I have been informed of the loss of your dear wife!

(A letter of John Berridge, to Mr. Edwards on the death of his wife, March 26, 1771)

Dear brother,
I have been informed of the loss of your dear wife. You once knew she was mortal; but she has now put off mortality, and is become immortal. Can this grieve you? Oh that I was where she now is!

"Safe landed on that peaceful shore
 Where pilgrims meet, to part no more."

She was once a mourning sinner in the wilderness; but she is now a glorified saint in Zion! The Lord has become her everlasting light; the days of her mourning are ended.

Does this trouble you?

She was once afflicted with bodily pains and weakness, encompassed with cares, and harassed with a crowd of anxious needless fears! But she has now arrived at her Father's house; and Jesus, dear Jesus, has wiped away all tears from her eyes, and freed her in a moment from all pains, cares, fears, and needs. And shall this trouble you?

You have not lost your wife--she has only left you for a few moments.
She has left an earthly husband to visit a heavenly Father.
She expects your arrival there soon, to join the hallelujah for redeeming love.

Are you still weeping? Shame on you, brother!

Are you weeping, because your wife can weep no more!
Are you weeping, because she is eternally happy!
Are you weeping, because she is joined to that assembly where all are kings and priests!
Are you weeping, because she is daily feasted with heavenly manna, and hourly drinking new wine in her Father's kingdom!
Are you weeping, because she is now where you would be, and long to be eternally!
Are you weeping, because she is singing, and singing sweet anthems to her God and your God!

O shameful weeping!

Jesus has fetched your bride triumphantly home to his kingdom, to draw your soul more ardently thither! He has broken up your cistern, to bring you nearer, and keep you closer to the fountain! He has caused a moment's separation, to divorce your affections from the creature! He has torn a wedding-string from your heart, to set it a bleeding more freely, and panting more vehemently for Jesus.

Hereafter you will see how gracious the Lord has been in calling a beloved wife home, in order to betroth your husband more effectually to Himself.

Remember that the house of mourning befits and befriends a sinner. Remember that sorrow is a safe companion for a pilgrim, who walks much astray until his heart is well-nigh broken.

May all your tears flow in a heavenly channel, and every sigh waft your soul to Jesus! May the God of all consolation comfort you through life, and in death afford you a triumphant entrance into His heavenly kingdom!

So prays your friend and brother in the gospel of Christ,
John Berridge

"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.
 The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
 He will lead them to springs of living water.
 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!" Revelation 7:16-17