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
〈◊〉_d become_v a_o reprobate_n or_o castaway_n yea_o death_n will_v advance_v the_o live_a christian_n into_o a_o transcendent_o better_a life_n than_o that_o paradisical_a one_o of_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o innocency_n as_o be_v hint_v before_o for_o though_o they_o be_v free_a from_o sin_n and_o furnish_v with_o strength_n and_o ability_n to_o have_v continue_v in_o that_o state_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o free_v from_o the_o possibility_n and_o danger_n of_o sin_v as_o the_o event_n woeful_o manifest_v but_o believer_n through_o death_n will_v be_v secure_v not_o only_o from_o sin_n but_o from_o all_o danger_n of_o sin_v and_o establish_v in_o a_o impeccable_a and_o immutable_a state_n of_o holiness_n 3._o death_n will_v free_v the_o live_a christian_n from_o all_o sorrow_n and_o misery_n they_o be_v already_o exempt_v by_o their_o justification_n from_o liableness_n to_o future-wrath_n and_o condemnation_n 5.9_o 1_o thess_n 5.9_o god_n have_v not_o appoint_v they_o to_o wrath_n but_o to_o obtain_v salvation_n through_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o while_o they_o have_v any_o remain_v of_o sin_n they_o must_v look_v for_o sorrow_n and_o affliction_n which_o be_v the_o inseparable_a concomitant_n of_o it_o job_n experience_n be_v as_o true_a of_o the_o best_a christian_n as_o of_o other_o man_n that_o as_o they_o be_v of_o few_o day_n in_o this_o world_n so_o those_o few_o day_n be_v full_a of_o trouble_n how_o many_o sorrow_n afflict_v some_o through_o want_n and_o penury_n and_o no_o less_o sorrow_n attend_v other_o in_o obtain_v and_o use_v of_o riches_n and_o a_o while_n after_o it_o may_v be_v far_o great_a accost_v they_o by_o the_o sudden_a loss_n of_o a_o estate_n or_o great_a part_n of_o it_o by_o some_o surprise_v calamity_n 23.5_o prov._n 23.5_o while_o riches_n make_v themselves_o wing_n and_o fly_v away_o as_o a_o eagle_n towards_o heaven_n many_o time_n they_o have_v great_a sorrow_n from_o the_o malignity_n of_o open_a enemy_n at_o other_o time_n no_o less_o from_o the_o treachery_n of_o pretend_a friend_n and_o the_o mutability_n and_o fickleness_n of_o once_o real_a one_o the_o dear_a child_n of_o god_n here_o labour_v often_o under_o sorrow_n by_o reason_n of_o pain_n and_o dolorous_a distemper_n in_o their_o body_n and_o many_o time_n by_o reason_n of_o doubt_n and_o fear_n in_o their_o mind_n they_o have_v many_o time_n heart-breaking_a sorrow_n from_o the_o woeful_a miscarriage_n of_o child_n or_o other_o dear_a relation_n and_o often_o very_o cut_v sorrow_n by_o a_o sudden_a removal_n of_o they_o through_o a_o surprise_v stroke_n of_o death_n it_o will_v be_v endless_a to_o enumerate_v the_o variety_n of_o sorrow_n and_o calamity_n that_o more_o or_o less_o afflict_v god_n child_n while_o here_o but_o at_o their_o dissolution_n god_n will_v wipe_v away_o all_o tear_n from_o their_o eye_n 21.4_o rev._n 21.4_o and_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o death_n neither_o sorrow_n nor_o cry_v neither_o shall_v there_o be_v any_o more_o pain_n for_o the_o former_a thing_n be_v pass_v away_o 4._o at_o death_n the_o live_a christian_n be_v free_v not_o only_o from_o the_o burden_n of_o a_o sinful_a but_o also_o from_o the_o clog_n of_o a_o animal_n body_n a_o sinful_a body_n be_v one_o thing_n and_o a_o animal_n body_n another_o it_o will_v be_v equal_o false_a and_o irreligious_a for_o any_o to_o say_v that_o our_o saviour_n have_v a_o sinful_a body_n but_o it_o be_v certain_o true_a that_o he_o have_v a_o animal_n body_n like_o we_o liable_a to_o the_o like_a natural_a though_o not_o moral_a infirmity_n which_o sin_n have_v bring_v into_o our_o body_n whence_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v say_v he_o be_v send_v in_o the_o likeness_n not_o only_o of_o flesh_n 8.3_o rom._n 8.3_o but_o of_o sinful_a flesh_n the_o body_n of_o saint_n in_o the_o present_a state_n as_o they_o be_v to_o they_o a_o occasion_n of_o much_o sin_n so_o when_o they_o be_v not_o so_o they_o be_v a_o great_a clog_n and_o