h Jam. ii. 12. * 1 John ii. 28.
A christian's dying reflections.
2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crotvn of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day : and not to me only, hut unto all them also that love his appearing.
CHRISTIANITY adapts its comforts to every part of our existence ; but its influence is peculiarly visible at the close. St. Paul, when expecting death, was not without the most comfortable reflections.
I. In his review of the past —
He had had different views of hfe from what are generally entertained —
[Many think they have little to do but to consult their own pleasure ; but St. Paul had judged, that he had many important duties to fulfil.]
He had devoted himself to the great ends of life —
[He had maintained a warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil : he had run his race with indefatigable zeal and ardour^ : he had kept the faith with undaunted courage and constancy : he had disregarded life itself when it stood in competition with his duty^.]
Hence the approach of death was pleasant —
[He enjoyed the testimony of a good conscience : he could adopt the language of his Lord and Master*^ — he was a pri- soner without repining, or wishing to escape : he was con- demned, and could wait with complacency for the tyrant's stroke.]
In consequence of this, he was happy also,
H. In the prospect of what was to come —
He had long enjoyed the earnest of eternal bless- ings'^. He looked forward therefore now to the full possession of them —
[A crown of righteousness means a most exalted state of holiness and happiness in heaven ; 7wr did he doubt but that such a reward was laid up for him.]
He did not however expect it on account of any merit in himself —
[He speaks of it indeed as bestowed in a way of " right- eous" retribution; but he expected it wholly as the "gift" of God through Christ^.]
Nor did he consider it as a gift peculiar to himself as an Apostle —
[The "longing for Christ's second coming" is a feeling connnon to all Christians*'. For them also is this crown of righteousness reserved^.]
=» 1 Cor. ix. 26. b Acts xx. 24. and xxi. 13.
•^ John xvii. 4. ^ Eph. i. 14.
e Rom. vi. 2.3. '' 2 Pet. iii. 12. e Heb. ix. 28.
2260.] apostasy of demas. 81
Infer — ^
1. How does the Apostle's experience condemn the world at large —
[The generality are strangers to spiritual consolations : but there is no true religion where they are not experienced. Let all consider what would be their reflections, and prospects, if they were now dying : Let all live the life of the righteous, if they would die his death.]
2. How amply does God reward his faithful ser- vants !
[Poor and imperfect are the best services that they can render : yet how different is their state from that of others, both in and after death ! Let all then devote themselves entirely to God.]
•> If this were the subject of a Funeral Sermon, it might be improved in reference to the deceased and the survivors, to shew that the former resembled the Apostle, and to stimulate the latter to a due improve- ment of their time.