Updated to Modern EnglishIn "A Salve for a Sick Man," William Perkins explores the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 7:3, which states that the day of death is better than the day of birth. Perkins addresses objections and explores the deeper meaning behind this principle. He examines death as the loss of life and a punishment decreed by God due to human sin, emphasizing that it serves as both the absence of life and a just consequence. Perkins highlights that death, as ordained by God, is executed by Him and distinguishes it from the death of animals, emphasizing the temporary separation of the soul from the body in human death.
The book then focuses on why the day of death can be considered better than the day of birth. Perkins acknowledges objections to this claim but explains that it holds true for those who genuinely repent and believe in Christ. He differentiates between those who live and die in sin without repentance and those who, through their faith, experience the birth of eternal happiness. Perkins underscores the significance of a righteous life and the preparation it provides for the journey beyond mortality.
Overall, "A Salve for a Sick Man" offers profound theological insights and biblical perspectives on death, highlighting the importance of righteousness and faith in shaping one's view of mortality and the afterlife. Perkins encourages readers to contemplate the true nature of death and embrace a life dedicated to virtue and spiritual growth.
