VIII.

pass into a region where they are altogether SERMON strangers and unknown; but to enter on a land, new indeed to sight, but by faith and hope frequented long before; where they shall continue to be under the charge of him who hath hitherto been their guardian, be re-united to many of their ancient and beloved friends, and admitted to join the innumerable multitude, gathered out of all nations, and tongues and people, who stand before the throne of God. They leave behind the dregs of their nature; and exchange this confined and gloomy apartment of the universe, for the glorious mansions of their Father's house. Blessed, surely, are the dying in this hope, and blessed the dead in this fruition, resting from their labours, and followed by their works. Good men are detained at present in the outer court of the temple: Death admits them into the holy place. As yet, they sojourn in the territories of pilgrimage and exile: Death brings them home to the native land of Spirits. In this world, they are divided from one another, and mingled with the worthless and vile: Death unites in one assembly all the pure and the just. In the

4

SERMON sight of the universe they seemed to die, and
VIII. their departure was taken for utter destruc-

tion. But they are in peace. Their reward
also is with the Lord, and the care of them
with the Most High*.-0 Death! where
is now thy sting? O Grave! where is thy
victory? Where are the terrours with which
thou hast so long affrighted the nations?
Where are thy dreary and desolate domains,
the haunts of spectres and shades, the abhor-
red dwellings of darkness and corruption ?
At the touch of the divine rod, thy vision-
ary horrours have fled. The spell is broken.
The dawn of the celestial morning has dis-
pelled thy dismal gloom; and, instead of the
babitations of dragons, appears the paradise
of God.

BUT supposing both the regret of quitting life, and the dread of entering into a future state, to be overcome, there is still one circumstance which renders death formidable to many; that is, the shock which nature is apprehending to sustain at the separation of the soul from the body. Formidable, I admit, this may justly ren

*Wifdow of Solomon, iii. 2, 3.-Y. 15.

der

A

VIII

der it to them whose languishing spirits SERMON have no inward fund whence they can then draw relief. Firmness and strength of mind are peculiarly requisite for the support of nature in its last extremity; and that strength is supplied by religion. The testimony of a good conscience, and the remembrance of a virtuous life, a wellgrounded trust in the divine acceptance, and a firm hope of future felicity, are principles sufficient to give composure and fortitude to the heart, even in the midst of agony. In what a high degree they can suspend or alleviate the feelings of pain, has been fully demonstrated, by the magnanimous behaviour of such as have suffered death in the cause of conscience and religion. How often has the world beheld them advancing to meet that supposed king of terrours, not with calmness only, but with joy; raised by divine prospects and hopes, into an entire neglect and contempt of bodily suffering?

It is not without reason that a peculiar assistance from Heaven is looked for by good men at the hour of death. As they are taught to believe, that in all the emergen

SERMON cies of their life divine goodness has watched VIII. over them, they have ground to conclude,

my

that at the last it will not forsake them; but that, at the season when its aid is most needed, it shall be most liberally communicated. Accordingly, a persuasion so congruous to the benignity and compassion of the Father of mercies, has been the comfort of pious men in every age. My flesh and heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart. In the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. When the rod and staff of this Shepherd of Israel are held forth to his expiring servants, declining nature needs no other support. The secret influence of his reviving Spirit is sufficient for their consolation and strength, while the painful struggle with mortality lasts; till at length, when the moment arrives that the silver cord must be loosed, and the golden bowl be broken, their Almighty Protector carries off the immortal spirit unhurt by the fall of its earthly tabernacle, and places it in a better mansion. How respectable and happy is such a conclusion of human life, when one in this manner quits the stage of time, honoured

and

VIII.

and supported with the presence of his SERMON Creator, and enjoying, till the last moment of reflection, the pleasing thought, that he has not lived in vain! I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day*.

AFTER the view which we have taken of the advantages possessed by good men for overcoming the fears of death, the first sentiment which should arise in our minds, is gratitude to Heaven for the hopes which we enjoy by means of the Christian religion. How depressed and calamitous was the human condition, as long as the terrour of death hung, like a dark cloud, over the inhabitants of the earth; when, after all the toils of life, the melancholy silence of the grave appeared finally to close the scene of existence; or, if a future state opened behind it, that state teemed with all those forms of horrour which conscious guilt could suggest to a terrified imagination! The happiest change which ever took place