his coming. In this way therefore "give all diligence to make your calling and election sure; for "if ye do these things ye shall never fall; but so an en44 trance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the "everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus "Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind.”* And, my christian brethren, let us make it our business" to have our loins girded, and our lamps burning, and be like men, who are waiting for the "coming of their LORD." Let us watch and labour each in his place and post. Now is the time to de something for the cause of God on earth, among sin ners; "The night is coming wherein no man can "work." According to the advice of Solomon, "Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor "knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest."-"Having then gifts differing according "to the grace that is given unto us: whether prophe cy, let us prophecy according to the proportion of "faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or “he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on "exhortation. He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that "sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be "without dissimulation-abhor that which is evil; "cleave to that which is good," &c. In this way let us daily make preparation for death: and then we need not perplex ourselves with distrustful apprehensions about it: our God will order every circumstance 2 Peter i. 12, 13. † Eccl. ix. 10. ‡ Rom. xii. relating to our closing scene, as shall be most for his glory, the edification of others, and our own comfort and advantage: he can, and we may trust he will, illuminate the gloomy valley, and make even the king of terrors wear a smile. And as the Lord is depriving his church of those, who have been faithful and useful, pray for us, my brethren, who remain, that we may thus preach, labour, live, and die. And finally, let us all join in earnestly "praying the Lord of the harvest to send "forth labourers into his harvest." Amen, Amen. |