and to look up to that which is to come yet I am sure it iâ—… greater error and a damning error in the wicked and ungodly whâ—… they are not afraid of Death at all when they look upon Death as a common and usual event and have slight thoughts of it all their complaints are out of sympathy with their friends or from their bodily pains or their distracted thoughts about worldly matters but never consider what a weighty thing it is to dye well or what a dreadful thing it is to miscarry in their latter end And O the wretched stupidity of some that can be then most secure and are even like the beasts which perish Psal 49.12 O then blame not any that have woful apprehesions of death and beware of indulging your selves in a stupid secure frame for as Solomon saith in another case Prov. 23.32 It will sting like an Adder and bite like a Serpent II. Hence learn why the wicked and those that are out of Christ have such dreadful deaths they are under the sence and apprehension of the sting of death Death hath a piercing painful and poysonous sting and it hath power over them and doth as armed with the curse of the Law improve its power to fill them with pain sorrow and anguish They may be secure and stupid and their consciences may be seared but those that are not given up to a reprobate sence and so are past feeling they cannot but be full of bitterness and anguish under the unloosed pangs of Death But so much for this Doctrine I proceed to the second II. Doct. The sting of Death is certainly and infallibly taken out so that it cannot really hurt prejudice or annoy any true Believer They may truely and groundedly say as he 1 Sam. 15.32 Surely the bitterness of Death is past it may pierce and pain them but it cannot poyson them it may bruise their heel but cannot break their head What is become 〈◊〉 all that are fallen asleep in Christ are they destroyed Nay they 〈◊〉 made Are they undone Nay they are perfected Is their state â—â—â—tered Nay it is bettered and compleated Are they conquered Nay they are crowned Are they perished No they are highly priâ—â—â—â—dged Are they in bondage Nay they are set at liberty Are 〈◊〉 killed Nay they are revived Are they swallowed up Nay Deach their last and greatest enemy is swallowed up into a compleat victory But I shall endeavour in the opening of this Doctrine to shew you how â—he sting of death is taken out 1. That Sting is taken away that consists in its coming through mans own default But you will say is not death even in the godly a fruit of sin I answer it cannot be denied but that to the godly it is the consequent of sin but it is not in a strict sense the Punishment of their sin for there is no condemnation to them that are â—r Christ Rom 8.1 but it is rather a sanctified affliction to them and the Saints priviledge They made themselves sinful and God made them mortal that so they might not be alwayes miserable Though it came in by sin as Râ—m 5.12 yet as things are now stated in Christ Death to the Saints is the only choice Remedy against sin and the way of their return and entrance into a state of Perfection Thus of the flesh of the Viper is made a choice Antidote against his own poison Christ having overcome death for us Heb. 2.14 Temporal and bodily death is one of the streams of the bitter waters that flow from our provocation against God but since the wood of the Cross is cast into it it is become to every godly man delightsome and savoury and without any distastfulness in it It came with the curse of the thorns but since Christ wore his crown of thorns we may suffer and dye without fear So long as the curse of the Law hath power sin will be strong so long as sin is strong death will be terrible and bitter but Jesus Christ hath satisfied the Law vanquished death and taken out its sting even in Golgotha the place of sculls where were so many Trophies of Deaths victory in its own territories there he overcame it so that now a Believer may say I brake the Law but in Christ I satisfied it and may glory saying In the Lord have I Righteousness and Strength 2. The sting of Death is taken out in that it is not now a part or fruit of the revenging wrath of God but of his fatherly love and therefore he doth not so much thrust them out of this world when they dye as take them to himself as it is said concerning him Ger. 5.24 God took him And so Christ tells his Disciples Joh. 14.3 I wâ—ll come again and receive you to my self They are gathered to their Fathers Thâ—â— that dye in the Lord doe not fall but yield themselves into the hand◠〈◊〉 God Acts 7.59 Stephen resigns up his spirit into the hands of Chrâ—â—â— The wicked are gathered like Tares and like chaff to be burned but the Saints like a shock of ripe corn in its season like the preceâ—â—â—â—ain into the Garner to be preserved Hence as a man would â—â—lly â—ay siâ—â— best Moveables when a place is to be destroyed so 〈◊〉 God â—o be 〈◊〉 way his Saints before he bring destroying Calamityes upon a Nation 57 1. The righteous perisheth and no man layâ—th it to heart and the mercifull men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come Old Mothuselah goes in