hindrance_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o dead_a weight_n to_o keep_v their_o aspire_a soul_n from_o mount_v upward_o in_o divine_a contemplation_n and_o communion_n with_o god_n though_o the_o flesh_n in_o they_o be_v not_o so_o strong_a as_o to_o prove_v a_o victorious_a enemy_n yet_o it_o be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o prove_v a_o very_a untoward_a and_o sluggish_a servant_n even_o when_o they_o be_v bless_v with_o a_o willing_a spirit_n in_o religious_a duty_n whence_o the_o best_a saint_n have_v continual_a need_v not_o only_o to_o watch_v 26.41_o mat._n 26.41_o but_o pray_v earnest_o for_o help_v from_o above_o to_o secure_v they_o from_o be_v vanquish_v by_o temptation_n but_o death_n will_v bring_v they_o into_o that_o bless_a state_n wherein_o this_o contemptible_a 49._o 1_o cor._n 15.43_o 44_o 49._o and_o it_o may_v be_v deform_v body_n shall_v be_v make_v glorious_a and_o beautiful_a this_o weak_a and_o frail_a body_n shall_v be_v make_v vigorous_a and_o powerful_a this_o earthly_a and_o terrene_a body_n shall_v be_v make_v heavenly_a and_o celestial_a this_o gross_a and_o sluggish_a body_n shall_v be_v make_v pure_a and_o spiritual_a then_o i_o conceive_v they_o will_v be_v enable_v even_o literal_o to_o mount_v up_o as_o with_o eagle_n wing_n 40.31_o isa_n 40.31_o to_o run_v and_o not_o be_v weary_a and_o walk_v and_o not_o faint_a in_o a_o word_n our_o gracious_a redeemer_n will_v change_v this_o our_o vile_a body_n 3.21_o phil._n 3.21_o that_o it_o may_v be_v fashion_v like_o unto_o his_o glorious_a body_n according_a to_o the_o work_n whereby_o he_o be_v able_a even_o to_o subdue_v all_o thing_n to_o himself_o 5._o their_o soul_n at_o and_o after_o death_n shall_v be_v free_v not_o only_o from_o all_o sinful_a but_o also_o from_o all_o afflictive_a ignorance_n and_o make_v perfect_a in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o his_o most_o excellent_a work_n this_o knowledge_n our_o saviour_n call_v life_n eternal_a 17.3_o joh._n 17.3_o because_o as_o a_o present_a sanctify_a knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o so_o the_o perfection_n of_o this_o knowledge_n be_v of_o the_o essence_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o blessedness_n the_o most_o illuminate_v saint_n here_o have_v cause_n with_o elihu_n to_o complain_v we_o can_v order_v either_o our_o thought_n and_o conception_n 37.19_o job_n 37.19_o or_o our_o word_n and_o expression_n aright_o concern_v he_o by_o reason_n of_o darkness_n indeed_o the_o most_o raise_a notion_n and_o conception_n word_n and_o discourse_n even_o of_o a_o apostle_n while_o here_o concern_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n be_v but_o like_o the_o imperfect_a and_o confuse_a thought_n or_o lisp_v and_o break_a expression_n of_o child_n compare_v with_o what_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o heaven_n whence_o spring_n so_o many_o different_a apprehension_n among_o the_o most_o sincere_a christian_n and_o hence_o they_o be_v too_o often_o vehement_o contend_v and_o quarrel_v like_o child_n about_o those_o abstruse_a difficulty_n which_o be_v clear_o apprehend_v by_o neither_o of_o the_o contend_a party_n but_o death_n will_v cause_v all_o scale_n to_o fall_v from_o their_o eye_n and_o remove_v every_o veil_n from_o their_o heart_n then_o their_o present_a obscure_a knowledge_n shall_v vanish_v as_o the_o twinkle_a light_n of_o a_o candle_n before_o the_o resplendent_a brightness_n of_o the_o sun_n all_o which_o be_v full_o and_o clear_o express_v by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o corinthian_a christian_n 8-12_a 1_o cor._n 13_o 8-12_a then_o will_v saint_n be_v let_v into_o the_o full_a view_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o redemption_n 1.12_o 1_o pet._n 1.12_o which_o thing_n the_o angel_n desire_v to_o look_v into_o then_o will_v the_o infinite_o wise_a and_o beautiful_a series_n of_o divine_a providence_n be_v display_v which_o here_o appear_v many_o time_n to_o the_o best_a dark_a and_o unaccountable_a for_o want_v of_o their_o see_v it_o from_o the_o beginning_n to_o the_o end_n 