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embalmed to all generations to the end of time. They obtained more than true honor, by working righteousness, than they did by subduing kingdoms, stopping the mouths of lions, or by quenching the violence of fire. David's name is remembered upon this account, more than for his being a mighty man of valor, and a great conqueror. Solomon observes, the memory of the just is blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot. Men are very fond of perpetuating their names, tho' they take very wrong measures, to do it. So the man that burnt the temple at Ephesus, did it, he said, that his name might be remembered.

Alexander, Cæsar, Tamarlane, and other mighty conquerors, have left a great name. But for what? But for being the greatest plagues to the world. A good name is as precious ointment poured forth: But this is obtained in no way, but by the practice of virtue, and religion. For the righteous, shall be in everlasting remembrance. But I come to observe,

II. That good men must die, as well as others. Death is common to all men. As dieth the wise man, so dieth the fool. There is no man that hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit; neither hath he power, in the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war. The natural cause of death, is the weakness, and imbecility, of our natures. Our bodies are made of jarring elements, and will die in a way of natu ral perspiration; if not by violent diseases, or by external casualities. As our bodies are compounded, of so many minute different parts; and as health, and life, depend upon a proper balance, between the solids, and fluids; we have reason to wonder, that our lives are continued so long, rather than that we die so soon.

The moral cause of death is sin. Death is a legacy, that is left us by the sin of our first parents. For as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. And hence no age,

no condition, no circumstance of life, is free from the arrest of the king of terrors. Death sometimes enters, into the secret inclosures of nature, and turns the womb into a grave. Young and tender infants, are snatched from the arms, of their fond parents; and as they see the light, they are carried to the shades of death. Some die in youth, while their breasts are full of milk, and their bones are moistened with marAnd some in a more confirmed age; for every man in

row.

his best estate, is altogether vanity.

And there are but few, that live to old age. And as there is no age, so no condition of life, will prevent our going the way of all the earth. Death enters into the palaces of princes, as well as the cottages of beggars; and will treat them with no more complaisance. I said ye are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High, said the psalmist; but ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. And those who excel in grace, and holiness, must resign their breath, as well as the most abandoned sinners. There are many reasons, why good men should not be exempted from death, notwithstanding the redemption of Christ. To keep them humble, and mortified to this world. David desired to know his end, that he might know his frailty. We see that we are of the earth earthy. That we had our original from the earth, and therefore, must return to it again. So God said to Adam, in the sweat of thy face, thou shalt eat thy bread; 'til thou return to the ground, for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return. Again,

To make them the more diligent to prepare for this great event. As they knew not the day of their death, so they know that this is the only time, allotted them, to do the work of the day. Solomon says, whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whether thou goest. And our Saviour said, I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work. This

was a powerful motive, to excite the Apostle Peter, to the discharge of his duty. Yea, I think it meet (said he), as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly, I must put off this, my tabernacle; even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Again,

To give God's people an opportunity, to glorify him by their death. So it is said, that Christ spake unto Peter, signifying by what death, he should glorify God. Many have been called to glorify God, by dying for Christ, and a good conscience. And in this case, the blood of the martyrs, has been the feed of the Church.

It is a great confirmation, of the truth of Christianity, that they who were appointed to be witnesses of Christ's resurrection, sealed the truth of their testimony, with their blood. They did not count their lives dear unto themselves; so that they might finish their course with joy. And in the time of the reformation, the cruel persecutions, that the reformers suf fered, was a great means of spreading the reformed religion. But, if we are not called to pass thro' the red sea (a sea of blood), in order, to our entering into the heavenly Canaan; yet we may glorify God, by the manner of our death. We may recommend religion to others, by our willingness to depart, that we may be with Christ, by our patience, and resignation, to the will of God; and by leaving them. our dying counsels, and exhortations.

Another reason, why good men must die, is that they may be entirely free from sinning. We read, that he that is, dead is freed from sin. We are but in an imperfect state, while we remain in this world. In many things, we offend all. But good men groan, being burdened. They long for deliverance, from the body of this death. Again,

Another reason, why good men must die, is that they may rest, from all the troubles, and afflictions, that they are exercised with in this world. Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward. This world is like a troubled sea, one wave of

affliction follows another, as the clouds return after the rain. And good men must have their share, in the troubles of life. Our Saviour said to his disciples, in this world ye shall have tribulation. While here, they are under discipline, and as they are not perfectly freed from sinning, so their heavenly Father, thinks it necessary to visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes; nevertheless, his loving kindness, will he not utterly take from them: nor suffer his faithfulness to fail. Again,

Another reason why they must die, is that their souls may go into an inconceivable state of joy, and bliss. Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. But, I shall consider this more fully under the next general head.

And therefore add,

It is necessary that they should die, that at the resurrection, their vile bodies should be changed and fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body. The Apostle observes, that what is sowed, is not quickened except it die. And that God giveth it a body, as it pleaseth him; and to every feed its own body. Our bodies, as they are composed of such gross materials, of flesh, and blood, cannot inherit the kingdom of God, until they are purified, and spiritualized, and made fit for the habitation, of spirits made perfect. But when Christ shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And, lastly, Good men must die, that they may be conformed to their head. Christ is head over all things to his Church; and all true believers are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. And as the head died; so the members must die too. Christ first endured the cross, before he enjoyed the crown. He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, before he entered into his glory. So we must be humbled, before we are exalted must die that we may live.

But, although one event happens to all men ; and there be

no external difference, between the death of the righteous, and the death of the wicked: Yet there is a vast difference. The wicked is driven away, in his wickedness; but the righteous hath hope in his death. For as much as the children are partakers of flesh, and blood; Christ also himself likewise, took part of the same, that through death, he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death, are all their life time subject to bondage. So that for them to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

But this brings me to observe,

The grave is a place of

III. That they who serve their generation, by the will of God; when they die, sleep in Jesus, and rest from their labors. So David, after he had served his generation by the will of God, fell on sleep. The death of good men, may very fitly be compared to sleep; because when men sleep, all the cares and concerns of the world, are laid aside; so when men die, they have no more concern, with the things of this world. Their breath goeth forth, they return to their earth, in that very day their thoughts perish. Again, when men sleep, they rest from their labor: so, when men die, they rest from all the troubles, and afflictions of this life. rest. There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are al rest. But the death of the righteous, may more especially, be compared to sleep, in this respect; that when men sleep, it is that they may be refreshed, and may awake, more fitted to perform the duties, and services that they are called to. So good men die, that they may be more fitted, for the service of God. Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake to everlasting life. Our body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

But the soul does not (as some imagine), sleep until the resurrection. The immortality of the soul, was generally believed, by the heathen world; and is evidently revealed in

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