PROV. XIV, 32. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. ISAIAH LVII, 1. The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. JOB III, 17. There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. 18. There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. PSALM LXXIII, 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. PSALM XVI, 11. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. LUKE XVI, 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. ECCL. VII, 1. A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 1 COR. XV, 25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 COR. XV, 54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. 5. THE IMMEDIATE RECEPTION OF THE SOULS _of the Pious into a State of Blessedness_. LUKE XVI, 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. LUKE XVI, 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. LUKE XXIII, 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 1 COR. III, 22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23. And ye are Christ's: and Christ is God's. 2 COR. V, 6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 2 COR. V, 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. PHIL. I, 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. PHIL. I, 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better. REV. XIV, 13. 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 labors; and their works do follow them.