the_o happiness_n of_o good_a man_n after_o death_n a_o sermon_n at_o the_o funeral_n of_o mr._n robert_n castell_n late_o of_o deptford_n in_o kent_n preach_v in_o the_o parish_n church_n of_o deptford_n august_n the_o 19_o 1698._o publish_a at_o the_o request_n of_o the_o relation_n and_o executor_n of_o the_o decease_a by_o george_n stanhope_n d._n d._n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o r._n sare_n at_o grays-inn-gate_n in_o holborn_n 1699._o rev._n fourteen_o v._o 13._o i_o hear_v a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n say_v unto_o i_o write_v bless_v be_v the_o dead_a which_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n from_o henceforth_o yea_o say_v the_o spirit_n that_o they_o may_v rest_v from_o their_o labour_n and_o their_o work_n do_v follow_v they_o that_o the_o importance_n of_o these_o word_n be_v very_o great_a we_o need_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o convince_v we_o than_o the_o solemn_a manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v deliver_v to_o the_o apostle_n such_o be_v the_o express_a command_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v careful_o preserve_v by_o writing_n i_o hear_v a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n say_v unto_o i_o write_v bless_v be_v the_o dead_a which_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n from_o henceforth_o to_o which_o be_v add_v yet_o far_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o that_o voice_n have_v dictate_v and_o declare_v particular_o wherein_o the_o blessedness_n of_o such_o person_n consist_v yea_o say_v the_o spirit_n that_o they_o may_v rest_v from_o their_o labour_n and_o their_o work_n do_v follow_v they_o these_o form_n be_v such_o preparation_n as_o always_o speak_v the_o matter_n usher_v in_o by_o they_o to_o be_v of_o mighty_a consequence_n and_o be_v intend_v to_o awaken_v our_o mind_n more_o powerful_o and_o to_o recommend_v it_o to_o our_o best_a and_o most_o attentive_a consideration_n the_o immediate_a occasion_n and_o design_n of_o the_o passage_n now_o before_o we_o be_v plain_o to_o fortify_v the_o christian_n against_o some_o very_a violent_a persecution_n which_o st._n john_n have_v a_o certain_a foresight_n give_v he_o of_o and_o describe_v according_o by_o very_a terrible_a circumstance_n infomuch_o that_o he_o pronounce_v it_o here_o a_o very_a great_a happiness_n to_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o world_n before_o those_o calamitous_a and_o try_v time_n shall_v come_v which_o may_v endanger_v the_o shake_n the_o most_o resolute_a faith_n and_o patience_n even_o of_o the_o best_a men._n or_o as_o some_o other_o interpreter_n think_v he_o describe_v the_o blessedness_n of_o those_o faithful_a professor_n of_o christianity_n who_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n shall_v enable_v to_o persevere_v unto_o the_o end_n and_o to_o suffer_v martyrdom_n for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o his_o gospel_n those_o person_n be_v sometime_o say_v with_o a_o peculiar_a emphasis_n to_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n who_o suffer_v in_o his_o cause_n and_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o his_o sake_n but_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n nor_o indeed_o any_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o confine_v this_o expression_n to_o those_o time_n of_o primitive_a perfecution_n only_o or_o to_o the_o martyr_n who_o suffer_v in_o they_o for_o as_o every_o sincere_a good_a man_n who_o hearty_o embrace_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o who_o conversation_n be_v such_o as_o become_v that_o faith_n be_v say_v in_o scripture_n to_o 15._o to_o 2_o cor._n v._o 15._o live_v unto_o the_o lord_n so_o every_o one_o who_o continue_v in_o that_o belief_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o end_n of_o his_o day_n be_v very_o true_o and_o proper_o say_v when_o god_n take_v he_o out_o of_o the_o world_n to_o 14._o to_o 1_o thes_n four_o 14._o sleep_v in_o jesus_n and_o to_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v manifest_a not_o our_o own_o only_a