it v. 55. O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory Which he further amplifieth by representing the length and strength of Deaths weapons v. 56. The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law And concludes with this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or song of triumph in the words I have chosen to insist upon But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Wherein we have this blessed Apostle expressing the courage and yet the humility of a Christian His confidence through Faith and withal the lowly deference that he owns to Almighty God through our Lord Jesus Christ Or more particularly we have the true Christians victory over Death First joyfully reported 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a victory to us Christians over Death Secondly thankfully resented 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thanks be to him that giveth us this victory Thirdly the Author of it acknowledged and magnified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thanks be to God Fourthly the procuring or meritorious cause of this victory signified 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through our Lord Jesus Christ I begin with the joyful report of this victory over Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This word victory is a martial term and intimateth First that Death is an Enemy There may be an obliging victory in the friendly contests of Lovers who endeavour to outstrip each other in offices of kindness and good-will But this victory is of another nature it is like the battel of the warriour with confused noise and garments rolled in blood Isa 9.5 It is the overcoming of a great and formidable enemy Such is Death and that First To the natural concerns of man To destroy either the Soul or Body of man is a work beyond the reach of Death or any other on this side that infinite power that made them both But what Death aims at is the separating of these old friends and dissolving the union that was so intimate between them And this is that which Nature so industriously endeavoureth to maintain that the dissolution must be an act of great violence to it To maintain this union Nature is not only forward to gratifie sense by eating and drinking what is pleasant and delightful but sometimes content to affront and annoy it by submitting to severe abstinences laborious exercises ungrateful and nauseous doses of Physick To maintain this the most greedy Mammonist will break off some pieces of his adored Idol employing his bags to compass this greatest purchase of continued health Yea the industrious Merchant will discharge his Ship of the most promising return to secure what he accounts the most precious thing aboard his life To continue this union how many are content to undergo the tediousness of a lingering distemper and chuse a dying life before death it self To maintain this how many do meet force with force and make their neighbours life a commutation for their own Yea for this end how oft do men expose and sometimes yeild to part with some of the less useful members of their own bodies to secure by composition the health of the whole All which sheweth how earnest desires and what diligent care Nature hath inspired us with of maintaining this union of Soul and Body and perpetuating it as far as may be And consequently what an enemy Death is in attempting the dissolution thereof Secondly to a man in his moral concerns Death is an enemy Even a criminal while he can escape the arrest of the Law thinks the best of his own condition and a sinner while he can hold up his head in the land of the living is apt to bless himself in his own sanguine conceits and to laugh at the doctrine of a Judgment to come But look what an enemy the Malefactor esteems him that hales him before an earthly Tribunal or a Debtor him that calls him to account for his scores such an enemy doth every man that knows himself to have offended and hath not sued out his pardon every man that hath run in score to Gods justice and hath not applied himself to that Surety that so graciously offers to pay his debts esteems Death that comes to bring him before Almighty God as a righteous Judg from whom he may expect a dreadful sentence and the great Creditor to whom he knows himself not responsible Secondly this term Victory supposeth a conflict Over a Coward that dares not to fight or a Town that surrenders upon summons we are not ordinarily said to obtain a victory This is properly the effect of strugling and striving for mastery And with this enemy Death every man hath a great conflict And that both First Eminùs at a distance when it threatens us and thus it begetteth fear which is a passion that commonly makes impression especially upon persons of soft and tender natures not inferiour to those that attend the approaches of evil Especially O death how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that lives peaceably in the enjoyment of his friends to him that is quiet and prosperous in his business and to him that hath an appetite and can relish his meat Ecclus 41.1 This is such a conflict as doth quietos sollicitare disquiets those that are at ease in Sion and disturbs them that are setled upon their Lees. To think that this healthy body must e're long be distempered with diseases that those pleasures that have been the darlings of their souls must everlastingly forsake them that those riches for which they have toiled and