The afflicted man's companion;

Front matter

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Chapter I. General Directions To All Families And Persons Visited With Sickness

1. Diligently inquire into the ends and designs for which G-od usually sends sickness and affliction upon men, 27

2. Let all who are visited with sickness or distress, search for the Achan in the camp, and inquire diligently what is the ground and cause of G-od's controversy with them, 32

3. "When any fit of sickness attacks you. think seriously upon death, and make diligent preparations for it, • 36

4. Be not anxious for recovery to health, hut leave the issue of your present sickness to the will and pleasure of the infinitely wise G-od, 40

5. Bind yourself with holy purposes and resolutions, in Christ's strength, to he more watchful against sin, more diligent in duty, and to improve the time of health better, if Grod shall he pleased to restore it again to you, — 42

6. Set your house in order by making your will and settling your domestic and secular affairs, while you have freedom and capacity for doing it, - • • • 43

, CHAPTER II.

PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS TO THOSE WHO ARE SHARPLY AFFLICTED WITH SICKNESS OR LONG TROUBLE .

1. Justify Grod in the greatest afflictions which befall you, 47

2. Labor to be sensible of G-od's hand under heavy affliction, and beware of stupidity and unconcern under it, • • 50

3. Beware of misconstruing G-od's dealings towards you, and of charging him foolishly, 52

4. Under sore trouble and distress, labor to exercise a strong and lively faith, 53

5. Labor to bear with patience whatever load of trouble the Lord appoints for you, • 56

6. Beware of envying wicked men, when you see them in health and prosperity, 60

7. Guard against repining and murmuring against the providence of G-od. under heavy sickness and affliction, 61

CONTENTS.

Chapter III

SPECIAL DIRECTIONS TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD WHEN UNDER SICKNESS OR ANY OTHER AFFLICTION.

1. Let "believers especially guard against fainting or desponding under (rod's afflicting hand, * 70

2. Let the children of God be exemplary in patience and submission to him under their affliction, 78

3. Let believers be much employed in the praises of God, while they are under affliction by sickness or otherwise, * 85

4. Let the children of God, when visited with sickness, set about actual preparation for death and eternity, - 89

5. Let believers in time of sickness endeavor all they can to glorify God, and edify those that are about them by their conversation and behavior, - • 96

6 Let God's children, when sick or dying, feel and manifest a great concern for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ, and of true religion among the rising generation, 102

7. Let the children of God labor to fortify themselves against all Satan's temptations and assaults, which they may expect to meet with in time of sickness and affliction, • 104

Chapter IV

SPECIAL DIRECTIONS TO UNRE GENERATE PERSONS,, WHEN AFFLICTED BY SICKNESS OR OTHERWISE.

1. Take a serious view of the miserable condition of a Christless person under sickness or heavy affliction, 109

2. Let unregenerate persons carefully improve their sickness and affliction, as a means to further their conversion, and pray that God may bless it for that end, • 111

3. Be careful to obey God's voice in the rod, and beware of slighting it, • 113

4. Cast back your eyes upon the sins of your past life, and labor to be deeply humbled for them before the Lord, 114

5. Flee immediately to Jesus Christ by a true faith, and close with him as offered to you in the gospel, 116

6. Call for the elders of the church, that they may pray over you in your sickness, • • • 116

Chapter V

DIRECTIONS TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD WHEN THE LORD IS PLEASED TO RECOVER THEM FROM SICKNESS AND DISTRESS

1. It is very proper, both under sickness and after it, to examine if the affliction be sanctified to you, and hath come from the love of God, 119

2. Make conscience of offering to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, upon his

recovering thee from sickness or any distress, 120

CONTENTS.

3. "When the Lord is pleased to grant thee any signal mercy or deliverance from trouble, beware of forgetting the Lord's kindness towards thee, • 124

4. Inquire after those fruits of righteousness which are the genuine effects of affliction in the children of (rod, who are duly exercised thereby, 125

5. Be careful to perform those resolutions, engagements, or vows you have come under in the time of sickness, and walk suitably to them, 128

Chapter VI

DIRECTIONS TO THE UNRE GENERATE WHEN RECOVER- ED FROM SICKNESS AND RESTORED TO HEALTH.

. 1. Seeing the afflictions of the wicked are unsanctified, it is necessary you examine what sort of affliction yours hath been, and what fruits it hath produced in you, 131

2. Consider the great danger of not being made better by sickness, and of not complying with the voice of Grod's rod, 133

3. Wonder at the patience of Grod in sparing such hell-deserving sinners as you are, and be thankful for it, 135

4. Study to improve the sparing mercy and goodness of (rod to you in a right and suitable manner, • 137

Chapter VII

DIRECTIONS TO THE SICK WHO ARE APPARENTLY IN A DYING- CONDITION, AND DRAWING NEAR TO ANOTHER WORLD.

