all seriousness at this time. Suppose, by disease or accident, we had been removed, as many others have been who were once as likely to live as we ; where should we have been at this moment? Shall we reply, "I do not know?" What! Have we lived twenty, or perhaps twice twenty, years, in the world, and left it still in doubt what our portion should be at our departure hence ? According to our own acknowledgment, then, it appears that we might at this very moment have been in hell, writhing in anguish inconceivable, and looking forward to a never-ending eternity of woe. What an overwhelming thought is this ! And what madness is it, to leave for one hour longer in uncertainty our acceptance with God ! Let us come, then, to our present state : Where should we be, if we were to die this day ? Are we prepared to meet our God ? Have we washed in the fountain of the Redeemer's blood, and clothed ourselves in the spotless robe of his righteousness ? Are we living, from day to day, not to ourselves, but unto him ? And is the one object of our lives to advance in our heavenly course, so as ultimately to win the prize ? If this be not our state, what but misery could await us, if we were taken hence? Awake, my beloved brethren ! awake to your true condition ! Can you give sleep to your eyes, or slumber to your eye-lids, in such a state as this? Will not the thought of eternity appal you ? If any of your fathers, who have gone before, could be restored for any fixed time to your state, think you that they would trifle away their hours as they once did, and as you now do ? or, if permitted to come to you from the dead, would they not speak in far stronger accents than ever you were addressed by me ? O ! arise, and " redeem the time ! " and " what your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might."
Let us not, however, close the subject without contem- plating the state of those who have " fallen asleep in Christ." "Where are they?'" O, how delightful the thought! They are at this moment with Christ in Paradise, and joining with all the hosts of the redeemed in everlasting Hallelujahs to God
and to the Lamb. Think then, I say, of their state f
And endeavour so to live, that, at whatever hour your sum- mons may arrive, you may be found ready, and " have an abundant entrance into the presence of your Lord."]
f If this were a Funeral Sermon, here the character and state of the deceased might be drawn, for the comfort and encouragement of survivors.