Mr. Adams's

S E R

O N

Upon the ®t&fi) of

Madam Dudley.

6^^- ■ rt rt.l77g^.1iir-n. •■•i.ui

Mr. Adams's

S E R

O N

Upon the $De8t!) of

Madam Dudley.

Tie CharaSler of a Chriflians Life and Death illuftrated.

o N

Upon the SDeatt) °^

Mrs. Lucy Dudley \

Relid of the late Honourable

lU

«c

Who Died OBober 24, 1756.

Preached at Roxbury, October 31, 1756.

A.M.

Pallor of the Firft Church in Rcxbury.

B O S <T O N i

Printed and Sold by Edes and Gill, next to the Prifon, in Queen-Street, 1756*

era

UPON

Madam Lucy Dudley.

PHIL. I. 21.

For to me to live is Chrifl^ and to die is Gam.

fr ' y ^HIS excellent Epijlle, was written to the Church at Philippi ; by the Apodie Paul, then a Prifbner at Rome ; 'tis directed, Firft, to the Church in general, to all the Saints in Chrlfl ye/us, which are at Philippi, and then particularly to the Officers of the Church, which were the Bijhops and ^De aeons. After this Infcription, accompanied with the ufual apoftolick Benediction, , together with fuitable Prayers and Praifes, on account of the Church at Philippi, the Apodie profefles his great Affection to them, and Concern for their Welfare ; then having obviated theOffence, his prefentSufferings might caft in their Way ; he in the 2 oth Verfe takes * Occafion to mention his own Devotednefs to the Ser- vice

6 A Funeral-S ERMON.

vice and Glory of Chrift ; according to my earneft Expectation and my Hope ; thai in nothing IJball be aftmmed, but that with all Boldnefs, as always, fo now alfo, Chrift Jb all be magnified in my Body, whether it be by Life or by T)eath. A Refolution, worthy the Faith and Fortitude of the great Apoftle ; For to me to live is Chrift, " My Life is devoted toChrift, I live to " advance his Kingdom and Honour in the World. u Chrift is my Life, while Hive it is to him ; and to " die is Gain ; this is my Comfort in all my Perils " and Sufferings, though the Service of Chrift coil me " my Life ; and I fliall not count my Life dear to " my felf, fb that I may finifti my Courfe with Joy, " and the Miniftry which I have received of the " Lord jefus, to teftify the Gofpel of the Grace of <c God."

We have in the holy Apoftle, the true Character of a Believer's Life and Death ; his Life is Chrift, and his Death is Gain.

Thefe, I fliall endeavour briefly to illuftrate and improve, in the following Difcourfe.

Firft, we have the Character of a Believer's Life : To him to live is Chrift ; he is the Author, Support, Rule and End of the Chriftian Life ; his Grace is the Principle, his Gofpel the Rule., his Example the Mea- fnre and Pattern, his Service the Work, his Glory the End, and his Promifes the Hope and Comfort of a Believer's Life. Particularly,

The Chriftian' s Life is fupported, animated and maintained by Chrift : as they are faved by the Wajlo- ing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghoft, which isfhed on them abundantly y through Jefus Chrift our Saviour ; fo by Virtue of their Union to Chrift, they experience the Aids of his indwelling Spirit, whereby they are afTifted and enabled, they ar? ftrenqthened with Might by his Spirit in the inner

Man.

A Funeral-S ERMON. 7

Man. Agreably Chrifl is call'd the Vine, and Chriflians theBranehesf, becaufe they grow upon him as the Source of divine Life : Agreably the ApoPJe tells us, * I am crucified with Chrifl, neverthelejs I live, yet not I but Chrijl liveth in me. And we find him afcribing all his Ability to Chrifl ; % I can do all Things thro9 Chrijl which flrengtheneth me. Thus the Believer lives upon Chrifl, and is fupported by the continual Aids of his Holy Spirit. Moreover,

The Gofpel of Chrifl is the Rule of a Chriflian's Life ; the Gofpel is not barely a Revelation of gracious Doctrines ; but a Syflem of noble Precepts, defigned for the Rule of our Lives. This Grace of God teaches i-is, , that denying Ungodlinefs and worldly JLufts wefhould live fiber ly, right eoufly and godly in this frefent World : the Gofpel governs the Heart and directs the Actions of the Chriflian, — He eyes this Rule, he labours to practice the Duties, and to abound in the Vermes, which the Gofpel inculcates ; His Converfation is as becomeih the Gofpel of Chrifl y he delights in ihisLazv after the inner Man ; driving to excel in evangelical Purity and Righteoufnefs : Thus to him to live is Chrift. Again,

