a_o gainful_a death_n the_o end_n of_o a_o true_o christian_a life_n a_o sermon_n at_o the_o funeral_n of_o mr._n john_n griffith_n late_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o depart_v this_o life_n may_v 16._o in_o the_o 79th_o year_n of_o his_o age._n preach_v may_v the_o 20_o 1700._o by_o richard_n allen_n london_n print_v for_o andr._n bell_n at_o the_o cross_a key_n and_o bible_n in_o cornhill_n and_o m._n fabian_n at_o mercer_n chapel_n in_o cheapside_n 1700._o to_o the_o reader_n i_o have_v no_o other_o excuse_v to_o plead_v for_o expose_v the_o follow_a sermon_n but_o the_o common_a one_o that_o it_o be_v not_o by_o my_o own_o choice_n but_o through_o the_o earnest_n and_o often_o repeat_v importunity_n of_o the_o dear_a relative_n of_o that_o worthy_a person_n at_o who_o interment_n it_o be_v preach_v it_o be_v impossible_a i_o shall_v commit_v it_o to_o the_o press_n verbatim_o as_o then_o deliver_v but_o though_o several_a expression_n then_o use_v may_v have_v eseap_v my_o recollection_n yet_o the_o substance_n from_o my_o own_o brief_a note_n and_o memory_n be_v here_o transmit_v with_o some_o little_a addition_n the_o subject_n be_v undoubted_o excellent_a have_v my_o ability_n in_o handle_v it_o be_v somewhat_o proportionable_a i_o shall_v hope_v the_o advantage_n will_v well_o compensate_a the_o small_a cost_n and_o labour_n of_o the_o perusal_n such_o as_o it_o be_v i_o commit_v it_o to_o public_a view_n if_o god_n please_v by_o his_o blessing_n to_o make_v it_o in_o some_o measure_n useful_a to_o promote_v a_o christian_a life_n and_o a_o gainful_a death_n in_o any_o into_o who_o hand_n it_o shall_v come_v let_v such_o be_v excite_v to_o give_v the_o great_a glory_n to_o god_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o meanness_n of_o the_o instrument_n r._n a._n phil._n i_o 21._o for_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n and_o to_o die_v be_v gain_v as_o i_o think_v strange_a when_o application_n be_v make_v to_o i_o so_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o 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die_v be_v gain_n in_o which_o word_n we_o have_v two_o general_n first_o the_o apostle_n in_o himself_o give_v we_o a_o description_n of_o a_o live_a christian_n in_o these_o word_n for_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n or_o as_o tremellius_n from_o the_o syriac_a and_o other_o render_v it_o est_fw-la it_o vita_fw-la enim_fw-la mea_fw-la christus_fw-la est_fw-la for_o christ_n be_v my_o life_n understand_v that_o the_o apostle_n use_v the_o infinitive_n 〈◊〉_d infinitive_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o live_v for_o the_o noun_n 〈◊〉_d noun_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d life_n which_o be_v very_o usual_a both_o in_o scripture_n and_o other_o author_n and_o be_v thus_o understand_v the_o word_n contain_v this_o proposition_n that_o christ_n be_v the_o life_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a as_o col._n 3.4_o when_o christ_n who_o be_v our_o life_n shall_v appear_v etc._n etc._n second_o the_o happy_a exit_fw-la of_o such_o a_o one_o he_o that_o can_v say_v upon_o clear_a ground_n with_o the_o apostle_n that_o christ_n be_v his_o life_n may_v assure_v himself_o that_o death_n will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o king_n of_o terror_n that_o it_o will_v be_v gain_n to_o he_o doct._n all_o those_o and_o only_o those_o who_o have_v christ_n for_o their_o life_n shall_v be_v gainer_n by_o their_o death_n in_o handle_v