N00280:46
The high esteem which God hath of the death of his saints. As it…
The high esteem which God hath of the death of his saints. As it was delivered in a sermon preached October 7. 1683. Occasioned by the death of the Worshipful John Hull Esq: who deceased October 1, 1683. / By Samuel Willard teacher to a church in Boston. ; [Four lines of quotations]
printed by Samuel Green for Samuel Sewall, 1683
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.
3. He orders them so to die as to leave a sweet remembrance behind them. Wicked men possibly may endeavour, by throwing dirt at them, to blemish their Names, and yet God often makes them speak well of his dead Saints, and to build the Tombs of the Prophets whom they have killed: But however, in the hearts of the faithful they have an honourable esteem, a worthy Monument, Psal. 12.6. The Righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. Prov. 10.7. The memory of of the just is blessed.
3. In the care which he takes of them after their death: those that were dear to us in their lives, are not easily forgotten by us when they are dead, nor are the Saints by God, but effectually taken care for; For,
1, Their dust is not reputed by him as common dust, but they are laid up by his care, kept under his eye and preserved by his powerful providence, as precious Relics, till they be brought forth again in the day of Resurrection. He lays them to rest in peace and safety, Isai. 57.2. They shall rest in their Beds; their Bodies which were made Temples of the Holy Ghost, and Members of Jesus Christ, are not now rejected as worthless things, but are laid up in God's Cabinet, and that with far more tender care then we do the most estimable jewel; and Hence their Flesh resteth in hope, Psal. 16.9. dying Believers can in Faith recommend their dead Bodies to the Grave in joyful expectation of an happy return, and all the rage of Men and Devils shall never be able to prevent this.