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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
of
grace,
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
view
of
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