And this among other things, was that with which f Augustine comforted the lady Italica, after the death of her dear husband, tel- ling her that she should know him in the world to come among the glorified saints. Yea, and a greater than either of these, I mean Paul, comforted himself, that the Thessalonians, whom he had converted to Christ, should be " his joy and crown of rejoicing, in the presence " of the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming,'' 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20. which must needs imply his distinct knowledge of them in that day, which must be many hundred years after death hath separated them from each other. Whether this knowledge shall be by the glorified eyes discerning any lineaments or property of individuation remaining upon the glorified bodies of our relations; or whether it shall be by immediate revelation, as Adam knew his wife, or as Peter, James, and John knew Moses and Elias in the mount ; as it is difficult to determine, so it is needless to puzzle ourselves about it.
It is the concurrent judgment of sound divines, and it wants not countenance from scripture and reason, that such a knowledge of them shall be in heaven ; and then the sadness of this parting will be abundantly recompensed by the joy of that meeting. Especially considering.
Thirdly, That at our next meeting, they shall be unspeakably more desirable, sweet, and excellent, than ever they were in this v/orld. They had a desirableness in them here, but they were not altogether lovely, and, in every respect, desirable; they had their infirmities, both natural and moral ; but all these are removed in heaven, and for ever done away : No natural infirmities hang about glorified bodies, or sinful ones upon perfected spirits of the just. O what lovely creatures will they appear to you then, when that which is now sown in dishonour, shall be raised in honour ! 1 Cor. xv. 43. And then, to crown all,
Fourthlij^ You shall have an everlasting enjoyment of them in heaven, never to part again. The children of the resurrection can die no more, lAike xx. 36. you shall kiss their pale lips and cold cheeks no more ; you shall never fear another parting pull, but be together with the Lord for ever, 1 Thes. iv. 14. And this the apostle thought an effectual cordial in this case when he exhorted the Thessalonians to " comfort one another with these words."
Consid. 10. The present felicnij info which all that die in Christ are presently admitted^ should abundantly comfort Christians over the death of such as either carried a livchj hope out of the world icith them^ or have left good grounds of such an hope behind them.
Such there are, that carried a lively hope to heaven with them, who could evidence to themselves and friends, their interest in Christ
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unci in the covenant. Yea, tliougli they had died in silence, yet their conversations would speak for them, and the tenor of their lives leave no ground of doubting touching their death. Others dying in their infancy and youth, though tliey carried not such an actual hope with them, yet they have leit*good grounds of hope behind them.
Parents, now ponder these grounds; you liave prayed for thein, you have many times wrestled with the Lord on their behalf; you have taken hold of God's covenant lor them, as well as for your- selves, and dedicated them to the Lord ; and they have not, by any actions of theirs, destroyed those grounds of your hope, but that you may, with much probability, conclude they are with God.
Why, if the case be so, what abundant reason have you to be quiet, and well satisfied with what God hath done.f^ Can they be better than where they are .'' Had you better provisions and enter- tainment £nr them here than their heavenly Father hath above ?
There is no Christian parent in the world, but would rejoice to see his child out-strip and get before him in grace, that he may be more eminent in parts and services than ever he was : And what reason can be given, why we should not as much rejoice to see our children get before us in glory, as in grace .'' They are gotten to heaven a few years ])ofore you, and is that matter of mourning.^ Would not your child (if he were not ignorant of you) say, as Christ did to his friends, a little before his death, when he saw them cast down at the thoughts of parting, John xiv. ^S. " If ye loved me, ye would re- " joice, because I go to the Father." q. d. Do not value your own sensible comfort, from my bodily presence with you, before my glory and advancement in heaven. Is this love to me.'' Or is it not rather self-love .'*
So would your departed friend say to you : ' You have professed ' much love all along to me, my happiness seemed to be very dear to ' you. How comes it to pass, then, that you mourn so exceedingly ' now ? This is rather the effect of a fond and fleshly, than of a ' rational and spiritual love; if you loved me with a pure spiritual ' love ye would rejoice that I am gone to my Father. It is infi- ' nitely better for me to be here, than with you on earth, under sin ' and sorrow. Weep not for me, but for yourselves.'
Alas i though you want your friends company, he wants not yours ; your care was to provide for this child, but Jesus Christ hath provided infinitely better for it than you could ; you intended an estate, but he a kingdom for it; you thought upon such or such a match, but Christ hath forbid all others, and married your child to himself Would you imagine an higher preferment for the fruit of your })odies.''
A King from heaven hath sent for your friend, and do you grudge at the journey ? O think, and think again, what an honour it is to you, that Christ hath taken them out of your bosom, and laid them
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in his owii; stript them out. of those garments you provided, and cloathed them in white lobes, washed in the blood of the Lamb. Let not your hearts be troubled, rather rejoice exceedingly, that God made you instruments to replenish heaven, and bring forth an heir for the kingdom of God.
Your child is now glorifying God, in an higher way than you can, and what though you have lost its bodily presence for a time ; yet, I hope you do not reckon that to be your loss, which turns to God's greater glory.
When Jacob heard his Joseph was lord of Egypt, he rather wished himself with Joseph, than his Joseph with him in wants and straits; so should it be with you : You are yet rolling and tossing upon a tempestuous sea, but your friend is gone into the quiet harbour; desire rather to be there than that he v/ere at sea with you a^rain.
Consideration 1 1. Consider how vain a thing all your troubles and sclf-x:exation is ; it no icaij betters your case^ nor eases your burden.