the year before the Flood came Hezekiah and Josiah are removed by death that so they might not see the evil coming upon Judah Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the Death of his Saints Psal 116.15 It s no messenger of Satan nor an instrument of wrath but the messenger of Christ to translate them into the Kingdome of heaven whilst others fall into Gods angry revenging hand the Saints dye in the Lord and rest in the embraces of his Love It is said of Moses Deut. 34.5 He dyed at the mouth of Jehovah with a Kiss of his mouth as the Rabbies gloss it as it were sweetly respiring his breath back again into the hand whence he received it So that death to the Saints is not from Justice but choicest mercy and love It is one of those things given us by God in Christ 1 Cor. 3.22 Death is yours 3. Deaths Sting is taken away in that though it separate Body and Soul yet neither the one nor the other are separated from Christ their Communion with one another indeed is broken but their Union with Christ is no wayes impaired or disanulled They dye in the Lord Rev. 14.13 and sleep in Jesus 1 Cor. 15.18 we dye unto the Lord whether we live or dye we are the Lords Rom. 14.8 Our friends indeed are not with us but they are with Christ which is far better Phil. 1. They are taken hence
things be they shall be another mans It s certain saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 6.7 that we carvy nothing out of this world Where we took up our Lot in this life there we must leave it The things of this life are like a boat to wast us over the water which can doe us no further service when we come on shore as our cloaths that we put on in the morning and put off at night Now for them that dote upon their worldly enjoyments and have their portion in this life what a grief is it and how doth it sting them to consider that they yet must take an utter leave of all their joyes delights friends and good things at once as the merchants of Babylon lamented over the costliness of the city for in one hour it was made desolate so may the rich Miser in a dying hour They at Ziglaz wept for the sacking of the place and the captivity of their sons and daughters till they had no more power to weep yet they might be recovered but in Death there is no Return 9. Another sting in Death is that Satan is very busy to hold the souls of men in a desperate security or plunging them into the depth of 〈◊〉 spair which is the very image of Hell hence Asaph in Psal 73. spâ—â—â—â— of some in his observation that had no bands in Death and Bildad â—enâ— of others that are haled to the King of Terrors O the Râ—â—â—â—â— and restless tostings of some poor wretches when they 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 out as if their breath were already made up of Fire and Brimstone as Francis Spira and Hadrian the Emperour And oh the sottish stupidity and senslesness of others who mind nothing at all neither past nor present but their bodily pains when their souls are sinking into hell How few are there that commit their souls to God and wisely and patiently dispose themselves for their latter end There is a woe pronouced upon the inhabitants of the earth for the Devil is come down unto you having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time Râ—v 12.12 So it may be said of every inhabitant of this earth when he comes to dye the weight of sin the unsupportableness of Gods anger the terrors of hell the nearness of the danger the difficulty of salvation will all appear nakedly to the naked soul When God makes darkness and it is night then the beasts of the forest creep forth every frog will be croaking towards the evening every puddle will send up a stinking vapor in a foggy night all the several shadows of things will unite every thing will concur to make up and compleat the misery of the poor sinner but the Rulers of the darkness of this world and powers of darkness set in to doe the last and worst in this life 10. Another sting in death is in the manner of its coming 1. It comes inevitably none can withstand or evade it the wise the rich the strong the beautifull the virtuous the young and the grey-headed c. fall and perish by it It s as a River that carryes all before it a Sythe that cuts all clean before it and levels all before it Job 3.14 15 18 19. It turns Kings and Counsellors Princes into the grave it breaks prisons small and great are seized by it It is appointed for all once to die saith the Apostle Heb. 9 27. Like sheep they are laid in the Grave and Death feeds on them Psal 49.14 This carryes a sting with it â—o lye open to the power of an enemy inevitably 2. It comes suddenly without delay this night saith God thy soul â—â—all be taken from thee Luk 20. Man knoweth not his time Eccl. 9.12 3. It comes irrecoâ—erably Job 14.12 Man lyeth down and riseth not 〈◊〉 the heavens be no more and v. 14. shall he live again the interrogaâ—â—â—â— implyes a strong and vehement negation Job 7.9 10. as the cloud â—â—â—onsumed and vanisheth away so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more he shall return no more to his house nor shall his place