Judas or Achitophel; and make thee like many miserable creatures in the world, who can hardly forbear laying violent hands on themselves. Be not therefore so importunate for life, which may prove a judgment, instead of a blessing. How many of the precious servants of God, of all ages and places, have gone before thee? Thou art not to enter an untrodden path, nor appointed first to break the ice. Except Enoch and Elijah, which of the saints have escaped death? And art thou better than they? There are many millions of saints dead, more than now remain on earth. What a number of thine own bosom friends, and companions in duty, are now gone, and why shouldst thou be so loth to follow? Nay, hath not Jesus Christ himself gone this way? Hath he not sanctified the grave to us, and perfumed the dust with his own body, and art thou loth to follow him too? Rather say as Thomas, _Let us also go, that we may die with him_." § 24. If what hath been said, will not persuade, Scripture and reason have little force. And I have said the more on this subject, finding it so needful to myself and others; finding among so many Christians, who could do and suffer so much for Christ, so few that can willingly die; and of many, who have somewhat subdued other corruptions, so few have got the conquest of this. I persuade not the ungodly from fearing death: 'Tis a wonder rather, that they fear it no more, and spend not their days in continual horror. CHAP. XI. The Importance of leading a heavenly Life upon Earth. § 1. The reasonableness of delighting in the thoughts of the saint's rest. § 2. Christians exhorted to it, by considering; § 3. (1.) It will evidence their sincere piety; § 4. (2.) It is the highest excellence of the Christian temper; § 5. (3.) It leads to the most comfortable life; § 6-9 (4.) It will be the best preservative from temptations to sin; § 10. (5.) It will invigorate their graces and duties; § 11. (6.) It will be their best cordial in all afflictions; § 12. (7.) It will render them most profitable to others; § 13. (8.) It will honor God; § 14. (9.) Without it, we disobey the commands and lose the most gracious and delightful discoveries of the word of God; § 15. (10.) It is the more reasonable to have our hearts with God, as his is so much on us; § 16, 17. and (11.) In heaven, where we have so much interest and relation; § 18. (12.) Besides, there is nothing but heaven worth setting our hearts upon. § 19. Transition to the subject of the next chapter.