SERMON X.

CONSOLATION TO CHRISTIAN MOURNERS.

1 THESS. IV. 13, 14.

I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

ONE of the books which the believer in Jesus studies with diligence, is the book of providence; and this, in its turn, furnishes the minister of Christ with many an useful and impressive text. Where the sceptic, in the events and circumstances of human life, sees nothing but the blind hand of chance, the Christian discovers the finger of infinite wisdom adjusting each link in the chain, di

recting the wheels of providence, how complicated soever their movement may appear, and over-ruling all for the advancement of his own glory, and the interests of his people. Thus, however dark the cloud in which the Lord's providential dispensations may be enveloped, it is the office of faith to acknowledge his hand in them, and reposing on his perfections and promises, to bow with silent submission to his sovereign will.-"I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it." Oh! for such a heart, and such a spirit of faith and submission, to mark the hand of God, to listen to his voice, and studying the volume of providence by the lamp of revelation, habitually to deduce therefrom those lessons of wisdom with which it abounds! The Lord has been speaking to us of the solemnities of death;" and how frequently does he thus speak to us! He that hath an ear, let him hear,

* This discourse is, in substance, the same as the sermon preached (and subsequently printed by request) on occasion of the death of Mr. William Hewlett, who was drowned whilst bathing in the river Severn, July 11th, 1825.

and attentively consider the import and meaning of the solemn message.

Most of us have probably, at some time or other of our lives, been summoned to the chamber of sickness and the bed of death, to bid a long and last adieu to those who were dear and lovely to us in their lives, and in their deaths deeply and deservedly lamented by us. On the beloved relatives and friends of some the tomb may recently have closed; whilst in a world like ours, where disease and death are extending their ravages continually, all must expect, sooner or later, to become witnesses, and parties concerned in such scenes of woe. If death to-day has entered the dwelling of a neighbour, tomorrow it may enter our own dwelling; if now the funeral knell of some unknown fellow-mortal strikes our ear, soon may it proclaim the departure of our dearest earthly friend. Let these considerations then bespeak the attention of those who hear me, to our present subject, as to one in which we are all deeply and individually interested for it is a subject often called for in a Christian congregation, and

seldom inappropriate in the social and family circle. Now "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." In discoursing upon these words, we shall be led to notice, the characters addressed in them, and the message they contain. May our merciful and gracious God render this passage a word of consolation to every mourner, and useful in preparing and furnishing the minds of all against the day of trial!

I. The characters here addressed are

CHRISTIAN MOURNERS, for by "them which are asleep," the Apostle means, such as had died in the faith. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit:" and as we can be assured of the blessedness of none but such, only such will be referred to in our present comments.

Death is always solemn, for it can never be otherwise than a serious thing

to die. Even when external circumstances concur with inward consolations to render the dying chamber the scene of peaceful serenity and holy triumph; when the valley of death is brightened with beams of heavenly glory, and the happy saint breathes out his willing soul into his Redeemer's bosom, amidst the sympathies and prayers of beloved relatives and friends, who are permitted to accompany him to the river's brink, to encourage him in his passage through the swellings of Jordan, and almost to watch his landing on the eternal shores :-even, I say, in - circumstances like these, death still is always solemn, and usually to be regarded as a mournful dispensation.

But there may be circumstances in the death of friends calculated peculiarly to exercise the feelings, and to try the faith of survivors. They may be summoned hence at a period when it might have been fondly hoped that many years were about to be added to their term of life, wherein to glorify God, and to serve their generation. As far as relates to outward things, the king of terrors may approach his vic