Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) by William Bates (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence 'A sermon on the death of William Bates by John Howe' by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'II. We are also to consider, There might be an intermixture in the temper of this good man's spirit, when he uttered these words, of somewhat faulty and blameable.'
My summary
Today's sermon is not actually delivered by Bates - rather it is from Howe at Bates' funeral.
The sermon is on the words of Thomas: 'Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him' (John 11:16).
After setting the context of the verse (the resurrection of Lazarus), Howe gives us Christian principles which Thomas' words express.
Thomas had:
(i) a firm belief of a future state;
(ii) a mind loose and disengaged from this present world;
(iii) easy, placid thoughts of dying;
(iv) a distinguishing judgement concerning the states of men hereafter;
(v) a rationally charitable opinion and estimate that he was sincerely good and happy;
(vi) a most ardent and most generous love to such good men;
(vii) a lively apprehension of the large, abounding diffusion of the divine fulness;
(viii) preference of the society with holy ones in the heavenly state above any to be enjoyed on earth.
What grabbed me
I find it difficult to understand Thomas' words in this verse, considering his unbelief of Jesus' resurrection later in John's gospel.
However I did appreciate Howe's comments on the purposes of sickness in the light of Lazarus' illness: 'When such a servant of God is fallen sick, we know not what he intends to bring out of it. His glory, may in his own way, and time, so much the more brightly shine forth, though we yet distinctly know not when or how.'
God is glorified even in sickness.
Next week's reading
Conclude 'A sermon on the death of William Bates by John Howe'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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