall make their personal appearance ; and especially none of Christs Beloved Ones shall be lost .

We think it no great matter to take leave of our Friends at Bed-Time , yea to look on them and see them unclothe themselves and go to bed , lye down to rest , we can chearfully bid them good night , expecting to see them upon their legs again , standing up next morning . It 's want of Faith that we do not treat our dying friends accordingly ; take leave of them chearfully , wishing them a good nights rest , expecting to see them in the Morning of the Resurrection . ( as Psal. 49. 14. ) when the Righteous shall stand up , and be uppermost too , have dominion over all their Enemies that despised and trampled upon them in this World .

Use 4. See a vast difference between a pious Saint , a precious Daniel in his Condition then , and that of a wicked man , an ungodly one . The Godly shall stand , the wicked are not so , they shall not stand in Judgment . ( Psal. 1. ) they shall rise only to fall , to fall utterly and eternally . The Believer only shall be accounted worthy to stand when the Son of Man shall come ; but others shall be thought worthy to fall , yea shall be cast down into utter Destruction .

Uses of the Fourth Proposition .

Shall each stand in his Lot ?

Use 1. Hence there is a peculiar Lott appointed to each after the Resurrection . Every one shall have his own lot , reward and portion ; every one that is written up among the Living shall stand up unto a Lot , and to that which is his own lot , not another mans . Many now that profess Religion , do but trim themselves with borrowed Feathers , adorn themselves with a Form of Godliness without the power of it , & so get the name & repute which belongs to Godly men indeed , being by charity so accounted , but then it shall be otherwise ; every man shall have his own lot , shall be rewarded according to his works . Not only great Daniel , but every one of Christ's little ones shall each have his Lot and share of Glory .

Use 2. See hence what ought to be our great care while here , viz. after a good Lot then , & our standing therein . E're long we must go into the Grave , where there is no work or device , nothing more to be done , save only to receive & take possession of our lot answerable to the life we have led while here . To work out our Salvation with fear & trembling is therefore our business now , and then our Lot will be answerable . Be sound in the way that may lead us to the getting a good lot then ; we would not then be gathered with Sinners & bloody or worldly men . ( Psal ▪ 26 ) then do not cast in our Lot with them now , which we may be tempted to , as Prov. 1. 14. it is no great matter what we get or lose here , so we may have a good lot there . Here is a great deal of ado among us at this day about our Lots & Lands , what a scuffle is there about a little Earth ? here is arresting , pleading , impleading , fending and proving ; one pleading his right , & another his , one claiming & another endeavouring to invalidate his claim ; and about this how buisy are men ! But be not over solicitous here , know that there is a far greater Question in hand , viz. What shall be my Lot and where shall it lye in the other World ; & how shall I get a good Title to a good Lot there , and how shall I maintain it , and secure my right against all that would dispossess me ? Oh! let this be the main business with us . Alas , the best Lot that any man has in this world is Cabul , a dirty place , & it will cost more to keep it than its worth , considering what striving and contending there is about it : but if thou get a Lot there , God is the maintainer of it ; it was purchased for thee , and given to thee by Christ , and also reserved and kept for thee , that God who hath given it thee is obliged to make good & to warrant his Deed of Gift against all Claimers whatsoever . No Writ of Ejection shall ever dispossess thee . And it is a Lot lying in a pleasant place , and a goodly Heritage . It is the Lot of the Righteous upon which the Rod of the Wicked shall not always rest : A lot which God hath cast for thee , which Christ is gone before as thy Forerunner , Agent , Advocate , to take possession of for thee , and in thy name & stead , if thou be a believer on him , kept for thee , & thou kept for it & to it , by the mighty power of God thro' Faith unto Salvation . 1 Pet. 1. 3 , 4 , 5. Thy Lot there is the Inheritance among the Saints in Light , Abrahams Bosome , the Masters Joy , an Incorruptible Crown , a Kingdom prepared , &c. Then let not worldly Possessions , Enjoyments , Profits , Pleasures , Buisiness take up that time , and those thoughts that should be imployed about things of an higher Import & Concernment . We may conclude our Discourse with this one practical Question .

Q. What shall I do that when called away , or commanded to go away , I may be sure to rest till the end of Dayes , and then stand up in an Happy Lott ? Or how shall I so live that I may go to rest when I go away from hence ?

A. It is a great Question , and that which nearly concerns us all .

In general , I would say it is for the Lords faithful ones , his Daniels , or beloved ones , this Rest remains for the People of God , and that for those that are really not only nominally so . It is the Righteous man , who when he dyes enters into his Bed , & Rests in his Grave , ( Isa. 57. 1 , 2. ) The Securing to thy self that thou art one of these will secure the other .

More particularly take these three Directions .

1. If thou wouldest go to Rest when thou dyest , See that a State of Sin which is a State of Nature be made a Restless state to thee : See that thou be not able to rest in Sin , or in any thing in this World ; see that nothing under the Sun quiet or give thee rest .

