,transcribed from the #ahbd ,r4 ,weston edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,,consolation ,,in ,,life ,,and ,,death1 ,,derived ,,from ,,the ,life of ,christ2 ,,being ,,the ,,substance ,,of ,a ,,sermon ,on the ,death of ,mrs4 ,turner1 ,,preached ,,at ,,the ,,surrey ,,tabernacle1 ,,on ,sunday ,evening1 the #aeth of ,august1 #ahbd1 ,,by ,j4 ,,church4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and blessed is she that believeth1 for there shall be a performance of those things which are told her from the ,lord4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,r4 ,,weston1 ,,printer1 ,,crosby ,,row1 ,,southwark4 99 99 99 99 99 #ahbd4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,sermon1 c4 ,,john1 ,chap4 xiv4 ,ver4 #ai4 ,and because ,i shall ,live1 ye shall ,live also4 ,,among the many awful charges brought against backsliding ,israel by the prophet ,isaiah1 this was reckoned not the smallest4 ,the righteous perisheth1 7sleepeth7 and no man layeth it to heart2 and merciful men are taken away1 none considering that the righteous are taken away from the evil to come4 ,the day of life--of the world--and the professing church--is far spent--the sun is going down over the prophets--the birds are hastening home--the labourer returning--the substance of religion declining1 and the shadows of it are stretching out4 ,with these solemn reflections1 well may we entreat the company and presence of the dear ,redeemer1 as the disciples did4 ,abide with us1 for it is towards evening1 and the day is far spent2 the removal of the ,lord's people from us1 although it is their salvation1 and affords peculiar joy to the surviving spiritual friends and relatives that have been eye and ear witnesses of their peaceful end2 yet demands attention1 reflection1 self-examination1 and solemnity of mind4 ,when ,god strikes he demands an hearing--when he knocks by his messengers1 affliction and death1 it is--that we may open the door1 receive the message1 detain the messenger1 and enquire for what purpose he is sent4 ,for the ,lord's voice crieth unto the city1 and the man of wisdom shall see thy name2 hear ye the rod1 and who hath appointed it4 ,i consider1 therefore it is our duty to pay attention to this present affliction1 for the loss of a spiritual friend1 a pious and steady member of the church1 an affectionate wife1 a kind mother and a good neighbour4 ,although it is her eternal gain1 it is a grief and affliction to us2 but ,i trust that this1 as well as every other appointed trial1 was sanctified for us in the eternal covenant of grace1 and as an evidence of it1 produce in our minds its suitable effects4 ,death is at all times solemn and affecting in the world1 in the neighbourhood1 and amongst our acquaintance2 but when sent more immediately into our families1 to bereave us of those who are very dear to our hearts1 we are the more sensibly touched with the stroke1 when the ,lord says to us1 as he did to the prophet ,ezekiel1 ,son of man1 behold ,i take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke2 and at even my wife died4 #d ,such painful dispensations are most keenly felt2 and while we deplore the ravages of death1 we cannot help reverting to its instrumental cause--,sin1 which brought death into the world1 and all our woe3 to this king of terrors1 and often a terror to kings1 all have submitted but two1 ,enoch and ,elijah2 and all must submit1 except those of the people of ,god1 who will be found alive at the second coming of our ,lord2 these will probably experience a momentary change1 equivalent to the stroke of death1 and be changed body and soul1 in the twinkling of an eye4 ,this great mystery was revealed to the apostle ,paul2 perhaps1 the first that was ever led to know it4 ,all beside1 the ,lord's people as well as the world at large1 must pass through the gloomy territories of this king3 but1 the dear ,saviour has engaged to go with all his people1 and conduct them safely through2 and though all do not go through with the same joy1 yet all are led on safely4 ,their enemies keep still as a stone1 while the purchased people passed over4 ,nothing1 in heaven above or the earth beneath1 can possibly prevent the execution of the decreed sentence1 ,dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return4 ,it is the pulling down of the house1--it must come down--the leprosy is in it1--sin has entered every room in the house2 and in consequence of bad tenants1 which occupy it1 the ,almighty ,landlord has ordered us to quit it2 we have received1 with many a pain1 a writ of ejectment2 but we feel reluctant to leave this house of clay1 though in such a damaged state2 the indescribable unity which subsists between the soul and the body1 like mutual friends1 renders parting painful here1 although they have often been clogs to each other2 but they will meet again under the most glorious and happy circumstances in the resurrection morning4 ,and what soul can conceive the joyful meeting of the glorified spirit1 and the newly-raised1 beautiful1 immortalized body8 ,each will know its own again4 --,nor shall the conscious soul ,mistake its partner1 but amidst the crowd1 ,singling its other half1 into its arms ,shall rush1 with all the impatience of a man ,that's new come home2 and having long been absent1 ,with haste runs over different rooms1 ,in pain to see the whole4 ,thrice happy meeting6 ,nor time nor death shall ever part them more4 ,but however dear to each other1 the union must be dissolved2 the bands and ligaments1 by which soul and body are united1 must be separated2 this earthly house must be dissolved2--this tabernacle must be removed--its cords unpinned--its stakes pulled up--and the whole must