Rule 7

Rule 7. In the day of your mourning for the death of your friends, seriously consider your own death as approaching, and that you and your dead are distinguished by only a small interval of time.

2 Samuel 12:23: I shall go to him. Surely the thought of your own death as also approaching will greatly allay your sorrows for the dead who have gone before you.

We are prone to imagine a long life in the world. And then the loss of those comforts from which we promised ourselves so much sweetness seems an intolerable thing.

But would you reckon on your own death more, you would not be so deeply troubled by their death. Could you look into your own grave more seriously, you would be able to look into your friend's grave more peacefully.

And thus I have finished what I designed from this Scripture. The Father of mercies and God of all comfort — whose sole prerogative it is to comfort those who are cast down — write all his truths upon your hearts, that they may abide there, and bring your disordered affections to that frame which best suits the will of God and the profession you make of subjection and resignation to it.