CHAPTER XXI.

The Meditation of Death.

THE end of the present life will speedily come : consider, therefore, in what degree of preparation thou standest for that which will succeed. To-day man is, and to-morrow he is not seen; and when he is once removed from the sight of others, he soon passeth from their remembrance. O the hardness and insensibility of the human heart, that thinks only on present concerns, and disregards the prospects of futurity! In every thought, and every action, thou shouldst govern and possess thy spirit as if thou wast to die to-day; and were thy conscience pure, thou wouldst not fear dissolution, however near. It is better to avoid sin, than to shun death. If thou art not prepared for that awful event to-day, how wilt thou be prepared to-morrow? To-morrow is uncertain; and how knowest thou that to-morrow will be thine?

What availeth it to live long, when the improvement of life is so inconsiderable? Length of days, instead of making us better, often increaseth the weight of sin. Would to God that we could live well only for one day! Many reckon years from the time of their conversion; but the account of their attainments in holiness, is exceedingly small. Therefore, though death be terrible, yet a longer life may be dangerous. Blessed is the man who continually anticipates the hour of his death, and keeps himself in preparation for its approach!

If thou hast ever seen another die, let not the impression of that most interesting sight be effaced from thy heart; but remember, that through the same vale of darkness thou also must pass. When it is morning, think that thou mayst not live till the evening'; and in the evening, presume not to promise thyself another morning. Be, therefore, always ready; and so live that death may not confound thee at its summons.

Ah foolish man! why dost thou still flatter thyself with the expectation of a long life, when thou canst not be sure of a single day? How many unhappy souls, deluded by this hope, are in some unexpected moment separated from the body! How often dost thou hear, that one is slain, another is drowned, another by falling from a precipice has broken his neck, another is choked in eating, another has dropped down dead in the exercise of some favorite diversion. Thousands are daily perishing by fire, by sword, by plague, or by robbers! Thus is death common to every age; and man suddenly passeth away as a vision of the night.

Thou too mayst die suddenly and unexpectedly; "for in such an hour as ye think not, the son of man cometh." And when that last hour is come to thee, thou wilt begin to think differently of thy past life, and be inexpressibly grieved for thy remissness and inconsideration. How wise and happy is the man who continually endeavours to be as holy in the day of life, as he wishes to be found in the hour of death! A contempt of the world, an ardent desire of improvement in holiness, cheerful obedience, self-denial,

and the patient enduring of affliction for the sake of Christ, will contribute to raise a pleasing confidence of dying well.

While the mind is invigorated by health of body, thou wilt be able to do much towards thy purification; but when it is oppressed and debilitated by sickness, I know not what thou canst do. Few spirits are made better by the pain and languor of sickness.

Let not the example of thy friends and relations, nor any confidence in the superiority of their wisdom, influence thee to defer the care of thy salvation to a future time; for all men, even thy friends and relations will forget thee much sooner than thou supposest. It is better to "provide oil for thy lamp" now, before it is wanted, than to depend upon receiving it from others "when the bridegroom cometh" for if thou art not careful of thyself now, who can be careful of thee hereafter, when time and opportunity are for ever lost? This instant, Now, is exceedingly precious: Now is the "accepted time, now is the day of salvation." How deplorable is it, not to improve this invaluable moment, in which we may lay hold on eternal life! A time will come, when thou shalt wish for one day, nay one hour, to repent in; and who can tell whether thou wilt be able to obtain it?

Awake then, and behold from what inconceivable danger thou mayst now be delivered; from what horrible fear thou mayst now be rescued, only by "passing the time of thy sojourning in holy fear," and in continual expectation of thy removal by

death. Endeavour now to live in such a manner, that in that awful moment thou mayst rejoice rather than fear. Learn now to die to the world, that thou mayst then begin to live with Christ. Learn now to despise created things, that being delivered from every encumbrance, thou mayst then freely rise to him. Now subdue thy earthly and corruptible body by penitence and self-denial, that then thou mayst enjoy the glorious hope of exchanging it for a spiritual and immortal body, in the resurrection of the just.

Who will remember thee after death, and whose prayer can then avail thee? Now, therefore, O thou that readest! turn to God, and do whatever his Holy Spirit enables thee to perform; for thou knowest not the hour in which death will seize thee, nor canst thou conceive the consequences of its seizing thee unprepared. Now, while the time of gathering riches is in much mercy continued, lay up for thyself the substantial and unperishing treasures of heaven. Think of nothing so much as the business of thy redemption, and the improvement of thy state before God. Now "make to thyself friends" of the regenerate and glorified sons of God, that when thy present life "shall fail, they may receive thee into everlasting habitations."

Live in the world as a stranger and pilgrim; and, knowing that thou hast "here no continuing city," keep thy heart disengaged from earthly passions and pursuits, and lifted up to heaven in the patient " hope of a city that is to come, whose builder and maker is God." Thither let thy daily prayers, thy sighs, and

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tears, be directed; that after death thy spirit may be wafted to the Lord, and united to him for ever. Amen.

CHAPTER XXII.

The Last Judgment, and the Punishment of Sinners.

In all thy thoughts and desires, thy actions and pursuits, "have respect to the end ;" and consider how thou wilt appear before that awful Judge, from whom nothing is hidden, who is not to be perverted by bribes, nor softened by excuses, but invariably Judgeth righteous judgment. O most wretched and foolish sinner, thou who tremblest before the face of an angry man that is ignorant in all things! what wilt thou be able to answer unto God, who knoweth all thy sins, and searcheth the lowest depths of the evil that is in thee? Why lookest thou not forward, to prepare thyself for the day of his righteous judgments, in which one man cannot possibly be excused or defended by another, but every one will have as much as he can answer, in answering for himself?

The patient man hath in this world a true and salubrious purgatory; who, when he is injured, is more grieved for the sin of the offender, than for the wrong that is done to himself; who can ardently pray for his enemies, and from his heart forgive