The Life of Jeflis is the Pattern of a Believer's Life. The Life of Chrifl was defigned for an Ex- ample to all his Followers ; hence the Apofile John tells us, § He that faith he abideth in him, ought him- Jelfalfofo to walk, even as he walked. He perfectly practiced the Duties and copied the Vertues of the divine Life ; and a Chriflian's Life is a Conformity toChrifl ; tis to live up to hisExample ; he fets before himfelf the illuflrious Character of Chrifl ; he views the diflinguifliing Graces of it ; he actually in a good Meafure copies them into his own Life ; he learns of

him ,

t John 15. 4. * Cal. y, 20. J Phil. 4. 13. § 1 j0\n 2> &

8 A Funeral-S ERMON.

him, who is meek and lozvly in Heart. The Life of (Thrift is manifeft in the Chriftian's Life, agreable to the Apoftle : j- ahuays bearing about in the Body, the dying of the Lord Jefus ; that the Life alfo ofjefus might be made manifeft in our Body, for we which live^ are always delivered unto Death for Jefus Sake, that the Life alfo of Jefus might he made manifeft in our mortal Flejh. As Chrift was an Example of Love toGod,fo the Believer's Life is full of Love toHim ; his Heart is fixed on God. Love fweetens his Duty, and gently, but power fully, inclines and animates him to Obedience ; this makes it his Meat and Drink to do the Will of his heavenly Father : As Chrift was devoted to God, fo the Chriflian is not his own, he lives not to Jhimfelf ; all his Powers of Mind and Body, 1ms Time znd- Talents are confecrated to God : In a Word, all the Vertues and Graces of the Man Chrift Jefus, reign in his Heart and govern his Life. The Temper and Life of the Believer, is a Confor- mity to Chrift, in Love to God, in Devotednefs to his Glory, in Delight in God, in Submiffion, Patience, Self-denial, Abftra&ednefs from the World ; tis a Conformity to Chrift, in Love to Mankind, Gentle- nefs, Goodnefs, Meeknefs, Forbearance, Forgivenefs and extenilve Charity ; it is as the Life of Jefus adorned with Righteoufnefs, Truth, Sobriety, Since- rity and Zeal for God ; thefe are the Glory and Dig- nity of his Life ; he not only profeiles Chrift, but he lives Chrift ; Chrift lives in his Life, fomething of the Beauty and Glory of the Life of Chrift is trans- cribed into the Life of a Believer : Thus to him to live is Chrift.

Moreover, Chrift is the End of a Believer's Life. The ultimate End and Defign of a Chriftian is that Chrift may be glorified in his Life j this we find was

the

f 2 Cor. 4. 10. ii.

A Funeral-S E R M O N. 9

the unfhaken Refolution of the Apoftle, "That Chrijl might be magnified in his Body, zuhether it be by Life or by Death ; and we read it as the Character of Chriftians : f For none of us liveth to himfelf and no Man dyeth to himfelf ; for -whether we live ive live unto the Lord, and whether zue die we die unto the Lord. Chrift died for all, that they which live JJpould not henceforth live unto themfelves, but unto him that died for them and rofe again, Chrift is in the Heart and Affections of the Believer : He is the firfl and bed in his Efteem ; his Soul is united to him by Faith and Love ; hence he fuhje&s all other Ends to this one, the Glory of Chrift ; he looks upon himfelf as not his own but bought with a Price, even the pre- cious Blood of Gbrift, as of a Lamb without Spot or Blemifh. All his Aims, Defires and Endeavours are center'd on Chrift, and fwallowed up in him ; the natural Language of his Heart is, <c Lord glorify " thyfelf in me, teach me to advance thy Caufe, " to adorn thy Religion ; I have no feparate End, " thy Glory is my Delight ; thy Service is myChcice; " to this I devote all my Time, to this I confecrate *' my Powers. For this I chearfully deny and facri- " fice all my Lufts ; whether therefore I eat or " drink, or whatever I do, all ftiall be directed to " thy Glory." Thus as the Love of Chrift in the Heart is the Principle, fo the Glory of Chrift in the Believer's View is the great End of his Life : And thus to him to live is Chrift.

Furthermore, To obtain Chrift is the great cDefire and unwearied Endeaveur of a true Chriftian. He is deeply fenfible of his great Need of him, and of his All-furficiency and Ability to five to the utter- mojl all that come unio God by him ; to them th&t be- lieve he is precious ; they fee a divine Excellency

B . b

-f Rom. 14. 7, 8.

i o A Funeral-S ER'MO N.

in him, he is in their Efteem a Pearl of great Price,

for which they fell all that they have 5 his Perfon is

amiable, his Offices and Benefits are deflrable. He

therefore labours to obtain Chrift, he feeks him ;

he follows hard after him, he calls upon him ; he

opens his Heart to receive him, he ciofes with him

by Faith, he defires to be jujlified freely of God's

Grace through the Redemption that is in J ejus Chrijl ;

he prays that Chrijl may he made of God to him^ H^if

dom, Right eoufnefs , Sanclification and Redemption ;

and his Fear is left he fail of an Intereft in him :

Thus the Apoftle Paul rejected all Confidence in his

legal Righteoufnefs and high Attainments, earneftly

defiring to be found in Chrift ; f Tea doubtlefs and I

count all 'Things but Lofs for the Excellency of the

Knowledge of Chrijl Jefus my Lord, for whom I have

fuffered the Lofs of all Things, and do count them hut

T)ung that I may win Chrijl, and be found in him.

