DISCOURSE .. The Conquest over heath. Described in aFuneral Discourse in Memory of the Lad. Ha rtopp, deceased. THE INTRODUCTI01t. I persuade myself that none of you are unacquaintedwith that mournful providence that calls me to the service of this day". The words which were borrowed from the lips of the dying, I am desired to improve for the instruc- tion and comfort of those that live. They are written in 1 Coa. xv. 26. The last enemy that shall bedestroyed, is death. WHEN a nation hath lain for whole ages under the power of some mighty tyrant, and has suffered perpetual ravages front his hands, what gladness runs through the land, at the surepre- diction of his ruin ? and how it every inhabitant pleased, while he hears of the approaching downfd of his great enemy ? . " For this is he that has slainmy father or my mother, my children, or any dearest relatives, and is still making havocof the remnant of my friends, while I myself stand in hourly danger." This plea- sure grows np into more perfect joy, when we are assured this it the lasttyrant that shall arise, the last enemy that shall afflict us i for he shall have no successor, and we shall be for ever free. Such should be the rejoicing of all the saints, when they hear so desirable and divine a promise as the words of my text; The last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. To improve this glorious proposition, let us consider these four things, with a reflection or two upon each of them : I. How death appears to be an enemy to the . saints. II. Why it is called the last enemy, or the last that shall be destroyed. 1H. How it is to be destroyed, and what are the steps or gradual efforts towards its destruction. IV. What art the advantages that the saints receiv@ by the destructionof tisis last enemy. Section I.--Death an enemy even to good .zen. The first enquiry is, how, or in, what sense dearth appears to be an enemy to the saints ? That it is in general an enemy to human nature, is sufficiently evident from its first introduction into the world ; for it was brought in as an execution of the first threatening * Nov. 9,1711, the LadyHartopp died, and this discourse was delivered at Stoke -Newington, Nov. 25, following.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=