A44680:73
A funeral sermon on the death of that pious gentlewoman Mrs. Judith Hamond Late…
A funeral sermon on the death of that pious gentlewoman Mrs. Judith Hamond Late wife of the Reverend Mr. George Hamond, minister of the Gospel in London. By John Howe, minister of the same Gospel.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1696
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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, Eph. 4. 10. This must suppose suitable Recipients. And if his influences reach down in such ⟨p. 29⟩plenty to our minute Earth (as ver. 11, 12, 13.) how copious are they here!
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,