Imatges de pàgina
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after which these two companies shall never more meet. And thou, my soul, where dost thou expect to stand at that day? In which of these two companies shalt thou be ranked? Thou thast it now in thy choice: choose then now that better part, which will never be taken from thee. Fly now from the midst of Babylon; renounce now the false maxims, corrupt customs, and sinful pleasures of worldlings; separate thyself from the wicked in time, that thou mayest not be involved in their eternal damnation.

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Consider, fifthly, what will then be the thoughts of the great ones of this world; what fury, envy, bitter anguish and confusion will then oppress their souls? When they shall see the poor in spirit, the meek and humble, who were so contemptible in their eyes whilst they were here in this mortal life, now honoured and exalted in the sight of the universe; and themselves treated with such contempt? Hearken to their complaints, as foretold by the wise man, Wisd. v. These are they whom heretofore we laughed at, end whom we made the subjects of our scoffs. E ii Sei

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Senseless wretches as we were, esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour. See how they are now reckoned among the children of God, and with the saints is their eternal lot. Ergo erravimus a via veritatis. Alas! after all, 'tis we are the persons that have been mistaken; 'tis we that have unfortunately run on in the wrong 'way! And they were truly wise in making a better choice, which afforded them comfort in life, and now has entitled them to endless joys.

Consider, sixthly, how much the anguish and confusion of the wicked will be increased, at the opening of the books of conscience, hen the guilt of their whole lives shall be laid open to the public view of the universe. Poor sinner! what will thy thoughts be, when those crimes, which thou hast committed in the greatest secresy, and which thou wouldst not have had known for the world; those abominations which thou imaginest covered with the obscurity of night and dark. ness and which thou didst flatter thyself, thy friends and acquaintance would never know; those works of ini

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quity, which perhaps thou couldest not find in thy heart to discover to one person, tied by all laws to a perpetual secrecy, shall all now be exposed in their true colours to the eyes of. the whole world, angels and men good and bad, to thy eternal shame. Ah! Christians, it is now in your power to prevent, by a sincere repentance and confession, this confusion which you must otherwise one day suffer.

On the last Sentence of the Good
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Onsider, first, how this great

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definitive sentence in favour of the just, and for the condemnation of the wicked. And first, the sovereign Judge, turning himself towards his elect, with a most sweet and amiable countenance, shall invite them into the happy mansions of everlasting bliss: Come, ye blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Matt. xxv. O happy invitation! happy, thrice happy. E iii

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they that shall be found worthy to hear that comfortable sentence ! What unspeakable satisfaction, what torrents of joy and pleasure will the hearing of it give to those blessed creatures! I am filled with joy, says the royal prophet, at the happy tidings which I Have heard, we are to enter into the house of the Lord, Ps. cxxi. But, 0! what envy, what rage and malice will the reprobate feel at the hearing of this invitation, when they shall see several of their acquaintance called to take possession of that eternal kingdom, which they might also have so easily purchased, had not their own folly and stupidity blindly exchanged it for the flames of hell.

Consider, secondly, and ponder as leisure upon this happy sentence: Come, says the Judge, ye, blessed of my Father, &c. Come from the vale of tears, where for a little while you have been tried and afflicted by the appointment of my providence, to the kingdom of never ending joy; where grief and sorrow will exist no more. Come from the place of banishment, where for a time you have sighed and groaned

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at a distance from your heavenly country, to your everlasting home, where you shall meet with all that your heart can desire to complete your happiness; where you shall be for ever inebriated with the plenty of my house, and drink for ever at the fountain of life. Arise, my beloved, the winter is now past, the floods and storms are over, arise and come. O universal and eternal blessing! How my poor soul contemns all other happiness, in hopes of having a share one day in this blessed sentence !

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Consider, thirdly, how the great Judge after having invited the just to his glorious kingdom, turning himself towards the wicked on his left hand, with fire in his eyes and terror in his countenance, shall thunder out against them the dreadful sentence of their eternal doom in these words: Go from me you cursed into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. Christian souls, weigh well every word of this dismal sentence. Go for ever from me, and from the joys of my kingdom: O terrible ex Communication! O cruel divorce! O E iv

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