Lastly, as for the terrible effects, which follow after death, they belong not unto thee, being a Member of Christ, for Christ by his death hath taken away the sting of death to the faithful: so that now there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. 1And Christ hath protested that he that believeth in him hath everlasting life, 2and shall not come into condemnation, but hath passed ⟨p. 940⟩from death unto life. Hereupon the holy Spirit from Heaven saith, Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord, and that from thenceforth they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. In respect therefore of the faithful,3 death is swallowed up into victory, and his sting, which is sin and the punishment thereof, is taken away by Christ. Hence death is called in respect of our bodies, a sleep, and rest: In respect of our souls, a going to our heavenly Father: a departing in peace: a removing from this body to go to the Lord: 4a dissolution of soul and body to be with Christ. What shall I say? Precious in the sig••t of the Lord is the death of his ⟨p. 941⟩Saints. These pains are but thy throws and travel to bring forth Eternal Life. And who would not pass through Hell to go to Paradise? much more through death. There is nothing after death that thou needest fear; not thy sins, because Christ hath paid thy ransom: not the Judge, for he is thy loving Brother: not the Grave, for it is the Lords Bed: not Hell, for thy Redeemer keeps the Keys: not the Devil, for Gods holy Angels pitch their Tents about thee, and will not leave thee till they bring thee to Heaven. Thou wast never nearer Eternal life, glorify therefore Christ by a blessed death. Say cheerfully, Come Lord Jesus, for ⟨p. 942⟩thy Servant cometh unto thee, I am willing, Lord help my weakness.
Lastly, as for the terrible effects, which follow after death, they belong not vnto thee, being a Member of Christ, for Christ by his death hath taken away the sting of death to the faithfull: so that now there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus. 1And Christ hath protested that he that beleeueth in him hath euerlasting life, 2and shall not come into condemnation, but hath passed ⟨p. 940⟩from death vnto life. Hereupon the holy Spirit from Heauen saith, Blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord, and that from thenceforth they rest from their labours, and their workes doe follow them. In respect therfore of the faithfull,3 death is swallowed vp into victorie, and his sting, which is sinne and the punishment thereof, is taken away by Christ. Hence death is called in respect of our bodies, a sleepe, and rest: In respect of our soules, a going to our heauenly Father: a departing in peace: a remouing from this body to goe to the Lord: 4a dissolution of soule and body to be with Christ. What shall I say? Precious in the sig••t of the Lord is the death of his ⟨p. 941⟩Saints. These paines are but thy throwes and trauell to bring foorth Eternall Life. And who would not passe through Hell to goe to Paradise? much more through death. There is nothing after death that thou needest feare; not thy sinnes, because Christ hath paid thy ransome: not the Iudge, for hee is thy louing Brother: not the Graue, for it is the Lords Bed: not Hell, for thy Redeemer keeps the Keyes: not the Diuell, for Gods holy Angels pitch their Tents about thee, and will not leaue thee till they bring thee to Heauen. Thou wast neuer neerer Eternall life, glorifie therefore Christ by a blessed death. Say chearfully, Come Lord Iesu, for ⟨p. 942⟩thy Seruant commeth vnto thee, I am willing, Lord helpe my weakenesse.
- 1Rom. 8.1.
- 2John 5.24.Iohn 5.24.
- 31 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. Isay 26. Apoc. 14. John 14.1. [Greek or Hebrew]. Luke 2. 2 Cor. 5. Phil. 1. [Greek or Hebrew].1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. Isay 26. Apoc. 14. Iohn 14.1. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Luke 2. 2 Cor. 5. Phil. 1. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
- 4Mors porta gloriae. Greg. Janua vitae. Bernar.Mors porta gloriae. Greg. Ianua vitae. Bernar.