this_o truth_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v two_o thing_n i._o to_o show_v what_o be_v include_v in_o christ_n be_v the_o life_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a ii_o what_o be_v the_o advantage_n that_o such_o gain_n by_o their_o death_n i._o the_o first_o thing_n we_o shall_v inquire_v be_v what_o may_v be_v include_v in_o christ_n be_v the_o life_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a that_o thereby_o we_o may_v make_v some_o judgement_n of_o our_o own_o state_n i_o conceive_v it_o include_v these_o follow_a thing_n which_o i_o may_v little_o more_o than_o glance_n at_o 1._o christ_n be_v the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o a_o true_a christian_n life_n we_o be_v all_o through_o sin_n dead_a in_o law_n and_o under_o condemnation_n but_o a_o true_a christian_a be_v pass_v from_o this_o state_n of_o death_n and_o condemnation_n into_o that_o of_o justification_n and_o life_n but_o how_o 3.24_o rom._n 3.24_o be_v justify_v free_o by_o his_o grace_n through_o the_o redemption_n that_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v through_o the_o meritorious_a suffering_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n impute_v to_o believer_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o save_a benefit_n thereof_o by_o sin_n all_o be_v alienate_v from_o the_o life_n of_o god_n but_o the_o true_a christian_a be_v raise_v up_o from_o a_o death_n of_o sin_n to_o a_o life_n of_o sincere_a holiness_n but_o how_o it_o be_v by_o the_o gracious_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o he_o shed_v on_o we_o abundant_o 3.6_o tit._n 3.6_o through_o jesus_n christ_n our_o saviour_n 2._o christ_n be_v the_o principle_n of_o the_o spiritual_a life_n of_o a_o true_a christian_a which_o spring_v from_o union_n with_o he_o it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a error_n for_o any_o to_o suppose_v themselves_o to_o live_v a_o life_n of_o justification_n before_o they_o have_v some_o real_a experience_n of_o a_o life_n of_o sanctification_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o live_v a_o life_n of_o sanctification_n before_o this_o vital_a union_n 2.20_o gal._n 2.20_o i_o live_v say_v the_o apostle_n yet_o not_o i_o but_o christ_n live_v in_o i_o and_o the_o life_n which_o i_o now_o live_v in_o the_o flesh_n i_o live_v by_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o love_v i_o and_o give_v himself_o for_o i_o 3._o the_o law_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o govern_v rule_n of_o the_o true_a christian_n life_n if_o we_o saving_o receive_v christ_n we_o receive_v he_o as_o lord_n col._n 2.6_o i_o e._n we_o as_o willing_o receive_v he_o as_o our_o king_n to_o rule_v and_o govern_v we_o and_o to_o save_v we_o from_o the_o power_n and_o dominion_n of_o sin_n at_o present_a and_o from_o 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his_o appear_v and_o to_o be_v sure_a none_o can_v love_v christ_n appear_v but_o such_o as_o can_v true_o say_v 4.19_o 1_o joh._n 4.19_o we_o love_v he_o because_o he_o first_o love_v we_o 5._o christ_n be_v the_o pattern_n and_o exemplar_n of_o a_o true_a christian_n life_n god_n have_v predestinate_v all_o his_o child_n to_o be_v conform_v to_o the_o image_n of_o his_o son_n 8.29_o rom._n 8.29_o both_o in_o grace_n and_o holiness_n here_o and_o in_o glory_n and_o happiness_n hereafter_o and_o the_o former_a be_v the_o only_a and_o necessary_a way_n and_o mean_n to_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v