Of fuch Importance does an Intereft. in Chrift appear

to every Believer ; thus earnefl and importunate is

he to obtain an Intereft in him : And when he has

a comfortable Hope of this, Oh! with what Affection

and Joy does he adopt the infpired Language,

"* Lord now leitejl thou thy Servant depart in Peace,

according to thy ff^ord, for mine Eyes have feen thy

Salvation. Thus to him to live is Chrift.

Again, Communion with Chrift is the Delight and Pleafure of a Believer's Life. The Apoftle John fpeaking in the Name of Chriftians tells us, and truly our Fellowjbip is with the Father and with his Son Jefus Chrijl. Agreably they are faid to have their Conversation in Heaven. A Believer's Life is a walking with God, he acquaints himfelf with God, and this Communion and Acquaintance with his God and Saviour is the delightful Exercife of his Life ;

he

f Phil. 3/8, 9. * Luk. 2. 29, 30.

A Funeral-S E R M O N. n

he delights to draw near toChrift in fecret ; Oh! how joyfully does he open his Heart to his Redeemer, ipread all his Wants before him, and reft in him by Faith and Love ; thofe are happy Hours that are fpent in fecret Converfe with Heaven ; his Thoughts are, as for them that are far from God, they Jh all pe- rljh ; hut it is good for me to draw near to God. In a Word, it is not without great Pleaflire that a fincere Chriflian draws near to Chrift, reads and hears his Word, converfes with him by Prayer and Praife, and fits with him at his holy Table. The Pleafure and fubflantial Felicity, he often finds in this Life, of Communion with Heaven, are a blefted Earneft and Foretafte of the Fellowfhip the Saints have with Chrift in Glory. The Manifeftations of divineLove that are fbmetimes experienced in fuch a Life, are a Glimpfe of Glory, a Prelibation of the Joys which are at God's right Hand for evermore.

Laftly, Chrift is the Hope of a Believer's Life. The Believer's Life is full of Hope that ihall never make him afhamed, he is fupported amidft the Sor- rows of Life, and the Profpecls of Death with a Hope of immortal Glory ; and this Hope is built on Chrift, as its Centre and Bafis ; he is the Foundation, the Corner Stone, agreable to the Apoftle, j- which is Chrift in you the Hope of Glory. He is deeply fenfible that all his Vertues are fullied with Imper- fection, that his Graces are mixed with innumerable Failings ; he is afraid to appear before a holy God in the Vertue of his own Righteoufnefs ; he acknow- ledges he is but an unprofitable Servant ; Lord if thou fhould mark Iniquity who fhall (land in thy Sight; a dying, a rifen, afcended, interceding Jelits is his Hope of Pardon and Acceptance with God ; he lives looking for the free Mercy of God unto eternal Life c

B 2 Thus

t Col." i. 27.

1 2 A Funeral-S E R M O N.

Thus to theChriflian to live is Chrift. And thus have I given Tome Hints at the Chara&er of a Believer's Life, which brings me to confider,

Secondly, The Account of his T>eath, as to him to live is Chrift t fo to him to die is Gain. Some read the Words ©f our Text, f both living and dying Ghrift is my Gain. He gains Chrifl and eternalGlo- ry by Life and Death. Although by the Death of the Mediator, Death is abolified ; Life and Immortality are brought to Light in the Gofpel. Yet it has pleafed God to continue Death in the World, as a fhnding Teftimony againft Sin, as a fuitable Means for the more eminent Exercife of a Chriftian's Faith and Pa- tience ; — and although in its own Nature, it is the awful Confequence of the firft TranigreiTion ; yet to the Saints ?tis, thro" the infinite Wifdom and Grace of God, turned to their unfpeakable Gain ; the Sting of Death is taken away by the Death of Chrift ; and that which is to mortal Fleih the King of Ter- rors, is to the Believer a necedary and ihort Trans- lation to immortal Glory. Flefh and Blood cannot in- herit the Kingdom of God, Our Saviour has pur- chafed an Immortality, of which our Nature was not in its original Conftitution made capable, a Glory and Happinefs far excelling that Felicity for which our Nature was originally deligned : and doubtlefs the human Nature receives a vaft Addition of Glory by* its Union with the Son of God, by its Adoption to an Heir/hip with him to eternal Life, which we are told is the exalted Priviledge of true Chriftians §. Therefore till this animal Body be purify'd and changed, and in order to this, experience a Ditfblu- tion ; it is not capable of the fuperior Glory revealed in the Gofpel, given in Chrift, and referved in Hea- ven for us. So that through the Grace of Jefus

Chrift

f Emoi gar to zeen^ Cbrijlos, kai to apoihaneln Kerdos.

