The True Dignity of Pauls Elder in the Life of Owen Stockton, Title page 2
Mors Triumphata; OR THE SAINTS VICTORY OVER DEATH; Opened in a FUNERAL SERMON Preached upon the occaſion of the Death of that Eminent Servant and Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt Mr. Owen Stockton, M. A. Sometimes Fellow of G. and C. Colledge in Cambridge; afterward Preacher of Gods Word at Colcheſter in Eſſex.
By John Fairfax M. A.
Hoſ. 13. 14.
I will ranſom them from the power of the Grave: I will redeem them from death: O Death, I will be thy Plagues; O Grave I will be thy Deſtruction.
London, Printed for T. P. 1681.
THE SAINTS VICTORY OVER DEATH, Opened in a FUNERAL SERMON Upon the occaſion of the Death of Mr. OWEN STOCKTON.
1 Cor. 15. 57.
But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
SO ſoon as Sin entred into the world, Death the King of terrors, being therewith Armed, began its Reign; and hath Reigned not only from Adam to Moſes over the race of Mankind, but even to this day. And as a Mercileſs, Cruel, inſatiable Tyrant affrights the world, making horrible Slaughters, not at the rate of Saul and David who ſlew their Thouſands and their ten Thouſands; but Death ſlayeth Univerſally beyond number, from the Infant to the Aged, from the dunghil to the Throne; ſparing neither Age nor Sex, neither baſe nor Honourable, neither great nor ſmall, neither Sacred nor Prophane.
The Cry of this miſery of man being very loud reached up to Heaven, and entred into the Ears of God that made him: who heard, regarded and pitied; and in infinite mercy Ordained and Commiſſioned his own, and Only Son the Lord Jeſus Chriſt to be a Prince of Life, and Captain of Salvation to miſerable men, to Redeem a remnant from the Terror, Power, and Tyranny of this All-devouring, All-deſtroying Enemy. The Son of God readily accepts this honourable Office, and accordingly cometh down from Heaven, and becometh Incarnate among the Sons of men to diſcharge it. And girding his Sword upon his thigh in his Majeſty he rode proſperouſly, and his right hand taught him terrible things. Having firſt trampled under his feet the forlorn hope of the Enemy, Poverty, Hunger, Thirſt, Labour, Wearineſs, Griefs, Perſecutions, Mockings, Buffetings, Scourging, and acuteſt Pains; he forthwith enters into the very Region of Death, the Land of Darkneſs Encounters, Diſarmeth, Overcometh, and Deſtroyeth the King of Terrors in his own Territory, the Grave; leading Captivity Captive; and Triumphing in a powerful and glorious Reſurrection. The vertue and benefit of which Victory he Communicates to all his followers, the noble Army of Conflicting Saints liſted under his exalted Banner. In token whereof the Graves were opened, and many bodies of Saints which ſlept aroſe, and came out of their Graves after his Reſurrection. Mat. 27. 52, 53.
This glorious Conqueſt is the Apoſtles comfortable Argument throughout this Chapter. Where he firſt Aſſerts and proves the Reſurrection of Chriſt, to verſ. 20. Concluding, Now is Chriſt riſen from the dead. From whence he infers, proves, and illuſtrates the Reſurrection of the Saints, with the order and manner thereof, from verſ. 20—to 55. In the Faith and Contemplation whereof he cannot contain himſelf, but breaketh forth into this triumphant foreign. boldly challenging, daring, defying, and out-braving Death. verſ. 55. 56, 57. O death where is thy ſting? O grave, where is thy Victory? The ſting of death is ſin, and the ſtrength of ſin is the Law.
But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
In which laſt words (the Subject to be diſcourſed on) there are four things obſervable; The Enemy, The Victory, The Victors, and the Triumph.
1. Firſt, The Enemy, which is ſuppoſed in the Text, but expreſſed in the Context, ver. 55, 56. viz. Death Armed by ſin, ſtrengthned by the Law.
2. Secondly, The Victory over this Enemy, that is, The deſtruction of Death as to its terror and power.
3. Thirdly, The Victors, who are Chriſt firſt, and with him all that are Chriſt's. ver. 23. Every of whom ſhall be made alive in his own order, Chriſt firſt, afterward they that are Chriſts. All that Harveſt whereof Chriſt is the Firſt-fruits. verſ. 20.
4. Fourthly, Th… Triumph; Thanks be to God.
The three former we will ſum up in this Doctrinal Propoſition.