vain_a for_o we_o to_o pretend_v to_o be_v save_o interest_v in_o christ_n unless_o in_o some_o good_a measure_n we_o be_v like_o he_o in_o holiness_n humility_n meekness_n self-denial_n zeal_n for_o the_o divine_a glory_n 2.6_o 1_o joh._n 2.6_o etc._n etc._n he_o that_o say_v he_o abide_v in_o he_o 5.10_o he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1_o cor._n 5.10_o must_v needs_o himself_o also_o so_o walk_v even_o as_o he_o walk_v last_o the_o glory_n honour_n and_o interest_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o a_o true_a christian_n life_n he_o do_v not_o only_o sometime_o speak_v or_o act_v for_o christ_n 5.15_o 2_o cor._n 5.15_o but_o habitual_o live_v to_o he_o our_o apostle_n tell_v we_o here_o 18_o v._o 15_o 18_o he_o rejoice_v while_o christ_n be_v preach_v and_o glorify_v and_o his_o interest_n carry_v on_o though_o himself_o be_v by_o the_o same_o person_n envy_v and_o despise_v we_o must_v in_o this_o be_v like_o he_o and_o hereby_o evidence_n that_o christ_n be_v our_o life_n if_o we_o will_v say_v upon_o like_a ground_n with_o he_o death_n will_v be_v our_o gain_n these_o be_v brief_a hint_n of_o the_o several_n i_o take_v to_o be_v include_v in_o this_o phrase_n to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n or_o christ_n be_v my_o life_n which_o take_v together_o i_o conceive_v give_v we_o a_o excellent_a description_n of_o a_o true_a live_a christian_a he_o be_v one_o that_o through_o the_o meritorious_a suffering_n and_o obedience_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v vital_o unite_v to_o he_o by_o faith_n and_o thereby_o justify_v and_o sanctify_v rule_v by_o his_o law_n and_o influence_v by_o his_o love_n his_o life_n be_v conform_v to_o christ_n life_n and_o devote_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o his_o glory_n and_o interest_n to_o all_o such_o and_o such_o only_a death_n will_v be_v gain_n and_o so_o i_o come_v to_o the_o ii_o general_n to_o treat_v something_o of_o the_o advantage_n that_o every_o true_a live_a christian_a gain_n by_o death_n this_o we_o shall_v consider_v more_o general_o and_o more_o particular_o i_o will_v in_o a_o more_o general_a way_n premise_v two_o thing_n 1._o every_o true_a live_a christian_a be_v a_o present_a and_o immediate_a gainer_n by_o death_n when_o their_o body_n return_v to_o the_o earth_n 12.7_o eccles_n 12.7_o their_o spirit_n happy_o return_v to_o god_n who_o give_v it_o hence_o heavenly-minded_n christian_n earnest_o long_a to_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o body_n 5.8_o 2_o cor._n 5.8_o that_o they_o may_v be_v present_a with_o the_o lord_n without_o presuppose_v this_o i_o can_v see_v what_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o the_o apostle_n option_n ver_fw-la 23._o have_v a_o desire_n to_o depart_v or_o 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v dissolve_v and_o be_v with_o christ_n which_o truth_n i_o think_v also_o plain_o teach_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o his_o gracious_a promise_n to_o the_o petition_v malefactor_n 23.43_o luke_n 23.43_o very_o i_o say_v to_o thou_o to_o day_n or_o pasor_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hodie_fw-la q.d._n hoc_fw-la die_fw-la pasor_n this_o very_a day_n thou_o shall_v be_v with_o i_o in_o paradise_n that_o be_v in_o heavenly_a delight_n and_o pleasure_n who_o also_o teach_v all_o his_o faithful_a servant_n by_o his_o own_o example_n 46._o ib._n ver_fw-la 46._o to_o commend_v their_o expire_a spirit_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o