" He who hath the Son, hath life, and he who hath not the Son of God, hath not lifek." " The effects, too, of these visions " have been set before you, by an exhibition, so far as I was able, of all the blessedness of heaven, and of all the misery of hell. Now, then, consider these things, I pray you. Consider your oivn personal interest in them. Consider in what light you will view them the very instant that your soul is separated from your body : and now, so lay them to heart, that they may prove effectual for your conversion to God, and for the everlasting salvation of your souls ]
2. It may be, however, and I fear will be, that the great mass of you will not consider —
[When I look back, and see how little fruit all my past instructions have produced, I cannot but fear that this will share the same fate as they ; and in the space of one hour, or, at all events of one day, be altogether forgotten. Not that they will be forgotten by God, in whose name they are deli- vered: for they are all recorded in the book of his remem- brance, and will rise up in judgment against those who have failed to improve them. Why, my Brethren, will you make so light of these things, which yet you believe to be of ever- lasting moment, and which God makes known to you by me for the eternal welfare of your souls ? I tremble to think, that, at this very instant, whilst I am addressing these things to you for your good, I am eventually only sinking many of you into deeper perdition. O that God would awaken you to a sense of your condition, ere it be too late1! O that so much as one of you would arise from his stupor, and " recover him- self out of the snare of the devil, by whom he is led captive at his will ! " Let me not, my Brethren, be disappointed of this hope : but go home, and fall upon your knees before God, and pray to him, that, whatever other " rebels" may do, you may " be wise, and consider your latter end."]
k 1 John v. 11, 12.
1 See Zeph. i. 12. with Ezek. vii. 5 — 9. which, though primarily applicable to temporal judgments, may be addressed to a soul in this state.