[Preached at Kettering, at the funeral of Mr. Beeby Wallis, April, 1792.]

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”—Rev. 14:13.

It is usual with us on the death of our friends, to improve the mournful event by a sermon on the occasion. I feel a difficulty, in the present instance, on account of my near and intimate connexion with the deceased. However, as well as I can, I will endeavour to comply with the general expectation.

Our dear deceased friend made no mention of any particular part of Scripture which he would wish to have improved; I have, therefore, selected the above, as being the most suitable to the present occasion of any that has occurred to my thoughts. The original design of the passage seems to have been to support the afflicted followers of Christ in times of persecution. Nothing could be better adapted to arm the holy martyrs against the terrors of death than the sentiment here exhibited. It does not seem, however, to be applicable to martyrs only; but is rather to be considered as a general truth, which, though applied to a particular case, is not to be confined to that case, but extended to every other particular comprehended within the general design. A few introductory observations may throw some light upon the text, and lead us on to the principal subjects on which I mean to discourse.

First, Let us observe the character described—those “who die in the Lord.” The Scriptures make frequent mention of believers, as being united to Christ, or one with him. If we be true believers in Christ, we shall feel a union of heart with him; our principles, affections, and pursuits will, in a measure, be the same as his; his cause will be our cause, his people our people, his service our delight, and the gospel of salvation through his death our daily bread. The union between Christ and his people is frequently compared to the marriage union; as they who were twain become “one flesh, so they who are joined to the Lord are one spirit;” and as in that case there is not only a mental, but a legal union, each becoming interested in the persons and possessions of the other, so in this we, with all we have, are Christ’s, and Christ, with all he has, is ours. Hence the language of the apostle: “Of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” Hence, also, arises the desirableness of being “found in him, not having our own righteousness, which is of the law; but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” A union like this will render us blessed even in death; death itself shall not be able to dissolve it, but shall rather introduce us to the full enjoyment of him whom our soul loveth.

It is further supposed, of those who die in the Lord, that they have abounded in good works; for it could not otherwise have been said that they should follow them. Those whose only hope and reliance for acceptance with God have been upon Jesus Christ, and who have, therefore, disclaimed all dependence upon their own works, have often been charged with being enemies to morality; or, at least, it has been said that their principles, if pursued to their just consequences, would render them so: but I trust the practice of these persons, in all ages, has not been such as to justify the charge. Perhaps, on the contrary, if we could survey the spirit and manners of mankind with an impartial eye, we might find that they who thus believed in Jesus were the most careful to maintain good works. Yea, and if we would search the Scriptures with an unprejudiced mind, we should find that, without a union with Christ, it were a vain thing to expect good works (truly so called)—as vain as to expect fruit from a branch that should be separate from the vine.

Secondly, The blessedness of the dead who die in the Lord was declared by a voice from heaven. If the apostle had hearkened to the general voice of mankind, he would have heard a very different sound. The world reckons him blessed that liveth—that liveth in prosperity. So natural is this to man, that we all feel a kind of pity for our departed friends; but surely pity is never more unnecessary; the voice from heaven, whatever be the voice from earth, pronounces, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”

Thirdly, The apostle was commanded to write it. A mere voice passeth away, but a writing endureth. In this we see God’s tender regard for his faithful servants, not merely in that age, but for ages to come.

Fourthly, Their blessedness is declared to be from henceforth. I do not see how this can be understood as referring to the time of the Spirit’s speaking: for that would imply that, before that time, those who died in the Lord were not blessed. It seems, I think, plainly to refer to the time of their departure from the body, and is one of the many passages of Scripture in which we are taught the doctrine of a separate state.

Lastly, The blessedness which awaits those who die in the Lord consists partly in a rest from their labours, and partly in a glorious reward, expressed by their works following them.

Fuller, A. G. (1988). The Blessedness of the Dead Who Die in the Lord,” Delivered April 1792. Sermon IV. The Complete Works of Andrew Fuller: Memoirs, Sermons, Etc. (J. Belcher, Ed.; Vol. 1, pp. 152–153). Sprinkle Publications.