Chapter 1119 of 1261

A Sermon Occasioned By the Death of Elizabeth Gill

Preached June 4, 1738

To which is added, An Account of some of her Choice Experiences

But 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 Thessalonians 4:13, 14.

I need not tell you what is the occasion of my reading these words to you at this time. This is done not so much on your account as on my own. You must permit me, this afternoon, to preach rather to myself and family than to you; though I hope what may be delivered may be of some service among you also. The apostle in this chapter exhorts the Thessalonians to a diligent discharge of several duties of religion, which became their character and profession; whereby they would be serviceable to one another, please God, and adorn the doctrine of Christ Jesus. He signifies, that they needed not to be wrote unto concerning brotherly love, because they were taught of God to love one another, but it seems, it was necessary, that they should be put in mind of some principal doctrines of Christianity; such as concern the state of the pious dead; the resurrection of the just; the second coming of Christ; and the everlasting glory and happiness of the saints with him; in order to alleviate their grief, mitigate their sorrow, and support their spirits, under the loss of their dear friends, or near relations. It is not to be supposed, that they were entirely ignorant of these truths; but they were much out of sight, were not taken notice of and improved by them, as they should have been on such an occasion. So hard a thing is it for us to keep the doctrines of the gospel always in view; and harder still to make use of them, and live up to them, when we most want them. What can have a greater tendency to moderate our trouble, which naturally arises from the departure of our dearest friends, than to consider, that they are laid down to rest for awhile; that they are asleep, and asleep in the arms of Jesus; that they will awake in the morning of the resurrection fresh and cheerful; that Christ will bring them with him at his second coming, when we shall meet together again, and never part more, but shall be for ever with the Lord ? With such words or doctrines as these, the apostle would have the persons he writes to, comfort one another under their present sorrowful circumstances. With this view he delivers what he does in the words before us, and in some following verses; and in order to pursue the same design, let us attend to,

I. The representation the apostle gives of the state and condition of the pious dead, that they are a sleep, and a sleep in Jesus.

II. The knowledge that living saints may have, and the notice they should take, of this their state and condition; I would not have you to be ignorant, etc.

III. The nature, rule and measure, of that sorrow, which is to be expressed on the account of departed saints; that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope.

IV. The comfortable assurance believers may, and should have, of the resurrection of the just, from the death and resurrection of Christ, which may serve as a proper allay of their grief and sorrow; for if we believe, etc.

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