SERMON XXIII.

ON DEATH.

PSALM Xxiii. 4.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

THIS Psalm exhibits the pleasing picture of a

pious man rejoicing in the goodness of Heaven. He looks around him on his state, and his heart overflows with gratitude. When he reviews the past part of his life, he contemplates God as his shepherd, who hath made him lie down in green pastures, and led him beside the still waters. When he considers the present, he beholds his divine Benefactor preparing a table for him in the presence of his enemies, and making his cup run over. When he looks forward to the future, he confides in the same goodness, as continuing to follow him all the days of his life, and bringing him to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Amidst these images of tranquillity and happiness, one object presents itself, which is sufficient to overcast the minds and to damp the joy of the greatest part of men; that is, the approach of death. But on the Psalmist it produced no such effect. With perfect composure and serenity, he looks forward to the time when he is to pass through the val

ley of the shadow of death. The prospect, instead of dejecting him, appears to heighten his triumph, by that security which the presence of his almighty Guardian afforded him. I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; and pursuing the allusion with which he had begun, exults in the hope that the shepherd who had hitherto conducted him, would support him with his staff, while he passed through that dark and perilous region, and with his rod, or pastoral crook, would guard him from every danger.

Such is the happy distinction which good men enjoy, in a situation the most formidable to human nature. That threatening spectre which appals others, carries no terrour to them. While wordly men are justly said through fear of death to be all their life-time subject to bondage, to the righteous only it belongs to look on death and smile. Since then it is in the power of religion to confer upon us so high a privilege, let us adventure to contemplate steadily this last foe whom we must all encounter. Let us consider what death is in itself, and by what means good men are enabled to meet it with fortitude. Though the subject may be reckoned gloomy, it must be admitted to be interesting. The close of life is a solemn and important event, to which every wise man will have regard in the general tenour of his conduct. No one can act his part with propriety, who considers not how it is to terminate ; and to exclude from our thoughts what we cannot. prevent from actually taking place, is the refuge of none but the timorous and weak. We are more encouraged to enter on this meditation, by reflecting on the superiour advantages which, as Christians, we enjoy for overcoming the fear of death, beyond

that holy man whose sentiment is now before us. Those great objects, which he beheld through the medium of types and figures, are clearly revealed to us. That dispensation of grace, which in his days began to open, is now completed. That life and immortality, which then only dawned on the world, have now shone forth with full light and splendour.

DEATH may be considered in three views: as the separation of the soul from the body; as the conclusion of the present life; as the entrance into a new state of existence. In the first view, it is regarded as painful and agonizing. In the second, it is melancholy and dejecting. In the third, it is awful and alarming. One of the first enquiries which occurs concerning it is, for what purposes it was clothed with all these terrours? Why, under the government of a gracious Being, the termination of life was loaded with so much sorrow and distress? We know that, in consequence of the fall, death was inflicted as a punishment upon the human race. But no unnecessary severities are ever exercised by God, and the wisdom and goodness of the divine plan will be much illustrated, by observing that all the formidable circumstances which attend death are, in the present situation of mankind, absolutely requisite to the proper government of the world. The terrours of death are, in fact, the great guardians of life. They excite in every individual that desire. of self-preservation, which is Nature's first law. They reconcile him to bear the distresses of life with patience. They prompt him to undergo its useful and necessary labours with alacrity; and they restrain him from many of those evil courses by

which his safety would be endangered. While they are in so many respects beneficial to the individual, they are, at the same time, the safeguard of society. If death were not dreaded and abhorred as it is

.

by men, no public order could be preserved in the world. The sword of authority were lifted up in vain. The sanctions of law would lose their effect. The scaffold and the executioner would be derided; and the violent left to trample unrestrained on the rights of the peaceful. If, notwithstanding the restraints which self-preservation imposes, society is so often disturbed by the crimes of the wicked, what a scene of confusion would it become, if capital punishments, which are the last resource of government, were of no influence to deter of fenders!

Here,

For such important ends the conclusion of life has, by the appointment of Providence, been made an awful object. The valley of death has been planted with terrours to the apprehension of men. as in many other instances, what seemed at first to arraign the goodness of the Deity, is, upon enquiry, found to confirm it. But though, for the most salutary purposes, it was requisite that the fear of death should be a powerful principle in human nature, yet, like our other propensities, it is apt when left to itself, to run into excess. Over Over many it usurps such an ascendant as to debase their cha⚫racter, and to defeat the chief ends of living. To preserve it within such bounds that it shall not interrupt us in performing the proper offices and duties of life, is the distinction of the brave man above the coward; and to surmount it in such a degree, that it shall not, even in near prospect,

deject our spirit, or trouble our peace, is the great preference which virtue enjoys above guilt. It has been the study of the wise and reflecting in every age, to attain this steadiness of mind. Philosophy pursued it as its chief object; and professed that the great end of its discipline was, to enable its votaries to conquer the fear of death. Let us then, before we have recourse to the more powerful aid of Religion, hearken for a little to what Reason has suggested on this subject. Her assistance may, perhaps, be not entirely despicable; and though the armour which she offers be not completely of proof, it may serve, however, to turn aside, or to blunt, some of the shafts which are aimed against us by the last foe.

AFTER this manner she may be supposed to address mankind, in order to reconcile them to their fate.

Children of men! it is well known to you, that you are a mortal race. Death is the law of your nature, the tribute of your being, the debt which all are bound to pay. On these terms you received life, that you should be ready to give it up when Providence calls you to make room for others, who, in like manner, when their time is come, shall follow you. He who is unwilling to submit to death when heaven decrees it, deserves not to have lived. You might as reasonably complain that you did not live before the time appointed for your coming into the world, as lament that you are not to live longer, when the period of your quitting it is arrived. What divine Providence hath made necessary, human prudence ought to comply with cheerfully. Submit at any rate you must; and is it not much better to