laboured must take themselves wings and for ever fly away yea that this stately and beautiful structure of the body must yeild to dissolution and which is more dreadful than all the rest that when the dust shall return to the earth the spirit shall return to God that gave it Eccl. 12.7 to pass an account of the things which it hath done in the body and to receive a reward according to them whether they be good or evil 2 Cor. 5.10 This is that terror of the Lord through which so many are all their life time subject to bondage Heb. 2.16 Secondly and especially Cominùs when Death comes to conflict with us hand to hand when the battel is set in array and pila minantia pilis Can thy heart endure or thy hands be strong in the day when God thus dealeth with thee Ezek. 22.14 When Death is represented in its most ordinary habit this ghastly Skeleton armed with Scyth and Spade beset with the skulls and bones of dead men as trophyes of its multiplied conquests how dismally doth it look how far from the aspect of one that designs to court delicate Ladies yea more like to a Mormo designed to affright mankind But especially when it clothes it self in an habit of extraordinary terror when it appears in the scarlet cloak of a violent calenture in the purple robes of a pestilential feaver when it enamels its weapons with the stone or stains them
men are killed all the day long they are not only victors but more than conquerors Rom. 8.36 37. And even in dying they are troubled but not distressed they are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 2 Cor. 4.9 More particularly First they are victors over the fear of Death That fear that ariseth from an apprehension of turning their backs upon the fruit of their labours they overcome by considering that in heaven they have a better and more enduring substance Heb. 10.34 Even an inheritance incorruptible undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for them 1 Pet. 1.4 That which springs from the thoughts of the dissolution of this beautiful and majestick piece of Gods workmanship which hath been so much adored and deified Phil. 3.19 is overcome by considering that if their earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved they have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens 2 Cor. 5.1 That which ariseth from the preapprehension of the pains of death in the violent ejecting of this old inhabitant the Soul from its beloved mansion the Body is overcome by considering both the necessity of this violence and our being but once molested with it which are thoughts that offer themselves to all mens consideration and withall that Death is a passage though a strait one unto life a Porter though a rugged and surly one that lets us into the Palace of the great King And who will dread that which delivers him from so much sin and misery and puts him into possesion of so great good in another place though like the Angels to Lot it use some friendly violence in haling him hence Gen. 19.16 This makes a good man not only to submit to death and say the will of the Lord be done Act. 21.14 and it is the Lord let him do what seemeth good in his sight 1 Sam. 3.18 but further to be desirous to depart and to be with Christ as esteeming that to be far better Phil. 1.23 yea to groan being burdened desiring to be clothed upon with their house which is from heaven 2 Cor. 5.2 and to account Death as great gain Phil. 1.21 Secondly they are conquerors over the pains of Death which are a great evil and sorely pressing to humane nature These a good man overcomes not so as to be exempt from the same exquisite sense of pain which other persons feel yea God is ofttimes pleased for most wise and gracious ends to exercise the best of men under most tedious and exquisite pains But yet they are conquerors in the conflict though the encounter be sharp Partly through that great measure of Patience which God gives them under his hand which then hath the best opportunity for shewing its perfect work Jam. 1.3 And it is a glorious victory when patience holds out to the end and this strong man cannot be brought to bow under the greatest burden of extremity that can be laid upon it witness the case of Job whose invincible patience under the greatest sufferings was to the glory of God and to his own comfort and ease at present and future honour Partly through the strength of that other grace of Faith whereby they look unto that fatherly hand that lays these things upon them and thereby are not only drawn to a filial submission which gives ease to the mind under sufferings but also take the advantage of deriving comfort from him that smites and will also heal them So that when the outward man decayeth the inward is renewed day by day 2 Cor. 4.16 And withall this grace enables a good man to look up into Heaven in the midst of the pains of Death as St. Stephen did Act. 7.55 and to see his Saviour there standing ready to receive him to himself in glory And this makes him though not to hate his own body nor simply to desire to be unclothed yet willing and desirous to be clothed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life 2 Cor. 5.4 and comfortably to bear those difficult methods whereby the divine wisdom thinks it fit to bring this to pass Thirdly over the sting of Death There is a sharp and poysonous thing put into the tayl of this Serpent through our transgressing the Law of God and this is that which is most dreadful in Death to a considering