Infer —
1. How desirable is it to be prepared for death and judgment!
[This is the time for preparation : the moment death arrives, our state is fixed for ever: " As the tree falleth, so it lieth." What folly then is it to procrastinate, and to defer our preparation ! If death would stay for us, and we could com- mand the influences of the Spirit, and ensure repentance at the last, there were some reason for delay : but when we know not but that the next hour we may be summoned into the pre- sence of our Judge, or that the grace we now despise shall never be offered us again, what madness is it to lose the present mo- ment, and to trifle on the brink of such a precipice ! Awake, brethren, from your stupor ; and *' prepare to meet your God." Go to the Saviour, while yet there is hope concerning you : and let it be the one concern of your lives to " flee from the wrath to come."]
2. How important is it to form a just judgment of our own character !
[Suppose for a moment that we judge ourselves now with somewhat too great severity, what harm is done? We disquiet ourselves indeed a little more than is necessary for a few days ;
1 alwrioi'. It is in vain to say that oiwj' signifies a limited period; for the duration of heaven and of hell are equal : and if we limit the one, we must limit the other also.
r Mark ix. 43—48. s Rev. xvi. 8—11. ' Luke xvi. 20.