air, and so they shall be ever with the Lord." When the judgment is set and the books are opened, when they shall appear before him and receive their sentence; they shall be welcomed by their judge to the realms of life in these gracious words, "come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, before the founda tion of the world." Then shall they enter upon a more glorious scene of existence, than they have already known, and become inhabitants of "that new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." "And behold

the tabernacle of God shall be with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be among them, and his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads; and they shall be kings and priests unto God, and shall reign for ever and ever." Such is the glorious dignity to which the saints shall be advanced in the kingdom of heaven.

If such be the happy state to which the souls of our virtuous friends are exalted, then surely we have reason to rejoice at their departure to a better world, nnd not sorrow as those who have no hope in their death. For if they be admitted to the joy of their Lord, they must be infinitely more blessed than they could have been while they remained in the body. Instead therefore of lament ing their departure, let us by the eye of faith contemplate their glorified condition, view them exulting with gladness before the throne of God, and participating of every delightful emotion which can impart satisfaction to their souls. Is not this far more desirable, than enduring here on earth, the pains of distemper, the infirmities of age, and the miseries of life? Happy change, when "this corruptible puts on incorruptible, and this mortal immor. tality;"" then is brought to pass that saying, death is swallowed up in victory." If therefore we loved our friends, we would rejoice, because they have gone to our Father.

We may indeed be ready to say, they have gone too

soon, and left us desolate and forlorn. But is it too soon to exchange the troubles of the world, for the felicities of heaven? surely the sooner they arrive thither, the more enviable is their lot, that they have finished their earthly pilgrimage, and entered into rest.-Still however, we may repine that they are separated from us, and "we wot not what is become of them." But this separation is only for a season, for the time will come, when we shall meet again with our virtuous friends in the realms of bliss, and enjoy their society with tenfold more relish than ever we did in this imperfect state, and spend an eternity, together in the mansions of glory. They are now solacing themselves with the prospect of that happy day, but during our separation they are longing for our departure to the world of spirits. Could they communicate their sentiments to us in their disembodied state, we should hear them addressing us: "weep not for us, but for yourselves, for you are still encompassed with the difficulties of life; we have surmounted them all you are struggling with adversities; we have gained the victory, and are crowned with honour: you are travelling through a valley of tears, we are arrived at the city of our God, where we rest from our labours, and our works do follow us. Continue a little longer stedfast and immoveable, and abound in the work of the Lord, and your labour shall not be in vain, but an abundant entrance shall be administered into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Having thus endeavoured to adduce some reasons why we should not sorrow as those who have no hope in the death of our virtuous friends; but rather rejoice at their translation to a better world, it remains,

III. To shew the practical improvement which we should make of this subject.

If we have lost those friends who were dearer to us than our own souls, let us comfort ourselves that if they were godly, they have entered into that rest which is prepared for the people of God.-If also, we have relations, who from the decays of nature, must soon go the way, whence they shall not return; let us be resigned to part with

them at such a time as God is pleased to remove them. The prospect of their death may indeed be grievous, and fill our hearts with sorrow; but let that sorrow be moderated by the consideration, that their times are in the hands of God, who calls them out of the world, at such a season, and in such a manner as he in his infinite wisdom judges most expedient. Without his direction and appointment, neither our lives can be continued, nor our death ensue. Nothing can befal us without his permission, no disease can attack us, nor accident overtake us, nor can our dissolution happen, without the providen tial interference of our Father in heaven. "Not even a sparrow can fall to the ground" without his notice, and by him "the hairs of our head are numbered." Let us therefore submit ourselves and our friends to his unerring guidance; and whether we and they are permitted to live, or called to die, let us in the meekness of resignation acquiesce in every dispensation; saying, O God, do with us what seemeth good in thy sight, "not our wills but thine be done." And well may we adopt such sentiments, since God knoweth whether life or death be best for us and ours, and makes all things work together for good to those who fear and obey him. Let us consider that God calls his people from the world, that they may be with Christ, and behold his glory; which is far better than to continue in the body. Wherefore let us comfort one another with these words.

If also, we have families, about whose health and welfare we are often solicitous, let us reflect that "God holdeth their souls in life;" but if it seemeth good in his sight for promoting the purposes of his glory and their good, he may send affliction, and "chasten them with pain upon their beds, and the multitude of their bones with strong pain, so that they may choose strangling and death rather than life." But in every disorder to which we or our families are exposed, we should reflect, that "affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; but that man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward;" that God hath ordained our condition in the world to be subject to dis

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eases; that he "bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up, and none can stay his hand from working, or say unto him what dost thou ?”

In the day of distress, indeed, we should seek unto God, and to him commit our cause, for he is a present help in time of trouble. Perhaps he may deliver our eyes from tears, our feet from falling, and our souls from death; but if he have otherwise determined; if those on whom our hearts are set, be appointed to die; if the residue of their years be cut off in the midst; let us yield with becoming resignation to the divine decree, since the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Let us entertain good hope through grace, that our children if brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, shall after death be transported to happy regions, which their Saviour hath prepared for their reception; that he removed the fears of parents respecting the fate of their little ones, when he said, "suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Wherefore, when our hearts are dismayed in the hour of distress; when we tend the sick bed of our dear relations; let us take comfort, that if they have lived the life of the righteous; their latter end shall be peace in this world, and eternal glory in the world to come.

Such hopes indeed we can only entertain respecting the righteous, and therefore it becomes us now to live such lives as becometh saints, that we may always be ready to depart in peace, whenever disease and death shall be sent to transport us from the world. A godly life is the best preparation for a happy death. If during our earthly pilgrimage, we endeavour to secure the favour of God by the practice of holiness; if we study to grow grace, and acquire conformity to the divine law; if we become more and more perfect in our religious services, and our moral character; and gradually relinquish every sin that easily besets us, till we walk in all the commandments of the Lord blameless; if we rely on the merits of our Saviour for the pardon of our offences; if we are desirous to be released from all the imperfections which

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cleave to humanity, and long to be admitted to that blessed place where temptation and sin are known no more; then may we cherish the hope, that death will be to us the harbinger of peace, which is sent to convey us from this world of sorrow, to the land of uprightness.

But if we are living without God in the world, serving divers lusts and pleasures; let us not be deceived, for "according as we now sow we shall hereafter reap; if we sow to the flesh, we shall of the flesh reap corruption; but if we sow to the spirit, we shall of the spirit reap life everlasting," According to the general tenour of our life, our latter end here, and our fate hereafter will be happy or miserable. It is not by a few serious thoughts on our dying bed, that our souls shall be fitted for entering into the joy of our Lord, if we have lived regardless of him and of our duty, during the course of our lives. Let us then live every day harmless and blameless, without rebuke or reproof. Let us keep consciences void of offence, both towards God and man. Let us not continue in any sin, without instant repentance, but walk in newness of life. Let us consider our ways, and if we discover any defect in our general course of conduct; let us reform it by living more godly, and righteously, and soberly, than we may have hitherto done. Let us work the works of faith, and repentance, and new obedience, while life continues, since death cometh, when no man can work.

Since death is so uncertain, and even in many cases so sudden and unexpected; this should teach us not to postpone our repentance and reformation, lest we be prevented from accomplishing it, by a speedy dissolution. We may indeed indulge the prospect of many years awaiting us, but what certainty is there that we may not be cut off in a short time, as well as many who have gone before us? If we were forewarned that we must die a few weeks hence, would we not give all diligence to make our calling and election sure? would we not enquire what we must do to be saved? would we not repent of our sins, examine the state of our souls, live in the fear of God, and in such