person and that which even a Roman courage could not prevail to master But a Christian finds that in the word of God that fortifies him against this also Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth it is Chirst that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God and maketh intercession for us who shall separate us from the love of Christ I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8.33 34 35 38 39. Here then is the strong man disarmed the Lions mouth shut the Serpents sting taken from him Fourthly over the Power of Death To reason not improved by the supplemental light of divine revelation it seemed incredible that God should raise the dead Acts 26.8 And to him that considers the severity of Gods justice it might seem that when the judg should have delivered us to the officer and he cast us into prison we must by no means come out thence till we should have paid the utmost farthing Math 5.25 26. That is never at all But when we consider that as Christ was delivered for our offences so he rose again for our justification Rom. 4.25 we may thence very reasonably conclude that he that raised up the Lord Jesus from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies Rom. 8.11 And upon this account a good man hath confident hopes of victory over the power of Death and can say I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth And though after my skin worms destroy this flesh yet with mine eyes shall I see God Job 19.26 The precedent discourse being reflected upon may be useful First to shew us the excellency of the Christian faith above all other notions of a Deity that have been entertained in the world in that it enables us for the great conflict and gives us victory over the worst of our enemies Indeed the ancient Romans have shewed themselves sufficiently audacious in looking death in the face but their confidence was supported by slender props Amor patriae laudumque immensa cupido a desire to advance and enlarge the City whereof they were freemen and to erect a monument of their own praise to posterity this made them prodigal of their lives and fearless of death But a Christian hath a desire to depart hence that he may be near unto Christ and upon a full and
Christ. Secondly to satisfie us on the contrary concerning the dejectedness and despondency wherewith some men do meet death from whom yet better things might have been expected Men of strong bodies athletick constitution happy education great parts much reading how fearful have they been to look death in the face yea a good man when God hides the light of his countenance from him doth tremble to think of death and judgment of this a reason is easily given from what hath been spoken the Author of so great a blessing with-holds it where it doth not seem good to his infinite wisdom to bestow it Thrirdly this directs us whether to apply our selves to obtain strength in the last encounter We must not trust to our selves to natural or acquired gifts but we must go forth in the strength of the Lord and make mention of his name even of his only Psal 71.16 On him let us call by prayer him let us sollicite by acting faith on him who giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Isa 40.29 Fourthly what thanks and obedienâ—e can be sufficient for a just acknowledgment to God from them to whom he hath vouchsafed this glorious triumph over death It is the greatest victory that can be imagined to conquer this king of terrors the greatest gift we can think of imploring the divine favour to bestow upon us in this world that he will furnish us with that strength and resolution that will make us not afraid to leave the world It is one of the blessed fruits of our Saviours meritorious sufferings and obedience And therefore what shall we return unto the Lord for this and all other his benefits What thanks offering can be of due value to present unto him what fruit of the lips what obedience of heart and life can be sufficient to express 〈◊〉 râ—sâ—â—ment of this favour O give thanks unto the Lord for he is God 〈◊〉 hâ—â— meâ—â—y â—â—duâ—â—eth for ever Let the redeemed of the Lâ—â—d 〈◊〉 whom he hâ—â—h redeemed from the hand of the enemy O 〈◊〉 would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wâ—nderful worâ—s towards the sons of men Psal 107.1 2 8. But from the Author of this victory which was proposed as the third thing considerable let us advance to the Fourth General to be considered in the Text the procuring cause of this victory by whom it was acquired and purchased for us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through our Lord Jesus Christ. The main argument whereby the Apostle had established that great Article of our Faith the resurrection of the body in the precedent part of this Chapter was grounded upon the resurrection of Christ from the dead Who not only shewed that it was neither impossible nor yet incredible that God should raise the dead Acts 26.8 because he himself overcome the sharpness of death and broke its bonds but also by rising as a publick person the second Adam the first-fruits from the dead hath made way for us also to follow him in the resurrection of our bodies And this expression in the Text seems to be the Epiphonema or close of that discourse and arguing It is in Christ that God blesseth us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things Eph. 1.3 And particularly this blessed victory over death is derived unto us through Christ several