Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org
Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY. Adam Clarke XXXI.—DEATH. LIFE itself is a wonder, and in its principles inexplicable. Its preservation is not less so. Apparently, it depends on the circulation of the blood through the heart, the lungs, and the whole system, by means of the arteries and veins; and this seems to depend on the inspiration and expiration of the air by means of the lungs. While the pulsations of the heart continue, the blood circulates, and life is preserved. But this seems to depend on respiration, or the free inhaling of the atmospheric air, and expiration of the same. While, therefore, we freely breathe; while the lungs receive and expel the air by respiration or breathing; and the heart continues to beat, thus circulating the blood through the whole system, life is preserved. But who can explain the phenomena of respiration? And by what power do the lungs separate the oxygen of the air, for the nutrition, perfection, and circulation of the blood? And by what power is it that the heart continues to expand, in order to receive the blood, and contract; in order to repel it, so that the circulation may be continued, which must continue in order that life may be preserved? Why does the heart not get weary and rest? Why is it that, with incessant labour, for even threescore and ten years, it is not exhausted of its physical power, and so stand still? These are questions which God alone can answer satisfactorily, because life depends on him, whatsoever means he may choose to employ for its continuance and preservation. Every man, since the fall, has not only been liable to death, but has deserved it, as all have forfeited their lives because of sin. Death could not have entered into the world, if sin had not entered first. It was sin that not only introduced death, but has armed him with all his destroying force. The goad or dagger of death is sin; by this both body and soul are slain.
The people who know not God are in continual torment, through the fear of death, because they fear something beyond death. They are conscious to themselves that they are wicked; and they are afraid of God, and terrified at the thought of eternity. By these fears thousands of sinful, miserable creatures are prevented from hurrying themselves into the unknown world. Reader, thou art a tenant at will to God Almighty. How soon, in what place, or in what circumstances, he may call thee to march into the eternal world, thou knowest not. But this uncertainty cannot perplex thee, if thou be properly subject to the will of God, ever willing to lose thy own in it. But thou canst not be thus subject, unless thou hast the testimony of the presence and approbation of God. How awful to be obliged to walk into the valley of the shadow of death without this! Reader, prepare to meet thy God. Death is at no great distance; thou hast but a short time to do good. Acquire a heavenly disposition while here; for there will be no change after this life. If thou diest in the love of God and in the love of man, in that state wilt thou be found in the day of judgment. If a tree about to fall lean to the north, to the north it will fall; if to the south, it will fall to that quarter. In whatever disposition or state of soul thou diest, in that thou wilt be found in the eternal world. Death refines nothing, purifies nothing, kills no sin, helps to no glory. Let thy continual bent and inclination be to God, to holiness, to charity, to mercy, and to heaven: then, fall when thou mayest, thou wilt fall well. I have never fallen out with life. I have borne many of its rude blasts, and I have been fostered by many of its finest breezes; and should I complain against time and the dispensations of Providence, then shame would be to me. Indeed, if God see it right, I have no objection to live on here till the day of judgment; for while the earth lasts, there will be something to do by a heart, head, and hand, like mine, as long as there is something to be learned, something to be sympathetically felt, and
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CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY.<br />
Adam Clarke<br />
XXXI.—DEATH.<br />
LIFE itself is a wonder, and in its principles inexplicable. Its<br />
preservation is not less so. Apparently, it depends on the circulation of the<br />
blood through the heart, the lungs, and the whole system, by means of the<br />
arteries and veins; and this seems to depend on the inspiration and<br />
expiration of the air by means of the lungs. While the pulsations of the<br />
heart continue, the blood circulates, and life is preserved. But this seems<br />
to depend on respiration, or the free inhaling of the atmospheric air, and<br />
expiration of the same. While, therefore, we freely breathe; while the<br />
lungs receive and expel the air by respiration or breathing; and the heart<br />
continues to beat, thus circulating the blood through the whole system,<br />
life is preserved. But who can explain the phenomena of respiration? And<br />
by what power do the lungs separate the oxygen of the air, for the<br />
nutrition, perfection, and circulation of the blood? And by what power is<br />
it that the heart continues to expand, in order to receive the blood, and<br />
contract; in order to repel it, so that the circulation may be continued,<br />
which must continue in order that life may be preserved? Why does the<br />
heart not get weary and rest? Why is it that, with incessant labour, for<br />
even threescore and ten years, it is not exhausted of its physical power,<br />
and so stand still? These are questions which God alone can answer<br />
satisfactorily, because life depends on him, whatsoever means he may<br />
choose to employ for its continuance and preservation.<br />
Every man, since the fall, has not only been liable to death, but has<br />
deserved it, as all have forfeited their lives because of sin.<br />
Death could not have entered into the world, if sin had not entered<br />
first. It was sin that not only introduced death, but has armed him with all<br />
his destroying force. The goad or dagger of death is sin; by this both body<br />
and soul are slain.
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