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5. Even our comfortable enjoyment of life greatly depends on being prepared for death. Who can relish the feeble pleasure, which temporal things are capable of communicating, with this thought corroding his heart: I may die this night, this hour: I am to'tally unprepared: 'tis therefore possible that before 'another hour I may lift up mine eyes in hell?' And though more pleasing and welcome thoughts commonly thrust out this salutary reflection; yet it will sometimes intrude even in the vigour of health, in the midst of company, and in scenes of mirth and dissipation: like some dire spectre, however, it will be sure to haunt the hour of distress, and the bed of sickness, or to mingle with whatever reminds us of death and judgment. But how must it enhance our comforts, and mitigate our sorrows, and deliver us from the fear of death, to "know that when this earthly house of "our tabernacle shall be dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal "in the heavens!"

6. Nor can our judgment of our situation in reference to eternal things, fail to have a powerful influence on our conduct. He, who judges, or fears that he is unfit for death; yet neglects, or postpones a thorough preparation, must and will shun solitude and reflection, and endeavour to silence the voice of conscience. Hence perpetual hurry of business, or diversions: hence, when these are found too feeble, effectually to free him from the torment of thinking, he takes refuge in debauchery, or infidelity. Thus guilt accumulates, and wrath is treasured up against "the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judg-. VOL. III.

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"ment of God." But the well grounded hope of salvation arms the soul as with an helmet; keeps it steady as an anchor; inspires courage and resolution to labour, venture, and suffer for Christ; infuses sweetness into religious exercises; and renders the soul, "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work "of the Lord, as knowing that his labour is not in "vain in the Lord."

7. Finally, at the approach of death many have grievously lamented the neglect of preparation; none ever lamented having been too diligent in preparing. Many have lamented their inattention to the gospel, to the means of grace, and to the concerns of eternity; but none ever at that time lament, that they have missed opportunities of gratifying their appetites, frequenting amusements, and taking worldly pleasure. Pious christians often mourn, at that solemn period, lost opportunities for service, unimproved talents, unfruitfulness, and negligence: but none regret having renounced the world, denied themselves, born their cross, laboured for Christ, and minded the one thing needful. When standing on the verge of both worlds, if not before, men begin to form a more proper estimate of their comparative value. Let us profit by their judgment, and now employ ourselves, as they wish they had, or rejoice that they did: then shall we indeed be ready also.

I am persuaded, brethren, that many of you have all along perceived, that I chose this subject with reference to the death of the late Dr. Conyers, of Deptford, an honoured, able, and useful minister of the gospel. From authentick information you will probably

be gratified and edified ere long, with a variety of interesting particulars respecting his character, life, and death. But this is not my province: it is enough for my purpose to observe, that last Lord's day morning he was so far in health, as to perform the service,* in his parish church. In the second lesson (which was the xxth chapter of Acts) having solemnly pronounced the words" and now I know that all ye among "whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, "shall see my face no more:-Wherefore I take you "to record, that I am pure from the blood of all "men; for I have not shunned to declare unto you all "the counsel of God:" He paused; applied the words to his own ministry among those present: and appealed to their consciences, that he had thus discharg ed his trust and was pure from their blood, whatever might be their present conduct, or their future doom. Then he proceeded, preached, concluded, or was con. cluding, the blessing, when he was suddenly taken ill, and (not to dwell on circumstances not fully authenticated) died before three o'clock that afternoon! With out doubt this event was to him inexpressibly glorious and joyful, If we except the case of those, who concluded and sealed their testimony with their blood shed in confirmation of the truth they preached; we cannot conceive a minister dying more in character, or more honourably. Like a soldier sword in hand, valiantly defending his country. "Let me die the "death of the righteous and let my latter end be like,

All but the Communion Service, which was read by his Curate.

"his." "Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord "when he cometh shall find so doing."

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But had it been your case-Should death single out you, before you leave this place of worship-What would be the consequence? The providence of God joins issue with his word, and loudly praclaims, "Be ye ready also." And are you ready? Do you start? Does conscience declare the contrary? What an awful situation had you now been in, had the God, in whose hand is your life, called you instead of his ready servant! Oh ye gay, ye thoughtless, ye who are dreaming vain dreams of earthly felicity, on the very verge of eternal misery, pause, reflect-" Let your laughter "be turned into mourning, and your joy into heavi"ness." "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from "the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." "Let "the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man "his thoughts, and let him return unto the LORD, "and he will (yet) have mercy upon him, and to our

God, and he will abundantly pardon." But it must be without delay: "you must seek the LORD while "he may be found." "Behold now is the accepted "time! Behold now is the day of salvation! Therefore

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to-day, if ye will hear his voice harden not your "hearts" lest to-morrow should be too late," and he should swear in his wrath, that you should never en"ter into his rest." And you must address yourselves to this business with all earnestness; "Strive to enter "in at the strait gate; for many will seek to enter in, and "shall not be able;" "When once the Master of the "house hath risen up, and hath shut to the door; and

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ye begin to stand without, and knock, saying, Lord,

then shall That this

"Lord, open to us, and he shall answer, and say un"to you, I know ye not whence ye are "be weeping, and gnashing of teeth." may not be your case, return home, I beseech you, retire, and on your bended knees, supplicate him, who is yet on a throne of grace, and exalted to give repentance and forgiveness of sins, to prepare your souls for meeting him shortly upon his judgment

seat.

But, my brethren, as you value your immortal souls, do not rest satisfied with a mere profession, or a hope grounded upon some general convictions of sin, approbation of evangelical truth, encouragement received under the word, or the good opinion of christians and ministers. Remember the foolish virgins: they had the lamp of profession, were admitted to the company of the wise virgins, and continued undetected in it; yet had they not the oil of true grace. They had a religion, which satisfied others, and themselves, till "the coming of the LORD;" but utterly failed when they had most occasion for it, and left them in outer and eternal darkness.-Oh, examine yourselves, and beg of God to examine you, and shew you whether you have scriptural evidence that your sins are forgiven, and your hearts changed by divine grace. That man only, who, abiding in Christ, and looking to him daily, learns to abhor all sin, to love and long after all holiness, to despise the world, and to seek his comfort here, as well as hope of heaven hereafter, from the exercise of grace, and the performance of his duty, will when Christ shall appear, have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at

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