tinmng any longer to neglect our souls? If repentance be necessary for ever}^ child of man ; if there be no possibility of acceptance for us but by fleeing for refuge to the Lord Jesus Christ ; and, if they who die in an impenitent and unbelieving state must perish for ever ; then is it folly to defer the concerns of our souls to a more convenient season, which \eTy probably may never arrive. The concerns of time are so utterly insig- nificant when compared with those of eternity, that to give them a preference in our minds is not folly only, but madness.]
2. That we should be lukewarm in our attention to them ?
[]SIost men will allow that some attention to the sovJ is proper : but with the generality, even of those who would be thought religious, the welfare of the soul is only a subordinate and secondary concern. Such lukewarmness however is no less displeasing to God, and injurious to the soul, than total indifference'^. We are apt to think that a little exertion will suffice for the securing of our eternal interests : but is there so little to be done, that it may be finished in a day? or are we sure that so many days will be added to our life as shall make up the deficiency of our zeal and diligence? Do we find that people in a race have time to loiter ? How much less then have we, whose career may terminate so soon? And what have we in life that shall compensate for the loss of our souls? Is there any earthly gratification, even if it could be enjoyed a thousand years, to be compared with the felicity of heaven ? " Whatever then our hand findeth to do, let us do it with all our might."]
Address,
1. The young —
[You are looking for years to come ; but may soon " be cut dowTi as a flower." Youth is the time most fitted for holy exercises and heavenly employments Begin then with- out delay, and " remember your Creator in the days of your youth."]
2. Those in middle age —
[You are thinking that you have nearly attained the object of your ^\ishes ; but you have found your past attain- ments vain ; and such will be the character of all that you may yet acquire. Temporal duties, we repeat it, are to be performed with diligence; but nothing is of any value in comparison of the soul.]
d Rev. iii. 15, 16.