Perhaps some will say, that such a discourse of rejoicing is unsuitable to the mourning of a Funeral. I think not of such a Funeral, in which we commemorate the ⟨p. 63⟩Holy Life and Death, and believe the present and everlasting joy of such a Friend, and one with whom we have long joined in seeking and waiting for that Felicity, and hope ere long and for ever to rejoice with Christ and her, and all the blessed. And Funeral Sermons are not for the benefit (though for the due honour) of the dead, but of the living, to teach us all to prepare for death, which indeed is so much of the business of our whole life, that all the rest is but a vain show, and foolish trifling or much worse. And wherein doth our preparation for death so much consist, as fore-seeing what so great a change will need, and what a Trial it will put our Faith and Hope to, to seek and get such security for our everlasting state, and such sound belief of it, and settled content and comfort in it, which the fears of Death, Judgment, and Hell, may not shake or overcome, that so we may finish our course with joy, and pass through the Valley of the shadow of death, and fear no evil, but may comfort one another and our selves with this, that we shall for ever be with the Lord, and may say with Paul, I ⟨p. 64⟩have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which God the Righteous Judge will give, to me and to all that love Christs appearance; when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that do believe, and shall say, Well done good and Faithful Servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
Perhaps some will say, that such a discourse of rejoycing is unsuitable to the mourning of a Funeral. I think not of such a Funeral, in which we commemorate the ⟨p. 63⟩Holy Life and Death, and believe the present and everlasting joy of such a Friend, and one with whom we have long joyned in seeking and waiting for that Felicity, and hope ere long and for ever to rejoice with Christ and her, and all the blessed. And Funeral Sermons are not for the benefit (though for the due honour) of the dead, but of the living, to teach us all to prepare for death, which indeed is so much of the business of our whole life, that all the rest is but a vain shew, and foolish trifling or much worse. And wherein doth our preparation for death so much consi•t, as fore-seeing what so great a change will need, and what a Tryal it will put our Faith and Hope to, to seek and get such security for our everlasting state, and such sound belief of it, and setled content and comfort in it, which the fears of Death, Judgment, and Hell, may not shake or overcome, that so we may finish our course with joy, and pass through the Valley of the shadow of death, and fear no evil, but may comfort one another and our selves with this, that we shall for ever be with the Lord, and may say with Paul, I ⟨p. 64⟩have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which God the Righteous Judge will give, to me and to all that love Christs appearance; when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that do believe, and shall say, Well done good and Faithful Servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