be taken down4 ,knowing1 saith the apostle1 ,i must put off the earthly house of this my tabernacle4 ,death is represented as a departure--it is going from one house to another--it is a loosing from port1 and launching into the ocean4--,death is the ship or boat which wafts us over to the shores of eternity4 ,it is going the way of all the earth--going a journey to man's long home--to an invisible world--through a dark valley1 where we need a guide2 and a ,covenant ,god has promised to guide us through4--,it is going to sleep in hope of waking again1 sweetly refreshed in the morning of the resurrection2 fresh1 lively1 active1 and divinely fitted for heavenly exercises4 ,the shipwrecked mariner has gained the shore2--the weary traveller--the fatigued labourer--the afflicted child1 is at rest4 ,death1 through covenant mercy1 is the full1 the final deliverance4 ,and ,john is commanded1 by ,god the ,holy ,spirit1 to write it down1 and send it to the churches3 ,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord1 even so saith the spirit1 for they rest from their labours1 and their works of faith and love do follow them4 ,like ,abraham leaving his native country at the command of ,god2--like ,jacob leaving ,padan ,aram1 with all his substance1 to return to his kindred4 ,such the believer's death4 ,perhaps1 indeed1 a thousand alarms may seize his spirit1 hearing that ,esau1 with his armed men1 is coming out against him2 but by prayer and faith he obtains the blessings1 and meets ,esau with comfort4 ,for when a man's ways1 through grace1 by prayer and faith1 thus please the ,lord1 he makes even death to be at peace with him4 ,death is the enemy to our natures1 although it is a covenant blessing4 ,the last enemy that shall be destroyed1 is death3 but its enmity is slain in the death of ,christ4 ,here that serpent that crawled up the hill of ,calvary1 and entwined round the cross1 left his sting in the sacred body of a dying ,saviour3 nor can all the powers of darkness1 all the sins1 backslidings1 and infirmities of ,god's people1 ever unite the sting to death again4 ,sin is abolished2 the guilt is gone4--,it has been said1 that when a bee has fastened its sting in a man's flesh1 it is lost for ever after1 and becomes a drone4 ,death1 like such a bee1 can only hum and affright1 but never sting or hurt3 it may1 it must destroy the body1 but it cannot hurt2 like a fierce dog1 whose teeth are broken out1 it can bark and tear a mere tattered coat1 but it cannot bite to the bone4 ,what a feeble weak enemy is death1 since it took a walk to ,mount ,calvary6 ,unatoned guilt is the sting of death4 ,but the ,lord's dear people are led1 in some degree1 to see for themselves1 that ,christ has borne away their guilt1 has removed the iniquity of that land in one day2 and when we are cheered1 quickened1 strengthened1 and well-established in this pleasing fact1 this hope-supporting1 spirit-giving1 soul-animating assurance1 we feel ready to go1 to depart1 and be for ever with the ,lord1 in this sweet well-founded confidence3-- ,lord1 let me rest my head1 close last these eyes1 ,yield thee my breath2 and1 with exulting soul1 ,smile a peace-uttered1 dying1 sweet ,amen4 ,but amidst the dissolutions made by death1 what an unspeakable mercy it is for the ,lord's dear people1 the union betwixt ,christ and their souls can never be dissolved3 they are his property1 his children1 his bride2 he is precious to them in life and death1 as the blessed effect of his love to them1 and their value in his sight4 ,hence1 it is said1 ,since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable1 and ,i have loved thee2 and precious shall their blood be in his sight2 and as they are precious to him living1 it is written1 ,precious in the sight of the ,lord1 is the death of his saints2 nor should their death be grievous to us1 especially dying in lively hope1 cheerful confidence1 sweet assurance1 clear views1 and fervent desires4 ,this is the blessed effect of the glorious union between ,christ and the soul1 as the eternal spring of life1 and the glorious head of his body1 the church1 who has graciously declared in most positive terms1 ,because ,i live ye shall live also4 ,these most blessed words were very precious to our dear departed friend2 upon one occasion1 after a season of peculiar trial1 while at the ordinance of the ,lord's ,supper1 and just receiving the cup1 these words were sweetly dropped into her mind--they were ever precious to her afterwards3 she chose them for her funeral text2 and blessed be ,god1 she most divinely understands them1 now in perfect enjoyment2 they have been much blest to thousands1 and ,i trust the ,lord will bless them to us in noticing the gracious declaration and the precious promise as connected with it4 ,let us notice the life of our most adorable ,saviour4 ,first1 as ,god--,he liveth from eternity2 he is the living ,god1 he is emphatically called life1 the true ,god1 and our eternal life2 and this is the eternal life which ,john says was manifested3 the very knowledge of whom is eternal life begun in the soul4 ,in his divine essence1 his eternal nature1 he is the self-existent1 independent ,jehovah2 underived1 unoriginated1 and incommunicably ,god1 without beginning1 succession1 or end2 without the shadow of a change2 he is eternal1 immortal1 who only hath immortality from everlasting to everlasting2 and of his years there is no end2 one in the divine ,trinity1 co-equal1 co-essential1 and co-eternal with the ,father and the ,holy ,spirit2 one in the sacred society of the adorable ,trinity1 enjoying the most inconceivable delight and complacency in his own divine perfections2 and in the holy ones1 the ,father and the ,spirit2 the divine nature1 essence1 and perfections were not communicated to him as ,god1 but were originally1 independently1 and eternally his own1 in conjunction with the ,father1 and the ,holy ,spirit--and as the self-existent ,god1 he has solemnly declared to all the enemies of his ,godhead--,if ye believe not that ,i ,,am--ye shall die in your sin4--,this awful truth1 one would think1 is enough to put to silence all the cavil in the world against the divinity of the ,son of ,god1 as ,god4 ,some indeed admit all that can be said about his divinity1 but they vainly suppose that his ,godhead was communicated to him from the ,father2 but this thought is an awful insult upon him1 no better than high treason and daring blasphemy4 ,let such read again and tremble1--,if ye believe not that ,i ,,am--ye shall die in your sins4 ,i ,,am1 is the self-existent1 independent ,god--and as the living ,god1 he is author of all the life which has been1 or shall be given to creatures2 in him was life1 for by him were all things made1 and by him do all things subsist1 created by him1 and upheld by him2 and1 while ,i exist as ,god1 ye shall live also4 #b4--;,as the ,son of ,god in his divine person1 which implies his eternal relationship to the ,father1 he lived in eternity as a person existing with the ,father2 ,he is in the bosom of the father1 the only begotten of the ,father1 the express image of the ,father1 the son of ,god1 without the consideration of the human nature1 either body or soul4 ,he was a divine person3 the human nature did not make him a person2 but the ,son of ,god did take the human nature into union with himself1 and though possessing two natures he is but one person4 ,as the adorable son of ,god1 he lived before all the world1 a life with the ,father--a life of inconceivable delight4 ,hence the ,father has said of his dear son1 in whom my soul delighteth2 and the dear ,son of ,god has said of the ,father1 ,i was daily his delight--constantly and invariably rejoicing--always before him--delighting in the ,father before the world was rejoicing1 that he possessed the same nature1 being1 and perfections1 and that he stood in such a relation to him as the ,son of the ,father--and because ,i live as the ,son of ,god1 ye shall live also4 #c4--;,as the ,head of the ,church4--,in this most blessed relation he ever lived1 does now1 and ever will2 he is their head as a general is head to his army2 as a king is head to his subjects2 as a husband is head to his wife2 as a father is head to his children2 as a master is to his servants2 but besides these1 our most blessed ,lord is that to his people as the natural head is to the natural body2 and the members of it1 of the same nature with it2 superior to it2 communicates life1 sense1 and motion to it2 overlooks and protects it2 he is the representative head of his body1 the church2 being united to him1 we are in him1 and have a representative existence in him2 he was chosen to be the head of the elect family1 out of the boundless love of ,god the ,father2 and they were chosen in him4 ,eternal election gives us a subsistence1 a representative being1 in ,christ2 he lives in ,god's eternal mind and love1 as the head of the church1 and his people live in him1 and shall live for ever in him2 nor sin1 nor time1 nor death1 can part them4 ,christ as head1 and his people were chosen together2 ,he first1 in order of nature1 as the head1 and they as members2 as in the womb1 head and members are not conceived apart1 but together1 so was the church and ,christ in the womb of eternal election4 ,god views us in him1 and never did1 nor never will1 consider his dear people separate from him as the chosen head of the chosen body4 ,all other blessings flow to us from1 and by virtue of1 this union4 ,we live in ,christ1 we have a covenant subsistence and representative being in him2 and as the root1 the trunk1 the branches1 and leaves1 are folded up in the acorn1 so all ,god's family are in ,christ1 and shall be brought forth in their appointed time2 their adoption1 justification1 redemption1 preservation1 pardon1 calling1 perseverance1 resurrection1 and glorification1 all depend upon their election union1--and this union depends upon the everlasting love of ,god2 it is not faith that unites to the ,lamb1 that is only a spiritual faculty given to us by the holy spirit1 to discern this blessing1 which leads forth the mind1 in affection and gratitude1 to a covenant ,god for it4 ,this union is dated from eternity1 revealed in the word1 preached in the gospel1 manifested in our effectual calling1 enjoyed by faith1 and will be celebrated in the most open and glorious manner1 in the thousand years personal reign of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ upon earth1 and blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the ,lamb4 ,nothing done by he church of ,god1 before or after calling1 can destroy this union4 ,in the very existence of ,christ1 as head1 they must live--,for because ,i live1 ye shall live also4 #d4--;,as ,mediator--he ever did1 now does1 and ever will1 live for his people2 and in his glorious title as the son of ,god1 as ,god-man1 he has received all blessings for his church2 and these are comprehended under the term ,,life4 ,the ,lord hath commanded his blessing1 even life for evermore2 and as the ,father hath life in himself1 even so hath he given to the son to have life in himself4 ,christ1 as ,god-man lived in the purpose of ,god from eternity2 and though he is compared to many things which have not life--to water1 to bread1 to a stone1 a way1 a tree--yet they have these additions1 living water1 living bread1 living stone1 living way1 tree of life4 ,in this most blessed