I have been informed of the loss
of your dear wife. By John Barrage. Dear brother,
I have been informed of the loss of your dear wife. She has now
put off mortality and has become immortal. Can this grieve you? Oh, that I was where she now
is, safe-landed on that peaceful shore, where pilgrims meet to
part no more. She was once a mourning sinner
in this poor wilderness, but she is now a glorified saint
in Zion. The Lord has become her everlasting
light, and the days of her mourning are ended. Does this trouble
you? She was once afflicted with bodily
pains and weakness, encompassed with cares, and harassed with
a crowd of anxious and needless fears. She has now arrived at
her father's house, and he has wiped away all tears from her
eyes. He has freed her in a moment
from all her pains, from all her cares, from all her fears,
and from all her needs. And shall this distress you?
You have not lost your wife. She has only gone ahead of you
for a short time. She has left her earthly husband
to go home to her heavenly father. She expects your arrival there
soon to join the hallelujahs for redeeming love. Are you still
weeping? Shame upon you, brother. Are
you weeping because your wife can weep no more? Are you weeping
because she is eternally happy and holy? Are you weeping because
she is joined to that assembly where all are kings and priests?
Are you weeping because she is daily feasted with heavenly manna
in her father's kingdom? Are you weeping because she is
now where you desire to be eternally? Are you weeping because she is
singing sweet anthems to her God and your God? O shameful
weeping! Jesus has fetched your bride
triumphantly home to his kingdom to draw your soul more ardently
thither. He has broken up your cistern
to bring you nearer and keep you closer to the ever-flowing
fountain. Jesus has caused a moment's separation
to divorce your affections from the creature. He has torn a heartstring
from you to set your heart a-panting more vehemently for himself.
Hereafter you will see how gracious the Lord has been in calling
your beloved wife home in order to betroth you more effectually
to himself. May all your tears flow in a
heavenly channel and every sigh waft your soul nearer to Jesus. May the God of all consolation
comfort you through life and in death afford you a triumphant
entrance into his glorious kingdom. So praise your friend and brother
in the gospel of Christ. John Berridge The day of death
is better than the day of birth. – Ecclesiastes 7.1 Blessed are
those who die in the Lord. – Revelation 14.13 Let me die
the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs. –
Numbers 23.10