like Paul, are training in the ranks of Christ's enemies, who shall one day come forth as champions to fight and conquer in his cause.]
4. To reconcile us to the thoughts of death — [Death is universally regarded as " the king of terrors." Our nature revolts at the idea of being committed to the tomb. But why should we shudder at it, when we see the Lord of life and glory going down into the heart of the earth? Surely he has perfumed and sanctified the grave : and we may well be satisfied to be conformed to him in his death, when we have the blessed prospect of resembling him also in his resurrection. He indeed "saw no corruption" there; whereas we shall be devoured by worms, and return to our native dust: but then this will be only for a time ; for we shall surely at the last day be raised again, and " that which was sown in weakness, dis- honour, and corruption, shall be raised in incorruption, power, and glory:" yes, " this mortal body shall be fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body," and, together with our souls, be made partaker of everlasting felicity. All that we have to be con- cerned about, is, to be ready for the change ; to seek an interest in that adorable Saviour who died for us, and to get an experi- mental " knowledge of him in the power of his resurrection," that, " being rendered conformable to his death, we may by any means attain the resurrection of the dead1."
We condemn not the respect shewn to departed friends, when we consign them to the grave. The pomp and splendour indeed of some funerals are an insult, rather than an honour, to the putrefying remains of one who is paying the penalty of sin : but a modest respect is due to that, which lately was a temple of the living God, and which shall ere long be restored, in perfect purity, to the full enjoyment of his presence. Yet we need not be solicitous about this : let us only be anxious, whether for ourselves or others, to " fall asleep in Jesus;" and then, whether honoured or not in our funeral rites, we shall be raised, through him, to endless felicity and glory.]
4 Phil. iii. 10, 11.