DISCOURSE I. 3813 If we search into the religion of the Jews, which was a scheme of God's own contrivance and revelation to men, we find the affairs of a future world laymuch in the dark; their consci- ences were not so thòroughly purged from the guilt of sin, but that some terrors hung about them, as appears trein lieb. x. 1, 2, 3. and having so faint and obscure notices, of the separate state of souls, and of the resurrection, these were the persons; who in a special manner, . through the fear of death were all their ljt -tivne subject to bondage; Heb. ii. 15. But christianity lays a fair and rational foundation for our confidence and triumph in the dying hour. It shows how guilt is removed by an all-suth- cient sacrifice ; and makesit 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 boldness, and a becoming presence of mind. The doctrineof Christ shows 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 and fairer, glorious 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 ? 'l'he 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. Howmany 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 their face, 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 performed 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. Sect. IV.Blessings gained.by the destruction of death. 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 attendmy text, and that without a nice distinction of particulars. When death is destroyed, we shall share in the joy and tri- umph of Christ for absolute conquest over all his enemies; for there is scarce any glory given to Christ, considered as man, but the saints are said to be humblepartners in it, or at least to enjoy the resemblance. Is he appointed the judge of all ?' It is pro- mised also to the saints that they shall judge angels, and the twelve tribes of Irsrael. Do we suffer with him ? we shall alms VOL. II. A a
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