to represent that confident satisfaction, of which I have heard many boast, on the view of death;-such vain-glory is the feeling of a superficial believer, who knows not the difficulty of the work he has had to perform; such ideas do not possess the mind of the truly pious and humble Christian: he who has best studied his duty, is most aware how deficient he has been in the performance of it; and he who has done most, will always know how much more he ought to have done. Such ideas, though they do not banish hope, will place it not on his own welldoing, but on the merits and mediation of our Blessed REDEEMER, who died for the sins of his faithful followers; of those who, believing and trusting in Him, and loving Him above all things, have endeavoured to "resist the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil;' and, constantly keeping Him in view, have tried, as much as possible, to follow His precepts and example. Such a Christian, on his death-bed, will humbly hope in the mercies of his GOD, and draw comfort from the assurance, that He will never leave or forsake those that trust in Him. On the review of his life, though he will see much error and imperfection; much left undone, which ought to have been done; and many things done, which ought not to have been done; and that he must acknowledge himself a miserable sinner; yet in all his transactions, the love of God has prevailed over the love of the world, and the hopes of a future life, over the cares and anxieties of this. -In his intercourse with his fellowcreatures, though his passions have been occasionally excited, he has constantly struggled against the improper indulgence of them; and has so far subdued them, that he has been enabled to practise, in a degree, the duties required of him; he has been, in general, meek, forbearing, and gentle; has forgiven every injury; has sincerely prayed for his enemies, and returned them good for evil; has made the doing to others as he should wish others to do to him, the constant rule of his actions; and has therefore been kind, benevolent, and attentive to the happiness and interest of his fellow-creatures, whom he has studied how to serve, and assist, by every means with which PROVIDENCE has blessed/ him; if he has been endowed with wealth, he has dispensed to them temporal comforts; if he has been denied those advantages, a more valuable gift has been in his power, he has "* distri buted to the necessity of the Saints,” and administered to their spiritual good; he has given instruction to the ignorant, and comfort and religious hopes to the distressed; he has nursed the sick, and assisted the helpless ; - + has visited the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and kept himself unspotted from the world." At the concluding scene of life, such a Christian may say, with humble trust in his SAVIOUR, "I have fought the good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith." He has, through the grace of GoD, fought manfully against his passions and besetting sins; he has finished a course of benevolence and kindness to his fellow-creatures; and has *Romans xii. 23. + James i. 27. kept his faith, steadily fixed on HIM who is mighty to save; and he may add with humble hope and pious trust, "*Henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous Judge, shall give him at that day." I will conclude this interesting subject with a beautiful and appropriate extract from the Bishop of London's Poem on Death. And at that hour when all aghast I stand, Then shed THY comforts o'er me; then put on |