if it has received its commission to cut us down. Inquire then whether, if the message were now deHvered unto you, " Thou shalt die, and not live," you are ready to give up your accomit with joy? Can you appeal to the heart-searching God that you have walked as in his presence, and endeavoured with sincerity of heart to approve yourselves to him ? Has the doing of his will in all things been the one object of your life? Above all, inquire whether Christ has been precious to you ? whether you l.ave lived by faith on him? and whether you have truly devoted yourselves to his service ? These are the things that characterize a true Christian ; and unless you have the testimony of your conscience that you have made this use of life, you have indeed very abundant cause to be afraid of death. O pray to God that you may not be taken away in such an unprepared state ; and lose not a moment in seeking that entire change of heart and Hfe, without which you can never have any well-grounded confidence towards God.]
2. Those who have recovered from sickness, or have escaped any particular danger —
[Wliy has God spared or restored you, but that you might live henceforth to his glory ? Perhaps under the apprehension of death, you determined with yourselves that you would give yourselves up to God. Now then remember the vows that are upon you. God heard your prayer, and the prayers of others for you, that it might be seen whether you would serve him or not. O beware how you abuse his patience and long-suffering towards you : beware how you make use of life only to " add sin to sin," and to " treasure up wrath against the day of wrath." There is a great work lying before you, and but little time to do it in. To have the text realized in you, to have it
realized in all its parts ■ — and to have such an evidence
of it in your heart and life, as to be able to appeal to God respecting it ; this is no easy matter ; nor is it a work that ought to be deferred one single moment. Consider, you are still as much exposed to death as ever. Though restored, you have no promise of life for fifteen years to come, no, nor for fifteen days or hours. Improve then the present hour : " Walk not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the tune," that at whatever hour the heavenly Bridegroom may arrive, you may be found ready, and be counted worthy to sit down with him at his marriage-feast in heaven.]