$ Rom. 8. 17.

A Funeral-S E R M O N. 13

Chrift tafting 'Death for every Man, that temporal Death, which is entailed upon all Mankind, is the In- ftrument of Immortality, hereby the Image of the earthly Adam is abolifhed, that the Saint may be transformed into the Likenefs of the heavenly ; for Chrift fiall change our vile Body, that it may be fafhioned like unto his glorious Body, according to the working whereby he is able even to fubdue all Things unto himfelf But here I mud defcend to Particu- lars.

1 ft. By Death the Believer gains a perfect. Free- dom from the Sorrozvs and Diftreffes of this mortal State ; this World is a vale of Tears, a continued Re- volution of Cares and Troubles ; many are the Af- flictions of the beft,the moft eminent in thisState ; there are fpiritual and temporal Troubles with which the Saints are vifited for their Tryal and Brightening ; thefe are to try their Faith, to wean them from Time and Senfe, to improve their Vertues and fit them for Heaven ; the belt Saints are fubject. to Pain and Sick- nefs ; there are the 'Days ofDarknefs, in which they find no Pleafure. The Children of God often endure much, when their Flefh and their Heart faileth. We are often fenfibly touched with their Infirmities. But Death gives them a perfect Freedom from all thefe Troubles, their Pains leave them at Death, the Soul rifes above the reach of any temporal Trouble ; it is fafely lodged in Abraharas Bofom, where there is no more Pain nor Sorrow, for the former Things are faffed away ; God wipes away all Tears from their Eyes ; Sorrow and Sighing flee away for ever. What unfpeakable Gain is this, to be fet at an ever- lafting Diftance from all PofTibility of Pain and Trou- ble, never more to know what Grief or Pain is ! this is no contemptible Gain.

2dly. The

14 A Funeral-S E R M O N.

sdly. The Believer by Death gains a perfect, De- liverance from all the Bufferings and Temptations of Satan. Satan, for holy Ends, is fometimes fufFered to buffet and perplex the Children of God ; he often fuggefts terrible blafphemousThoughts to the Mind; accufes the Chriftian to his own Conference, and de- ftroys his fpiritual Repofe, by his fiery Darts. This is often a fiery Trial to good Men. But by Death, Satan is conquered,they are at once delivered from all his Suggestions, he makes no more attempts upon the Chriftians Peace for ever. A precious Priviledge this, to fuch as have been longwr eft Hing with Principalities andPowers. How great is his Deliverance, how fweet his Reft !

gdly. By Death the Believer gains a compleatDe- liverance from indwelling Sin and Darknefs. They find in this Life, zvhen they would do Good, Evil • is prefent with them ; and that of the Apoftle is the affectionate Language of theChildren of God : f Oh wretched Man that I am, who Jhall deliver me from the Body of this Death f They lament the Infirmity of theFieih,and arebufily cleanfing themfelves from the Defilements of Sin ; their purefl: Devotions, and nobleft Services, are ftained with the Filth of Sin ; they are here watching and ftriving, repenting and mortifying Sin ; earneffly crying for Deliverance, wifhing to love God more, to ferve him better ; and live nearer to him. But at Death, the Chriftian gains a perfect Deliverance from all his Corruptions at once ; here is an End of Repentance, Watching, and Mortification ; he becomes a Spirit made per feci ; none of the Dregs of Sin enter the heavenly World ; he never laments his Defilement, or groans after De- liverance more ; noDeadnefs ever allays hisDevotion, noStain ever clouds hisGraces. How fweet is thisReft

to

f Rom. 7. 24.

A Funeral-S E R M O N. 15

to the heavenly Soul ! How happy to be free from all inherentPoIlution! to have all Ignorance andDark- nefs difpelled ! to be prefent beforeGod withoutSpotl This is a Salvation they are wifhing for in this Life ; this is Joy, this is Life indeed. How happy to retire victorious from the Field of Battle ! How happy to tafte the Sweets of Liberty and Victory !

4thly. By Death the Believer gains a Freedom from the Fear and Terror of Death. Death is an awful Period, a Diflblution fhocking and terrible to human Nature ; the iU King of Terrors" to mortal Fleih : There is a natural Dread of Mortality in the bed of Men, and oftentimes good Men are deeply imprefs'd with this Fear ; they are through Fear of T)eath fubjefl to Bondage. * Tis hard to reconcile the Mind to fuch a dreadful Event ; many ferious Chrif- tians are ever praying to be fet above the Fears of Death. But by Death they gain a Deliverance from thefe afflictingCares. Immediately after theDiflblution of the Body, the Soul triumphs in its Victory ; and though the final compleat Victory of the Saints over Death is not till the Refurrection ; when this Mortal fliall put on Immortality, then Jhall he brought to pafs the Saying that is written, "[Death is /wallowed up in ViBery. Oh 'Death where is thy Sting f O Grave where is thy Viftory f The Sting of 'Death is Sin,ani the Strength of Sin is the Lazv ; but Thanks be t9 God who giveth us the Viftory through our Lordjfefus Chrift. Though this is the final and compleat Vic- tory of the Saints ; yet at Death they obtain a noble Victory : And with what holy Triumph does tne departed Soul look back on Death, which was once its Terror. " Once I feared that awful Period ; O w Death, once I trembled at thy Cruelty, I abhorred " thyApproach. But now I have conquer'd thyTer- ct tors j I have fafely pafs'dthat diflrefling Moment,

" I

1 6 A Funeral-S E R M O N.

