4. To improve for your good every summons which is sent to those around us —
[You see in the circumstances now before you a striking illustration of our textp And does not this event
k Ezek. xxxiii. 13, 18. J Amos. iii. 2. m Gal. vi. 7, 8.
n Luke xvi. 15. ° 1 Cor. iv. 5.
p Here the particular circumstances of the person's death — if it be on account of an individual, or of the epidemic sickness, if that be the occasion — may be entered into at large.
speak to you? What if you had been the person summoned into the presence of your Judge: were you prepared to meet him I Would he have found you truly penitent for all your past transgressions ; and watchful against every sin, yea, against every degree of evil, even in thought or desire? If not, what
would have been your feelings at this moment? Do
you not tremble at the thought? Or, suppose that this night a similar summons should be sent to you, (and you have no security that there will not,) are you ready ? Do not trifle, my beloved brethren, on the very brink of eternity : but "stand with your loins girt, and your lamps trimmed, as ser- vants waiting for the coming of your Lord." Then, " whether your Lord come in the morning, or in the evening, or at the cock-crowing, or at midnight," it shall be well with you. In a word, learn to " die daily :" and then it will be a joy to you to reflect, that your Judge is at the door : for the door at which he stands shall no sooner be opened to summon you into his presence, than angels, as his ministering servants, shall bear you from his tribunal to the realms of bliss.]
iMMCCCLXXVI.