L Consider, when death stares you in the face, that now is the time, if ever, to exert the utmost activity in preparing to meet it, 142

2. Continue to the last in the exercise of true repentance and humiliation for sin, 146

3. Be mindful of all acts of justice and charity which may be incumbent upon you at this time, 147

4. Labor to overcome the love of life and the fear of death, that you may attain to willingness to die and leave the world when Grod calleth you to it, 149

5. Study to imitate the ancient worthies, by dying in faith, 158

6. Place the example of other dying saints before you, and study in like manner to shine in grace, and be exemplary in piety and heavenly discourse, for the glory of Grod and good of souls, when you are going off the stage, 160

7. Let dying persons be much in prayer and ejaculations to Grod, 200

Meditations and ejaculations proper for a sick and dying person, and especially

for a dying believer, 202

Meditations for drooping believers when death is near, 208

Additional meditations proper for any sick person in the view of death, • • 213

CONTENTS.

Chapter VIII

DIRECTIONS TO THE FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS OF THE SICK, WHO ARE THEMSELVES IN HEALTH FOR THE TIME.

1. Be very thankful to G-od for the great mercy of health and strength, and improve it to his glory, • 222

2. Make conscience of visiting your sick friends and neighbors, believing it your duty and interest so to do, 223

3. Let the friends of the sick, and those who visit them, deal faithfully with them about their souls, • • 224

4. Be earnest in prayer to Crod for your friends when sick or dying; pray with them and for them, ■' 231

Petitions for the sick, 232

5. Be careful to furnish your friends with suitable company and spiritual converse, when they are sick or dying, 234

6. Be likewise suitably concerned for the bodies of your friends, when they are sick, • 236

7. When the sickness of your relations or neighbors doth issue in death, study a Christian and suitable behavior under such a dispensation, 236

8. Let the sickness and death of others be a warning to you in time of health, to make due preparation for the time of sickness and dying which is before you, • •' 244

9. Let those who are in health set about the work of repentance and turning to Grod in Christ quickly, and beware of delaying this work until the time of sickness and of dying, 252

FROM

THE AUTHOR'S ADDRESS TO THE READER.

The subject of this book, however melancholy it may appear to some, is of vital importance to all, seeing the word of God and our own experience assure us that " man who is born of a woman, is of few days and full of trouble, " and that he "is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." Nay, God's dearest children are not exempted from this common fate. We see what is the character God giveth his church: "0 thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted !" Isa. 54 : 11.

If in this world then we must look for tribulation, it is highly necessary for every man to seek direction how to provide for it, and behave under it, so that he may glorify God, edify others, and attain to eternal happiness at last. The tribulations we have to look for here are manifold ; but among those that are outward, I know none about which men ought to be more thoughtful and concerned, than bodily sickness, which often is the harbinger of death, and ushers the way to judgment.

This is a subject not much discussed in public sermons, which are delivered only to them that are in health, the sick being unable to attend them. Wherefore it seems the more necessary to treat of it in writing, that so the afflicted may have a book in their houses, and at their bedsides, as a monitor to preach to them in private, when they are restrained from hearing sermons in public.

And though sometimes ministers' sermons may be very 1*

TO THE READER.

suitable to the case of the sick and afflicted, yet, alas, most 1 men are careless and forgetful hearers of these things while they are in health and prosperity, reckoning the evil day at I a distance from them. A book, then, such as the following directory, being with them in time of sickness or affliction, may, by the divine blessing, be useful to bring to their remembrance those counsels and admonitions which they very much neglected in the time of their health.

Again, ministers of the gospel, though never so much inclined to attend the sick, yet, by reason of disability, and a multiplicity of other work, cannot be always with them to counsel and comfort them. But such a book as this they may have ever at hand to consult with.

And since the afflicted, for the most part, are not able to read for themselves, it would be a most charitable work for friends or neighbors that attend them, to lay hold on proper seasons for reading such a book as this in their hearing, and especially such chapters or directions as they judge most suitable for them. Thus you might be helped in some measure to free your consciences, and do your last offices of kindness to your sick and dying friends, when you can serve them no longer in this world. * #

Seeing we all have many harbingers and forerunners of i death before our eyes, it will be highly our wisdom to keep ourselves in a waiting posture, always ready and willing to die. What is there in this weary land to tempt us to desire to abide in it ? Is it not a land overwhelmed with sin and sorrow ? 0, believers, are you tossed with tempests here ? seek the wings of a dove, that you may flee away and be at rest. Be habitually desiring to depart, that you may be with Christ. Surely for you to die is gain, yea, infinite gain. What are the imaginary pleasures of this world, to the real happiness of the next ? Though the struggles of death be grievous to nature, yet the gain of dying should reconcile you to it. You do not shrink from the trouble of putting

