31I$ THE CONQUEST OVER DEATH. DISC 1. manner, through thefear of death were all their lJe- time subject to bondage ; Heb. But christianity lays a fair and rational foundation for our confidenceand triumph in the dying hour. It shews how guilt is removed by an all-sufficient sacrifice ; and makes it evident that no hell, no vengeance, no shadows of misery await the believer in that invisible world. This makes the christian venture .into it with a certain bold- ness, and a becoming presence of mind. The doctrine of Christ shews us how the sting of death is taken away, and calls us to fight with a vanquished enemy, a serpent' without a sting ; it gives us assurance that we shall rise again from the dust with bodies fresher ancf fairer, glori- ous in their frame,. and their constitution- immortal ; for death shall be no more. Exalted by so sublime a hope, What is there in death sufficient to depress our spirits, if our faith were but equal to this admirable doctrine ? The holy apostles are witnesses, the noble army of martyrs are witnesses, and many a saint in our day is a witness to this truth, and gives honour to this gospel. How many thousands have met death, and all its frightful attendants, with a steady soul, and a serene countenance; and have departed to heaven with songs of praise upon their lips, a smile upon theirface, and triumph in their eyes? And this was not owing to any extravagant flights of enthusiasm, nor the fires of an inflamed fancy, but it has been per- formed often, and may be done daily by the force of a' regular faith, on the most solid and reasonable principles;' for such are the principles of the gospel of Christ. SECTIOiN IV. Blessings gained by the destruction ofdeath. The fourth and last general head of discourse, is an enquiry into the advantages which the saints receive by the destruction of this last enemy. This is a large and endless field, for it includes.a great part of the happiness of the final heaven. But I shall attempt to mention briefly a few of the benefits that at tend my text, and that without a nice distinction of parti- culars. When death is destroyed, we shall share in the joyand)
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