Neither can we repose with much confidence in this matter upon theological knowledge and an orthodox creed.
Their value we mean not to disparage; but they cannot stand in the place of true religion. So decisive on this subject is the great Apostle of the Gentiles, as to assure us, that although a man understood all mysteries and all knowledge, and could speak with the tongue of an angel, these distinctions alone would profit him nothing. It is indeed to be feared, that all knowledge on religious questions, which is purely speculative, instead of humbling and improving the mind of him that possesses it, tends rather to puff it up; and with whatever confidence we may rest in a dying hour upon the correctness of our views, it is possible for us to be as far from the kingdom of God and his righteousness, as the most ignorant of our species.
Neither can we lay much stress in this argument upon vehement and rapturous transports.
In many cases, they may be traced to the notions and habits of the particular class of professing christians to which the individuals concerned had previously attached themselves: and in some other cases, they are connected with high-wrought feelings or constitutional warmth of character, both totally independent of the influence of religion. God forbid that we should be supposed to throw discredit upon that holy and heavenly joy, which has often cheered the heart of the christian in the last moments of existence, as if he were already on the verge of heaven. We are careful only to guard against the delusion, which is satisfied with frames and feelings: these are not necessarily derived from the communion of the Holy Ghost: and if it were possible, under such an excitement, to give in the alleged cause of the gospel our bodies to be burned, we might still perish for ever.
In various instances, from the diseased state of some parts of the bodily frame, so fearfully and wonderfully made, it becomes physically impossible for the most devoted christian to bear his testimony to the truth on the approach of death: the tongue, which had perhaps announced to others the glad tidings of the grace of God, may be silent: the eye may be dim: the intellect, apparently failing with the flesh and the heart, may have sunk into hopeless lethargy: and yet, with the evidence before us of his christian life, we are persuaded that such a man dies in the Lord.
We should not hesitate to come to the same conclusion in many cases, where, while the senses are still comparatively perfect, and the mind is still capable of expressing its feelings, there is little manifestation of inward joy. It is doubtless refreshing to stand by the bed of a dying man, who can declare, “I am at peace with all men, and God is at peace with me: and from this blessed assurance, I feel that inward joy, which the world can neither give nor take from me:” [12a] but who shall presume to dictate to the Spirit of God in what manner the faith of his servants shall be tried, or how they shall be made ready for their change? It is recorded of one of the most eminent divines of the last century, that, as the time of his departure drew nigh, whenever any questions were directly put to him concerning his prospects of eternity, his answer usually was, “I cannot say much.” “I rely,” he observed, “on the promises for strength in time of need. There was a time when I should have been very unhappy to have had so little of sensible comfort; but I have seen reason to believe, that one of the most acceptable exercises of true christian faith consists in patiently waiting God’s time, and in relying confidently on the written word. For many years, I have been endeavouring to live from day to day, as a pensioner on God’s bounty: I learn to trust him, and he sends the manna without fail.” [12b] And why should we not hope favourably of many others, who are tried even by strong doubts and fears concerning their spiritual state? Is it not affirmed concerning our compassionate Saviour, that a bruised reed he will not break, and the smoking flax he will not quench? Has he given the invitation of mercy to all that are weary and heavy laden, and assured us, him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out? Where there is a truly broken and contrite heart, these promises will undoubtedly be fulfilled. Let us have the evidence of poverty of spirit, of hungering and thirsting after righteousness, of earnest and unremitted appeals to the Saviour of sinners for that mercy which he offers to all that ask it; and we will indulge the persuasion, that this contrite spirit shall not be despised, that this humble penitent dies in the Lord.
From these observations concerning the description of persons mentioned in the text, I proceed,
II. To consider their happiness.
This is represented to consist in two particulars.
1. They rest from their labours.