The mourner directory, guiding him to the middle way betwixt the two extremes, defect,…The mourner directory, guiding him to the middle way betwixt the two extreams, defect,…

Holy Lord! how great is the difference betwixt the same Man, as if he were not the same, when he looks upon his Dead with an Eye of Sense, and Carnal Reason, and when with an Eye of Faith, according to thy Word? For when I sit and muse, and say, Methinks I see how the Body of my dead lieth in the Grave, and how it mouldereth and consumeth, I am a sad and sorrowful Man, and my Heart is grieved within me; but when I sit and consider, and believe, and say, Methinks I see it Redeemed from the Grave, methinks I see it raised an Immortal, Powerful, Spiritual, Beautiful, Glorious Body, shining as the Sun, and like to Christs Glorious Body, I am a cheerful, joyful Man, and Comfort flows abundantly into my Soul.

Holy Lord! how great is the difference betwixt the same Man, as if he were not the same, when he looks upon his Dead with an Eye of Sense, and Carnal Reason, and when with an Eye of Faith, according to thy Word? For when I sit and muse, and say, Methinks I see how the Body of my dead lyeth in the Grave, and how it mouldreth and consumeth, I am a sad and sorrowful Man, and my Heart is grieved within me; but when I sit and consider, and believe, and say, Methinks I see it Redeemed from the Grave, methinks I see it raised an Immortal, Powerful, Spiritual, Beautiful, Glorious Body, shining as the Sun, and like to Christs Glorious Body, I am a chearful, joyful Man, and Comfort flows abundantly into my Soul.

Moreover, O my Soul, thy Sorrow might be turned into Joy, when thou dost believingly consider, that rather than the Dead should ⟨p. 232⟩always be captivated by Death, and ever held by the bonds thereof, the Lord HIMSELF will come down from Heaven, and fetch them forth: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, that when the appointed day is come, the Lord Jesus will not stay, nor rest in Heaven, till he hath opened their Graves, and delivered them from the Power of death. Blessed Jesus! Help me to rejoice in thy Mighty Power, and abundant Love, in that because the raising of the Dead is a work too great for all the Angels in Heaven, thou wilt come thy self, and cause them to live again. Methinks I hear thy Voice, Ye Dead arise; Methinks I hear the mighty Shout, and the Trumpet sounding; methinks I see the Lord in his Glory coming down from Heaven, and calling to the Dead, and methinks I see them in great numbers coming up out of their Graves: He calls, they tho dead do hear, and tho dead, at his Command do Live. Lord at thy pleasure they fell into the Grave, and at thy Voice they do come forth. O powerful Voice! Oh joyful glorious sight! Oh the difference betwixt a Funeral, and the Resurrection day! the one was a sorrowful, the other will be a joyful day.