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"Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age." In this text there is the promise of a comfortable death. Thou shalt come to thy grave with freedom of mind, and without reluctance, satisfied with life, waiting for a release, and at full maturity, dropping kindly like ripe fruit, or as a stack of corn fully ripe is gathered into the barn or storehouse at the time of harvest. Aged Christians —

I. LAY UNDER THE COMMON SENTENCE OF DEATH ALL THEIR DAYS. They were under the sentence of death all the while they lived in this world, and a long life was only a longer reprieve. We knew that our friends were mortal, all the while they lived with us.

II. IT IS COMFORTABLE TO CONSIDER HOW LONG THEY WERE SPARED AND CONTINUED TO US IN A USEFUL STATE. What great reason for thankfulness to God for sparing the comfort of their useful lives. Often, then, recall the more remarkable instances of their former usefulness, and exemplary character while they lived. We have not done with our departed friends when we have lodged them in the grave; we must remember what was eminent and exemplary in the several stations of life, and circumstances of things through which they passed.

III. CONSIDER THE GREAT HONOUR PUT UPON THEM WHO WERE LONG SERVICEABLE IN THIS WORLD. They have had a greater exercise of Divine care over them, and a larger experience of Divine goodness in the many expressions of a gracious concern for their good, of seasonable interposure, and distinguishing favour. What a mercy it was to our deceased friends to ripen by long standing, in wisdom and experience, and to be successful instruments of the Divine glory, and of good to the world, for a great while together!

IV. CONSIDER HOW OFTEN THE AGED OUTLIVE THEIR OWN USEFULNESS. It is no wonder if active natures and brisk spirits, long exercised in painful service, begin at length to decay. The more zealous and industrious they are in the service of God, the more likely they are to find their natural strength abated in advancing age. Sometimes good and useful men are disabled for service by the weakening of their intellectual powers. Then their death becomes less grievous.

V. CONSIDER HOW WELL PREPARED THEY WERE FOR DEATH AND HOW RIPE FOR ANOTHER WORLD. It is a melancholy thing to think of an aged person dying unprepared. But when they are prepared in the habitual temper of their minds and a blessed composure of spirit, what an evidence this becomes of the truth and value of religion.

VI. CONSIDER THE MERCIFUL RELEASE FROM THE LONG FATIGUES AND CONFLICTS OF LIFE. They are set free from all the burdens of nature, which sometimes are very grievous, and all the afflictions of life, which often create them a great deal of trouble. All the labours of life and difficulties of service cease. They are delivered from the power of all their spiritual enemies, and set out of reach of all their attempts.

VII. CONSIDER THE BLESSED STATE THEY ARE ENTERED UPON AND THE INFINITE ADVANTAGE OF A REMOVAL. They leave a state of sin and sorrow, of the burdens of nature and miseries of life, for a state of purity and peace, of liberty and enlargement, where all their burdens are removed and their desires satisfied. Consider with pleasure the high advancement and honour of our deceased friends, the noble enjoyments, the pure delights, the perfect satisfaction and joy. An undue concern for the death of good men, looks a little selfish, and like envying their happiness.

VIII. THINK OF THE NEARNESS OF OUR OWN DISSOLUTION AND HOW SOON WE SHALL MEET TOGETHER AGAIN. We are following them apace to the other world. What a comfort it is to be followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises.

IX. IT IS A CONSIDERABLE REASON OF COMFORT THAT THERE ARE MANY SURVIVING RELATIONS LEFT. We can never say that we are wholly bereaved. Men sometimes live in their posterity several ages.

(W. Harris, D. D.)

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KJV: Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

WEB: You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season.