know him any more 4. Another sting in Death is that it puts us into a state unknown of which we have no experience it s called a Land of darkness as â—â—â—â—ss it self and of the shadow of death and without any order and where the light is as darkness Job 10.22 Men are afraid to goe in the dark the traveller is afraid to pass when the evening is come and where a man knows nothing he suspects the worst Mat. 17.6 The Disciples were sore afraid at the voice from the excellent glory Lastly Unto ungodly men it is a certain inlet and entrance into eternal Death It s a dark passage into the bottomless pit they are led through the prison of the grave to the place of execution Death temporal ushers in death eternal the death of the body makes way for the death of the soul they dye now and they dye ever Rev. 21.8 We read of A second Death after which there is none to come This is the sting of all its stings a state in which a man cannot be worse and yet shall never be better when death and hell shall be joyned in one for ever VSE I. Hence learn why men dread and are so afraid of Death yea there are many causes why a natural man should fear Death because of the sting that is in it Ah should I tell you nothing and you should mind no other but your souls seperation from your body can you part with it without a sigh or a serious thought or of your bodyes corruption though it might be wrapped in lead and entombed in marble yet in a few days it shall be an abhorring and loathing to all living it shall be a prey to vipers and creeping worms of the earth your carcases and your remembrance shall alike rot and perish together Should I tell you of your sicknesses and death-pangs that shall oppress you and your helpless friends standing by should I shew you your coffin your Grave or Tomb your Herse cloath and your Bier should I tell you of the breaking of your purposes and your intents frustrated and this coming inevitably suddenly and unalterably methinks these things should present Death as terrible Ah but I tell you it is the wrath of God the scalding drops of it and the fruit of your sin the beginning of your everlasting destruction It s no other liberty but what the Felon hath when he is taken out of prison and brought forth to execution it s your extream agony and the time of Satans rage and the prevailing of the powers of darkness the black guard of Hell surrounding of you the rending of you in pieces I acknowledge its an error in the saints 〈◊〉 people of God to be so much affrighted at death and to goe so mournfully out of this world surely they have not learn'd to look off this world
they are as water in the Sea safe and united in its inclosure with the rest of the element so the Saints are gone to their place after death a place of rest and known to be so it s a known and knowing state which they enter into it s known for their is a clear description of it in the holy Scriptures a Map as it were of the heavenly Canaan It s a knowing state for then we shall know as we are known 12. Deaths sting is taken away in that it s made a passage into heaven The Saints they pass from death to life when the wicked pass from death to death from the first to the second death Hence they may be terrified at it and shrink but a Child of God when he considers its errand that it comes to carry him hence to his Fathers house he can entertain it with comfort Death to the Saints is the middle point between two lives it is an harbinger and fore-runner of their being received up the righteous being taken up thus they enter into peace Isa 57.2 they never reach the end of their race till now they have shot this gulph and now immediately they arrive at it No sooner are the Saints undressed here but they are cloathed upon in heaven No sooner doe they leave this lise but they enter upon a better Lazarus died and was carried into Abrahams bosome Luk. 16.22 The thief goes from the cross with Christ to Paradise Luke 23.43 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Death is not an abiding but a transient state like a dark entry into a lightsome room Death doth assault but not conquer them it shall not have dominion over them as it hath over the damned in hell No death and hell as to them shall be cast into the lake of fire its dominion is taken away here yet its life is prolonged for a season and time as it s said of them Beasts Dan. 7.12 So death is prolonged here in this world after its dominion is broke â—hilst it is of use to the Saints and may serve the interest of mercy but â—â—n this is once over it shall be swallowed up So that is a suitable Eâ—â—aph which the holy Ghost has composed to be writ upon the Tombs â—â—â—e Saints lye BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH Uâ—E IN THE LORD Rev. 14.13 Thus you see how the sting taken out by Christ and how he doth disarm Death VSE 1. Of Instruction 1. Hence see why the Saints deliberately 〈◊〉 and yet desire to dye the reason is because its sting is gone 〈◊〉 therefore is no way hurtful or terrible to the Saints they can oâ—â—â—munion with death and not be harmed by it A child may play with an Adder when it has