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

3. Consider and Collect how probable it is, that as we go higher and higher, the nobler and finer parts of Gods Creation, must be much more replenished with a nobler and more excellent sort of life. It is very unreasonable to think, that this Clod of Earth should be ⟨p. 28⟩so full of Life and that in higher and purer Regions, there should not be a richer plenitude of life, or of such Inhabitants as live nobler and more excellent Lives than we And

4. For ought we know, death never reaches higher than this earth of ours, and what is in a nearer vicinity to it; And that, therefore, there be vast and ample Regions, incomparably beyond the range of our Eye, or Thought, where now, no Death ever comes; after the detrusion of the first revolters, from those bright Regions. When we are told, Eph. 4. 10. our Lord Jesus Christ is ascended far above all heavens, as it were a fond attempt to pretend to count them so it were rash Philosophizing, to go about to describe them. But can we suppose them spacious, wild Wastes? Or not suppose them replenished with numberless numbers of excellent Creatures that in their confirmed state, fear no Death. And continually pay a willing, joyful Homage to their Great Preserver. For every knee must bow to him, of things in heaven, Phil. 2. 10. And when we are told, Eph. 1. 20, 21. God hath set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all Principality, and Power, and Might, and Dominion, and every Name—, &c. And 1 Pet. 3. 22. That he is on the Right hand of God. Angels, and Authorities, and Powers being made subject to him. Tho' we cannot form distinct thoughts what those Dynasties, Principalities, and Dominions are, yet we cannot but suppose those unconceivably vast, and ample Regions, fully Peopled, with immortal Inhabitants, that reign in life, in a more excellent sense. For it being said our Lord ascended far above all Heavens, that he might fill all things,