ways hath Christ overcome death and made way for our being victorious over it First he hath destroyed the sting of death even sin by his merits and sufferings The sting is the most formidable part in those animals that are arm'd therewith And sin which rendred us obnoxious to the wrath of God and curse of the Law was the chief thing that made death dreadful to mankind as arresting us in order to bringing us before the Judg of all the earth who will render to every man according to his works Rom. 2.6 But this sting hath Christ plucked out from death by his voluntary and meritorious obedience answering the exaction of the Law and by his unparallel'd and meritorious sufferings enduring the malediction thereof So that there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 As a great High Priest he hath by one offering perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10.14 As our surety he hath paid our debts and cancelled the hand-writing that was against us As our God he hath redeemed us not with corruptible things as silver and gold but with his own most pretious blood 1 Pet. 1.19 And in each respect God is just and yet the justifier of the ungodly when he believeth in Jesus Rom. 3.26 In him mercy and truth are met together righteousness and peace have kissed each other Psal 85.10 Secondly he hath overcome the pains of death by his example and promises By his example who as the Captain of our Salvation was made perfect through sufferings Heb. 2.10 He suffered perfectly all that the Law of God could exact or the rage of his enemies inflict And he was perfect under his sufferings so as not to entrench the least upon the bounds of compleat patience Jam. 1.2 He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before the shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth Isa 53.7 When he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not 1 Pet. 2.23 Further by his sufferings he perfected the work of our Redemption and fully satisfied Divine Justice And hereby he hath engaged and encouraged us to arm our selves likewise with the same mind because Christ hath suffered in the flesh for us 1 Pet. 4.1 And by his promises he hath encouraged us telling us that this strait way leadeth to life that in the mean time he will never fail us nor forsake us Heb. 13.5 But when we pass through the fire and water he will be with us Isa 43.1 2 and that these light afflictions that endure but for a season do work for us a far more excellent and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Thirdly he hath wiped away the scandal of death by his leading the way in suffering death and lying in the grave It is a great affront to this stately piece of well-formed earth to own kindred with corruption and worms Job 17.14 But Christ the best of men yea the Son of God hath led us on the way to Golgotha and we need not be ashamed to follow him in the steps he hath troden He suffered before he was glorified he endured the cross and digested the shame of that scandalous death before he set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Heb. 12.3 And therefore it is no disgrace to us to die and be laid in the grave Yea it was a far bitterer cup that he drank off for us than what God useth to put into the hands of his people and therefore we should not scruple at drinking our own portion He hath perfumed the grave by laying
called us into his eternal Glory by Christ Jesus and who after we have suffered a while will make us perfect stablish strengthen and settle us 1 Pet. 5.10 He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our tribulation 2 Cor. 1.3 And therefore this especial comfort that ariseth from victory over death is to be owned with thankfulness as his gift Secondly it is a gift which none but himself can bestow Human reason and manly courage may in part support us under the thoughts of leaving the World and sleeping in the Grave by telling us that the World is vanity and vexation of spirit and helping us to consider that we are every way as well at ease wâ—en we are a-sleep and forget the World as when we are awake to enjoy it But what strength or courage of a mortal man can bear up without fainting under weakning decays of bodily vigour and endure without complaining that tedious pain and anguish with which it pleaseth God sometimes to afflict our bodies except he that lays on his hand to afflict do also put underneath his everlasting arms to support Thou even thou art to bâ— feared and who may stand in thy sight when on â—â—th 〈◊〉 wâ—â—â—â— Psal 76.7 Can thy heart endure or thy hand be strong in the day when God shall visit thee Ezek. 22.14 Especially who can bear up under the dreadful apprehension of appearing before almighty God as the judg of all the world except he hath comfortable apprehensions of God being reconciled and the judg become his friend They were no cowards nor sorry mean spirited persons but the Kings of the earth and the great men and the rich men and the chief captains and the mighty man and every freeman as well as every bondman that sought to hide themsâ—lves in dens and in the rocks of the mountains that courted the mountains and rocks to fall on them and to hide them from the face of him that sat on the throne and from â—he face of the Lamb for when the great day of his wealâ—h should come who say they shall be able to stand before him Revel 6 15.16.17 Thirdly this enemy Death is in perfect subjection to God as his servant and therefore he is