3.11_o eccles_n 3.11_o then_o shall_v the_o depth_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n in_o all_o god_n work_n appear_v to_o his_o saint_n who_o shall_v be_v the_o wonder_a and_o delightful_a beholder_n thereof_o 6._o death_n will_v let_v they_o into_o the_o immediate_a beatify_a vision_n and_o full_a enjoyment_n of_o god_n and_o their_o bless_a redeemer_n then_o all_o that_o be_v pure_a in_o heart_n shall_v 5.8_o mat._n 5.8_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n promise_n be_v make_v complete_o bless_v by_o see_v god_n they_o shall_v see_v his_o face_n and_o his_o name_n shall_v be_v write_v in_o their_o forehead_n 22.4_o rev._n 22.4_o how_o and_o after_o what_o manner_n saint_n shall_v see_v he_o who_o be_v invisible_a 11.27_o heb._n 11.27_o what_o human_a mind_n can_v now_o conceive_v and_o how_o much_o less_o can_v my_o tongue_n or_o pen_n express_v it_o but_o in_o this_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v
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 several_a here_o may_v wonder_v that_o i_o shall_v be_v engage_v in_o a_o funeral_n discourse_n at_o the_o interment_n of_o this_o ancient_a and_o worthy_a minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n such_o i_o will_v inform_v that_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o earnest_a solicitation_n of_o his_o dear_a friend_n and_o relation_n together_o with_o the_o venerable_a esteem_n i_o have_v for_o himself_o that_o prevail_v with_o i_o and_o have_v consent_v i_o have_v many_o thought_n what_o text_n to_o make_v the_o foundation_n of_o my_o present_a discourse_n but_o be_v assure_v that_o these_o excellent_a word_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v a_o very_a great_a support_n and_o solace_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o this_o reverend_a person_n in_o the_o approach_n of_o his_o dissolution_n and_o often_o repeat_v by_o he_o with_o much_o delight_n but_o few_o hour_n before_o his_o last_o exit_fw-la i_o conclude_v none_o more_o fit_a to_o be_v consider_v upon_o this_o solemn_a occasion_n and_o the_o rather_o because_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o one_o to_o who_o i_o will_v venture_v to_o liken_v though_o in_o vast_o different_a degree_n this_o our_o decease_a friend_n viz._n a_o ancient_a faithful_a minister_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o great_a apostle_n paul_n who_o be_v now_o a_o prisoner_n at_o rome_n and_o under_o the_o apprehension_n of_o a_o sudden_a dissolution_n not_o indeed_o as_o our_o ancient_a friend_n through_o the_o infirmity_n of_o age_n and_o sickness_n but_o as_o a_o martyr_n of_o jesus_n christ_n which_o apprehension_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v frightful_a and_o surprise_v that_o they_o be_v very_o comfortable_a and_o delightful_a to_o he_o as_o appear_v v._o 20._o the_o ground_n of_o which_o holy_a confidence_n and_o fearless_a expectation_n of_o death_n be_v his_o consciousness_n that_o christ_n be_v his_o life_n and_o that_o therefore_o death_n will_v be_v his_o gain_n as_o it_o be_v express_v in_o my_o text_n for_o to_o i_o to_o live_v be_v christ_n and_o to_o 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 sin_n itself_o hereafter_o as_o we_o receive_v he_o for_o our_o great_a high_a priest_n to_o atone_v for_o our_o gild_n and_o procure_v and_o maintain_v our_o peace_n with_o god_n by_o his_o sacrifice_n and_o intercession_n christ_n be_v the_o sole_a author_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n 5.9_o heb._n 5.9_o but_o it_o be_v only_o to_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o 4._o the_o love_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o constrain_a motive_n of_o a_o true_a christian_n life_n none_o can_v upon_o clear_a ground_n say_v with_o the_o apostle_n to_o i_o to_o die_v be_v gain_n but_o such_o as_o can_v in_o some_o good_a measure_n also_o say_v the_o love_n of_o christ_n constrain_v we_o 4.8_o 2_o cor._n 5.14_o 2_o tim._n 4.8_o the_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n be_v promise_v to_o all_o they_o and_o to_o they_o only_o who_o love_n