heavenly_a father_n but_o 2._o the_o fullness_n and_o completion_n of_o their_o gain_n by_o death_n be_v reserve_v for_o the_o glorious_a appearance_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n when_o the_o body_n of_o saint_n shall_v be_v raise_v and_o reunite_v to_o their_o soul_n than_o they_o shall_v full_o enter_v into_o the_o joy_n of_o their_o lord_n hence_o this_o be_v constant_o speak_v of_o as_o the_o great_a day_n of_o redemption_n and_o recompense_n it_o be_v when_o christ_n who_o be_v our_o life_n shall_v appear_v 3.4_o col._n 3.4_o that_o we_o shall_v full_o appear_v with_o he_o in_o glory_n 1.10_o 2_o thess_n 1.10_o when_o he_o shall_v come_v to_o be_v most_o eminent_o glorify_v in_o his_o saint_n and_o admire_v in_o all_o they_o that_o believe_v whence_o all_o that_o have_v valiant_o and_o victorious_o fight_v the_o good_a fight_n etc._n etc._n 8._o 2_o tim._n 4.7_o 8._o die_v in_o a_o comfortable_a hope_n of_o receive_v a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n at_o that_o day_n viz._n of_o his_o appear_v thus_o much_o in_o general_n i_o shall_v now_o more_o particular_o endeavour_v to_o set_v before_o you_o something_o of_o the_o advantage_n which_o live_v christian_n gain_v by_o death_n and_o 1._o they_o gain_v thereby_o a_o perfect_a freedom_n from_o all_o sin_n i_o need_v not_o prove_v to_o any_o serious_a christian_n that_o this_o be_v a_o very_a great_a gain_n believer_n be_v indeed_o now_o characterise_v to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v make_v free_a from_o sin_n 6.22_o rom._n 6.22_o but_o this_o mean_v no_o otherwise_o than_o as_o the_o apostle_n afterward_o explain_v himself_o 8.2_o 8.2_o make_v free_a from_o the_o law_n or_o dominion_n of_o sin_n a_o absolute_o perfect_a freedom_n from_o sin_n be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o future_a life_n the_o remain_v of_o this_o plague_n in_o believer_n like_o that_o inveterate_a leprosy_n in_o the_o house_n of_o israelite_n 14._o leu._n 14._o can_v be_v perfect_o cure_v without_o dissolve_v this_o earthly_a house_n of_o their_o tabernacle_n 5.1_o 2_o cor._n 5.1_o christ_n will_v at_o and_o after_o death_n complete_a his_o work_n and_o present_v his_o church_n and_o each_o live_a member_n thereof_o 5.27_o eph._n 5.27_o glorious_a not_o have_v spot_n or_o wrinkle_n or_o any_o such_o thing_n but_o holy_a and_o without_o blemish_n then_o they_o shall_v be_v without_o fault_n before_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n 14.5_o rev._n 14.5_o 2._o they_o be_v free_v by_o it_o not_o only_o from_o all_o sin_n but_o from_o all_o temptation_n and_o inclination_n to_o sin_n this_o be_v much_o more_o than_o the_o former_a our_o first_o parent_n in_o innocency_n be_v whole_o free_a from_o sin_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a they_o be_v not_o free_a from_o temptation_n to_o sin_n yea_o the_o second_o adam_n our_o lord_n jesus_n though_o perfect_o holy_a and_o undefiled_a yet_o in_o the_o state_n of_o his_o humiliation_n he_o be_v not_o only_o assault_v with_o temptation_n but_o violent_o assault_v with_o most_o black_a and_o hellish_a one_o and_o though_o he_o can_v not_o in_o the_o least_o be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o sin_n by_o these_o temptation_n yet_o he_o suffer_v 2.18_o heb._n 2.18_o which_o seem_v to_o import_v some_o difficulty_n in_o bear_v and_o resist_v of_o they_o no_o wonder_n then_o that_o the_o best_a christian_n very_o often_o find_v themselves_o grievous_o tempt_v and_o