Those whom God brings to rest when they dye , are such as were distested while alive , driven out of all false Rests that Sinners take up-withal in the World . Some rest in one thing , some in another . Some cannot rest unless they Sin or have done some mischief : Some rejoyce in Iniquity , some rest in the Abundance of the World , fill their Barns & Bags , and then go to rest ; some get a Profession of Godliness , a Name to live , they hear , read , pray , &c and therein they rest , their Priviledges , their own Righteousness is the Rest of many . But the Lords way to give Rest is first by disquieting and disresting them in till he brings them out of all other things , that so he may bring them to the true Rest . Sin shall give thee no Rest , no nor the World , nor any thing therein . If the Lord intend to bring thee to rest , an Unregenerate Estate shall be an unquiet State to thee , thou shalt find no rest to the Sole of thy foot , while in it , no rest till got into the Ark , the only place of Rest If ever God give thee Rest , Sin shall be a meer Slavery & Bondage to thee , worse than Egyptian Bondage , under which he will make thee to groan and sigh and cry till he bring thee out . He will make indwelling Sin , out-breaking Sin , Original Sin , actual Sin , a burden to thee too heavy for thee to bear , if ever he give thee Rest . This know , that one of the next Mercies to Christ , and a Preparatory Mercy in order to the giving of Christ & Rest in him , is to disrest in Sin , and for want of Christ ; nor will he ever bring any to Rest but in this way . And thou must be so disquieted about Sin , that all the World cannot quiet thee , neither pleasures , profits , honours , company , business ; no nor thy Duties , Prayers , Tears , own Righteousness , & c. shall be able to give thee Rest .

2. Being thus weary , labouring and restless , Come to Christ at his Call , and his Promise is , that he will give thee Rest ( Mat. 11. 28. ) Oh! make that thy business ( as our Daniel whose Death we are bewailing , said he had done ) to secure an Interest in Christ , and there is Rest . Faith in Christ will give thee true Rest . Faith stablishes and fixeth the Heart . Psal. 112. Faith in his Power , Promise , Will . And be sure thou make Christ not only the Refuge , but the Rest of thy Soul , which no Hypocrite does or can do ; say of him and to him , I have none but thee : he whose heart can say , None but Christ , none but Christ , shall have him and in him Rest here , and with him everlasting Rest hereafter Make use of all Bereavements , disquietments , troubles here to make thee hie away to Christ for Rest . The poor Dove found nothing but Water all over the face of the Earth , and could not be quiet till gotten to the Ark , where Noah was ready to put forth his hand and pull her in . This World hath alwayes been , though at some times more than other , it is a troubled Sea , there is nothing but instable Water ; uncertain comforts , certain disquietments ; let this Serve to make Christ Precious , with whom is certain Rest .

And the reason why those that get into Christ shall rest is because he takes away Sin the only cause of disrest , Sin the sting of Death , and then Death cannot separate from the Love of Christ , and where that is must needs be Rest . He that hath seen Christ and in him obtained Salvation from Sin , he may depart in peace , and shall goe to Rest .

3. Then follow Jesus Christ Vniversally , Laboriously in all the wayes of New-Obedience ; and that will carry thee to Rest . Those only that followed the Lord fully entered into Rest , and had a Lott in Canaan , and they were only two of the Congregation , Numb 14 24 with 32. 12. If you would Rest when you dye , work hard for Christ while you live . The Rest of a Labouring man is sweet ; then labour with all your might , and that will both secure your Rest and make it Sweet . And indeed it is a buisy World in which we are , here is a great deal of work , much business to be done for Christ , none need stand still for want of work , and none shall rest but those that did work . Lazy , idle , slothful Sinners shall never goe to rest : Idleness tends to disrest , but all regular labour and motion leads to rest .

And the nearer we come to our end the more vigorously let us move toward our rest . It s observed of natural Motions the nearer the Centre the Swifter , so let it be with Christians . Are there any of us Aged and Gray-headed , do we see the Time of our Dissolution drawing nigh , are the Shadows of the Evening stretcht out upon us , then let us lift up our feet , put on , mend our pace , the Grave is in view , we walk & work in the sight of our Resting place , and that should quicken us . It is the last day of the Week with many of us , and toward the evening of that also , and then comes the Sabbath , the Rest , the constant , eternal rest of labouring Believers , those who have been working , their Works follow them and yield them Rest . And if the Lord help us now to believe , and that with such a Faith as works by Love , we not only shall , but already doe enter into Rest . Heb. 4. 3. Troubles in the World we shall have , but peace and rest in Christ . Sin disturbs , flesh makes us groan , bodily diseases afflict us , toyl & travel in the World tire us , evil Tidings make us afraid , and fears of worse disquiet us , but still this Rest remains sure . And know that there is a voice of Christ in every trouble , loss , bereavement , is that we come to him for Rest , he is Father , Mother , Wife , and he is the only Husband in whose House we shall find Rest . Oh! let all the Sorrowful , bereaved ones that are ready to say with him ( Jer. 45. ● . ) Wo is me , I faint and find no Rest ; I say , let all such hear Christ saying , Come to me and take my Yoke on you and walk with , and work for me , and you shall find Rest . Hearken to this Invitation unto Rest , which Faith leads to the beginning of , Obedience helps to a progress in , and Death will bring to the full Accomplishment of . And let us follow them who through Faith and Patience doe inherit the Promises : and for our Imitation , let me Commend to you some of the Excellencies found in this Daniel of whom the Text speaks , and there were not none of them wanting in our Daniel , whose Death we are lamenting .

