Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHRIST MAGNIFIED IN THE LIFE AND

DEATH OF HIS SAINTS.

A

FUNERAL SERMON,

Occasioned by the Decease

OF THE LATE

JOHN BROADLEY WILSON, ESQ.

PREACHED AT

ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, CLAPHAM, SURREY,

March 1st, 1835,

BY THE

REV. WILLIAM BORROWS, M.A.

MINISTER OF THE CHAPEL,

AND

SUNDAY EVENING LECTURER OF ST. LUKE'S CHURCH,

MIDDLESEX.

LONDON:

J. HATCHARD AND SON, 187, PICCADILLY; BATTEN AND HANDS, CLAPHAM.

1835.

[blocks in formation]

IBOTSON AND PALMER, PRINTERS, SAVOY STREET, STRAND.

A

FUNERAL SERMON.

REVELATION xiv. 13.

I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

IF, my beloved audience, there be any thing peculiarly and strongly moving in the recollection of nearly nineteen years of liberal and unshaken friendship, replenished with wise and faithful admonitions, affectionate encouragements, and helps of almost every description to myself;-ye will I think, make allowance for strength of expression, and still more for strength of feeling, of what I cannot express-while on the present occasion, in the course of ministering

to you the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, I draw your attention to an eminent servant of the Lord, departed this life in his faith and fear; well known in all the churches, and among you, as occupying for many years a place in this congregation; and endeavour, as ability is given, to make some improvement of that solemn

event.

And while I do this, I desire to render the memorial to all mourning survivors, having like precious faith, subservient to the end, which is thus specified: "I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope; for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." (1 Thess. iv. 13, 14.)

be

The words that I have read to you as my text, appear most appropriate for this purpose. In introducing them to your notice, I may observe, that the Holy Ghost testifieth, "There many that say, Who will shew us any good?" (Psalm iv. 6.) A question which runs through the whole world-an inquiry not peculiar to that age, but which will be common among all people to the end of time. All objects are pursued and ransacked by turns, to find, if possible, rest and satisfaction to men's restless minds.

[ocr errors]

But while they are alienated from the life of God, having not the Spirit of grace and of supplications; they are totally unacquainted with the only source of true rest, thus expressed by the Psalmist in answer to the above inquiry: "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased." (ver. 6, 7.) This experience of the Psalmist is a special grace in some, who were once walking in darkness, but are now light in the Lord. The greater part of mankind are seeking their chief good in ease and affluence, in honour and learning, in pleasure and power, and many other vain pursuits. Agitation fills the world, every one is striving to increase his portion, and no one is contented with his present circumstances; while the closing scene, beheld through all the intermediate bustle and emptiness, occasions a restlessness, and presents a prospect replete with darkness and dismay. Indeed death is the king of all the terrors, which the dread of unknown evils begets in men. It is to carnal persons, and to many who remain so, though they name the name of Jesus,

"A fearful leap into a dark unknown.”

This is terrible, my dear hearers. As men, to

« PreviousContinue »