too_o much_o incline_v to_o a_o sinful_a compliance_n when_o yet_o through_o grace_n they_o be_v keep_v from_o those_o sin_n to_o which_o they_o be_v tempt_v but_o death_n will_v free_v the_o sincere_a christian_n not_o only_o from_o the_o destructive_a malignity_n of_o the_o fiery_a dart_n of_o the_o wicked_a one_o 6.16_o eph._n 6.16_o but_o also_o from_o their_o afflictive_a injection_n not_o only_o from_o be_v overcome_v by_o those_o fleshly_a lust_n 2.11_o 1_o pet._n 2.11_o which_o war_n against_o their_o soul_n but_o also_o from_o be_v any_o more_o molest_v by_o the_o motion_n of_o they_o death_n will_v not_o only_o secure_v they_o from_o be_v destroy_v by_o this_o present_a evil_a world_n 1.4_o gal._n 1.4_o but_o it_o will_v total_o deliver_v they_o from_o it_o in_o this_o respect_n death_n will_v usher_v the_o live_a christian_n into_o a_o life_n transcendent_o more_o excellent_a than_o the_o present_a life_n of_o grace_n wherein_o whatever_o ground_n christian_n have_v to_o think_v themselves_o to_o stand_v 10.12_o 1_o cor._n 10.12_o or_o 13.1_o or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 2_o cor._n 13.1_o to_o be_v establish_v they_o must_v still_o take_v heed_n lest_o they_o fall_v and_o sure_o the_o most_o confirm_a christian_a while_o here_o as_o well_o as_o the_o great_a apostle_n have_v need_n to_o maintain_v a_o cautionary_a fear_n and_o endeavour_n 9.27_o 1_o cor._n 9.27_o lest_o he_o shall_v be_v or_o 〈◊〉_d or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
express_v 3.2_o 1_o joh._n 3.2_o we_o shall_v see_v he_o as_o he_o be_v and_o as_o the_o bless_a effect_n of_o this_o vision_n we_o shall_v be_v like_o he_o and_o well_o may_v this_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n design_n raise_v admire_a thought_n and_o meditation_n in_o our_o mind_n concern_v that_o state_n and_o the_o divine_a love_n which_o give_v we_o a_o interest_n therein_o it_o be_v very_o unchristian_a to_o murmur_v and_o repine_v at_o the_o death_n of_o our_o godly_a friend_n and_o relation_n which_o be_v only_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o gracious_a will_n and_o mediatory_a request_n of_o our_o saviour_n 17.24_o joh._n 17.24_o father_n say_v he_o i_o will_v that_o they_o also_o who_o thou_o have_v give_v i_o be_v with_o i_o where_o i_o be_o that_o they_o may_v behold_v my_o glory_n etc._n etc._n o_o what_o a_o desirable_a thing_n must_v it_o be_v to_o be_v for_o ever_o with_o the_o lord_n 4.17_o 1_o thess_n 4.17_o and_o in_o the_o perpetual_a and_o uninterrupted_a fruition_n of_o he_o to_o all_o such_o who_o count_v it_o no_o less_o their_o privilege_n than_o their_o duty_n to_o behold_v his_o glory_n now_o though_o it_o be_v only_o in_o the_o glass_n of_o ordinance_n to_o all_o those_o who_o often_o in_o some_o good_a measure_n experience_v the_o psalmist_n devotion_n breathe_v forth_o with_o he_o 42.20_o psal_n 42.20_o my_o soul_n thirst_v for_o god_n for_o the_o live_a god_n when_o shall_v i_o come_v to_o appear_v before_o god_n and_o again_o 2._o 63.1_o 2._o my_o soul_n thirsi_v for_o thou_o to_o see_v thy_o power_n and_o thy_o glory_n so_o as_o i_o have_v see_v thou_o in_o the_o sanctuary_n 7._o death_n will_v bring_v they_o into_o the_o most_o bless_a and_o delightful_a society_n they_o now_o enjoy_v not_o only_o a_o visible_a fellowship_n with_o saint_n but_o a_o sweet_a and_o invisible_a communion_n with_o holy_a angel_n who_o delightful_o perform_v that_o kind_a office_n in_o which_o they_o be_v employ_v by_o our_o common_a head_n be_v by_o he_o