[A. day is given us; and that is little enough for so great a work: yet it is time enough, if duly and diligently improved. It is, however, of very uncertain continuance. The sun of many goes down at noon ; and often without the slightest warning. Yea, scarcely is the sun risen with many, ere it sets. This is a truth known to all ; but considered by few : else, how earnest should we be in doing- the work assigned us. We should not be putting it off till " a more convenient sea- son ;" but should improve the present hour, " not knowing what a day or an hour may bring forth." We should " walk, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time1,"]
Our day being closed, our work is closed with it —
[" There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wis- dom in the graveV " When the night is once come, we can work no more." Our good purposes, if not carried into effect before, will then fail, and our best resolutions prove abortive. If we have lived impenitent to that hour, or have only felt re- morse, without carrying our sins to Jesus, and washing them in the fountain of his blood, we shall continue impenitent and unforgiven to all eternity. " As the tree falleth, so it will lie1:" We may then weep for our sins; but our tears will be una- vailing : we may even " wail and gnash our teeth for anguish :" but the door of mercy will be closed. We may cry, " Lord, Lord, open unto us!" but God will be deaf to our entreaties. We may even call upon the rocks and mountains to fall upon us, and to hide us from the wrath of the Lamb: but they can- not perform for us that friendly office ; nor can so much as a drop of water be obtained, to soothe the anguish of our bodies and our souls"1. We may then wish, ' O, that I had another day, or even another hour ! how would I work then !' But our day is for ever closed ; and nothing but everlasting " night" remains ; even " the blackness of darkness for ever"."]
Address —
1. Those who are more advanced in years —
[Much of your day is obviously gone : and little, accord- ing to the course of nature, remains. Your glass is well nigh run down. Is it not then time for you to awake, and to begin the work which God has sent you to perform ? Should you not be engaged in penitential sorrow for your past sins ; in crying earnestly to Almighty God for mercy ; in fleeing to the Lord Jesus Christ as to the hope set before you ? Should you not be seeking the renovation of your souls after the Divine image ? Should you not be daily " preparing to meet
* Eph. v. 15, 10. k Eccl. ix. 10. « Eccl. xi. 3.
m Luke xvi. 24, 25. n Jude, ver. 13.