SERI. XLIII. DEATH A BLESSING TO THE SAI1NTS. 221 those two intimate friends, the flesh and the spirit, that sends one of them to the noisome prison of the grave, and hurries away the other into unknown regions ? Yes, the gospel of Christ has power and grace enough in it to take off all these gloomy appearances from death; and to illuminate the darkest side of it with various lustre. So the sun paints the fairest colours upon the blackest cloud, and while the thick dark shower is descending, it entertains our eyes with all the beauties of the rain-bow; a most glorious type and seal of the covenant ofgrace, that can give a pleasing aspect to death itself, and spread light and pleasure over the darksome grave. If we are believers in Christ, death is oursas well as life. These two contrary states may each of them de- rive peculiar benefits from the new covenant. The Chris- tian may be taught so to value and improve life, that he may be not only patient, but chearful and thankful in the continuance of it. This has been made evident in a large discourse already: And yet it must be confessed, that the advantages which death brings to a believer are still greater and more glorious, and this will appear in the following particulars : I. Death finishes our state of labour and trial, and puts us in possession of the crown and the prize. St. Paul was appointed to die by the sword of Nero, and . to end his labours and his race in blood; yet he rejoices to think that his race was just at an end, and triumphs in viewof the glorious recolnpence; 2 Tim. iv; 7, S. ".I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness." There is a voice from heaven that proclaims the dead happy; upon this account, that their toil and fatigue is cone to an end. Rev. xiv. 13. " Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours, and their works follow them ; that is, the prize of everlasting happiness which Christ has promised to his labouring saints " Rev. ii. 10. " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." So the weary traveller counts the last hour of the day the best; for it finishes the fatigue and toil of the day, and brings him to his resting-place. So the soldier rejoices in the last field of battle ; he fights with the prize
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