make_v all_o minister_a spirit_n 1.14_o heb._n 1.14_o send_v forth_o to_o minister_v for_o they_o who_o shall_v be_v heir_n of_o salvation_n but_o they_o shall_v ascend_v from_o the_o valley_n of_o death_n to_o the_o top_n of_o mount_n zion_n 23._o heb._n 12.22_o 23._o and_o to_o the_o city_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o heavenly_a jerusalem_n and_o to_o a_o innumerable_a company_n of_o angel_n and_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a make_a perfect_a that_o be_v free_v from_o all_o those_o defect_n in_o knowledge_n and_o holiness_n which_o here_o render_v the_o society_n even_o of_o saint_n sometime_o very_o unpleasant_a and_o troublesome_a but_o o_o what_o a_o felicity_n will_v it_o be_v to_o meet_v in_o that_o perfect_a state_n with_o many_o of_o our_o dear_a friend_n and_o relation_n and_o it_o may_v be_v some_o of_o our_o enemy_n too_o persect_o reconcile_v to_o we_o to_o enjoy_v intimate_a society_n with_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n and_o all_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n prophet_n apostle_n and_o martyr_n and_o in_o a_o word_n with_o all_o those_o noble_a and_o excellent_a saint_n that_o ever_o we_o read_v or_o hear_v of_o you_o can_v but_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o these_o thing_n conclude_v with_o i_o in_o the_o 8._o place_n that_o death_n will_v bring_v they_o into_o the_o most_o ravish_a joy_n and_o into_o the_o most_o pure_a and_o unmixed_a pleasure_n the_o most_o refine_a joy_n of_o this_o life_n have_v a_o great_a alloy_n and_o mixture_n of_o sorrow_n the_o most_o delightful_a pleasure_n be_v attend_v with_o pain_n and_o uneasiness_n the_o most_o happy_a estate_n here_o be_v often_o obtain_v with_o care_n keep_v with_o fear_n and_o lose_v with_o trouble_n honour_n and_o greatness_n be_v common_o uneasy_a to_o those_o that_o have_v they_o and_o hate_a and_o envy_v by_o those_o that_o have_v they_o not_o liberal_a education_n and_o knowledge_n be_v one_o of_o the_o sweet_a pleasure_n and_o delight_n of_o a_o ingenuous_a mind_n yet_o even_o this_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v he_o who_o have_v the_o large_a experience_n of_o it_o be_v not_o without_o its_o vanity_n and_o vexation_n of_o spirit_n for_o in_o much_o wisdom_n 1.18_o eccles_n 1.18_o say_v he_o be_v much_o grief_n and_o he_o that_o increase_v knowledge_n increase_v sorrow_n yea_o the_o very_a sweet_n and_o delight_n of_o religion_n be_v here_o exceed_o dampt_v partly_o by_o the_o consciousness_n of_o our_o great_a imperfection_n therein_o partly_o by_o melancholy_a and_o partly_o by_o the_o malice_n of_o that_o malignant_a spirit_n who_o if_o he_o can_v hale_v we_o with_o himself_o into_o hell_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o make_v we_o go_v as_o droop_o as_o possible_a in_o our_o way_n to_o heaven_n but_o death_n transmits_n holy_a soul_n into_o the_o immediate_a presence_n of_o god_n where_o there_o be_v fullness_n of_o joy_n 16.11_o psal_n 16.11_o and_o at_o who_o right-hand_a there_o be_v pleasure_n for_o evermore_o then_o all_o the_o doubt_n of_o sad_a and_o deject_a though_o sincere_a soul_n shall_v be_v change_v into_o full_a assurance_n all_o their_o darkness_n into_o the_o most_o clear_a light_n their_o mourning_n into_o melody_n their_o sorrow_n and_o sigh_n into_o song_n of_o praise_n and_o joyful_a hallelujah_n to_o he_o that_o sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n 5.13_o rev._n 19.1_o chap._n 5.13_o and_o to_o the_o