able to bless us with victory and to command deliverance to Jacob. No man can enter the house of a strong man armed and spoil his goods except he fiâ—st bind the strong man Mar 3.27 Now this can God do not only in respect of his infinite power to which all creatures in heaven and earth do bow and obey whereby he can stop the mouths of Lions suspend the natural influence of fiâ—e appease the rage and swelling of the sea But also because Death is his servant the minister of his wrath the executioner of his justice And therefore he that saith to the raging sea peace and be still yea that hath placed the friable body of sand to be a rampart against its fury by a perpetual decree which it cannot pass nor return again to cover the earth Jer. 5.22 He also gives laws to death and sets bounds to its rage giving victory over it to them that fear him Fourthly the conferring of this victory is a favour that will eminently shew the great love and kindness of God to his people for naturally we are under the power and dominion of death by reason of sin it being as due as the wages to the workman when he ended hath his business And it was the meer mercy and undeserved good will of God toward the workmanship of his own hand now degenerated and become miserable through their own wilfulness that helped them to overcome that enemy which themselves had formed to be a thorn in their sides and a prick in their eyes Yea it was a peculiar favour to mankind not vouchsafed to the superior order of reasonable creatures to be able to vanquish that death that misery which there ungrateful revolting from their maker had brought upon themselves for verily the Son of God took not on him the nature of Angels nor helped them up but he took on him and relieved the seed of Adam and for them did by death overcome him that had power over death even the devil and delivered them who otherwise through fear of death must all their life time have been subject to bondage Heb. 2.14 15 16. Yea it is a mercy not vouchsafed to all mankind as to the actual enjoyment of it but to those only that beleeve in him To as many as received him he gave power to become the sons of God John 1.12 to have part in the first resurrection so that the second death should have no power over them Rev. 20.6 Fifthly consequently this Garland of Victory doth greatly oblige the hearts of Gods people unto himself It being the fruit of that preventing love that remembred us in our low and lost estate even because his mercy endureth for ever Psal 136.23 the manifestation of the kindness and bounty of God to procure for us so great a priviledge as this victory hath appeared to be and that at so dear a rate as the most precious blood of his own Son that Lamb without spot and blemish 1 Pet. 1.19 So God loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 This tends to draw us with the cords of a man with cords of love Hos 11.4 It sets us upon our legs to run the way of Gods commandments it renders us subjects capable of ingenuous service by setting us free with the glorious liberty of the Sons of God Rom. 8.21 And withall it layeth the strongest engagements of love and gratitude upon us to give up our selves both souls and bodies as living sacrifices unto him Rom. 12.1 and being delivered from our enemies to serve him without slavish fear in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life Luk. 1.74 75. This period being reflected upon will be of use First to resolve that wonder that sometimes possesseth our minds when we behold the great courage and undaunted confidence of some persons in looking death in the face Many that could not look upon those instruments of violent death a sword or pistol in the hand of an enemy people that are of weak constitutions and mean spirits for encountring an adversary abroad have yet been able to entertain death when coming from Gods own hand with great composure and sedateness of spirit yea many whose education hath placed them under disadvantageous circumstances through want of due knowledg and clear notions as to other things have been able to grapple with death when clothed with all that terror which cruel men could hang on its back The reason is because God gave them that gift which is in his own power to bestow and this wind bloweth where it listeth these favours are many times conferred upon babes in
Victory over Death A SERMON PREACHED At Steeple-Ashton in the County of Wilts upon the 27th day of April 1676. AT THE FUNERAL OF Mr. Peter Adams The late Reverend Pious and Industrious Minister of Gods Word there Sometime Fellow of Vniversity-Colledge in Oxford By Paul Latham P. S. and V. W. Rom. 8.37 In all these things we are more than Conquerours through him that loved us London Printed by H. C. for Edward Gellibrand at the Golden Ball in St. Pauls-Church-Yard 1676. To my worthy and much respected Friend Mrs. Margaret Adams the sorrowful Relict of the deceased And to the rest of his near and dear Relations My Dear Friends VIctory over death as it was one of the blessed fruits of our Saviours death and resurrection and is one of the glorious priviledges of those that believe in him so if it had been represented unto you by the hand of that happy Comprehensor who now triumpheth in the accomplishment of it might have appeared like Apelles his Picture drawn by his own hand or like Cesars Conquests by himself recorded in his own Commentaries But that the Discourse upon it fell into an hand so unsuitable to the