rection of life. Christ, who is their king and judge, will say to them-"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." They will then take possession of that inheritance which has been reserved in heaven for them; an inheritance "incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." Thus by the light of scripture we can trace the progress of those who embrace the gospel, not only through this world, but through death, through the invisible intervening world, and to the state of eternal glory in heaven. When they arrive at that mansion beyond the reach of sin and sorrow, and pain, and death, and hell; with what extasy will they adore that power, and wisdom, and goodness, which have brought them out of all their tribulations, to a kingdom of pure delight, where sun, and moon, and stars shall fade, and the Lord shall be their everlasting light, and their God their glory? The great family of the redeemed will then be more than conquerors, and with a shout that shall ring through heaven will exclaim, "O Death! where is thy sting? O Grave! where is thy victory?" Having brought into view the reasons of the Christian's triumph over sin and death, I shall now close the subject, by making one general remark, and giving it a brief illustration. The remark I would make is this-That the doctrines advanced in the preceding discourse are peculiar and distinguishing to revelation; and that they are admirably adapted to man, as a fallen, sinful being. Under the three first particulars it was shown that the Christian had reason to triumph over sin and death, from the evidence he has, that the reigning power of sin over his heart is destroyed; that he is justified and acquitted from condemnation by the righteousness of Christ, and that his salvation is wholly by the grace of God. The writings of the ancient philosophers, though professedly designed for the reformation and happiness of man, contain no such doctrines as these. They are above all human wisdom. They apply to the heart, which is the seat of all man's wickedness. They are calculated to make the tree good, that its fruit also may be good. That religion can be of no real use to man, which does not inspire his heart with good principles. The first thing that real relig ion, the religion of the bible, implies, is a renovation of the moral temper. If it did not proceed farther, it would leave man in despair as to final happiness. For he would still feel himself a sinner, and liable to suffer the penalty of the divine. law. The scriptures, in the next place, present the righteousness of Christ, by which the sinner is justified, accepted and pardoned. His fears are now allayed, and he has a "hope, like an anchor to the soul, sure and stedfast." He boasts no righteousness of his own, and is convinced that his deliverance has proceeded from the free grace of God. This doctrine is calculated to humble his pride, and make him place all his dependence on God. Such is the excellency of the Christian doctrine. Under the three last particulars of the preceding discourse, it was shown that the Christian had reason to triumph over sin and death, from the evidence he has that Christ has risen from the dead; that mankind will be raised, and that he shall finally be received to eternal happiness in heaven. These doctrines, like those just mentioned, are peculiar to revelation. Though they lie more out of the reach of common experience, because they are wholly founded on testimony, yet they are not less true, nor less firmly embraced by the Christian. It is enough for him that they are contained in a revelation, bearing the most prominent features of a divine original. He assents to the resurrection of Christ, because he thinks it attested by witnesses amply sufficient; he assents to the resurrection of mankind because it is abundantly asserted in the testimony of God; for the same reason he assents to the final happiness of the believer. It is not essential to a Christian, that he should be able to comprehend the manner in which theological truths consist, nor the manner in which prophesied events and facts will take place. To ascertain these things, so far as practicable, is properly the province of reason. The Christian assents solely on the ground of God's testimony. This assent is what the scriptures denominate faith. It implies a perfect surrender of the heart and intellect to God. And hence it is that so much importance is attached to faith, and that it is ranked first in the catalogue of all moral and divine virtues. The exercise of faith is perfectly reasonable and consistent. For man, in his present dark imperfect state, cannot comprehend all truths which it is essential to his happiness to admit and practise. Hence Paul says"Faith is the substance of things hoped for." It attaches on things invisible-it realizes their existence, so that they exert an influence on the heart, and become governing principles of `action. Hence the Apostle says "We walk by faith, not by sight." What strong and exalted motives must he act from, who firmly believes that he shall be raised from the dead, and that if he endures to the end in virtue, he shall be saved? The preceding doctrines and observations are calculated to alleviate the sufferings, sorrows and calamities, of the present life. Receiving, experiencing and believing the truth, we shall be persuaded," that if this earthly house of our tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." I shall now conclude this occasion by a short address to the venerable and much respected Pastor of this Church, together with the bereaved parent, and nearest connexions of the deceased. You, sir, have been frequently led through the thorny vale of affliction and sorrow. God has laid his hand heavily upon you so that you have been "in deaths oft." I am persuaded that your hope is in God, and that your trials make you feel the value of the truths of the gospel. You can doubtless say, as did the Apostle Paul,-"I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." God has begotten us to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Christ. This hope is the anchor of the soul, and will help you to ride out every tempest. Troubles and afflictions are designed by God to prepare his children for heaven. The Apostles exhorted Christians, to "continue in the faith, as it was through much tribulation they must enter into the kingdom of God." Of these it is said "These are they which have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." That Master whom you serve has said-" In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." May you, and the children which God has given you, be blessed in your trouble; and may they remember their Creator; may they receive your pious instructions, and follow your pious example, that their progress through life may be useful; their exit from it triumphant, and their destiny glorious. The surviving parent, children and connexions, may derive consolation from the consideration, that they cannot "sorrow as those who have no hope." The deceased had made God her refuge, and had sincerely embraced the gospel of Christ. You have reason to believe that she has entered into that rest, where sin, and pain, and sorrow, and death, will never come. Of what vast importance is it that you be prepared to follow her? You are hastening to the house appointed for all the living. You must soon lodge there in darkness and silence. May you receive with resignation the admonitions of heaven, and may the affliction you suffer, yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness, and "work for you an exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" AMEN. |