remainder of it," which would counteract his purposes, " he will restrain."]
Such being God's estimate of his people's death, we may see,
II. In what light we also should regard it —
However we may congratulate souls on their re- moval to a better world, we cannot but regard their death,
1. As an event to be deplored —
[The world little think how much they are indebted to the saints. It is for their sakes that the world itself is kept in existence. If their number were complete, and their graces arrived at the measure ordained for them, we have reason to think that an end would be put to the present state of things, as we know there will be at the day of judgment. The useful- ness of some who are in very conspicuous stations is seen and acknowledged : but it is not easy to conceive how much good may be done by the meanest saint, through the prayers which he offers up from time to time. The prayer of Moses repeat- edly saved the whole Jewish nation, when for their iniquities God had determined to sweep them all away. And Abraham prevailed, to the full extent of his petitions, in behalf of Sodom and all the cities of the plain. And who can tell what blessings the prayers of God's people have brought on our guilty land, or what blessings may be obtained through the most humble indi- vidual amongst them ? As a public loss, therefore, I think the removal of any saint may be deplored. As it respects him per- sonally, we may indeed, from a variety of circumstances, be led to rejoice in it ; because he rests from his labours, and may therefore be accounted blessed : but as far as the work of God on earth and the benefit of mankind are concerned, his death may be regarded as a ground of general regret.]
2. As a dispensation to be carefully improved — [In the death of a saint, God himself calls upon us to
inquire, whether we, if we had been taken, should have been found ready. He bids us to " work whilst it is day, since the night is coming when no man can work." He leads us to con- sider the blessedness of dying in the Lord ; and bids us to " be followers of those who, through faith and patience, now inherit the promises s " ]
Address —
1 . Those who make light of death —
s Here the particular experience of a departed saint may be stated as instructive, and his dying advice be specified.