subject the misfortune is imputable to the charity of him that made his survey of the person with the charitable eye of a Friend and committed a matter of such weight like a beautiful Face to a sorry Limner or a rare Atchievement to an unskilful Herald only because he had a kindness for him That the representation of this Victory appeareth without the Walls where it was once divulged stands charged upon your candour that entertained this sudden production with more friendliness than the Parent had for it I shall not mention either the shortness of the time alotted for the composure or the intervening occasions that disturbed it nor yet the little leasure I had for reviewing and transcribing the Notes but leave it to the courteous interpretation of those that by knowing how to do far better do know also how to bear with the imperfections of others For your own parts I look upon your request for making this publick as the desire of true Friends to retain the Picture of a deceased Brother when the Prototype is removed from them Or like the ambition of the primitive Christians to preserve the memory of the Martyrs and Confessors that were gone before them and had taken heaven by violence Mat. 11.12 He hath run his part of the Christian Race and hath delivered the Lamp to us that are left God grant that we may not be slothful but followers of him and of all others who through faith and patience do inherit the promises Heb. 6.12 Though I know you have other and greater matters to draw you to hasten homeward yet I presume this will make an addition to the rest that you may be joined to our good Friend that sleepeth and to the rest of that general Assembly and Church of the First-born that are written in Heaven even to the Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 I doubt not but you have those comforts from Gods good Spirit that will support you under so great a loss And that this small memorial of our Reverend Friend may be a mean to stir up you and his late Parishioners and all others that may cast their eyes upon these lines to fight the good fight of Faith that they may attain victory in the great conflict and finally attain everlasting life is the hearty Prayer of Your sympathizing Friend and unworthy Brother Paul Latham Warmister May 22 1676. Victory over Death A SERMON ON 1 CORINTH XV. 57. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ IF the Interment of a good Christian afford matter of solemn thoughts to that Minister who seriously considers such men to be as the Grape-gleanings of the Vintage Mic. 7.1 If the parting with a dear and intimate Friend be tedious to him that considers such an one to be more pretious than the Gold of Ophir If the translation of a dear Brother and faithful Labourer from serving God in his Church on earth to attending on him and enjoying him in heaven do cause sad thoughts of heart in him that duly surveys the greatness of the Harvest Once more if the removal of a Minister that was in his life time a burning and shining light be to a considerate Parishioner like the setting of the Sun in the Firmament Then all these circumstances combined in the sad occasion of this solemn Assembly may justly render it very mournful to me To whom the greatness of grief might most justly have enjoined silence had not the earnest request of our Reverend Brother now with God which had the power of a command upon me appointed speaking to be my work this day Who if he had also thought fit to have suggested words for my subject at this time they might have been like the Mantle of Elijah attended with some of his Spirit and thereby being dead he would once more have spoken unto you Heb. 11.4 But seeing it was his pleasure to repose that confidence in me as to leave the choice of a subject to the conduct of my own thoughts I shall not disappoint his expectation by gratifying my own passion For then to express my tender brotherly affection I might have insisted upon such words as those of David I am distressed for thee my Brother Jonathan very pleasant hast thou been unto me thy love to me was wonderful passing the love of women 2 Sam. 1.26 Or rather to express a more honourable and reverent affection more suitable to my juniority in years and deficiency in attainments I might have spoken of him and by a figure to him in such words as those of the King of Israel to the Prophet My father my father the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof 2 King 13.14 But instead of humouring my self which would be a very unsuitable design in him that steps up into the Chair of so worthy and self-denying a man of God I shall rather chuse to represent unto you your late Reverend Minister now dead in living colours and in his example and attainments to set before you at once your duty and happiness in obtaining a glorious and comfortable victory over death And for this end I have chosen to insist upon this portion of Scripture Thanks be to God which hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Which words are the result of the Apostles joyful preapprehending by the eye of Faith that victory which shall hereafter be compleated to Believers over the last great enemy Ver. 54. He stretcheth forward his head to look unto this So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall have put on immortality then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in victory Whereupon he subjoineth a confident challenge to death or rather he manfully defieth