lamb_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o last_o all_o these_o advantage_n will_v be_v eternal_a and_o everlasting_a this_o be_v indeed_o but_o a_o circumstance_n but_o it_o be_v such_o a_o circumstance_n without_o which_o all_o the_o happiness_n of_o heaven_n itself_o will_v be_v imperfect_a yea_o the_o great_a the_o felicity_n be_v the_o great_a and_o more_o amaze_a will_v be_v the_o damp_n it_o will_v strike_v upon_o the_o spirit_n of_o those_o who_o be_v in_o the_o fruition_n of_o it_o to_o think_v alas_o one_o day_n i_o must_v be_v deprive_v of_o all_o this_o and_o either_o relapse_n into_o my_o former_a misery_n or_o else_o sink_v into_o the_o abyss_n of_o nothingness_n i_o believe_v there_o be_v few_o live_a christian_n but_o be_v ready_a to_o cry_v out_o with_o job_n under_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o sinsulness_n and_o miserableness_n of_o the_o present_a life_n 7.16_o job_n 7.16_o i_o will_v not_o live_v always_o but_o it_o be_v impossible_a any_o such_o thought_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o glorify_a saint_n where_o there_o be_v fullness_n of_o joy_n it_o can_v but_o be_v a_o inconceivable_a pleasure_n to_o know_v it_o shall_v be_v for_o evermore_o as_o the_o felicity_n of_o saint_n after_o death_n be_v call_v weight_n of_o glory_n because_o of_o the_o greatness_n of_o they_o so_o they_o be_v call_v eternal_a weight_n because_o of_o the_o durableness_n and_o permanency_n of_o they_o o_o consider_v then_o what_o a_o bless_a thing_n it_o be_v to_o be_v regenerate_v and_o bear_v again_o for_o such_o be_v beget_v to_o a_o inheritance_n not_o like_o the_o inheritance_n of_o this_o world_n fade_v and_o uncertain_a 5._o 1_o pet._n 1.3_o 5._o but_o to_o a_o inheritance_n incorruptible_a and_o undefiled_a and_o that_o fade_v not_o away_o reserve_v in_o heaven_n for_o you_o who_o be_v keep_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n through_o faith_n unto_o salvation_n thus_o i_o have_v set_v before_o you_o a_o little_a and_o i_o may_v without_o any_o rhetorical_a flourish_n say_v but_o a_o little_a of_o the_o advantage_n which_o every_o sincere_a christian_a shall_v gain_v by_o death_n i_o be_o confident_a whoever_o of_o you_o pass_v through_o the_o dark_a valley_n and_o shadow_n of_o death_n into_o those_o region_n of_o light_n and_o blessedness_n and_o o_o that_o it_o may_v be_v the_o portion_n of_o every_o one_o of_o you_o who_o be_v my_o hearer_n or_o reader_n you_o will_v then_o wonder_o say_v of_o this_o your_o gain_n by_o death_n as_o the_o queen_n of_o sheba_n of_o solomon_n wisdom_n behold_v 7._o 1_o king_n 10_o 7._o the_o half_a be_v not_o tell_v i_o and_o the_o glory_n and_o felicity_n far_o exceed_v the_o fame_n i_o hear_v i_o now_o proceed_v to_o make_v some_o brief_a application_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o among_o many_o very_a useful_a reflection_n which_o may_v be_v make_v upon_o this_o excellent_a subject_n i_o shall_v shut_v up_o my_o present_a discourse_n with_o these_o brief_a one_o follow_v 1._o well_o may_v we_o hence_o infer_v the_o wisdom_n of_o sincere_a religion_n if_o such_o be_v the_o end_n of_o a_o true_o christian_a life_n then_o as_o the_o scripture_n frequent_o so_o they_o most_o fit_o represent_v sincere_a religion_n and_o piety_n as_o the_o true_a wisdom_n let_v even_o reason_n impartial_o speak_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o true_a wisdom_n to_o prefer_v the_o fountain_n of_o live_v water_n before_o break_a cistern_n that_o can_v hold_v no_o water_n to_o prefer_v