but_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o general_n have_v constant_o understand_v the_o text_n by_o make_v it_o in_o many_o ancient_a liturgy_n a_o part_n of_o the_o burial_n service_n and_o so_o declare_v the_o blessedness_n here_o to_o belong_v to_o every_o decease_a person_n who_o live_v and_o die_v a_o worthy_a member_n of_o her_o communion_n have_v therefore_o so_o good_a authority_n to_o bear_v i_o out_o i_o shall_v make_v no_o difficulty_n to_o treat_v of_o my_o text_n in_o this_o large_a and_o more_o popular_a sense_n and_o so_o to_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o occasion_n of_o our_o present_a meeting_n that_o we_o may_v gather_v from_o hence_o those_o useful_a and_o comfortable_a reflection_n which_o may_v minister_v to_o we_o a_o reasonable_a hope_n of_o our_o depart_v brother_n happiness_n and_o a_o joyful_a expectation_n of_o our_o own_o in_o order_n hereunto_o i_o shall_v so_o far_o as_o the_o time_n will_v give_v i_o leave_v do_v these_o three_o thing_n i._n first_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o represent_v to_o you_o the_o happy_a state_n of_o good_a man_n after_o death_n as_o the_o word_n have_v here_o describe_v it_o to_o we_o ii_o second_o i_o shall_v from_o this_o doctrine_n so_o establish_v draw_v some_o few_o inference_n which_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o we_o both_o for_o the_o conduct_n of_o our_o life_n in_o general_a and_o more_o particular_o seasonable_a upon_o these_o melancholy_a occasion_n iii_o and_o then_o in_o the_o three_o and_o last_o place_n i_o shall_v apply_v the_o substance_n of_o my_o two_o former_a head_n yet_o more_o close_o to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o person_n who_o mortal_a part_n now_o lie_v before_o we_o 1._o first_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o represent_v to_o you_o the_o happy_a state_n of_o good_a man_n after_o death_n as_o the_o word_n have_v here_o describe_v it_o to_o we_o and_o i_o may_v well_o say_v i_o shall_v endeavour_v only_o that_o which_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o i_o worthy_o to_o effect_v for_o who_o indeed_o can_v represent_v it_o just_o what_o tongue_n of_o man_n or_o angel_n can_v find_v expression_n strong_a and_o significant_a enough_o what_o image_n be_v so_o bright_a so_o glorious_a what_o finite_a understanding_n of_o a_o capacity_n so_o large_a that_o they_o shall_v contain_v adequate_a idea_n of_o that_o bliss_n to_o which_o nothing_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o in_o this_o life_n be_v equal_a nothing_o like_o nothing_o in_o any_o degree_n comparable_a that_o bliss_n which_o will_v lose_v a_o great_a part_n of_o its_o perfection_n if_o sense_n and_o feeble_a reason_n can_v full_o comprehend_v it_o and_o who_o peculiar_a excellence_n we_o be_v tell_v it_o be_v that_o 9_o that_o 1_o cor._n two_o 9_o eye_n have_v not_o see_v nor_o ear_n hear_v neither_o have_v it_o enter_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n to_o conceive_v the_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v prepare_v for_o they_o that_o love_v he_o the_o utmost_a therefore_o which_o you_o must_v expect_v in_o this_o case_n be_v only_o to_o have_v it_o draw_v in_o little_a in_o such_o proportion_n as_o frail_a man_n be_v capable_a of_o by_o resemblance_n take_v from_o thing_n familiar_a to_o we_o by_o set_v it_o in_o opposition_n to_o the_o misery_n we_o be_v at_o present_a expose_v to_o and_o by_o such_o other_o consideration_n as_o be_v of_o value_n and_o weight_n with_o we_o in_o the_o affair_n and_o transaction_n of_o humane_a life_n this_o be_v the_o method_n which_o the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v make_v use_n of_o here_o and_o the_o argument_n by_o which_o he_o raise_v our_o esteem_n of_o that_o blessedness_n pronounce_v from_o heaven_n upon_o the_o dead_a which_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n seem_v to_o be_v these_o three_o 1._o first_o the_o trouble_v such_o man_n be_v deliver_v from_o they_o rest_v from_o their_o labour_n 2._o second_o the_o good_a acceptance_n and_o great_a reward_n which_o they_o shall_v after_o death_n