Would any of you be cured of that common disease, the fear of death?
Yet this is not the right name of the disease, as a mere reference to
our armies and navies is sufficient to prove: nor can the fear of
death, either as loss of life or pain of dying, be justly held a
_common_ disease. But would you be cured of the fear and fearful
questionings connected with the approach of death? Look this way, and
you shall find more than you seek. Christ, the Word that was from the
beginning and was made flesh and dwelt among men, died. And he, who
dying conquered death in his own person, conquered Sin, and Death
which is the Wages of Sin, for thee. And of this thou mayest be
assured, if only thou believe in him, and love him. I need not add,
keep his commandments: since where Faith and Love are, Obedience in
its threefold character, as Effect, Reward, and Criterion, follows by
that moral necessity which is the highest form of freedom. The Grave
is thy bed of rest, and no longer the _cold_ bed: for thy Saviour has
warmed it, and made it fragrant.
If then it be health and comfort to the Faithful that Christ descended
into the grave, with especial confidence may we meditate on his return
from thence, _quickened by the Spirit_: this being to those who are in
him the certain pledge, yea, the effectual cause of that blessed
resurrection, for which they themselves hope. There is that union
betwixt them and their Redeemer, that they shall rise by the
communication and virtue of his rising: not simply by his _power_--for
so the _wicked_ likewise to their grief shall be raised: but _they by
his life as their life_.