Here all have trials and afflictions—the perfect and upright not excepted. But the time is short. The good man's trouble terminates with mortal life. His end is peace—his immortality glorious.
The wicked are dismayed when they look forward and consider their end, or the time of their departure. To the good man it is desirable—"He then rests from his labors, and his works follow him." St. Paul, "had a desire to depart, and be with Christ." He knew that "a crown of righteousness was laid up for him which the Lord, the righteous Judge, would give him at that day." This was not peculiar to him; it is common to all those "who love Christ's appearing." Those now in glory were lately sufferers here: But their sufferings are ended—"They have entered into peace: They rest in their beds, walking in their uprightness."
II. Our subject teacheth the conditions on which only we can hope for peace in death, and happiness after death. These depend on the use which we make of life—on the manner in which we are affected by the overtures made us in the gospel; they are the fruit of receiving Christ and obeying the gospel; for it brings salvation only to those who obey it.
Would we "die the death of the righteous, and have our last end like his," our lives must be preparatory—we must "mind the things which belong to our peace—live in all good conscience before God, and not suffer ourselves to be moved away from the hope of the gospel."
III. Though when "the mystery of God shall be finished, his judgments will be made manifest;" hitherto, "his way is in the sea, and his judgments are a great deep." We know that his way is perfect; but witness many things in the divine administration, which we do not understand. We have no line to fathom the depths of providence.
Often the perfect and the upright are early removed out of life —those who are friends of religion, and supporters of order and justice; whose hearts are filled with benevolence—who are the excellent of the earth! While those of different characters, who we should suppose might well be spared, yea, whose removal, we should judge a mercy to the world, are left to prolong their days! Some who are early vicious, and daily grow worse are nevertheless continued, and permitted to dishonor God, and spread error and mischief among mankind, till at "an hundred years old they die accursed!"
Such events often occur, and under the divine administration! They are permitted of him who cannot mistake! In a sense, they are the Lord's doings, and marvelous in our eyes! "The Lord reigneth, let the earth, rejoice—Clouds and darkness are round about him: Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord."
SERMON XXVI.
"I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets."
"I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets."