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

But, my Friends, it does not become Christians, to look upon this thing called Death, as so formidable a thing, as it is commonly reckoned; it is ignominious to our profession, not to be endured amongst them that have Life and Immortality brought to light, and set in view before their Eyes in the Gospel, such as profess to be united with Christ, who hath Life in himself, and imparts it to all that are so united; such a Life, hid with Christ in God; And hope that when he who is their Life shall appear, shall appear with him in Glory. It becomes not such to dye continually, by the fear of dying, or that the very thoughts of Death should be deadly to them.

But, my Friends, it does not become Christians, to look upon this thing called Death, as so formidable a thing, as it is commonly reckoned; it is ignominious to our profession, not to be indured amongst them that have Life and Immortality brought to light, and set in view before their Eyes in the Gospel, such as profess to be united with Christ, who hath Life in himself, and imparts it to all that are so united; such a Life, hid with Christ in God; And hope that when he who is their Life shall appear, shall appear with him in Glory. It becomes not such to dye continually, by the fear of dying, or that the very thoughts of Death should be deadly to them.

This is remote from what was much observed to be the Temper and Character of Primitive Christians. An Heathen Prince, ¹who throughly understood them not, ⟨p. 22⟩Censures them too hardly, as being in the other extreme (though he at length became kinder to them) as if they rashly threw themselves upon Death. Whereas he says, the Soul ²should, rationally, and becomingly, be in readiness to be loosed from the body. But how come we to lose our Character! and our Glory! How degenerated a thing is the Christianity of our age! To dye without regret is counted an attainment; it should be with gladness: As