has said, that " you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the dead ;" and he will with his own hand bestow the reconi- pence : " nor shall even a cup of cold water given for his sake lose its reward."]
Address —
[Happy should we be, if death had this aspect upon all, and we had no occasion to change our voice in relation to it. But to the ungodly it is still an enemy : and over the unbelieving it will retain its dominion to all eternity. Yes, brethren ; if we have not sought refuge in Christ from the curses of the broken law, we are yet in our sins, and must perish under the guilt of them for evermore. Is this your case ? how terrible then must the thought of death be to you! To you, it will be as the opening of the prison doors to a criminal, that he may be led forth to execution. For a season indeed, your body shall sleep in the dust : but in what image shall it rise in the last day ? What will be its feelings, when it shall be re-occupied by the soul, that now claims it as the partner of its former sins, and of all its future sorrows ! How glad would it be, if it could take its position under rocks and mountains ! Even now, the thought of death is terrible to the unbelieving soul, and the contemplation of eternity distressing. But let it not be always thus ; let what you have heard of the Christian's privileges stir you up to seek a participation of them. Remember, how it is that death must be disarmed of its sting : it is altogether by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as having fulfilled the law for you, and taken away your sins by the blood of his cross. Only look to him as dying for your sins, and rising again for your justification, and all shall yet be well: your souls shall live before him ; " because he liveth, you shall live also :" and when he who is your life shall appear, " ye also shall appear with him in glory."
But to those who profess to believe in Christ, we would also suggest a salutary caution. If the prospect of a glorious resur- rection produce not its due effect upon you, you have reason to doubt whether you have indeed an inheritance beyond the grave. It is only in proportion as your faith is operative, that you can have any evidence of its being the " faith of God's elect." And how painful will it be, when on the verge of eternity, to have your soul harassed with doubts and fears about your eternal state! Do not, I beseech you, walk so carelessly as to endanger your final acceptance with God, or to make it doubtful to your own mind. What can be the effect of sin, but to fill your dying pillow with thorns ? Never then trifle either with sin or duty : let the one be put away from you with all care, and the other be practised with all diligence: :ind seek of God the aid of his good Spirit, that you may so