character the ancient saints saw him by faith1 received him1 and lived and died upon him4 ,job's faith was fixed here1 and rose to sweet confidence1 to full assurance--,i know that my redeemer liveth--yes1 now--in this character before ,god for me1 and ,i see my interest in him4 ,every believer is now more or less thus favoured4 ,god gives1 #ast4 ,faith to believe in him as such--#bndly4 ,to rely upon him--and1 #crdly4 ,to enjoy interest in him4 ,he lives1 the ever-living ,mediator2 considered as ,god-man1 he is the ,mediator of union between ,god and his creatures--as elect--both angels and men2 and he is the ,mediator of reconciliation for his church1 as fallen2 as the ,head of the ,church1 and the ,son of ,god1 he was called to act for her as fallen2 and when declared ,son of ,god by the ,father1 he was sworn into his office as ,high ,priest2 to which1 in the boundless love of his heart1 he gave his consent to make reconciliation for the sins of his people1 to give perfect satisfaction1 and to harmonize all the sacred perfections of ,jehovah4 ,in this most sacred character he appeared in heaven as the ,lamb slain1 from the foundation of the world2 to him the old testament church looked1 and in the fullness of time1 he came and began his work in the wonderful and mysterious act of his incarnation3--made of a woman--made under the law1 he was circumcised1 and became a debtor to fulfil the whole law for his people4 ,the nature that he assumed1 although it was perfectly flesh and blood1 yet it was perfectly holy4 ,hence his appeal to ,god the ,judge of all3 ,search me1 ,o1 ,god1 and try me1 and see if there be any wicked way in me4 ,his human nature was a holy thing2 and possessed in it more holiness than all the angels of light2 and in it1 he did all the churches' duty in obedience to the law2 he obeyed the ceremonial law as the seed of ,abraham1 and kept the law of ,god in thought1 mind1 will1 and deed perfectly4 ,he worshipped one ,god1 never bowed to creatures1 or profaned the holy name3 honored the sabbath and his parents2 nor felt a base desire2 nor tinged with sinful anger1 much less murder2 nor with heart or hand did he ever rob ,god or man2 nor ever bore false witness against any2 nor could a covetous thought enter his sacred breast2 but with his whole nature loved ,god and his neighbour1 and did unto all men what men in their doings ought to do to each other4 ,this he performed for us2 and1 in consequence of the essential dignity of his person1 as ,god as well as man1 ,he is styled ,jehovah1 our righteousness4 ,this is imputed and placed to the account of his people by the ,father4 ,god the ,holy ,spirit opens the grand subject to us1 we receive it in the mind and affections4 ,conscience testifying this1 we have peace with ,god4 ,in this righteousness the church is perfected2 in it they stand justified before ,god1 and shall never come in to condemnation4 ,but in his glorious character as ,mediator1 his having become surety for his people1 he had to pay the dreadful debt of suffering the awful penalty4 ,as the consequence of the sins of his church1 he engaged to endure the hell we had merited4 ,the curse of a broken law1 and all which that awful idea contains4 ,he took the bitter draught1 the dreadful cup1 and drank eternal health to his dear people4 ,he sunk beneath our heavy woes4 ,all our guilt met on him--the chastisement due to us he bore--the pangs of the damned seized his holy soul2 and with convulsive struggles on the ground1 with heart-rending sighs1 and prayers1 and tears2 with thorns1 scourges1 contempt1 griefs1 and unknown agonies1 awful storms1 and inconceivable torments1 he sweat out1 cried out1 and bled out the sins of his people4 ,he by himself purged our sins--the physician's heart was opened by a spear to heal all the diseases of his patients--was ever love like this8 ,our ransom paid in blood for deadliest guilt-- ,oh6 hide thy shame-spread face1 and turn thy eyes ,in mournful prospect back to ,calvary1 now ,back to the garden1 to the dolorous ground1 ,grief-moistened with his blood-sweat agony4 ,ah1 what agony6 ah6 felt for whom8 ,say1 angel1 near him then that heard3 ',behold ,thy humbled ,maker'--agonized thyself-- ,asked1 but thou canst not say4--,no thought can pierce ,of man or angel1 that profound of pains3-- ',twas the soul's travail1 sorrow's sharpest throe4 ,as our surety1 sponsor1 representative1 and mediator1 he has put away all our sins2 he died1 he rose1 he triumphed over all his and our foes1 and kindly speaks to us--,fear not1 ,i am he that liveth1 was dead1 am alive for evermore1 and because ,i live1 ye shall also4 ,while he lived upon earth1 he lived a life of faith1 hope1 dependance1 love1 humility1 and holy zeal1 and the believer's privilege is to live and say1 as he lives1 ,the life ,i live in the flesh1 ,i live by the faith of the son of ,god--a life of faith1 dependance1 hope1 confidence1 love1 humility1 and zeal1 though daily interrupted1 and the subject of much deadness1 carnality1 and unbelief2 yet as fresh life is given from his fulness1 ,i possess a life that will never die4 ,the ,lord has promised to water his people every moment--every thing liveth where this water comes2 and it is in the believer1 a well1 springing up to eternal life4 ,and as we use the means1 we sing1 ,spring up1 ,o1 well4 ,sing ye unto it3 for as well the singers as the players on instruments1 shall be there4 ,all my fresh springs in ,thee1 who hast said1 because ,i live1 ye shall live also4 #d4--;,his life of intercession and advocacy in heaven4 ,hence the apostle declares1 that he ever liveth to make intercession for all that come unto ,god by him2 and as we have been redeemed and reconciled to ,god by his death2 much more1 being reconciled1 we shall be saved by his life4 ,he appears in the high court of heaven for us1 in the full virtue of his blood1 and righteousness-- ,looks like a lamb1 that's newly slain1 ,and wears his priesthood still4 ,this is ever available to the ,father for us2 he is our priest before the throne1 carrying on the work of manifestatives4 ,salvation1 the great sacrifice1 once offered1 has infinitely more voices for us before ,god1 than all our sins can have against us4 ,his blood is said to speak for us2 it cries aloud to the ,god of justice for the church2 yea1 for every sensible sinner1 that mercy might be shewn1 and pardon enjoyed by him upon the ground of strict justice1 truth1 holiness1 righteousness1 and judgment2 it speaks for us to ,god--and to us from ,god--,i have loved thee1 ,i have redeemed thee1 ,i have called thee1 thou art mine4 ,our great high priest bears all the names of his dear people upon his heart1 and though exalted above all principalities and powers1 he cannot forget his poor relations on earth4 ,the days of his passion are ended1 but not of his compassion4 ,our spiritual ,joseph1 though ,lord of all1 is not ashamed to own his brethren1 the poor4 ,many1 when exalted1 forget their former poor acquaintances2 but our ever-living1 ever-loving1 everlasting friend1 has sworn by himself as the living ,god--,i will not forget you2 he lives in heaven for his people2 by his death he paid the debt2 by his resurrection he came out of prison2 and by his ascension he shews himself openly to ,god1 the creditor1 and pleads satisfaction2 he in acting in heaven as our advocate with the ,father2 he is the faithful friend at the bar of justice1 answering all the charges that sin1 natural conscience1 and ,satan1 can accuse us of4 ,hence1 for his people1 he gives the challenge--who is mine adversary1 let him come near1 and by the apostle asks1 who shall lay any thing 7unpardoned7 to the charge of ,god's elect1 seeing he maketh intercession with ,god1 and this precious portion has warned and cheered thousands4 ,my little children1 ,i write these things unto you1 that you sin not2 but if any man sin1 we have an advocate with the ,father1 and such an advocate must carry the cause2 he has never failed--and demands no fee1 but the fruit of the lips giving thanks to his name2 and while his personal appearance in heaven has any virtue before ,god1 his mourning disciples are safe1 to whom he has said1 and because ,i live1 ye shall live also4 #e4--;,his life of glory in heaven4 ,he is the very glory of the place4 ,we say at times1 of some persons1 they are the very life of the company--,christ will be the very bliss1 the very joy1 the very life of the church above for ever1 when he is surrounded with all his blood-bought throng1 and with all his holy loving angels2 the lamb in the midst will make all their heaven2 his person1 his glory1 his looks1 his smile1 his love1 will feast their happy minds to all eternity2 while the glorious majesty of ,god shall be enjoyed1 through the all glorious body of ,jesus ,christ1 as the rainbow round the throne1 to behold this glory4 ,the ,lord has made choice of his people1 set them apart for this very purpose1 redeemed them to ,god1 called1 fitted1 qualified their souls1 and will raise them up again in the last day1 and for this the ,redeemer prays and demands1 ,father1 ,i will that those whom thou hast given be with me1 where ,i am1 that they may behold my glory1--and as he smiles1 they will sing--or1 ,overwhelmed with raptures sweet1 ,sink down1 adoring at his feet4 ,and what adds a blessing to the whole is1 that this bliss1 this felicity1 will be for ever2 yea1 lasting as the very existence of him1 who1 for the everlasting consolation of his people1 hath said1 and because ,i live1 ye shall live also4 ,our most blessed ,lord is the author1 giver1 and maintainer1 of all natural1 spiritual1 and eternal life1 for all live in him2 he is the root and spring of all the life of sanctification1 and glorification of his people1 and though they are said to live in him by faith1 yet more properly it is ,christ living in them4 ,christ liveth in me--all the blessings of the covenant of grace are in him--the eternal favor of ,god1 which is our life1 is in him--and this is the grace which was given us in him before the foundation of the world2 he came1 that his people might have life1 and have it more abundantly in experience and enjoyment2 he came that he might abolish death1 and bring life and immortality to light by the gospel4 ,justifying1 pardoning1 and regenerating grace1 is brought to light in the word1 and often brought to light in the souls of ,god's children1 and they by virtue of union to their covenant head1 live--live in the love1 favour1 mind1 purposes1 decrees1 covenant1 and promises of ,god--live in ,christ1 secured1 hid1 locked up--where ,christ is hid as head1 there they are hid--live representatively before ,god--live spiritually by quickning power1 and this life in the soul is the holy spirit as the spirit of life4 ,the ,lord and giver of life1 producing as an evidence of his indwelling--a spiritual hungring and thirsting after the favor of ,god1 the sense of pardon1 holiness1 love1 and communion1 humility1 self-abhorrence1 spiritual repentance1 holy confidence1 resignation1 and joy--and where these are found in the soul1 by divine teaching they are the evidences of being disciples indeed1 and it is to such genuine disciples our dear ,lord speaks in the sweet language of the text--ye see me2 and because ,i live1 ye shall live also4 ,such indeed was our dear departed friend--spiritually quickened and made alive to ,god1 she possessed those immortal