of God at this rate, and diffuse it so wildly over so large and so glorious a part of his creation, as the whole nature and race of man. Again, I would inquire, has the death of mankind taught me effectually that I must shortly die? And have I been excited to make a suitable provision for this awful and important hour, since, I must not, I cannot escape it? Not only the death of mankind in general, but the death of wicked men may instruct me in some useful lessons too. Here I learn how God rescues his children from the rage of oppressors, when he smites them down to death, and lays all their fury silent in the dust. Thus death itself becomes a deliverer to the saints, by destroying their cruel persecutors. I learn also, that when early or sudden death has seized a bold sinner, it is a loud warning word to all his companions. When I see such terrible examples in the course of providence, let my soul stand in awe and fear. And if God has distinguished me by his mercy, if he has pardoned my guilt, and sanctified my corrupt nature, if he has made me one of his own children, and prepared me for dying, when he summons others away unpardoned, unsanctified, unprepared, let all my powers be excited to bless the name of the Lord for his saving love. I was also a child of sin and wrath, but divine grace has made the difference. It is grace that has snatched me from the very brink of the pit of hell, and is training me up for heaven. And while I adore thy distinguishing mercy, O my God, to me, I would pity and pray for podr heedless and regardless sinners that are following one another in a dismal succession, down to the gates of death. O may their eyes and souls be awakened in their day of life and hope, lest death seize them, and send them farther down to everlasting darkness and despair! But if such lessons as these may be derived from the death of sinners, how much more benefit may be drawn from the dying hours of a sincere Christian, especially if his heart be strong, and his faith lively? Here, I see the gospel of Christ in some of its power and glory, when I see a Christian under all the weaknesses and languishings of nature, meeting death without terror, and overcoming his last enemy by the blood of the Lamb. I see the saint all serene and peaceful, even in the agonies of dying nature, and amidst the sorrows of lamenting friends. He has heaven in view, and he bids farewell to earth with holy joy; shall I not imitate the faith and holiness of his life, which laid a foundation for so peaceful and glorious a death? Do I not feel my soul a little more weaned from the world, since such a pious friend has left it? Has not death lost some of its frightful appearances, since I have actually seen it conquered? Do I not feel my heart panting and breathing toward the society above, since I have another friend gone thither? Does it not seem a more easy thing to me to lay down this tabernacle, to part with flesh and blood, and to venture into those unseen regions, since I have beheld my fellow Christian go before me? He has made the great and solemn experiment, and surely I should have courage to follow; he has given evident proof that there is a sacred power in the gospel, the promises and the grace of Christ, to convey the soul safe through the dark shadow of death, without surprise and consternation; and has not my soul the same rich encouragements, the same promises of grace, and the same gospel of hope? O my Redeemer, and my Lord, hear a humble suppliant, influence my soul by thy rich grace, to keep my faith awake, my conscience undefiled, and my evidences for heaven ever bright and clear; and when my appointed hour comes, that solemn and final hour, let me die the death of the righteous, and let my departure be like his. Is death an enemy to nature, and does it carry terror in the name? Yet since thou hast subdued this enemy, and taken it captive, to serve the purposes of thy love, since thou hast numbered it, and written it down among the possessions of thy people; since thou hast taught so many of thy followers to triumph over it; let me also, blessed Jesus, let me be enabled to meet it with holy fortitude, and a lively hope. O let me follow the footsteps of the flock, into the world of spirits with a sacred pleasure though it be through a dark passage. And as those who went before me have taught me to dare to die, so let my dying moments encourage those who come after me, to venture into death at thy call, without terror, and without reluctance. Amen. HYMN FOR SERMON XIX. LONG METRE. HAS death such vast destruction made? Does every hour increase the dead? Here I behold the guilt of sin, That brought this spreading mischief in. Great God! How awful and how just When impious wretches yield their breath, But when a saint with cheerful air Meets his last foe, and feels no fear, Our faith, our hope, and courage grow: We learn to face the tyrant too. We could renounce our all things here, And wish that moment would appear When we shall leave this world, and rise To meet the joys above the skies. SERMON XX. THE DEATH OF KINDRED IMPROVED. 1 CORINTHIANS iii. 22. Whether life or death-all are yours. APPY and immortal had Adam been, and all his children, if he had not ventured to break the command of his Creator; life had been theirs in the most glorious sense of it; and death had not been known. But when sin entered into the world, death followed close behind it, according to that just and solemn threatening, In the day thou eatest thou shalt surely die. And what a dismal havoc. has this enemy made amongst the inhabitants of our world! It has strowed the earth with carcasses, and turned millions of human bodies into dust and corruption. The very name of death spreads a terror through all nature; but as dreadful and formidable as it is in itself, the grace of Christ makes a blessing of it, and sanctifies it to the advantage of his own people. In the former discourse on this subject, we have learnt some divine lessons from death, in its widest |