TO THE READER.

off your clothes at night to gain a little rest to your bodies ; and why should you shrink from unclothing yourselves of the garment of flesh at God's call, to gain everlasting rest to your souls, and the fruition of Christ's glorious presence for ever ? Let the thoughts of this gain put you upon using all means to get your hearts weaned from the love of the world and its comforts. Keep the mantle of earthly enjoyments hanging loose about you, especially in these calamitous times, that so it may be easily dropped when death comes to carry you to the eternal world. 0, for a more lively faith of that world, and of him who is Lord and purchaser of it. But seeing this subject is enlarged upon in the book itself, I shall add no more here upon it, I only subjoin a collection of some sweet and comforting texts of Scripture, very proper for dying believers to meditate and feed on by faith, to cling to and plead with God, and draw consolation from, when they have a near prospect of going through the dark valley and entering into the unknown regions of eternity. God's word will then be our hope.

COMFORTING- TEXTS.

COMFORTING TEXTS FOR DYING BELIEVERS.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. 11 : 28. Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. John 6 : 37.

In my Father's house are many mansions : if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2, 3.

Because I live, ye shall live also. John 14 : 19.

Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 22: 20.

There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God. Heb. 4:9.

I have waited for thy salvation, 0 Lord. Gen. 49 : 18.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace ; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Luke 2 : 29, 30.

He is the Rock; his work is perfect. Deut. 32 : 4.

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me. Psa. 138 : 8.

Being confident' of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. 1:6.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God ; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me. Job 19 : 25, 26, 27.

Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure ; for this is all my salvation, and all my desire. 2 Sam. 23 : 5. -

COMFORTING- TEXTS.

Into thy hand I commit my spirit : thou hast redeemed me, 0 Lord God of truth. Psalm 31:5.

For this God is our God for ever and ever ; he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48 : 14.

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. "Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth ; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73 : 24-26.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17.

0 that I had wings like a dove ; for then would 1 fly away, and be at rest. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. Psalm 55 : 6, 8.

Though ye have lain among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. Psalm 68 : 13.

The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John, 1:7.

Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Heb. 10 : 19.

He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Jesus Christ — the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Heb. 13 : 5, 8.

He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. Micah 7 : 18.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. Job 13 : 15.

In his name shall the Gentiles trust. Matt. 12 : 21.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Psa. 2:12

He knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. Psalm 103 : 14.

1 loathe it; I would not live always. Job 7 : 16.

We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not

COMFORTING TEXTS.

made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:1,8.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, Phil. 1 :21, 23.

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Psalm 39 : 7.

My beloved is mine, and I am his. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. Awake, 0 north wind, and come, thou south ; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away. Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices. Cant. 2 : 6, 16, 17, and 4 : 16, and 8 : 14.

0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory ? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15 : 55, 57.

The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4 : 6-8.

The day of death is better than the day of one's birth. Eccles. 7:1.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain ; for the former things are passed away. Rev. 21 : 4.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ; of whom I am chief. 1 Tim. 1 : 15.

COMFORTING TEXTS.

God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor. 5:21.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor. 9 : 15.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. Luke 1 : 68, 69.

Them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him Then shall we be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thess. 4 : 14, 17.

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and glory. Rev. 1 : 5, 6, and 5 : 12.

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. 1 John, 3 : 14.

I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:38, 39.

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Tim. 1 : 12.

I count all things but loss and dung that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ. Phil. 3 : 8, 9.

DYING- EJACULATIONS.

Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor. 1 : 30. *

"We rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phil. 3 : 3.

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to he partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Col. 1 : 12.

Behold, he cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall see him. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 1:7, and 22 : 20.

Dundee, 5th June, 1741.

WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR A FEW DAYS BEFORE HE DIED, AND LEFT WITH HIS BIBLE LYING ON HIS PILLOW, MAY, 1750.

0 let me sleep in Jesus !

1 would not live always in this evil world, that has little in it tempting, and seems still to grow worse, and where the torrent of sin and backsliding seems to grow stronger.

I would desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than to be here. I am willing rather to be absent from the body, and present with the Lord. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth I desire besides thee : for though my heart, strength, and flesh fail, yet the Lord will be the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Now, Lord, what wait I for ? my hope is in thee ; I have Waited for thy salvation, 0 Lord.

0 for Simeon's frame of mind, to be saying, " Lord, now * lettest thou thy servant depart in peace ; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation."

