which are seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal._[355] [Footnote 353] Psalm xciv, 19. [Footnote 354] Romans viii, 18. [Footnote 355] 2 Corinthians iv, 16-18. § 17. And another season peculiarly fit for this heavenly duty, is, when the messengers of God summon us to die. When should we most frequently sweeten our souls with the believing thoughts of another life, than when we find that this is almost ended? No men have greater need of supporting joys than dying men; and those joys must be fetched from our eternal joy. As heavenly delights are sweetest, when nothing earthly is joined with them; so the delights of dying Christians are oftentimes the sweetest they ever had. What a prophetical blessing had dying Isaac, and Jacob, for their sons? With what a heavenly song, and Divine benediction, did Moses conclude his life? what heavenly advice and prayer had the disciples from their Lord, when he was about to leave them? When Paul was _ready to be offered up_, what heavenly exhortations and advice did he give the Philippians, Timothy, and the Elders of Ephesus? How near to heaven was John in Patmos, but a little before his translation thither? It is the general temper of the saints, to be then most heavenly, when they are nearest to heaven. If it be thy case, reader, to perceive thy dying time draw on, O where should thy heart now be, but with Christ! Methinks thou shouldst even behold him standing by thee and shouldst bespeak him as thy father, thy husband, thy physician, thy friend. Methinks thou shouldst, as it were, see the angels about thee, waiting to perform their last office to thy soul; even those angels, which disdained not to _carry into Abraham's bosom_ the soul of Lazarus, nor will think much to conduct thee thither. Look upon thy pain and sickness, as Jacob did on Joseph's chariots, and let thy _spirit revive_ within thee, and say, "_It is enough, Christ is yet alive; because he lives, I shall live also_."[356] Dost thou need the choicest cordials? Here are choicer than the world can afford; here are all the joys of heaven, even the vision of God, and Christ, and whatsoever the blessed there possess; these dainties are offered thee by the hand of Christ, he hath written the receipt in the promises of the gospel; he hath prepared the ingredients in heaven; only put forth the hand of faith, and feed upon them, and rejoice, and live. The Lord saith to thee, as to Elijah, _Arise, and eat, because the journey is too great for thee_. Though it be not long, yet the way is miry; therefore obey his voice, arise and eat, _and in the strength of that meat_ thou mayest _go to the mount of God_; and, like Moses, _die in the mount whither thou goest up_; and say, as Simeon, _Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for mine eye_ of faith _hath seen thy salvation_.[357] [Footnote 356] John xiv, 19. [Footnote 357] Luke ii, 29, 30.