A funeral sermon on the death of that pious gentlewoman Mrs. Judith Hamond Late…

But that we may give a more distinct account of its meaning, several things are to be noted;

1. That Death, as it is here spoken of, supposes a certain, limited Subject. Its being mentioned in this Chapter, and elsewhere, as if it were, itself, a suppositum, and an intelligent, designing One, is an elegant and an usual Figure. The Holy Scriptures, and Common Speech, abound with this sort of Prosopopoeia, And it hath its special usefulness, when (as in the present Case) what we are more to remark, and consider with greater intention of Mind, is so represented, i. e. when to things of minute, or of no entity, but of great concernment, (such mere privations as Death or Sin) a sort of Personality is ascribed, ⟨p. 6⟩attended with terrible aspects and appearances, it tends more effectually to rouse our minds, and engage our attention, whether we are to consider, and magnify our danger by them, or our deliverance, and to behold them as attempting upon us, or as overcome. But speaking strictly, we must take things as in themselves they are. Death therefore must be considered, in reference to some subject or other. Abstractly considered, 'tis but a notion. As it actually hath taken place, it must be the death of this or that Person. And as it is finally to be overcome, and have an end, it must have a limited subject, and not be understood of all, absolutely and universally; for then there would be no such thing as Eternal Death, which hath no end. And how the subject here supposed, is to be limited; the series of discourse thorough the Chapter shows, they are such as are Christs, ver. 23. and to whom he is peculiarly the first fruits, ibid. Such as shall bear his heavenly Image, ver. 49. and, as elsewhere, whose vile bodies shall be made like his glorious One, Phil. 3. 21. Such as shall have spiritual, incorruptible, immortal bodies like his, and with him inherit the Kingdom of God, and through him obtain this victory, ver. 50—57.

1. That Death, as it is here spoken of, supposes a certain, limited Subject. Its being mention'd in this Chapter, and elsewhere, as if it were, itself, a suppositum, and an intelligent, designing One, is an elegant and an usual Figure. The Holy Scriptures, and Common Speech, abound with this sort of Prosopopoeia, And it hath its special usefulness, when (as in the present Case) what we are more to remark, and consider with greater intention of Mind, is so represented, i. e. when to things of minute, or of no entity, but of great concernment, (such meer privations as Death or Sin) a sort of Personality is ascribed,