to bring you to salvation ? Suppose one, who has been called to his great account, and doomed to the misery which his sins have merited, could be restored for a few days to the situation in which you stand ; would he be insensible to the mercy vouchsafed unto him, or lukewarm in improving his renewed advantages '? No, verily ; so great a blessing would not be despised by him ; but he would instantly become an example to all around him, saying, " Bless ye our God, as I do this day ! " Do ye then regard the blessing of a protracted life, as ye would if so restored ; and employ your every remaining hour in making that life a blessing indeed, even the means of securing everlasting blessedness and glory at the right hand of God.]
2. From those also who are ready to meet their
God—
[It may be thought that these have the less reason to be thankful for life, because they are already prepared for death, which would be to them a door to everlasting happiness. But this was the state of Hezekiah, who could appeal to God, that he had " walked before him in truth and with a perfect heart, and had done that which was good in his sight a :" and yet it was this holy man who uttered the thanksgiving in our text. It must be remembered, that there are many great and glo- rious ends of life, which are instantly and for ever frustrated by death. The instant that we depart hence, there is no more opportunity of honouring God on earth, or of benefiting our fellow-creatures, or of advancing our own eternal interests : " The grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee ; they that go down to the pit, cannot hope for thy truth :" these are things which the living only can engage in : and therefore the living are bound to estimate their high privileges aright, and to improve them with all diligence, as long as these advan- tages are continued to them. Doubtless, in the eternal world, the dead in Christ are happy. But is there a redeemed soul that does not desire to advance the honour of his God in this world? Is there one who does not long to promote the tem- poral and eternal welfare of his fellow-sinners ? or is there one who does not wish to augment the talents committed to him, that in so doing he may find a greater measure of approbation from his God ? I say, then, to every one here present, what- ever be the measure of grace that you have attained, you are greatly indebted to God for the prolongation of your life; and it should be to you a subject of most ardent praise and thanks- giving.]
But this gratitude should be expressed also,
II. In a way of affectionate commendation —
a ver. 3.