SERMON XVIII.

ECCLES. vii. 1.—" And the day of death than the day of one's birth.”

THESE words are spoken, as we learn from the first clause of the verse, of one not only good by the grace of God, but whose "good name is better than precious ointment,"-is to those acquainted with it more sweet and refreshing thar the most costly perfumes. The heart which derives new refreshment from this fragrance, increasing with every year of life, cannot easily conceive of a day more happy than the birthday of such a one; but Solomon says, and it must be true, "the day of this one's death is better than the day of this one's birth.” Let us meditate on the evidences of this truth, which merits the serious attention of all, and must excite a deep interest in the bosom of those whose relations have fallen asleep in Jesus.

1st, The state of the soul is better on the day of death than on the day of birth. On the day of birth, the soul was clothed in flesh, frail, sinful, mortal, and was both polluted by the uncleanness of the body, and mournfully affected by its infirmities; "what is born of flesh is flesh." Joy for the birth of even a first-born could not suppress some

holy affliction of soul on this account in the breast of the Christian parent; nor can these be softened by the melting cries of the helpless heir of sin and mortality. At an after-period, on the day of being born again of the Spirit, how much more bitterly has the child of God cried at having been "brought forth in iniquity!" The approach of death may appal the dying, even while they cleave to him who tasted death for every man, and cherish hope in death; the moment of dissolution may occasion a pang in the heart of surviving Christian relatives, which the longest life and the severest sufferings will weaken, but cannot remove. Even then, while they say with tears, "he or she is dead," they correct themselves, they recall their words, and say, "he or she has entered into life." And, ah! how imperfectly can the most enlightened believer, fettered by his unbelief and sorrows, conceive of the superiority of the state of the soul on the day of death to that of the day of birth! Then was the soul ignorant, unrighteous in its propensities, unholy, and liable to all the dreadful consequences of that state; now, it is made "perfect" in holiness, and righteousness, and knowledge, in a state of favour with God. Earthly friends rejoiced with sorrowing at the entrance of this one into the world; angels who experienced gladness at their renewal in the spirit of the mind, shout aloud for unmixed joy at the completion of the work of God in the soul.

2d, The day of this one's death is better, in re

spect of the place into which the soul has entered, than the day of his birth. In this world much of the glory of God is to be seen and enjoyed. The children of God are not blind to these beauties, nor insensible to its varied sweetnesses. They delight to gather fresh knowledge of their heavenly Father from the simplest of his works-to converse much with him through the most common-to taste him in all that ministers to their comfort-and to collect from them materials for newer and higher strains in his praise. But, fair and good as this world is, who does not perceive on it the sad marks of the curse for man's sake? Where are the perennial fruits and flowers, the perpetual spring, and healthful clime of Eden, amid which labour was enjoyment and life an animated hymn to God? In vain we seek them under a sun that is hid in thick clouds, or bursts forth with scorching ray; under heavens which are as brass, or pour down torrents of water; in fields that are as iron, or bring forth thorns and thistles; amid storms that rock the earth, and earthquakes and volcanoes that shatter her finest monuments to pieces, and cover her fairest portions with liquid fire. We must look for them "in the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," in which there is no sea, which hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine on it" for the glory of God doth lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." And thither hath the Most High transplanted these flowers, the absence

of which fills us with sadness, to rise to a beauty of colour and a richness of fragrance not to be attained in this unkind soil, this unfavourable clime.

3d, The day of this one's death is better, in respect of the society into which the soul hath been admitted, than the day of his birth. God hath a kingdom in this world conquered from the kingdom of Satan. There are no such boundaries drawn round the empire of the wicked one, as to prevent him from assailing the subjects of Jehovah, or his people and instruments from mingling with, and tempting and disturbing, the people of God. Temporary departure from the paths of righteousness, sinful conformity to the world, and a lamentable degree of worldly mindedness, with the anguish of heart that accompanies or follows them in a person habitually devoted to God, are some of the bitter fruits of this intercourse. The loyal subjects and children of God easily and naturally associate when circumstances permit; and they mutually derive much light, and encouragement, and comfort from each other. But, alas! the wisest, and holiest, and most affectionate of Christian friends, have defects, and infirmities, and sins, which impede the progress, affect the temper, and interrupt the peace of those whom they love in the Lord. And while these evils are pressing on the senses, the child of God is "walking by faith and not by sight," is serving an unseen God, who, in wisdom and mercy sometimes withdraws or withholds the enjoyment

of his favour and approbation. How different the society into which the blessed spirit is admitted on being set free from its mouldering prison-house of clay! An innumerable company of angels take charge of it, and convey it into the circle of the redeemed and purified by the blood of the Lamb that surrounds the throne of the eternal; there it sees "God in Christ face to face, and is changed into the same image." God in Christ presides, in majesty and grace, over this glorious society,—the lowest of its members are kings and priests unto God, the highest orders of created beings are its ministers of love. Have not the happiest in their Christian society on earth good reason to say, "I would rather depart and be with Christ, which is far better?"

4th, The day of this one's death is better, in respect of sufferings, than the day of his birth. Being born of a woman, his days here must be few and full of trouble. And many are the additional troubles which afflict the just. The afflictions of some are so great as to induce the spectator to say, "Wherefore I praised the dead, which are already dead, more than the living which are alive." The grave often appears a desirable refuge from the calamities of life, and excites to implore God, " O, that thou wouldst hide me in the grave!" Nay, the most painful manner of dying seems preferable to living under insupportable evils: My soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life." Even

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