"I trufted my Soul to the Care of my kind Re- " deemer, and fafely walk'd thro' that gloomy Vale. " Farewell Fear, farewel Death : My Heart is glad, " my Giory rejoiceth ; my Fiefh alfo fhall ret in " Hope ; thou doft not leave my Soul in Hell, nor u wilt thou fufFer thy holy One ever to fee Corrup- " tion : Thou wilt mew me the Path of Life ; in thy " Prefence is Fullnefs of Joy ; at thy Right Hand " are Pleafures for evermore."

ythly. By Death theBeliever gains a more intimate Acquaintance with Jefus Chrift. The Life of a Chriftian is a Life of Acquaintance andConverfe with him, by Faith ; but there is here an interpofingCloud, this mortal Flefli hinders the more noble Views of Chrift from the Mind ; and as they love their unfeen Saviour, and rejoice in the Hopes of being admitted to a nearer Acquaintance with him ; fo they are diligent- ly feeking it in this Life. And at Death they gain the Perfection of all their Hopes ; their Fellowfhip with him is raifed and improved, agreable to our Saviour's Prayer, j- Father, I will that they alfo whom thou baft given ?ne, he with me where lam, that they may behold my Glory , which thou haft given me. Faith is there changed into Vifion, and all their Defires are fa- tisfied in the blifsful Prefence of Jefus Chrift ; now they fee through a Glafs darkly, but then Face to Face. 6thly. By Death Believers gain the full and per- petual Manifeftations of God's Love. The Favour efGod is Life ^ and his loving Kindnefs is better than Life ; The Love of God is the Soul's Felicity ; but fuch is the Datknefs of the prefent State, that the Manifeftations of God's Love are often intercepted by the intervening Clouds of Grief ; God is fbme- times pleafed, for the Trial of his Childrens Faith, to cloud his Face, and withdraw the Manifeftations of

his

f Joha 17- 2^

A Funeral-SE R M O N. 17

his paternal Love. But by Death the Chriflian gains. a Victory over all his Fears and Doubts ; God fhines with the unceafing Light of his Face, no Clouds of Guilt and Darknefs will ever intercept the animating Beams of his divine Love ; there is no Poilibility of Fear or Miftruft inHeaven ; God's Face ftiine9 with a perpetual Radiancy, and the Soul feels every Mo- ment the vital Streams of hisLove : The divine Lan- guage is that in the Prophet, / have loved thee with an everlajling Love ; therefore with loving Kindnefs have I drawn thee. % In a little Wrath I hid my Face from thee, for a Moment , but with everlajling Kind" nefs zvill I have Mercy upon thee. §

7thly. By Death theSaints gain a moreComprehen- {lVcXnczi'Iedge of God. Here they know inPart ; their Knowledge at bed is but confined and very contracted ; but at Death theirViews are enlarged ; this is expreiied by feeing God. f When the mental Powers are refined from Darknefs and Impurity, the Saints will have a much more extend ve and excellent Knowledge of the Wifdom, Power, Holinefs, Word and Works of the divine Nature ; fuch a Knowledge as far furpafles what they can have in this imperfect State.

8thly. By Death the Saints gain Luftre and Per- fection to their Vertues. The nobleft Graces are here mixed with Imperfection ; there is no unfullied Vertue, no unipotted Glory in this Life ; the mod fervent Love to God is fometimes abated with the Charms of the World, the ftrongeft Faith and Vertue is fometimes ihocked by fubtle Temptations ; Per- fection is beyond theBounds of Time, and the Sphere of Senfe. But at Death the Chriftians Graces are brightened, his Vertues ihine with unfpottcd LuuVe ; There is no Darknefs, no Irh perfection ; Grace (nines and Vertue reicrns : there the Image of God is com-

C pleatly

X Jcr. 31.3. § Ifa. 54. 3. f Matth. 5. 8.