He is noted for a man of Great Wisdom and Prudence , ( Chap. 1. ) The Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom , and the Lord has directed all that want Wisdom to ask it .

He was a man of a Tender Conscience , afraid of defiling himself with the Portion of the Kings meat . Oh! get and keep a Tender Conscience , especially in dangerous , tempting and defiling times ; a Tender Conscience , especially where there is an inlightened understanding , and sound Judgment , is a choice Mercy .

Again , He was a man not given to Appetite , but one whose Moderation was eminently obvious , he could content himself with Pulse & Water , when he might have had Wine and flesh .

A man much in Prayer , especially in Secret Prayer , from which Duty three Times a day , the Kings Edict , and Danger of being devoured by Lyons could not deterr him , yea was conversant also in Fasting and Prayer . A man of Prayer , hence mentioned as such an one . Ezek. 14. 14. Never more need of Prayer than in our dayes : Pray alwayes , Pray fervently ; and in evil Times we should pray more frequently and fervently than at other Times He is no Christian that does not Pray , he cannot be miserable what ever befalls him that can and does Pray .

He was a Thankful man , as well as a Praying man . See Chap 2. & 7.

A very Humble , self-denying man ; still gave God the Glory of ought that was done by him : Not unto us , not unto us , but unto thy Name be the Praise , say they , Psal 115. 1. So he Chap. 2. 28 , 30. God revealeth Secrets , and it is not for my Wisdom , &c. above others .

He was not lifted up by his great Advancement , so as to forget his God , himself , or his business ; one of the first or best of those few that was not the worse for Worldly greatness or advancement , lost nothing of his Religion by his preferment .

An Exact and Circumspect walker ; much afraid and shy of Sin , and so punctual and prudent in his Carriage , as that they could find nothing against him , save in the matter of his God , though he was maliciously and curiously watch't ; he was a man that had obtained an Answer to that Prayer , Lord , lead me in a plain path because of mine observers . And indeed his being so much in Communion with God help't him to be so harmless & blameless , like one of the Sons of God among men , though in the midst of a Crooked & Perverse Generation .

He was much concerned for the Church of God ; so was good Nehemiah also . And note , the best men have alwayes been most Solicitous for Sion ; it s a good Character of a good man that is full of thoughts for , Inquiries after the State of , and much in Prayer in the behalf of Gods Church and People : one that has imbark't his All with the Church of God , joyes their joy , feels their Trouble , weeps their Tears , can heartily mourn when Sion mourns , cannot drink Wine in Bowls and not be grieved for the Affliction of Joseph ; can take up his Lott with the Church tho' in a low and sorrowful Condition , and desires no other joy than to be made glad with the gladness of Gods Heritage ; this is like Daniel : tho' Daniel himself was in Prosperity , in great plenty , Credit & Reputation so that he wanted nothing , yet Sion lay at his heart ; his Prayers and tears , and fastings , were for Jerusalem . And this is alwayes indispensibly , but at some Times more eminently the Duty of every Christian : we should prefer Jerusalems Joy before all our Joy , and mourn when Sion mourns , what ever matter of rejoycing we may have in our selves , As it fairs with Sion , should it fair with us .

If we thus live lives of Faith & Obedience , we shall keep our selves in the Love of God , and have the Peace . of God to keep us . Troubles are come and will come , but we shall be under the special Care of God even in worst Times ; and it will not be long ere the Lord will say to every Sincere Soul that has followed him in the Regeneration , that has known him , and loved him , and made it his business to Serve him , and to abound in the work of the Lord ; Go thy way , goe to Rest , thou hast laboured long enough , done and suffered so much as I had appointed for thee , now goe take thy Rest , enter into the bed of thy Grave , which I have Sweetened and Sanctified for thee , there take thy quiet Repose , till the end of Dayes , and then thou shalt arise again and stand up in thy Lott to receive that Crown of Life which Christ the Righteous Judge shall give at that Day , to all that Love his Appearing .

In the mean Time let all Sincere Souls , Comfort themselves and one another with these Words .

FINIS .