lost its sting There is no sin nor curse nor sorrow nor pain that can hurt a child of God O no it s all removed in the blood of Christ were it not so they could not desire and long for it as they doe Paul presseth forward and reacheth forth to those things which are before and his mark is the Resurrection Phil. 3.13.14 Now in the mention of the Resurrection he necessarily includes Death yea a necessity of dying surely this argues death hath no sting to the Saints it ceaseth to be so great an enemy to them as it is to the Herd of ungodly men 2. Hence learn the great difference that there is between the Death of the righteous and the wicked They seem as to what is visible to be equal and alike in death they all goe to their long home and to the house appointed for all the living Yea but mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is prace Psal 37.37 even a wicked Balâ—â—m when his eyes were open could say seeing the great difference between the godly and the wicked O that I might dye the Death of the Righteous and let my last end be like his Numb 23.10 3. Hence learn wherein the Saints are more then Conquerours They are tryumphers over their spiritual enemies as the Apostle saith in another case God made them to tryumph in Christ so he and the rest of believers Rom. 8. are more then Conquerours i.e. Tryumphers Christ hath overcome for them and by his Spirit enables them to overcome to tryumph in himself 4. And lastly Learn unto whom the praise of all the case and comfort which the Saints have in their death doth belong viz. to Jesus It is he makes them to differ Death would be as powerful as piercing as painful to them as it is to others but that Christ hath pluckt out the sting of it as to them What Hallelujahs of praise are due to him that hath redeemed us to God by his bood Rev. 5.9 How thankful how dutiful should all the Saints be to the blessed Lord Jesus as v. 57 58. Thanks be to God that giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus and I follows Be steadfast and immovable alwayes abounding in the work of thâ— Lord. II. Let all hence be exhorted all and every one to labour to get this stin removed Make it your work while you live do not leave and neglect it till you be alarumed by Death and it comes in view when slesh 〈◊〉 heart fails and Paysitians grow doubtful or despair of your escapeâ—â— Conscience is startled when distress and anguish take hold on you Doe not defer it I say till then but make it your business while you live 1. Labour to last the bitterness of sin so as to be duely affected with it and to be aff icted and mourn for it It s sin makes death bitter and painful but now let sin be therefore throughly sorrowed for and repented of that you may not dye in your sins then death will not nor cannot sting you O you poor mortal sinful men that must shortly dye Labour to repent and turn your selves Let your hearts be grieved and your reins be pricked for your sins Repent that your sins may be forgiven before you come to dye get the strength soveraignty and dominion of sin taken down this is the way to peace in a dying hour Wo to you saith Christ that laugh now Luk. 6. 2. Live by Faith depending on and cleaving to the Lord Jesus as your Redeemer and Deliverer There is none that can save and deliver us but He Act. 4.12 VVhen you have done all you can t is he alone that can save you and deliver you from the sting of death live so by Faith that you may dye in Faith as they Heb. 11. that will take away the sting of Death the shield of Faith quenches the fiery darts of the Devil Eph 6.16 the way to loose the pains of Death is to set and cleave close to Christ and to depend upon him 3. Live well Walk with God live holily righteously and godly in this present world serve your Generation as David get your work done it is a dreadful stinging thing for a man to have his work to doe when his day is done and death is come No Work while it is day work out your Salvation with fear and trembling be stedfast and immoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord so it shall be a blessed thing to you to Dye in the Lord and rest from your labours How much of this was exemplified in the life and expressed in the Death of this honourable and virtuous Lady who is now gone hence to be with the Lord for ever who was chiefly in my thoughts in the choice of this Text. What ardor of desire What Faith What Hope What Confidence What gleamings of joy What Patience and willingness to depart is now issued in her is known to some and somewhat to my self I shall not therefore insist But since it was not my lot to attend her in her more solemn obsequies I thus come to lay down these little branches of Bays and Cypress on her Tomb. And as it was her earnest desire that whenever this her great change should come her own Family might reap the saving benefit of it so it is my hearts desire and Prayer that this Coogregation may have some saving benefit by and a sanctified use of her death that the remembrance of her pious Life may teach us how to live so that when our lise is â—pun out we may dye in peace and receive a Crown of Life FINIS