Mark xiii. 37. What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
GOD is pleased to speak to us, not only in his word, but by the dispensations of his providence.
Calamities, whether foreign or domestic, whether public or personal, are sent by him to awaken our drowsy consciences, and to stir us up to a remem- brance of our latter end. By all of them, whether menaced only, or actually inflicted, he addresses us, as Jesus did his Disciples (whom he had forewarned of the evils coming upon Jerusalem, and hereafter also upon the whole world), " Watch therefore, for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh." On a subject like this we should in vain attempt to speak any thing new. But though we may do no more than remind you of truths with which you are already well acquainted, it will not be unprofitable for me to suggest to your thoughts,
I. The uncertainty of the time when our Lord will come to judgment —
[Our Lord, in illustrating what he had been speaking respecting the day of judgment, compares himself to a master leaving his house, and appointing his servants their work, and commanding his porter to watch, in order to admit him without delay at whatever moment he should return. He represents the precise time of his return to judgment as unknown to men, or angels, or even to himself; (so far at least, that the Holy Spirit, by which he was anointed to his prophetic office, had not communicated it to him as any part of the revelation which he was to make known to men ;) and from thence inculcates the necessity of incessant watchfulness. Now, as the time of death is to us the commencement of our eternal state, and as it is equally unknown to us as the judgment itself, we shall direct our attention more particularly to that.
But what shall we say on such a subject as this? It needs neither proof nor elucidation : nor can any words make the uncertainty of life more evident, than the observation and ex- perience of every man have already made it. We appeal to your observation of what takes place around you : does not our Lord call men to death and judgment at every age, and
often when his summons is least expected? We appeal
to your experience : can you not recal to your minds many accidents which might have proved fatal? and do you not see, that you are yet liable every day and hour to be taken away by disease or accident ? ]
Instead of dwelling on so obvious a truth, we will endeavour to point out,