.SEAM. XLI.1 THE DEATFI OF SAINTS IMPROVED. 203 open the eye of faith, and see the holy soul ascending to God ; we behold the weak and languishing body rising glorious out of the grave, shaking off the dust, and put- ting on its immortality : While our faith, attends the spirit of our departing friend to heaven, we grow willing and desirous to be gone too ; and being brought so near to the gates of glory, we would fain take our leave of mortal things, and 4ccompany the expiring saint to the joyful world of spirits. The memory of such a scene, and such an hour, will dwell upon our thoughts long, and support our own hope of victory, when we shall be called to-conflict with the same enemy. Having such a witness gone before us, we shall not only run our race with patience, through all the stages of it, but finish our course with joy. There is a sacred courage derived many times to a weak believer, by attending the last moments of a dying saint ascending to the upper world. " I was afraid of death, says a feeble Christian, till I saw` my neigh- bour die : He was once a sinner as well as I, and he had his imperfections and failings in this life, as I have mine ; I humbly hope I have practised the same repentance as he has done, I have trusted in the same Saviour, I have ventured my all upon the same gospel, and travelled on in the same path surely there is forgiveness for me too; surely the sting of my death shall be taken away also : and, through grace, I shall jòin in his triumph; " O death, where is thy sting ? ,O grave, where is thy vic- tory ?" 1 Cor. xv. 55. This observation has been most gloriously exemplified in the death of martyrs: When the spectators that have been heathens, Or but almost christians, have been strangely animated to profess the gospel boldly, while they have seer, the most amazing courage of these glori- ous sufferers for Christ. And those that have been doubtful and trembling believers, whose faith was waver- ing, and who were ready to let go their profession, have ventured throughblood, and torments, and death, with a divine resolution, when they have beheld the martyrs meet the same death and torments with a sacred bravery ofsoul. Amultitude of .fearful christians may be animated and encouraged to travel through the dark valley, and to
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