receive_v for_o what_o they_o have_v do_v well_o during_o the_o present_a life_n their_o work_n do_v follow_v they_o 3._o three_o the_o time_n when_o they_o enter_v upon_o this_o happiness_n intimate_v in_o that_o term_n fix_v here_o bless_a be_v the_o dead_a which_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n from_o henceforth_o 1._o first_o they_o who_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n be_v bless_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o trouble_v they_o be_v deliver_v from_o they_o rest_z from_o their_o labour_n i_o will_v not_o i_o need_v not_o upon_o this_o occasion_n undertake_v to_o show_v how_o sore_o and_o manifold_a these_o labour_n be_v for_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o come_v home_o to_o the_o sense_n and_o experience_n of_o every_o one_o of_o we_o all_o that_o hear_v i_o be_v able_a to_o go_v before_o i_o in_o the_o reflection_n how_o thick_a we_o be_v beset_v with_o trouble_n and_o affliction_n on_o every_o side_n in_o our_o body_n and_o our_o soul_n in_o our_o public_a and_o our_o private_a capacity_n the_o vanity_n of_o youth_n and_o the_o infirmity_n of_o age_n the_o difficulty_n of_o support_v these_o
it_o be_v enough_o to_o prevail_v with_o we_o not_o only_o to_o bear_v but_o even_o to_o bless_v our_o trouble_n when_o we_o reflect_v that_o though_o our_o suffering_n be_v leave_v behind_o yet_o the_o virtue_n and_o effect_n of_o they_o be_v not_o for_o that_o be_v the_o second_o reason_n ii_o wherefore_o the_o dead_a be_v bless_v who_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n that_o they_o do_v not_o only_a rest_n from_o their_o labour_n but_o their_o work_n follow_v they_o the_o toil_n and_o drudgery_n be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o all_o that_o can_v be_v grievous_a to_o they_o be_v put_v off_o with_o that_o body_n which_o expose_v they_o to_o corruption_n and_o suffer_v but_o those_o labour_n be_v not_o forget_v their_o diligence_n and_o conscientious_a care_n the_o meekness_n and_o resignation_n wherewith_o they_o be_v endure_v stick_v by_o the_o labourer_n still_o and_o as_o to_o all_o the_o desirable_a and_o advantageous_a purpose_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o keep_v he_o company_n for_o ever_o in_o the_o other_o world_n for_o by_o this_o expression_n of_o their_o work_n follow_v they_o be_v mean_v that_o good_a acceptance_n and_o great_a reward_n which_o the_o saint_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v after_o death_n for_o what_o they_o have_v do_v well_o during_o this_o present_a life_n we_o must_v not_o from_o this_o or_o from_o any_o other_o expression_n like_o it_o in_o scripture_n infer_v such_o merit_n and_o sufficiency_n in_o the_o best_a work_n of_o the_o best_a man_n as_o can_v convey_v to_o they_o a_o right_a to_o demand_v this_o happiness_n as_o in_o rigour_n and_o equity_n their_o due_n for_o all_o have_v come_v short_a of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n 2._o god_n rom._n iii._o 23._o psal_n cxliii_o 2._o and_o no_o flesh_n can_v be_v justify_v in_o his_o sight_n shall_v judgement_n and_o not_o mercy_n be_v the_o standard_n of_o his_o proceed_n but_o hereby_o be_v mean_v that_o according_a to_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel-covenant_n which_o for_o the_o sake_n and_o suffering_n of_o christ_n promise_v pardon_n for_o sin_n rerepented_a of_o compassion_n for_o infirmity_n not_o indulge_v and_o a_o recompense_n for_o those_o good_a action_n which_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n have_v wrought_v in_o and_o by_o and_o with_o we_o every_o sincere_a christian_a shall_v not_o fail_v to_o be_v abundant_o consider_v for_o and_o in_o proportion_n to_o what_o he_o have_v perform_v and_o endure_v as_o become_v he_o in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o flesh_n i_o say_v abundant_o consider_v more_n or_o less_o as_o the_o trial_n and_o instance_n of_o each_o man_n virtue_n have_v be_v more_o or_o less_o but_o yet_o in_o such_o manner_n and_o measure_n as_o far_o exceed_v the_o value_n of_o his_o best_a work_n and_o the_o degree_n of_o his_o sharp_a affliction_n for_o st._n