DISCOURSE XIV.

The Assurance of Rest and future Glory given to aged Daniel, considered.

DANIEL Xii. 13.

But go thou thy way, till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

IT

T was said of Daniel, by an angel of the Lord, that he was 'a man greatly beloved :'* and one evident and remarkable proof of it was, the assurance given him in the text, of the happiness which God had in reserve for him. Many extraordinary discoveries had been made to him of the principal events that were to happen to the church and world, to the end of time. In the beginning of this chapter, he is informed of what is to succeed the end of the world: even the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the everlasting states of the righteous and wicked. Some hints were given him as to the times, when these events should happen. The prophet did not understand

* Dan, ș. 11,

them, (verse 8,) and therefore desired to be more particularly informed concerning them. But he is told by the person that appeared to him, who seems to have been our Lord Jesus Christ, that they would not be fully understood, till the accomplishment explained them. And he is cut short with this assurance, which was abundantly sufficient and satisfactory, that whatever was the state of the church and the world, his own state should be happy. He must therefore attend to his duty, wait God's time, and comfort himself with these pleasing prospects. As Daniel was now about ninety years of age, the text will furnish out some advices and consolations suited to the circumstances of my aged and honoured friends, whom I am this day to address. And I shall,

I. Consider the charge given to Daniel; and,

II. The encouragement set before him.

I. I am to consider the charge given to Daniel.

'Go thy way, till the end be.' Most commentators understand this, as a dismission from life. 'Now thou hast leave to depart out of the world.* But upon this interpretation, it is not easy to see the meaning of that expression, till the end be. And therefore I prefer the interpretation of Grotius and others, who consider it as a charge to him, to attend to his proper business, to the duties of his station and age, till the end of his life; for the

am.'*

original word hath that signification in many places; particularly, where David saith, Lord, make me to know my end, that I may know how frail I It may perhaps be intended also as a discharge from his public office as a prophet. Go thy way; thou shalt receive no more such visions and revelations of the Lord, as thou hast heen favoured with.' He had perhaps been too curious and inquisitive about the time, when those events should take place, which had been revealed to him, (v. 8,) therefore the Lord said unto him, (v. 9,) 'go thy way, Daniel;' which he repeats in the text. This may be a general admonition, not to be too inquisitive about those matters; but return to, and mind, the business of his place and station to perform his duty as a servant of God, and to do the king's business, as one of his ministers and statesmen. He had been very faithful and zealous in both capacities; had earnestly sought the honour of God, the good of Israel, and the welfare of the Chaldeans. He is here, therefore, dirccted to persevere in those duties which his age and circumstances would permit him to discharge. The expression may particularly refer, to his being paitent and contented in the troublous times in which he lived, and under the afflictions and infirmities he endured. The Greek version renders the words, Go thy way and be at rest; Be content with that station and condition, to which God hath appoint

6

* Psalm xxxix. 4.

ed thee. Be not discomposed by any troubles that may affect thee, and thy people; or by the foresight of those, which shall happen to the nation in future years; but patiently wait and prepare for thy latter end, and do not complain of the length and tediousness of thy pilgrimage. Go on faithfully and hearfully, thro' that portion of life which yet remaineth to thee.' To excite him to this, the Lord gives him the most kind and extensive promise, even an assurance of future everlasting blessedness. And this is the second thing to be considered:

II. The gracious encouragement set before him.

'For thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.' Now here are three things promised him; a peaceful retreat in the grave; a glorious resurrection from it; and a happy portion in the heavenly world.

.

1. He is promised a peaceful retreat in the grave.

Thou shalt rest. This, I think, evidently refers to his death. Thou shalt die in peace, and enter upon a state of rest.' And this is a common description of the death of good men in Scripture, and well suited to their circumstances here.

It

implies, that the present is a state of trouble and disquietude that man who is born of a woman is full of trouble.' Little rest is to be expected bere. Sorrows succeed one another with few and

rest.

*

short intervals, and sometimes continue almost uninterrupted for months and years together. Good men and good ministers in particular, have their peculiar troubles; and these Daniel had experienced. But they shall rest. Their bodies shall rest in the grave, and their souls shall rest with God. "Their bodies shall rest in the grave. So Job, speaking of it, saith; There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at And Isaiah saith to the righteous, He shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds. † They shall be entirely free from what is opposite to rest; from whatever may give pain and uneasiness to the soul. The body shall then have no wants to supply. No pain or uneasiness shall attack it and tho' it corrupts in the grave, it is insensible of it, and the separate spirit does not feel it, nor is affected by the knowledge of it. The good man rests from those labours, which make him faint and weary; and from all his troubles and sorrows occasioned by the afflictions and the wickedness of others. He fears not for his relations: he weeps not for his friends. The terrors of the world, persecution, reproach, and ridicule for his piety, never disturb his peaceful repose. He that is dead in Christ is freed from the acts of sin ; from all temptations to it; from all concern and remorse about it. Tho' the power of sin is broken by renewing and sanctifying grace, it will disturb peace, while he is in the body. On this account,

his