day : so justly may it be said of all of us, " The end of all things is at hand."]
The consideration of this solemn truth may well prepare us for, II. The exhortation grounded upon it —
1. Be sober —
[Sobriety does not merely import temperance with rela- tion to meat and drink, but moderation with regard to our desire of earthly- things, or our enjoyment of them. Our minds are apt to be very strongly fixed on the things of time and sense ; v/e are fascinated with the prospect of some plea- sure, some honour, some emolument, for the attainment of •which we labour day and night, and in the possession of which we are ready to say, " Soul, take thine ease." But should we do thus, if we considered how transient our enjoy- ment of them will be ? Should we not rather sit loose to the things of this world, seeking them as though we sought them not, and using them as though we used thein not'? Let us then cultivate this spirit^ We need not on this account relax our diligence in our earthly vocations ; for diligence is our bounden duty^, and will consist very well with the devoutest frame, and most ardent exertions in the Lord's service'': but •' the (iff'cct'ions must be set on things above, and not on thbigs beloiv '."]
1. Watch unto prayer —
[Prayer is indispensably necessary for the salvation of the soul. Without prayer, we can obtain nothing from God, no pardon of sin, no strength for obedience, no preparation for eternity. If we live without prayer, we shall die without ho]>e. But it is no easy matter to persevere in prayer. We can com])lain to a fellow-creature with ease and fluency : but the moment we attempt to express our wants in prayer to God, our minds wander to the very ends of the earth, and our mouths are shut before him. Any trifling occurrence is sudi- cient to divert us from prayer: and we postpone this duty from time to time, under the idea of having some more favour- able opportunity for the performance of it. But would it be thus with us, if we were duly im])re!?sed with the shortness and uncertainty of time? Even the most abandoned male- factors will weep and pray when their execution is drawing nigh : and should not we, if we felt that " the end of all things is at hand C Let us then watch against every thing that may either divert us from prayer, or distract us in it: yea, let
us
• 1 Cor. vii. 2p— 31. ' PI,i!. iv. .-5. » Eccl. ix. 10.
'* liom. xli, I J. ' Col. iiu 2.
11C4.J PERSECUTIOX FOR CHRISt's SAKE. 139
US watch that our prayers be such as our necessities require, and such as God will accept. Let them be offered up M'ith constancy, with fervour, and with faith. And the nearer we approach to our latter end, the more " abundant let us be in supplications and thanksgivings."]
Application —
[To the elder part of this assembly one would think it should be needless to add any thing on this subject : for they who have already lived out half their days, must feel (one would imagine) that their " time is short." But, alas ! even the aged need to be reminded of this obvious truth, and to be stirred up to improve their few remaining hours. Yes, even they often become more worldly with their advancing years, and manifest as great a backwardness to spiritual duties as they did in the earlier part of their existence. If one of this character be present, may God impress upon his mind a sense of his guilt and folly, and awaken him from his slumbers, ere
it be too late !
To the younger part, who dream of months and years to come, it is more obviously necessary to repeat the warning in the text. You are apt to think and say, " It is time enough yet for me to seek after God." But " have you made a cove- nant with death ? " have you been assured that neither disease nor accident shall cut you off" in the bloom of life ? Look around you, and see how many of your own age are gone within your remembrance \ And what if death had seized on you, instead of them ; where had you been at this moment ? I intreat you, if you have any regard for your own souls, consider this. Put the question to your conscience, and answer it faithfully in the sight of God : and then look at the direction given you by God himself: " Be sober," and mode- rate in your attachment to the things of time ; and " watch unto prayer," that you " may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory."]