paul_n have_v assure_v we_o 18._o we_o rom._n viij_o 18._o that_o the_o suffering_n of_o this_o present_a time_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o the_o glory_n that_o shall_v be_v reveal_v in_o we_o and_o that_o 16._o that_o 2_o cor._n four_o 16._o these_o light_a affliction_n which_o be_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n work_v out_o for_o we_o a_o more_o exceed_o and_o eternal_a weight_n of_o glory_n in_o short_a god_n will_v deal_v with_o such_o man_n according_a to_o the_o riches_n of_o his_o own_o infinite_a mercy_n and_o make_v they_o actual_o happy_a then_o far_o above_o what_o they_o now_o be_v able_a so_o much_o as_o to_o conceive_v for_o how_o indeed_o can_v it_o be_v suppose_v that_o we_o in_o this_o imperfect_a state_n of_o thing_n shall_v have_v any_o distinct_a notion_n of_o that_o future_a and_o vast_o different_a state_n when_o this_o dross_n of_o earth_n and_o sensual_a appetite_n shall_v be_v purify_v when_o the_o faculty_n of_o our_o mind_n shall_v be_v enlarge_v free_v from_o prejudice_n and_o error_n 12._o error_n 1_o cor._n xiii_o 12._o and_o not_o see_v as_o now_o dark_o and_o through_o a_o glass_n but_o know_v even_o as_o also_o we_o be_v know_v when_o we_o raise_v our_o soul_n as_o high_a as_o possible_o we_o can_v yet_o even_o then_o our_o thought_n be_v cloudy_a and_o confuse_a we_o speak_v as_o child_n we_o think_v as_o child_n we_o understand_v as_o child_n but_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o perfect_a man_n in_o christ_n jesus_n these_o childish_a thing_n shall_v be_v put_v away_o and_o we_o shall_v have_v quite_o other_o apprehension_n of_o the_o matter_n then_o shall_v we_o see_v and_o know_v and_o feel_v that_o all_o those_o lofty_a description_n of_o heavenly_a joy_n in_o scripture_n which_o now_o so_o hardly_o gain_v our_o belief_n be_v much_o beneath_o the_o dignity_n of_o that_o happiness_n they_o will_v represent_v and_o recommend_v to_o we_o and_o that_o those_o image_n be_v make_v use_n of_o not_o because_o they_o be_v worthy_a and_o proportionable_a but_o because_o they_o be_v the_o fit_a and_o best_a resemblance_n of_o that_o bliss_n which_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o and_o therefore_o even_o in_o these_o noble_a flight_n there_o be_v all_o along_o a_o condescension_n to_o our_o weakness_n a_o veil_n of_o figure_n and_o sensible_a similitude_n draw_v before_o that_o glory_n which_o be_v too_o strong_a and_o bright_a for_o our_o naked_a eye_n too_o big_a for_o even_a thought_n and_o wish_n much_o more_o for_o word_n to_o reach_v and_o come_v up_o to_o o_o the_o incomprehensible_a excellence_n of_o that_o knowledge_n which_o shall_v see_v god_n as_o he_o be_v and_o liken_v the_o soul_n to_o the_o excellence_n it_o see_v o_o the_o delight_n of_o that_o wonder_n and_o praise_n and_o perpetual_a thanksgiving_n with_o which_o glorify_a saint_n extol_v the_o amaze_a wisdom_n and_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n the_o mighty_a satisfaction_n of_o be_v let_v in_o to_o the_o hide_a treasure_n of_o his_o mercy_n the_o exact_a harmony_n of_o his_o providence_n the_o mystery_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o his_o deal_n with_o mankind_n which_o now_o pretend_v mortal_n wrangle_v and_o raise_v such_o a_o dust_n about_o o_o the_o perfect_a purity_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o a_o life_n free_a from_o lust_n and_o passion_n from_o doubtful_a and_o painful_a struggle_v and_o ever_o choose_v ever_o delight_v in_o that_o which_o be_v good_a o_o the_o charm_n of_o that_o entire_a love_n and_o peace_n and_o joint_a consent_n in_o honour_v and_o serve_v god_n and_o rejoice_v in_o each_o other_o happiness_n void_a of_o that_o envy_n and_o grudge_a that_o jealousy_n and_o discord_n that_o ill-nature_n or_o selfishness_n those_o personal_a injury_n or_o difference_n in_o interest_n and_o opinion_n which_o will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o enjoy_v a_o perfect_a unity_n in_o this_o world_n o_o gracious_a god_n how_o plentiful_a be_v thy_o goodness_n which_o thou_o have_v lay_v up_o for_o they_o that_o fear_v thou_o they_o pay_v