N04758:31
True saints, when absent from the body, are present with the Lord. A sermon…
True saints, when absent from the body, are present with the Lord. A sermon preached on the day of the funeral of the Rev. Mr. David Brainerd, Missionary to the Indians, from the Honourable Society in Scotland for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, and Pastor of a church of Christian Indians in New-Jersey; who died at Northampton, in New-England, Octob. 9th. 1747, in the 30th year of his age, and was interred on the 12th following. : Containing some account of his character, and manner of life, and remarkable speeches and behaviour at death. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; [Five lines from Psalms]True saints, when absent from the body, are present with the Lord. A sermon preached on the day of the funeral of the Rev. Mr. David Brainerd, Missionary to the Indians, from the Honourable Society in Scotland for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, and Pastor of a church of Christian Indians in New-Jersey; who died at Northampton, in New-England, Octob. 9th. 1747, in the 30th year of his age, and was interred on the 12th following. : Containing some account of his character, and manner of life, and remarkable speeches and behavior at death. / By Jonathan Edwards, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Northampton. ; [Five lines from Psalms]
printed by Rogers and Fowle for D. Henchman, 1747
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
While we are present with our Friends, we have Opportunity for that free and immediate Conversation with them, which we cannot have in Absence from them. And therefore, by Reason of the vastly more free, perfect and immediate Intercourse with CHRIST, which the Saints enjoy when absent from the Body, they are fitly represented as present with him.
The most intimate Intercourse becomes that Relation that the Saints stand in to JESUS CHRIST: and especially becomes that most perfect and glorious Union they shall be brought into with him in Heaven. They are not merely CHRIST'S Servants, but his Friends (John xv.15.) His Brethren and Companions; (Psal. cxxii.8.) yea they are the Spouse of CHRIST. They are espoused or betrothed to CHRIST while in the Body; but when they go to Heaven, they enter into the King's Palace, their Marriage with him is come, and the King brings them into his Chambers indeed. They then go to dwell with CHRIST constantly to enjoy the most perfect Converse with him. CHRIST conversed in the most friendly Manner with his Disciples on Earth; he admitted one of them to lean on his Bosom: But they are admitted much more fully and freely to Converse with him in Heaven. Though CHRIST be there in a State of glorious Exaltation, reigning in the Majesty and Glory of the Sovereign LORD and GOD of Heaven and Earth, Angels and Men; yet this will not hinder Intimacy and Freedom of Intercourse, but rather promote it. For he is thus exalted, not only for himself, but for them; he is instated in this Glory of Head over all Things for their Sakes, that they might be exalted and glorified, and when they go to Heaven where he is, they are exalted and glorified with him; and shall not be kept at a more awful Distance from CHRIST, but shall be admitted nearer, and to a greater Intimacy. For they shall be unspeakably more fit for it, and CHRIST in more fit Circumstances to bestow on them this Blessedness. Their seeing the great Glory of their Friend and Redeemer, will not awe them to a Distance, and make them afraid of a near Approach; but on the contrary, will most powerfully draw them near; and encourage and engage them to holy Freedom. For they will know that it is he that is their own Redeemer, and beloved Friend and Bridegroom; the very same that loved them with a dying Love, and redeemed them to GOD by his Blood;