Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 19

Death

God, to prevent all escape, hath sown the seeds of death in our very constitution and nature, so that we can as soon run from ourselves, as run from death. We need no fellow to come with a hand of violence and hew us down; there is in the tree a worm, which grows out of its own substance, that will destroy it; so in us, those infirmities of nature that will bring us down to the dust. (William Gurnall)

All are like actors on a stage, some have one part and some another, death is still busy among us; here drops one of the players, we bury him with sorrow, and to our scene again: then falls another, yea all, one after another, till death be left upon the stage. Death is that damp which puts out all the dim lights of vanity. Yet man is easier to believe that all the world shall die, than to suspect himself. (Thomas Adams)

There is none so old but thinks he may live one year longer; and though, in the general, he say, "All must die," yet, in the false numbering of his own particular days, he thinks to live for ever. (Nehemiah Rogers)

Rebirth brings us into the Kingdom of grace, and death into the Kingdom of glory. (Richard Baxter)

Death is only a grim porter to let us into a stately palace. (Richard Sibbes)

We spend our years with sighing; it is a valley of tears; but death is the funeral of all our sorrows. (Thomas Watson)

I account this body nothing but a close prison to my soul; and the earth a larger prison to my body. I may not break prison, till I be loosed by death; but I will leave it, not unwillingly, when I am loosed. (Joseph Hall)

If a man that is desperately sick today, did believe he should arise sound the next morning; or a man today, in despicable poverty, had assurance that he should tomorrow arise a prince; would they be afraid to go to bed? (Richard Baxter)

The fear of death is ingrafted in the common nature of men, but faith works it out of Christians. (Vavasor Powell)

Let thy hope of heaven master thy fear of death. Why shouldst thou be afraid to die, who hopest to live by dying! (William Gurnall)

Death is half disarmed when the pleasures and interests of the flesh are first denied. (Richard Baxter)

He may look on death with joy, who can look on forgiveness with faith. (Thomas Watson)

Pray that thy last days, and last works may be the best; and that when thou comest to die, thou mayest have nothing else to do but die. (Vavasor Powell)