other evils, and you will be " left to fall" and perish. It matters not what that virtue is which you neglect: if " intemperance," or " impatience," or " uncha- ritableness," or "ungodliness" of any kind0 be suf- fered to retain an ascendant over you, it will, as water in a leaky ship, in a little time fully occupy your soul, and finally sink you to perdition. " A right hand or a right eye," however necessary it may appear to your present happiness, will, if retained, " destroy both body and soul in hell1'." The union of faith and holiness must be complete and abiding, even as the root of the tree with the fruit : both, in their place, are necessary to M make your calling and election sure :" and, if either fail, you will inevitably and eternally perish.
Once more — It is by bearing these things in re- membrance that you zaill ensure to yourselves a happy dismission from the body at the hour of death, and an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ q." As to any thing of exalted joy in the hour of death, I do not see much of that in the death of the Scripture-saints, nor do I think that, as a general occurrence, we are authorized to expect it. But peace in a dying hour we may expect: " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace1." But how is this to be secured ? It is by cleaving to the Lord Jesus Christ with full purpose of heart, and by endeavour- ing to glorify him by a holy life and conversation. An entire reliance on him is necessary. Nothing but a view of his all-atoning sacrifice can satisfy the mind in a dying hour. We may now run after notions that are mooted and propagated in the Christian world : but they will afford us little com- fort when we are about to enter into the presence of our Judge, and to receive at his hands our eternal doom. Nothing, I say, but a view of Christ as the appointed Saviour of the world, will give us boldness at that day. But, if now we " live entirely by faith
0 ver. 6, 7. p Mark ix. 43 — 48.
** ver. 11. r Ps. xxxvii. 37.
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on him, as having loved us and given himself for uss/' we shall be able then to commit our souls into his hands with an assured hope of acceptance, and a blessed prospect of dwelling with him for ever. At the same time, however, we must have the testimony of our conscience, that, amidst all our infirmities, we did not retain any allowed iniquity, but did endea- vour to walk " as he walked," and to " purify our- selves even as he was pure." If in relation to this matter " our heart condemn us not, then shall we have confidence toward God4."
Now consider, my dear brethren, how desirable this blessing is. To have misgiving fears in the hour of death will be very terrible : but to possess a sweet assured confidence that we are accepted of our God, and to have " an abundant entrance into the king- dom of our Lord and Saviour," like that of a ship, with wind and tide in its favour, into its destined port, what felicity will that be ! And how greatly is it to be desired ! Would you then possess this blessing, keep in remembrance the things which I have preached to you ; and get your minds so fully and continually occupied with them, that, after my decease, as well as during my few remaining hours, they may have their full influence upon you ; and that, when we shall meet around the throne of God, I may have you as " my joy and crown of rejoicing to all eternity11."