DYING- EJACULATIONS.

When Christ says. " Surely I come quickly ;" may my soul answer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

I am living on the righteousness of Christ, yea, dying in the Lord. Even so, come. I am detained here upon the shore, waiting for a fair wind to carry me over this J ordan. I have waited, and will wait for thy salvation, 0 Lord. The Lord is a rock, and his work is perfect; Lord, perfect what concerneth me.

0, that I could say with Paul, " I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at his coming."

I am vile and polluted. 0, how shall I he cleansed ? But that is a comforting promise, " The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." And so is that, " Though ye have lain among the pots, yet shall ye be as doves whose wings are covered with silver, and their feathers with yellow gold."

I resolve to obey, to submit to the Lord's will, to die like Moses and Aaron, the one at mount Hor, the other at mount Abarim. They went up and died there, at the command of the Lord.

0, that when my flesh and strength fail, God may be the strength of my heart and my portion for ever ! "When now the keepers of the house do tremble, 0 that God may be the keeper ! When the grinders cease, because they are few, 0 that God would feed my soul with manna, that will need none of these implements ! When the daughters of music are brought low, 0 to be fitted for the heavenly music above ! When the lookers-out at the windows are darkened, 0 that my soul may be enlightened to see Jesus my Redeemer !

Lord, help the unbelief and infidelity of my heart ; and

DYING- EJACULATIONS.

help to more of the faith of a risen Jesus, and an ascended Redeemer. 0 let me believe and feel the sweetness of that word of Christ, " I ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God."

0 how shall such an unholy creature as I, presume to enter into such a pure and holy place ? But the apostle has taught us, we may have boldness to enter into the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus.

0 that when the time of my last combat comes with my last enemy death, I may be helped above all to take the shield of faith, whereby I may be relieved from the sting of death, and may quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.

0 that I may be helped to adore the sovereignty of God, kiss his rod, and humbly submit to it. Save me from both extremes ; let me never despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when I am rebuked of him.

Now the prince of darkness will study to raise tempests of temptations to shipwreck the poor weather-beaten vessel of my soul, when it would enter into the harbor of rest above : may Christ come to be pilot ; take thou the helm, and all shall be safe.

0 for more faith ; may my faith ripen to a full assurance, that I may go off the stage rejoicing, and that an abundant entrance may be ministered to me into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

0 for more faith, that I may die like Simeon when he had Christ in his arms, saying, ]STow let thy servant depart in peace ; mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

Lord, one smile of thy countenance would banish away all my doubts and fears, and make me sing in pain.

Is my Redeemer gone to prepare a place for me ? why should I be slothful to follow his steps, when he is saying, Come up hither ; come up, dwell here ; come up, reign here ; come up, sing here ?

DYING- EJACULATIONS.

0 Lord, deliver my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 0 save me from the horrible pit, draw me out of the miry clay, set my feet upon a rock, and establish my goings, and put a new song in my mouth.

0 give me grace to strive by faith and prayer to enter in at the strait gate. Lord, thou hast bid me Knock, and it shall be opened ; ask, and ye shall receive ; seek, and ye shall find. Lord, I knock — open unto me; Lord, I would be in, I must be in ; let me but in over the threshold ; let me in within sight of my Redeemer's face, within sight of the smiles of his countenance ; let me within hearing of the songs of the redeemed ; let me but get to the outside of that praising company ; I shall be well enough if I get in. Lord, in I must be ; out I cannot stay. 0 shut me not out with swearers, Sabbath-breakers, and other profane persons. Lord, I never chose their company while in this world ; do not gather my soul with sinners hereafter.

The redeemed thou art gathering, and the wicked also : Lord, gather me with thy flock ; they are fast assembling ; the church's Head is gone ; he has left the earth, and entered into his glory ; my brethren and friends, many of them, have arrived where he is ; I am yet behind. 0 how great is the difference between my state and theirs. I am groaning out my complaint, they are singing God's praise. I am in darkness and cannot see thy face, but they behold thee face to face. 0 should I be satisfied to stay behind, when my friends are gone ? 0 help me to look after them with a steadfast eye, and cry, 0 Lord, how long ?

0 heavenly Father, draw me after Jesus ; for none can come to him without thine aid. 0 Father, draw me up there where he is, and I will mount up as on eagles' wings. 0 draw me ; and when thou seemest to fly from me, Lord, enable me to follow hard after thee.

0 thou who rememberedst the dying thief, when on the

DYING- EJACULATIONS.

way to thy kingdom, 0 remember me now thou art seated in thy kingdom, and say to my soul when I am dying, " This day shalt thou be with me in paradise."