"From hence

expression to

die in the Lord." It is added, forth.” Some understand this signify from the time of their departure, in opposition to the Popish fancy of purgatory as a state intervening between death and glory. Others prefix it to the subsequent clause, and read it thus, "From henceforth they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." If we understand it in either way, we have the statement of a great truth of God; but the former seems to be the best and simplest exposition of the passage itself. It was recorded for the encouragement of believers in the prospect of death, and more particularly of death by violence for the sake of Christ. Whether at home or abroad, on their beds in peace, or in labours, in journeyings by sea or land, amidst friends and abundance of all things, or among enemies, in want, in tortures, in every extremity of this world's misery, overtaken in health by a sudden visitation, or wasted away with pining sickness,-these things are mere circumstances; but one thing is certain, "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." Well might even Balaam be constrained to utter the memorable words, notwithstanding all his love of the wages of unrighteousness"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" (Num. xxiii. 10.)

We now proceed to consider,

III. The end assigned, That they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

This end assigned, which assumes the form of a proof of the blessedness of this death, is described as two-fold.

1. A glorious rest from all their labours demonstrates their eternal bliss, who die in the Lord. In the event of believers in Jesus being removed from this vale of mortality and tears, when they depart in the Lord, they rest, doubtless, from all their conflict against sin and temptation; they have completely escaped far out of the reach of Satan's darts, and of the world's troubles, and of every evil now breaking their peace, and causing them to groan as persons burdened. In this sense the world is not their rest, and the reason is plain, because it is polluted. It is, however, among the comforts of the ministers of the gospel, yea, of all the members of Jesus, that they can now enter a little, so far as their present knowledge of the precious promises extends, into the participation of this rest; so that in some sense they may utter the confession, "We which have believed do enter into rest." (Heb. iv. 3.) Yet is their full rest future, to which our dear departed brother hath attained; and to which ye are following,

who live by faith on the Son of God. It is a blessed hope laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye have heard before in the word of the truth of

the Gospel.

Those who die in the Lord, do also rest from the persecutions of the enemy. For the present time, the word of Jesus is intended to subserve this use to you, who are followers of their faith, himself being witness ;-"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John xvi. 33.) The altar of the church hath the name "Jehovah Nissi,"-Jehovah my banner; and such He is, who stands for an ensign of the people, to whom the Gentiles shall seek, and whose rest shall be glorious; and therefore conquest, yea, more than conquest, is sure through him who hath loved us. All the annoyance with which the world can vex the church, is bounded by time and present things—injure it they cannot, vex it they may, but even that power is limited by the present time, according to the words of encouragement of our Lord, "Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do." (Luke xii. 4.)

But to all the ungodly among us, who in some sense are the troublers of Israel, comes the

"See

warning, interwoven, believers in Jesus, with words of everlasting consolation to you; ing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe." (2 Thes. i. 6-10.)

They, moreover, who die in the Lord, do cease from all their works of faith and labours of love for his sake. And here again, beloved, with regard to our departed brother, whose memorial we contemplate. His faith to Godward is spread abroad in every place, so that I need not say any thing, save to remind you how these things show what manner of entering in the precious word of God had unto him; and that the same word is equally powerful, wherever it has an effectual entrance. Further than this, his own labours of love may be left to praise him in the gates, or rather, to praise the grace of God which was in him. But to you, my brethren argument is here afforded

in Christ, what an

for present diligence! We can labour only for a span, an inch or two of time! Where can limits be found for labours due to the love of Jesus? Whosoever of you have reason to hope that ye shall die in the Lord, your bodies, and your spirits, your substance, your influence, and your time, are to be accounted his, and to be used for the promotion of his glory. The end is rest in Jesus. Now is the time to labour, and it is very short; and the work of faith is great, which ye are called to perform. "Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. xv. 58.) Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth; that they may rest from their labours.'

2. A recollection of their works is noticed; "And their works do follow them." We are instructed, "Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and they that are otherwise cannot be hid." (1 Tim. v. 24, 25.) And ye who are yet in your sins are to be warned, whether those sins go before you or follow after; "Behold, ye have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out." (Numb. xxxii. 23.) But on behalf of