And even they, who have communed together, through their earthly pilgrimage, in the bonds of familiar intimacy; who have been united all their lives long, by the nearest and dearest ties of kindred; even they will be subject to the same discriminating judgment at the last. If they have been bound together in the holy bonds of the gospel, as well as of family affection; if they have been faithful brethren in the Lord, as well as in the flesh, “walking with God as friends,” it will be well; then, as they “were lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their deaths they shall not be divided:” { 304} together shall they go to heaven, and be admitted to enjoy a more delightful communion with each other, in the happy paradise above. But if it be otherwise, if such friends be of opposite characters; the one “carnally” the other “spiritually minded;” then, their ends must be opposite also; “death” is the portion of one, “life and peace” { 305a} of the other: their union therefore must be dissolved. The world may regard all the members of a family, as nearly alike in character; but the difference may nevertheless be great; and the distinction, in another world, will be great also. The wicked parent shall see its innocent offspring no more; the pious father shall not deliver the undutiful child, nor the obedient child its rebellious father; { 305b} each can save but his own soul. How feelingly and powerfully does this consideration appeal to christian families; admonishing them, to regard not the present only, but the everlasting welfare of each other; to “edify one another” in holiness and godly love; lest, after they have been so intimately connected together upon earth, while the one is taken to felicity and glory, the other be left to “mourning, lamentation and woe.”
How are christian parents bound, to watch over the offspring they so tenderly love! Watch they do, with continual anxiety, for the temporal benefit of their children, for all that can minister to their comfort and honour and advancement in life: they rejoice in the joy of their children, and weep when their children weep: but O how infinitely more important is the provision for eternity: earthly ties will soon be broken; how important, that we should provide for a happy renewal of intercourse and love hereafter! Parting now, to meet no more, were enough to break the heart; but the bright prospect of a re-union in paradise consoles and reconciles; forbidding us “to sorrow as those who have no hope.” See then, ye christian parents, to the nurture and training of the “olive branches round about your table;” bestow, upon their spiritual well-being, an especial and exceeding care; that ye may behold them “flourishing in the house of the Lord” above: that, whether ye be taken from them, or they from you, there may be comfort in the parting. See, all christian relatives and friends, by whatever name ye are endeared; see that ye live not in worldly, but heavenly affection: instructing, admonishing, animating one another in the profession of the true faith and the exercise of all godliness; that so your converse and communion may never be embittered by the fear of eternal separation.