1 8 A Funeral-S ERMO N.

pleatly drawn ; and if the Saints appear fo lovely here, if their Light iliines with fuch Luftre before Men, if their Faith, Love,Patiemce and Humility, are fo charming here,Oh ! how fhould we beraviilied with the unflil lied Venues, the divine Characters of the Saints in Heaven : If they ihine as Lights, ai this amazing Diftance from the Fountain of Light, in thefe cold and benighted Regions of Mortality ; how illuftrious are they, wBen they approach the Sun of Righteouf?iefs, and reflect his transforming Light.

othly. By Death theSaints gain a ^evfediSatisfiicIion in the Enjoyment of God. He alone is the fuitable Portion of our immortal Spirits; and as Believers are growing up in Venue and Goodnefs, they come near to God and reft in him. But by Reafon of inward Corruption and outward Temptations, the Troubles of Life and Charms of fenfible Objects, the beft Men are often led from their Repofe in God ; but as they here lee enough inGod to fill theirMinds, Co by Death they arrive at the perfect Enjoyment of God, they reft in him by a divine Complacency of Soul, they delight in his Goodnefs ; this fills their Minds ; Oh the Satisfaction, the undifturbed Repofe of the Saints^ in the perpetual Emanations of uncreated Goodnefs ! at thy right Hand are Pie a fur es for evermore.

In a Word, when the Saints dye, they rife above the Fears of temporal Judgments. They are taken from the Evil to come, their Hopes are accomplifhed, they receive the ample Reward of their Faith, Love, Zeal and Labour for God, they join the delightful Society of Heaven, they gain what Eye hath not feeny nor Ear heard ; neither have entered into the Heart of Many thofe glorious Priviledges, which // is not pojjible * for a Man to utter. — > I haften to the

IMPROVE-

* Arreeta 2 Cor. 12. 4.

A Funeral-S ERMON. 19

IMPROVEMENT.

1 ft. We learn of what great Importance Chrift is in the Chriftian's Life, to him to live is Chrift. And the Apoftle tells us, f Chrift is our Life ; a Believer's Life is not an empty Formality, or a mere lifelefs Morality, arifing merely from the Nature and Fitnefs of Things. But it is a Life animated by Chrift, guided by his Gofpel, conformed to his Example, im- proved in his Service, and devoted to his Honour and Glory. A Chriftian's Life is a holy Fellowfliip with Chrift, and with God through him ; Love to the great Redeemer lays as the Principle of all evangelical Obedience ; this animates him in every Duty : In fliort, Jefds is the Life, Glory, Hope and Centre of a Chriftian. How far elevated is fuch a Life above an empty dead Morality ; I mean that Morality that has nothing to do with Chrift, that pays no Regard to the Med h tor.

2dly. Let us ferioufly aflc ourfelves, whether to us to live is Chrift. Unlefs we live to Chrift we cannot expect to die in him hereafter ; we muft not only proiefs Chrift with our Lips, but live him in our Converfation. Let me then a£k you, my Hearers, are you animated with a Principle of divine Life from him ? Do you walk by hisGofpel ? Do you copy his Vermes ? Do you make his Service your Employ- ment ? Are your Powers, Time and Talents devoted to the Glory of Chrift ? Is he your End ? Are his Graces your Glory } Is your Converfation in Hea- ven ? Do you live by the Faith of the Son of God ? Is his Kingdom fet up in your Hearts ? Does he reign in your Affections and govern your Lives ? Do you live up to the Chriftian Character ? Are you zealous in good Works, full of Life and Vigour in his Service f We muft thus live to Chrift, as we ex- pect

t c°l- 3- 3'

20 A Funeral-S ERMON.

pe& our Death will be Gain. Alas ! how many, even in the profefling World, are alienated from the Life of God ; how many are not favingly acquainted with Him and Strangers to this heavenly Life.

3dly. How different is the Death of a Chriftian from that of a Chriftlefs Sinner : One is unfpeakable Gain, the other eternal Lofs : What is the Hope of the Hypocrite ^ though he hath gained, when God taketh away his Soul.

4thly. We learn from what has been faid the hap- py Death of fuch as have lived to Chrift, and what Comfort we ought to take in their Departure. The Death of a Saint, tho' dark in itfelf, and often threat- ning to the Church of Chrift, is to himfelf exceeding Gain, Could we view this Change as the departed Saints do, in the Regions of Immortality, their Death would look much more agreable and pieafant. Could we view it as they do. Oh 1 what a blefled Change would if appear. Such as have lived to Chrift, who have walked by his Gofpel, copied his Vertues, de- voted themfelves to his Glory, lived near him by Faith and Love ; they who have chofen an Intereft in him, fuch as have adorned his Doclrine by their heavenly Lives ; Such happy Souls at Death gain the Perfection of their Vertues, the End of all their Hopes : Mark the per feci Man, and behold the Up- right, for the End, or Reward of that Man is Peace. Hejhall enter into Reft, they fh all reft in their Beds, each one walking in his Upright nefs. ^And I heard a Voice from Heaven, faying unto me, write, hie fed are the ID ead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea, faith the Spirit, that they may reft from their Labours, and their Works do follow them.

