PREPARATION for DEATH explained and enforced. A. SERMON, OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH O F Mrs. ELIZABETH TOMKINS, WIFE OF Mr. JOSEPH TOMKINS, O F ABINGDON, BER K S, Who died March 24, 1769, in the 30th Year of Preached at the Time of her INTERMENT, By DANIEL TURNER. ABINGDON: PRINTED BY J. STACEY IN THE OCK-STREET. 211. MDCCLXIX: 75- LUKE XII. 40. Be ye therefore ready alfo; for the Son of Man cometh at an Hour when ye think not. T HE Death of our worthy Friend Mrs. ELIZABETH TOMKINS, in fo early Life, and who, but a little while ago, was likely to live yet many Years, feems naturally to point out thefe Words, as hinting to us a proper Improvement of the awful Providence. The Coming of the Son of Man, that is, of JESUS CHRIST, often fignifies his providential Interpofition in the dreadful Destruction which, a few Years after his Death, fell upon Jerufalem, and there the Phrase of being also ready is applied to that particular Occafion, (See Mat. x. 23. Chap. xxiv. 44.) But here, in our Text, it must be taken in a larger and more univerfal Senfe, and as referring more efpecially A efpecially to Death and Judgment. For, in the Context, our Lord fpeaks of Servants, called to an Account, and rewarded for their Services, or punished for their Neglects; and of a Coming of their Lord for that Purpose. The Coming, therefore, here means the Interpofition of Chrift, as the Lord and Sovereign of Mankind, by his Meffenger Death, to call them to an Account, and appoint them their Portion of Joy, and Sorrow in a future State; according as they have, or have not, been faithful and obedient Servants. The being ready, therefore, in this Text, muft neceffarily refer to the great Duty and Concern of all, who call themfelves his Difciples and Followers, to be prepared for this Summons from him, whenever it comes, and as what may come fuddenly. Be ye therefore ready alfo; for the Son of Man cometh at an Hour when ye think not. Here I would endeavour to confider, I. In what a Preparation for Death, or á future State confifteth; or what is implied in being ready as thus understood? II. The Motives, or Inducements, to this Readiness or Preparation. III. Some Obfervations by Way of more particular Improvement of the Subject. I. I am I. I am to confider in what a Preparation for Death, or a future State confifteth; or what is implied in our being ready as thus understood? In the general, this Preparation must certainly confist, in our poffeffing, and cultivating, fuch a Temper of Mind, and Conduct of Life; fuch Principles, fuch a Taste, fuch Practices, as are pleafing to God; becoming our reasonable and immortal Natures; bear a due Refemblance to the Spirit and Temper that reigns in the heavenly World, and that may indeed qualify us for the Enjoyment of its divine Delights. And seeing we come into the World with Natures morally weak and depraved; and, unless early fanctified by the divine Grace, live in a Manner that aggravates that Depravity, and alienates us more and more from the Life of God; therefore, a Preparation for Death must imply in it, what, by a very lively and expreffive Figure of Speech, our Lord calls being born again of the Spirit, (John iii. 3. 5.) For without fuch a moral and divine Change, fuch an holy Temper, fuch a vital Principle of divine Grace reigning in the Heart, as he means by that Expreffion, he |