principles which supported her through the changing scenes of her pilgrimage--cheered her heart at times--subdued her fears--brought her mind to ,god--endeared the ,saviour--bowed her will to the ,lord's will--and caused her to long to be dissolved1 and to be with ,christ3 to grace1 and grace alone1 she attributed all her salvation from first to last2 her soul hated every system that was calculated to exalt the creature in any sense whatever4 ,convinced deeply of the depravity of the human heart1 she was often led to self-abasement1 self-loathing1 and self-condemnation1 taught out of ,god's law--she felt her need of a surety1 a mediator1 a law fulfiller1 a better righteousness than her own2 she saw the way of forgiveness by the great atoning sacrifice of ,christ2 and was taught to believe1 to receive ,christ with his whole finished salvation2 she loved to hear him extolled2 his very name was precious to her2 his word was dear to her2 she loved his people who stood manifest to her conscience1 that they were taught of ,god2 she highly esteemed those ministers1 whom she considered faithful to ,god1 to truth1 and to souls2 she prized the ordinances1 because they were of divine appointment1 and because the ,lord had often met her in them4 ,her poor mind was often discouraged by heavy trials1 within and without2 her path1 in many instances1 was rough2 she was often in many waters2 the floods at times lifted up their waves2 but here she learned the vanity of all things below the stars1 the emptiness of the creature1 her own weakness1 unbelief1 and rebellion1 these were matters of humility to her2 but in this right though rough way1 she also learnt the faithfulness1 power1 wisdom1 and goodness of ,god--the value of a throne of grace to carry her burden to1 and empty her ashes at the foot of the altar4 ,her mind was seldom long from the general infirmity of the ,lord's people1 ,i mean the fear of death2 she often gloomily anticipated the last act1 the struggle of body and soul at parting her weak nerves1 lowness1 and dejection4 ,satan also1 taking the advantage1 was frequently the cause of great distress in the prospect2 yet her dear ,lord1 in due time1 delivered her from these fears2 and that same grace which made her willing to be saved in ,god's way1 made her also willing1 yea1 desirous of departing1 to be with ,christ4 ,how true is the language of our poet1 ,who can take ,death's portrait true8--,fear shakes the ,pencil--,fancy loves excess--,dark ignorance is lavish of ,her shades--and these the formidable picture draws3 ,man forms a death that nature never made2 ,then on the point of his own fancy falls1 ,and feels a thousand deaths1 in fearing one4 ,none1 indeed1 return from the grave to tell us what it is2 but it is well known1 that most of those who have been much troubled in mind all their days1 have had the most serene moments at last4 ,that ,god1 who has delivered in six troubles1 has always been found faithful in the seventh1 the last4--,descending into the waters of ,jordan1 the deep has never swallowed them up3 they have found the rock of ages for their feet to stand upon1 at the bottom of the brook4 ,i remember1 after a season of long and painful affliction our dear friend was enabled to come up to chapel4 ,i was totally ignorant of her coming3 but previous to this1 ,i could find no portion of scripture to speak on but this3 ,and came to deliver them who1 all their life-time1 were subject to bondage1 through fear of death4 ,this was the last sermon she ever heard3 and the truths contained in it1 she sweetly felt4 ,her direful complaint increased4 ,her sufferings were very great indeed4 ,and as all other persons in like sorrows1 so she ebbed and flowed in mind2 but her ,god was with her in her final hour4-- ,her final hour brought glory to her ,god4 ,in point of gospel principles1 she was always at a point3 but at times sorely troubled about an interest in ,christ1 by reason of the cloud that cometh betwixt4 ,but every fresh smile from the ,saviour1 every sweet word dropped into her mind4 ,frequently reading the word and precious hymns1 the visits of ,god's dear people and humble prayer relieved her again4 ,the last visit ,i paid her1 ,i perceived she was near home4 ,not being able to speak for a time1 ,i feared she would speak no more3 but after waiting a little while1 7as a proof of what her mind was fixed upon7 she exclaimed1 with peculiar solemnity1 ,by thine agony and bloody sweat1 by thy cross and passion1 by thy precious death and burial1 by thy glorious resurrection and ascension1 good ,lord deliver me6 ,here1 on this rock her faith was built in life1 and firm in death4 ,a friend asked her if she was happy4 ,after pausing1 she said1 ,happy1 happy6 ,i know that ,christ died for sinners1 and it is there ,i am fixed4 ,she requested the twelfth chapter of ,isaiah to be read to her4 ,while reading1 she said1 ,how precious6 and begged to hear it again4 ,at the last verse1 ,cry out and shout thou inhabitant of ,zion1 she said1 ,do so1 do so2 for our ,god is a great ,god4 ,soon after this1 she repeated1 in a very peculiar manner1 the whole of ,mr4 ,hart's hymn3 ,christ is the friend of sinners1 be that forgotten never4 ,on this she commented as she went on1 in a most striking manner4 ,one thing she observed3 ,oh1 it is easy to say we are sinners1 but hard to feel it4 ,yes it is the righteousness of ,christ that ,i must appear in before ,god--nothing but the work of a precious ,christ wherein ,i can stand justified before ,god1 and whether ,i sink or swim ,i am fixed there4 ,she then wished to hear the eighth chapter of ,acts2 and coming to the fifth verse1 she seemed delighted4 ,philip went down to ,samaria1 and preached ,christ unto them4 ,he did not tell them some great nobleman was coming to bestow great riches upon them2 but he went simply to preach ,christ to poor sinners4 ,she then repeated the sweet verses3 ,not all the blood of beasts1 c4 ,she begged the prayers of the ,church when they met2 and often asked if she had been remembered by them4 ,to those around her1 she said1 ,oh1 do beg of the ,lord to cut the thread1 for ,i long to be with him4 ,then she said3 ,the holy triumphs of my soul1 ,shall death itself out-brave2 ,leave dull mortality behind1 ,and fly beyond the grave4 ,one of her dear daughters telling her1 she would soon be with her dear ,jesus1 she said1 do you think ,i shall1 you have told me so so many times--,oh1 why is he so long coming4 ,soon after1 finding herself very low1 nature sinking1 and feeling she was going1 she said to her daughter3 ,are yon alone8 call up the rest of the family3 and while standing around her1 they witnessed her struggle4 ,but recovering1 she burst into tears4 ,come back again6 dear ,lord6 ,i thought that ,i was going6 how long1 ,lord4 ,she requested a gentleman to fetch a doctor1 merely to let her know1 by her pulse1 the pleasing news1 that she was near her end4 ,on being informed she was near1 she was more composed4 ,at one time1 she exclaimed3 ,as the hart panteth after the water-brooks1 so panteth my soul after thee1 ,o1 ,god4--,i want to drink at the fountain4 ,lifting up her hands1 as if filled with increased joy1 she said2 ,too much1 dear ,lord--dear ,jesus1 ,i want to embrace thee1 as thou dost embrace me4 ,she begged they would lift her poor suffering arm out of bed1 that she might embrace her dear ,jesus4 ,some sweet verses were spoken to her1 on the soul's entrance into glory4 ,she said3 ,jesus said unto the woman1 ',go1 and sin no more4' ,now1 said she1 is the time for that2 those words used once to distress me2 but ,christ the ,heavenly ,lamb takes all our sins away--that is where ,i rest4 ,one of her daughters said1 ,upon the rock still1 mother8 ,she answered3 ,none but ,jesus6--look up to the ,lord for me4--,why are his chariot wheels so long in coming8 ,just before her departure1 she said to her husband1 waving her hand3 ,all is well4 ,mr4 ,king and ,mr4 ,borrows coming into the room--one of them observed1 that though she had lost her sight1 what a mercy that the light and holy fire in the tabernacle1 should never go out--nor never be put out4 ,on hearing these words1 she waved her hand2 and presently1 without a sigh1 she breathed her last4 ,and blessed are the dead which thus die in the ,lord3 all the ,lord's people die safe--all die in faith4 ,they all die in peace and friendship with ,god and conscience4 ,but this is meeting death1 and finishing the warfare in militant glory4 ,may the dear family1 who were kind1 affectionate1 and perpetually attentive to her1 experience the like grace in death--sweetly sleep in ,jesus2 and whatever may be their fears in life--,oh1 that their end may be blessed4 ,shudder not to pass the stream1 ,rest with all thy care on him2 ,him whose dying love and power1 ,still'd its tossing1 hush'd its roar4 ,safe is the expanding wave1 ,gentle as a summer's eve2 ,not an object of his care ,ever suffered shipwreck there4 ,and while we thus record the riches of sovereign grace1 as experienced in life and death1 by our dear departed friend1 we must not1 we cannot1 forget the memory of departed worth4 ,again1 another friend in the ,lord1 a lover of his truth1 a respectable member of the church1 ,mrs4 ,,walton1 who sat just before ,mrs4 ,,turner1 in the chapel2 a debtor to grace indeed2 she was the daughter of a most respectable and pious deacon of a church1 who was much esteemed for his piety and usefulness--beloved of his ,god1 and by those who knew him--and after a life of usefulness in the church1 was suddenly called home to a grace-provided glory4 ,while at chapel1 he had joined in singing the hymn before the sermon2 the minister gave out his text--,oh come taste and see that the ,lord is gracious2 blessed is the man that trusteth in him1--when he was seized with death1 and shortly after expired2 to the grief of his family1 the church1 and the neighbourhood4 ,our departed friend was of course religiously educated1 which is no small mercy impressed by grace2 at a very early period of her life1 the ,lord led her to see her own state1 as a sinner before ,god1 and gradually drew her mind into a spiritual acquaintance with divine truth--led her soul to the glorious person1 and finished work of ,christ1 as her refuge1 surety1 atonement1 righteousness1 and advocate--here she often found rest and peace--these important truths were the very delight of her soul1 when she thought1 read1 conversed1 or heard of them--she loved the truth1 as it is in ,jesus1 nor would she attend any place of worship where she thought the ,minister was shy of any precious doctrine of the gospel--she was decided1 though far from being disputatious2 and as grace made her so1 the ,lord fulfilled his promise in her soul's experience--,because thou hast kept the word of my patience1 ,i also will keep thee in the hour of temptation1 and if any man love me1 and keep my words1 ,i also will love him 7manifestatively72 but like almost all the family of ,god1 she often experienced much lowness1 dejection1 fear1 unbelief1 and doubtings2 sweetly revived again1 the graces of the holy spirit gained the victory over these sad corruptions of the human heart4 ,sinking and rising1 rising and sinking in mind1 was her experience till victorious grace gained the conquest in death4 ,for ,to patient faith the prize is sure1 ,and all1 who to the end endure ,the cross1 shall wear the crown4 ,her attendance