garded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me; for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; they would none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof; therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices." (Prov. i. 24-31.) The end of the long-suffering and forbearance of God is "to lead men to repentance" (Rom. ii. 4); but if, instead of producing that blessed effect, it only hardens them in their sins, and makes them resolve to go on in their wicked courses, vainly presuming they will repent when they come to die, how just it may be in God to leave them at their last hour under all the terrors and agonies of a fearful death!" to laugh at their calamity, and to mock when their fear cometh!"

"O consider this, all ye that forget God, lest he pluck you away, and there be none to deliver you.' Consider it in due time, before it be too late, before the dreadful hour comes upon you, when all-opportunities of reconciling yourselves to your offended God shall be taken from you, and the door of hope shall be for ever shut. Silence the clamour of your passions, and listen to the threatenings of God's holy word, the admonitions of his blessed Spirit, and the checks of your own consciences. Be per

suaded to set about the great work of your salvation to-day, while it is called to-day, before the night cometh when no man can work." Remember, you are now perhaps in that though you are now, perhaps, in health and

Remember that though

health and strength, in

the prime and vigour of

your years, surrounded strength, in the prime and vigour of your years,

with the pleasures of a

coming, and (whether

you think it or not) is speedily approaching, when you must take

great and splendid for surrounded with the pleasures of a great and splentune, yet the time is did fortune; yet the time is coming, and, whether you think it or not, is speedily approaching, when your leave of all that is you must take your leave of all that is desirable desirable upon earth. upon earth. Nothing will then stand you in any stead but a good conscience; neither honours, nor riches, nor any thing else that men are now so fond of, will then be able to give you one moment's ease, or afford you one comfortable thought. Nothing will then avail but the consciousness of having in some measure answered the end for which God sent you into the world - by having lived in the fear and love of God, "and in simplicity and godly sincerity having had your conversation in this world."

It was this that made St. Paul desire "to be dissolved and to be with Christ:" for he had "fought a good fight, and kept the faith;" and therefore he could say with great assurance, when "the time of his departure was at hand, that there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, should give him at that day." Remarkable expressions (2 Tim. iv. 6-8.) And it was this that made a well when he was near late pious divine* of our church, when he was near

uttered by Mr. Kettle.

his death.

his death, utter these remarkable expressions: "I am entering upon my last labour; the Lord gave, and he is now taking away, blessed be the name of

* Mr. Kettlewell. See the Preface to his Five Discourses, published after his death. See App. A, note 25.

the Lord! for, I thank my God, I am going without any distrust, without the least misgiving, to a place of rest, and joy, and everlasting bliss. There is no life like a happy death. I have endeavoured, even from my youth, to approve myself a faithful servant to my great Master. I have taken some pains in writing several books; I have seriously considered them: and am fully satisfied," looking on those about him, "that you may find in them the way to heaven. The Christian duties contained therein have been my practice as well as study; and now I find the advantage of it. And therefore be careful to read them often and seriously; and live suitably thereunto, that, when you come to the condition I am now in, you may die with comfort, as you see me do. I have some little pain indeed; but my pain is nothing so extraordinary as my hopes; for I have earnestly repented of all my sins, and verily believe, that, through the tender mercies of my God, and the merits of my blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, I shall be carried up into Abraham's bosom." After which, it is said, he made this short prayer: "I wait, O God, for that everlasting rest, which I want at present, but shall not long. I am ready, when thou, my God, callest for me; yet can stay with patience till thou pleasest; for thy time is the best time, and thy pleasure the best pleasure."

See here the end of a good man! how calm, how End of a good man. serene and comfortable is his death! Is there any A wicked man in the thing like this in the case of a wicked man, in the hour of his dissolution. hour of his dissolution? Alas! no. If you behold such a person in his last extremity (unless he die hardened and impenitent), you will hear little else

but bitter reflections, sad bewailings, wretched upbraidings of himself for the folly and madness of his past life, together with despairing sighs and groans, black and dreadful to himself, and very terrible to all about him. May God of his infinite mercy keep every one of us from such a dreadful hour!" and teach us all so to number our days, as to apply our hearts unto wisdom;" unto that true wisdom, which will make us wise unto salvation 1; fill our minds with comfort and satisfaction while we live; and, what is of infinitely more value, give us, when we come to die, "that peace of God which passeth all understanding," through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A PRAYER.

O most great and mighty God! in whose hands are the issues of life and death! Thou orderest all things by thy infinite power and wisdom, and hast appointed for all men once to die; and, after this short life shall be ended, hast, of thy infinite goodness, provided for thy faithful servants a state of endless bliss and happiness. O make me truly sensible of the frailty and uncertainty of my life; and teach me so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto true wisdom. Let not death ever surprise me unawares, nor find me in a state unprovided. But grant that I may live in such a constant preparation for my latter end, that, how suddenly soever thou shalt be pleased to take me out of this world, I may be found ready and prepared for that great account, which I must one day

give before the judgment-seat of Christ. Enable me, by the assistance of thy grace and holy Spirit, to finish the great work of my salvation before the night comes when no man can work, and to lay a good foundation of hope and comfort against the hour of my death; that, when the time of my departure shall come, I may look back upon a wellspent life with joy and comfort, and may meet death without fear.

Look upon me, O most gracious God, when the time of my dissolution draws nigh, as a reconciled Father in Christ Jesus. Speak peace unto my conscience, and say unto my soul, "I am the God of thy salvation." Let not the cruel enemy of souls affright me with his terrors; but give thy holy angels charge over me, to keep me out of his hands; and let the comforts of thy holy Spirit cheer and cherish my soul in its passage through this vale of tears and misery to a happy eternity.

O Lord! leave me not to myself in that time of distress, when I shall stand in so much need of thee. Confirm my faith; support me in my dying agonies; and forsake me not when my strength faileth. Let thy merciful ears, O God, be then open to my prayers; and spare me, O Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal! Suffer me not at my last hour, through any pains of body, or weakness of mind, to renounce my dependence upon thee. But grant, O most merciful Father, that, with a humble reliance on thy mercies, and the infinite merits of my dear Redeemer, and with an entire submission to thy blessed will, I may