Such was the Life, and fuch we believe the Death of that Honourable Perfon, whofe Remains were lately entombed amongft us, with the Honour and

Refpecl:

A Funeral-S ERMON. 21

Refpec"t due to her Memory ; vvhofe illuftrious Cha- racter, and long diflinguifhed Vermes, in a fuperior Station of Life, even common Decency forbids me to pa fs unnoticed.

She, for Abilities of Mind, for Wifdom, Know- ledge, Prudence, Difcretion, a heavenly Temper, pure Morals, unaffected Piety, Alining Graces, and an unfullied Character, has been rarely equalled by any of her Sex amongfl us.

As her Mind was capacious, fo it was fuitably im- proved by Reading, and wonderfully enriched with nfeful Ideas ; in this She was greatly affifted by the learned, judicious and pious Converiation of her late Honourable Confort.

But her great Delight was to be acquainted with Chriil and his Religion ; to this End, She carefully ftudied the Holy Scriptures, and acquainted Herfelf with the Writings of the moll ferious and heavenly Divines, that the ft latter Ages have afforded.

Her Heart was early fcafoned with the Grace of God ; She early devoted tlci felf to God, made a Profeflion of Chriil, and began that Life of Piety, in which She continued to increafe to the End ; from Pier early Days Her Life was dignified with that Piety and Devotion, which are the true Glory of Perfons of the higheft Rank. In publick and private, in her whole Behaviour, She gave ample Teflimony, that the Love of God v?as the governing Principle of her Life.

Her Words were fitly fpoken, Her Talent for Converfation was extraordinary, Her Difcouries fprightly,judicious, ferious, entertaining and edifying: And whenShe fpake of religiousTruths,it was always with Serioufnefs, and a profound Reverence of God and divine Things ; they who had the Honour of an Acquaintance with Her, were greatly delighted and

edified

2 2 A Funeral-S ERMO N.

edified with Her amiable Con verfation. But it linift not be fuppofed,that thofewho knew Her only in the laft Years of Life, when labouring under the Infir- mities of Age, could be fully fenfible of the Spright- linefs, Sweetnefs and Amiablenefs of Her Conversa- tion, in this She peculiarly excelled

In her Family, She was meek, tender and obliging ; faithful to the temporal and fpiritual Interefts of all under herCare; amiable and exemplary to all who had the Happinefs to live near her.

She was kind and condefcending to Perfbns of the loweft Circumflances ; they were treated by Her with the Courtefy and Refpecl: that becomes a Chrjftian.

The Straits and Sufferings of the Poor very fenfi- bly affected Her ; She heartily pitied them, was ready to diflribute, and willing to communicate as their Ne- ceffities required.

She was Uriel: and exemplary in Her Obfervation of the Lord's-Day, viiibly difcovering her Delight in it, and inward Veneration for it ; and it was with Grief She expreffed herSenfe of fbmeThings that feem to be a growing Abufe of that Day amongft this People.

Serious and conflant was She in her \ttendance on the Inftitutions of God's Houfe, in Seafon and out of Seafon ; her Delight was in the Houfe of God, where She was plea fed with the mod: heavenly and evangelical Difcourfes ; Her Gravity, Attention and Devotion, were truly exemplary.

She had an affectionate Regard to the faithful Mi- nifters of Chrift ; She refpe&ed and honoured them, and many of them fliared the Marks of her Regard.

To her to live was Chrift ; Her great Delight was in fecret Fellowihip with Chrift ; and fo great was her Love to fecret Duties, that She conftantly de- voted a very confiderable Part of every Day, to be fpent in her Clofet, in Reading, Meditation, Self- examination

A Funeral-S E R M O N. 23

examination and Prayer ; this gave Life and Luftre to her Graces ; and to thofe who were beft acquaint- ed with Her, She appeared to be a clofe, humble*. Walker with God, well acquainted with the Life and Power of Religion ; She evidently made Conference of all her Aclions, and feemed to live and acl, as ki- th e immediate Pre fence of God.

And as the further Perfbns advance in fblid Piety, they equally grow in Humility and Self-diffidence ; fo Her Religion was ftript of Oflentation ; Her humble Opinion of Herfeif was truly remarkable ; She ac- counted Herfelf not already to have attained ; She was even bowed down with a humble Senfe of Her own Unworthinefs, looking upon herfelf as lefs than the leafl of all Saints, as not worthy to be reckoned in the Number of true Chriftians : Oh ! how often, how affectionately did She lament Her Unfruitful- nefs, under the Advantages She had long enjoyed : This, with a lively Senfe of the Weight of Eternity, fometimes ib over-power'd Her Mind, as, for a Time, to prevent Her taking that Comfort which evidently belonged to Her ; She was remarkably felf-diffident, and afraid of thinking too well of her own Condi- tion ; and when She exprefied any Satisfaction in the Review of Her Life, it was commonly in this hum- ble Manner : " Oh ! I hope I have been endeavour- " ing to ferve God, after my poor imperfect Man- " ncr." How amiable is this divine Grace ! Humi- lity is the Glory of a Chriftian, adds Luftre to every Grace, and charms every Beholder.

