The word translated " comfort," is in the margin rendered " exhort." Either sense of the word is just ; and therefore we will include both. This subject then should be improved by us,
1. In a way of mutual consolation —
[Have any of us been bereaved of dear and pious friends ? " Let us not sorrow, as those who have no hope." What though they shall not come again to us? it is but a little time, and we shall go to them : and most blessed shall be our
meeting at the right hand of God Are we terrified at
the thoughts of our own approaching dissolution? It is but " a sleep," if we belong to Jesus ; it is a falling asleep in the Saviour's arms. What is there terrific in this ? O put away your unbelieving fears ; and learn to number death amongst your richest treasures r ]
2. In a way of mutual exhortation —
[Certainly the thoughts of a resurrection and a future judgment ought to fill us with holy awe : for the consequences of that judgment are such as no words can adequately express, nor any finite intelligence fully comprehend. We then would exhort every one of you, and do ye also exhort one another, in the words of the prophet, " Prepare to meet thy God." Remember the blessedness " that is here spoken of, is to those only ivho die in the Lord .-" and, if you would die in the Lord, you must live in the Lord: you must be in him, as the branch in the vine, by a living faith ; and you must abide in him to your dying hour. Seek then " to be found in him, not having your own righteousness, but the righteousness which is of God by faith in him." Then may you look for- ward to death as to a transient sleep, from which you shall awake in the morning of the resurrection, to everlasting blessedness and glory.]
r 1 Cor. in. 22, 23.