SERMON XLIII. i3Ì Ó what a new and unspeakable pleasure will it be to the disciples of Christ, and the ministersof thegospel, that have been tired and worn out in tedious controversies in this world, and sorely perplexed amongst. the difficult passages of scripture, when they shall arrive at that region of light and glory, where the darknesses of the mind shall be all scattered, the veil shall be taken off from sacred things, and doubts and difficulties shall vanish for ever ! Alas ! What desolation and mischief has the noise and cla- mour of controversy brought on the, church of Christ in allages ! What quarrels and sharp contests has it raised among fellow- / christians, and especially, where zeal and ignorance have joined together, and brought fire and darkness into the sanctuary ! This has banishedcharity and love out of the houseof Clod, and made the Spirit of God himself to depart grieved. Surely death car- ries a considerable blessing in it, as it delivers us from these disor- ders, these bitter quarrels, and appoints us a place in the temple of God on high, where the axe and the hammer never sound, where the saw of contention is never drawn, where the noise of war is heard no more, but perfect light lays a foundation for per- fect and everlasting love. III. Death makes an utter end of sin, it delivers us from a átate of temptation, and conveys us into a state df perfect holi- ness, safety, and peace. The spirits of the justare made perfect in holiness, when they leave this sinful and mortal flesh, they stand without spot orblemish, withoutfault or infirmity of greater or lesser size, and appear pure and undefiled before the throne of God ; Rev. xiv. 5. Their robes are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, and they serve him without sin, day and night, in his temple; Rev. vii. 14, 15. When death carries them away from this world, it carries them out of the territories of the devil ; for he has no power in that land whither happy souls gó : And all the remaining lusts of the flesh, that had their death's wound given themby renewing grace, are nowdestroyed for ever; for the death of the body is the final deathof sin, and the grave is, as it were, the burying-place of many unruly iniquities, that have too often defiled and disquieted the spirit. And as the corrupt affections which are mingled with our flesh andblood, and which are rooted deep in animal nature, are left behindus in the bed of death, so when we ascend to heaven, we shall find no manner of temptation torevive them. There is no malice or angry resentment to be awakened there, no incite- ments to envy, intemperance, or the cursed sin of pride, that cleaves soclose to our natures here on earth. When we are en- compassed with those blessed creatures, angels and saints made nr3
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