This lowEfteem of Herfelf, led her to prizeChrift in all his Offices ; renouncingDependancc on Herfelf, fenlible of her Need of Chrift, She greatly udired to he found in him ; All her Hope of Salvation was in the free Grace of God, through the Merits of his Son -j to obtain whom was the conflant Endeavour of

Hec

24 A Funeral-S E R M O N.

her Life : This She often expreiled in the moft de- vout, affectionate and moving Language.

She longed to-be made holy and heavenly ; more abftra&ed from the World, more like Chrift, and to have a more intimate Acquaintance with God : She laboured and prayed for greater Meafures of Sanchft- cation : This was often her patheticLanguage, *■' Oh 1 ". I think, I defire Sancfi fixation as much as Jnfmi- " cation ; to be holy as much as to be happy.'5 Thofe heavenly Breathings of Heart feem'd to increafe, as She drew near the Clofe of Life ; as Her FlefJj and HerHeart failed Her, God was theDefire and Stre?igth of her Heart : Her Piety and Devotion feemed to increafe under the Decays of Mature.

She endured the Pain and Diftrefs with which She was vifited, efpecially during the laft Months of Her Life, with Chriftian Patience and Refignation toGod ; realizing Death in its gradual Approach, making it Her Bufinefs to be ready for the Coming of Her Lord ; She feemed to be weaned from the World ; She faw nothing here for which it was worth while to live ; She beheld Death in its neareft Ap- proach, without Amazement; as Her Life was long an Ornament to Chriftianity, and becoming a Difciple of Chrift ; fo She clofed it with that Humility, with that Devotion , with that humble Confidence in Her God and Saviour, that one might expect in an experi- enced Chriftian ; fuch as we would wifli to find in a

departing Friend. As for her to live was Chrift,

fo to die is Gain. But I forbear.

May fuch as have been acquainted with Her holy and unblameable Walk in Chrift, imitate Herwherein She followed Chrift. Oh ! that fuch may remember her Faith, Love, Patience, Spirituality andDevotion ; may they, by them, be animated and taught to

live to Tefus Chrift.

J Oh!

A Funeral-S ERMON, 25

Oh ! chat Perfons of the higheft Rank, in the moft affluent Circumftances, would make it their Buflnefs to live to Chrift. Here you have an Example of One, amidft the- Riches and Honours of 'this- World, devoting Herfelf to Chrift, trampling under Foot the* vain Pleafures and Follies of the World : and what was her Glory will be yours. Oh ! how amiable does Yertue and Piety appear in your Station. The L*ifeof J e fits manifejl in your mortal Flefh, is the Glory of Life; this is your trueDignky,and alone will brighten, your Character; Without Yertue and Piety there is no true Dignity ; tis only a holy Life that can recommend you m\ the fbbcr Judgment and; Reafbn of Mankind ; tis only a Character drawn by- a happy Union of the noble Graces of the Chriftian Life that will (land as a Monument to perpetuate your Memory. * Thisjhall be an Ornament of Grace unto thy Head as Chains about thy Neck, f W'tfdom is the principal Thing, therefore get JVifdsm : and 'with all thy getting get Underflanding. Exalt her, and Jhe Jhall promote thee : flic Jh all bring thee to Honour •when thou dofl embrace her. She Jhall give to thineHead an Ornament of Grace : a Crown of Glory Jhall Jhe deliver to thee. Therefore make it your Concern to live to Chrifl, and as your Advantages are fuperior to other Mens, improve them to the nobleftPurpofes: Break thro' the Temptations to Luxury, Idlenefs and Senfuality ; converfe much with Heaven, and excel as far in the Amiablenefs and Purity of your Lives, as in your Rank & Dignity in theWorld. Thus when you are called to part with yourAccommodations here, your Death will be Gain, and you will tranfmit to Pofterity Characters worthy to be written inLetters of Gold, and handed down to all fucceeding Ages of Time ; for the Memory of the Jufl is blejfed.

D Finally,

* Prov. 1. 9. I Prov. 4. 7, 8, 9.

26 A Funeral-S E R M O N.

Finally, Since we fee that neither Riches nor Ho- nours, yea, not the mod: exalted Piety, can fave us from the Power of Death ; let us be convinced of the Vanity of the World ; let us chufe Chrift, let us live by Faith, let us live near to God, let us devote our- felves to the Service and Glory of Chrift, let us de- termine to know and feek nothing butyefus Chrift and him crucified ; and in this let us be animated by the Examples of thofe, who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promifes. May Chrift rule and govern in our Hearts and Lives. Let us ftudy to excel in every Virtue, that when our Death comes, we may have Peace of Confcience, and be able to fay with the holy Apoftle,/<?r to me to live is Chrift, and to. die is Gain,.

FINIS.

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