upon the word was early1 constant1 and uniform--as a wife1 a relation1 a neighbour1 and a friend1 few could equal her--diffident1 humble1 and serious1 loving1 kind1 peaceable1 and benevolent1 none perhaps exceeded her2 and this she was by the power of electing grace4 ,how great her gain1 how deep the loss of all who were related to her in her respectable family1 and in the church of ,god2 possessing a spiritual knowledge of ,christ1 precious faith in him1 a hope that maketh not ashamed1 founded alone on the person1 blood1 and righteousness of the ,son of ,god1 love to his person1 to his truth1 his people1 his ministers1 his ways1 and works1 evidenced her eternal election of ,god1 her complete redemption from the ruins of the fall1 and that the work of grace was genuine on heart1 carried by the arms of divine power and faithfulness4 ,she persevered1 because carried to the end of her days2 this is indeed the privilege of all the ,lord's people4 ,for in his love1 and in his pity1 he saved them1 bare them1 and carried them all their days2 nor can there be any final perseverance of the saints1 but as they are carried-- ,but he that hath loved them1 bears them through1 ,and makes them more than conquerors too4 ,hallelujah4 ,however dear the ,lord's people may be to their families1 or to the church on earth2 as sinners1 all must bow to the awful sentence of dust thou art1 and to dust thou must return4--,even ,an angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave2 ,legions of ,angels can't confine me there4 ,an old divine of the last century remarks that mankind are like sheep grazing upon a common--death is the butcher appointed to take away first one and then another4 ,surely then we may ask who next shall be summoned away1 my merciful ,god is it ,i8 ,what a mercy for the people of ,god they cannot die unprepared--none unfit2 the grace that provided the kingdom has provided a fitness for it1 in the person and work of the dear ,redeemer1 and in the effectual operations of the holy-making ,god the ,divine ,spirit2 and without this holiness no man shall see the ,lord--without this holy change of state1 of principle1 and of pursuit1 none can enjoy either the liberty of the ,gospel now1 or the glory beyond the grave2 and however the wicked may be driven away in his wickedness1 the righteous hath hope in his death1 for thou shalt come to thy grave in full age1 like a shock of corn1 that cometh in his season1 fully ripened for the heavenly garner4 ,such was our dear departed friend--deeply afflicted in body1 such as baffled all human skill2 she gradually descended to the grave1 sweetly supported1 kept up by mighty grace1 and consoled by the word of truth4 ,she beheld her pious and affectionate family around her4 ,on one occasion she had been remarkably low in thinking of death1 when the ,lord kindly1 but very powerfully whispered to her heart1 blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord1 even so saith the ,spirit4 ,this sweet sentence being clothed with such energy delivered her mind from all fears of death4 ,often did she exclaim oh6 why is the ,lord so long in coming8 come1 come ,lord1 ,i long to be at home2 and although her sufferings were great1 her faculties were kept amazingly strong1 so much as to enable her to repeat the whole of her favorite hymn she had often heard sung at the chapel1 on preparation to meat ,god1 ending with-- ,and if pale death to me appears1 ,creating new alarming fears1 ,my last appeal to ,calvary's blood1 ,and ,i'm prepar'd to meet my ,god4 ,one of her affectionate family read to her the #djth ,isaiah1 and sweetly commented upon it1 which she very much enjoyed4 ,her desire to depart and be with ,christ seemed to increase1 and her affliction continuing still1 she hastened quickly to meet the last enemy of her nature1 though the covenant friend of her soul2 prayerful1 sincerely1 solemnly1 and composedly she breathed her soul into the hands of her redeeming ,lord2 she slept in peace--she fell asleep in ,jesus1 and experienced all that is contained1 in the precious declaration1 blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord4--,her sun sweetly set to rise in another horizon1 where it will never be clouded--never set again--never1 no never go down3 but there the ,lord is her everlasting light--her ,god--her glory2 and the days of her mourning are for ever over4 ,forbear the righteous to deplore1 ,they enter into rest2 ,released from care1 and sin1 and woe1 ,to everlasting bliss they go1 ,and learn what they might doubt below1 ,to die is to be blest4 ,,hymn4 ,saints1 who mourn the slumbering dead1 ,look to your incarnate head6 ,see him mounting from the tomb1 ,death and hell await their doom4--,hallelujah4 ,now1 on glitt'ring thrones above1 ,seraphs chaunt redeeming love2 ,ransom'd saints the concert join1 ,echoing the hymn divine4--,hallelujah4 ,borne on clouds of azure light1 ,angels wing their rapid flight1 ,and around the bursting grave1 ,welcome him1 who-died to save4--,hallelujah4 ,come ye rescu'd1 sing his praise1 ,jesus loves to hear your lays2 ,he who conquered hell and death1 ,hears the humblest sinner's breath4--,hallelujah4 ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost6 ,triune ,god6 of saints the boast2 ,let us soon amid the throng1 ,join the chorus in their song4--,hallelujah4 ,j4 ,c4 jun4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,picture3 ,graphic of hand with finger pointing right ,shortly will be published1 ,,choice ,,sayings ,,of ,,dying ,,saints1 selected from some of the best ,authors4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,r4 ,weston1 ,printer1 ,queen's ,gardens1 ,crosby ,row1 ,southwark4 ,,footnotes4 #d ,ezekiel #bd4