thou_o a_o short_a imperfect_a obedience_n and_o what_o be_v this_o that_o the_o king_n of_o heaven_n shall_v recompense_v it_o with_o so_o great_a a_o reward_n they_o be_v unprofitable_a servant_n and_o yet_o thou_o make_v they_o sit_v down_o at_o thy_o table_n in_o thy_o kingdom_n their_o sin_n and_o frailty_n be_v many_o and_o those_o be_v remember_v no_o more_o their_o good_a deed_n in_o comparison_n but_o very_a few_o and_o yet_o not_o one_o of_o these_o be_v forget_v their_o present_a labour_n and_o suffering_n have_v their_o interval_n and_o comfort_n and_o be_v but_o light_n and_o short_a at_o worst_a light_n in_o consideration_n of_o that_o future_a weight_n of_o glory_n short_a and_o even_o as_o nothing_o to_o that_o eternity_n of_o bliss_n that_o pure_a uninterrupted_a bliss_n which_o they_o work_v out_o for_o they_o nor_o do_v thou_o bless_a jesus_n put_v off_o these_o labourer_n with_o distant_a prospect_n and_o uneasy_a expectation_n for_o no_o soon_o do_v that_o night_n come_v on_o in_o which_o they_o can_v work_v no_o long_o but_o they_o be_v call_v to_o present_a payment_n the_o combat_n once_o end_v and_o the_o race_n run_v the_o conqueror_n be_v crown_v without_o delay_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o three_o circumstance_n whereby_o this_o spirit_n here_o represent_v to_o we_o the_o blessedness_n of_o good_a man_n depart_v and_o that_o be_v iii_o the_o time_n when_o they_o enter_v upon_o their_o happiness_n intimate_v in_o that_o term_n fix_v in_o those_o word_n bless_a be_v the_o dead_a which_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n from_o henceforth_o i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a what_o differ_v interpretation_n be_v put_v upon_o this_o word_n in_o the_o original_a but_o neither_o the_o time_n nor_o the_o present_a temper_n of_o your_o mind_n will_v bear_v so_o cold_a a_o thing_n as_o criticise_v now_o and_o therefore_o it_o shall_v suffice_v to_o say_v that_o both_o the_o sense_n in_o which_o i_o have_v all_o along_o take_v the_o word_n and_o the_o church_n
in_o use_v they_o at_o the_o burial_n of_o every_o christian_a do_v warrant_v we_o to_o conclude_v that_o this_o rest_n from_o labour_n and_o the_o reward_n of_o good_a work_n begin_v at_o the_o instant_n of_o man_n die_v in_o the_o lord_n and_o if_o the_o passage_n before_o we_o do_v not_o sufficient_o prove_v this_o yet_o there_o be_v other_o which_o may_v even_o oblige_v we_o to_o understand_v it_o so_o the_o labourer_n in_o the_o vineyard_n assoon_o as_o ever_o the_o even_o be_v come_v 8._o come_v matth._n xx_o 8._o and_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o day_n over_o be_v call_v to_o receive_v their_o wage_n lazarus_n immediate_o upon_o his_o death_n be_v say_v 25._o say_v luke_n xuj_o 22_o 25._o to_o be_v carry_v by_o angel_n into_o abraham_n bosom_n and_o comfort_v for_o the_o evil_a thing_n he_o receive_v in_o his_o life-time_n st._n 8._o st._n 2_o tim._n four_o 6_o 7_o 8._o paul_n upon_o mention_v his_o departure_n at_o hand_n and_o reflect_v upon_o the_o good_a fight_n he_o have_v 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faith_n and_o be_v able_a to_o withstand_v in_o the_o evil_a day_n and_o have_v do_v all_o to_o stand._n four_o and_o last_o what_o have_v be_v now_o say_v may_n and_o aught_o to_o prevent_v or_o at_o least_o to_o check_v those_o sally_n of_o excessive_a grief_n which_o we_o be_v too_o often_o dispose_v to_o give_v a_o loose_a to_o when_o it_o please_v god_n to_o remove_v good_a man_n and_o especial_o our_o friend_n and_o relation_n out_o of_o the_o world_n for_o do_v the_o man_n who_o indulge_v such_o passion_n consider_v at_o all_o what_o they_o say_v or_o do_v when_o they_o profess_v this_o concern_v for_o such_o person_n for_o they_o why_o be_v we_o sorry_a for_o they_o be_v it_o such_o a_o insupportable_a calamity_n to_o we_o that_o they_o who_o we_o love_v most_o dear_o have_v after_o many_o painful_a struggle_v break_v loose_a at_o last_o from_o misfortune_n and_o disease_n from_o hazard_n and_o danger_n from_o sorrow_n and_o sin_n do_v we_o use_v to_o weep_v and_o lament_v 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