The perfect and upright, as he rejoiceth at the approach of death, if reason remains, often rejoiceth in death.  “When he walks the dark valley, God’s rod and staff comfort him—­He fears no evil because God is with him.”  He is sometimes, ready to exclaim in the triumphant language of the resurrection, “O death! where is thy sting?  O grave where is thy victory?”

Sometimes indeed, the upright, while here, “walk in darkness” —­Sometimes the lamp of reason goes out, before the departure of the soul; so that the dying Christian hath no sense of his situation.  At other times, God may hide his face from those whom his soul loves, and cause them to go on their way sorrowing.  Possibly this may continue to the close of life!  But if it doth, the clouds are all dispersed at the moment of death, No sooner are the clayey tabernacles dissolved, than the veil is rent, and the brightness of celestial glory shines in upon them.  Peace eternal and divine, is theirs forever.  Clouds will no more hide God’s face—­Fears and doubts, no more distress them; nor Satan call his fiery darts at them, again forever.

In the other world, God will dwell with his people, and “wipe away all tears from their eyes:  There will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor any more pain; for the former things will all have passed away.  There will be no more curse, because no more sin.  For the spirits of the just will be made perfect.”  They will then be with God and rejoice before him; for they will have “entered into his temple to go no more out.”

REFLECTIONS

I. The considerations which have been suggested afford comfort to the righteous, while groaning under the burdens and sorrows of life, and support in the solemn hour of death.  They minister consolation also to those who mourn the loss of pious friends—­an occasion of sorrow which we often experience in this vale of tears.

Here all have trials and afflictions—­the perfect and upright not excepted.  But the time is short.  The good man’s trouble terminates with mortal life. His end is peace—­his immortality glorious.

The wicked are dismayed when they look forward and consider their end, or the time of their departure.  To the good man it is desirable—­“He then rests from his labors, and his works follow him.”  St. Paul, “had a desire to depart, and be with Christ.”  He knew that “a crown of righteousness was laid up for him which the Lord, the righteous Judge, would give him at that day.”  This was not peculiar to him; it is common to all those “who love Christ’s appearing.”  Those now in glory were lately sufferers here:  But their sufferings are ended—­“They have entered into peace:  They rest in their beds, walking in their uprightness.”

II.  Our subject teacheth the conditions on which only we can hope for peace in death, and happiness after death.  These depend on the use which we make of life—­on the manner in which we are affected by the overtures made us in the gospel; they are the fruit of receiving Christ and obeying the gospel; for it brings salvation only to those who obey it.