We observe from what has been stated, that even in death he was greatly blessed, but what is that compared with the blessing he is now inheriting! We weep around his lifeless corpse, but his freed spirit rejoices in the presence of its God. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him: and in a little time, that which was a weak and fragile body whilst animated by the spirit, and now about to turn to corruption, shall rise a glorious body; it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour and shall be raised in glory. Our departed friend looked forward to this when more than once he exclaimed, a little before he closed his eyes in death, “I am going to my rest,” not yet to the fulness of bliss. It doth not yet appear what we shall be, man cannot describe it; raise the imagination to the highest pitch, and still it will fall far short of the reality; for “when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
From this subject let us seek to derive some practical improvement.
1st. A solemn warning. The words of my text are addressed by Christ through his servant to each present, and the scene before us proves that in such an hour as we think not, the Son of man cometh. Who would have thought a few days since, that we should have been assembled here on this occasion, or that your minister, whose renewed strength seemed to promise many years of usefulness, would have been thus cut off suddenly as in a moment? Oh, my brethren, you well know that he taught you long and faithfully, ever willing to spend and be spent in your service. You must meet him at the judgment-seat of Christ, and how will you answer it if you then be found unprofitable servants, and he who loved and served you here, and was honoured and loved by you in return, be obliged to testify against you, that he entreated you in Christ’s stead to be reconciled to God, and you refused? May the awful words which are written in the forty-seventh verse of the chapter from whence my text is taken, awaken each of you to greater diligence, since the servant which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to that will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
2nd. Submission to God’s will. Be still and know that I am God, and this not of necessity, because we must submit, but pray and labour that though sorrowful we may yet be rejoicing, since we sorrow not as those without hope, that this affliction may produce a lasting blessing. Thus Eli submitted when the message from the Lord declared such heavy tidings against him and against his family, saying, “It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.” And thus holy Job, when his property was lost, all his children taken, and his body afflicted with sore boils, from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, and his very wife urging him to curse God and die—“Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil? The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”
3rd. Encouragement. We remember the gifts and graces of our departed friend; but from whence were they derived? What made him what he was? The Lord. And who supported him all his journey through life? It was the same God. He found the grace of God sufficient for him, and the feeling of his heart at all times was, “not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name be the glory.” The God who called, guided, supported, and blessed our departed friend, is still the same. His arm is not shortened, nor his ear heavy, and His direction to us is, ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. We may therefore derive also
4th. Comfort. Doubtless our friend hath entered into the presence of the Lord, and the meanest redeemed sinner will sing a louder song of triumph than the highest archangel. Angels have never tasted of pardoning grace and redeeming love. Did you love your minister? Then thank God that he is released from all sorrow and trial. Thank God for what he has promised, that, having preserved your minister to the end, He will, if you seek Him, also preserve you.
My reverend brethren, in this bereavement, there is a message from God sent to us, as watchmen of the House of Israel. One is taken from our midst, and we are left exposed to peculiar trials and temptations. Our brother was the same, and he continued faithful to the end. And what was his strength and comfort? It was Christ. Oh let us beware of preaching anything but Christ crucified, as “the way, the truth, and the life” for perishing sinners. The more we seek and exalt Him, the more shall we feel in our happy experience, “Christ all and in all.”
In conclusion, let me remind this congregation that your late minister’s instructions are yet sounding in your ears. Oh take heed to them. Pray that the Holy Spirit may be to you a spirit of remembrance, bringing again to your minds what has been said to you; and as you pass the mound of earth which covers his mortal remains, strive to call to mind what he said while yet with you, and seek the grace of God to enable you so to live that you may become followers of those who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. Amen.
J. Unwin, Printer, 31, Bucklersbury, London