14 /BARTER'S DYING THOUGHTS. a'higher end may be preferredbefore the present possession of a lower end, ánd every thing bath its season. Planting, and sowing, and building, are not so good as reaping, and fruit-gathering, and dwelling, but in their season; they must be first done. Quest. But what is there so desirable in this life? Answ. I. While it continueth, it is the fulfilling of the will of God, whowill have us here; and that is best which God willeth. II. The life to come dependeth upon this, as the life of man In the world upon his generation in the womb ; or as thereward upon the work ;. or.the.runner's or soldier's prize upon his race or fight- ing; or as-the merchant's gain upon his voyage. Heaven is won or lost on earth. The possession is there, but the preparation is here. Christ will judge all men according to their works on earth. " Well done, good and faithful servant," must go before "Enter thou into thejoy of thy Lord." " I have fought a good fight, I have .finished my course," goeth before "the crown of righteous, mess which God, the righteous Judge, will give." All that ever must be done for salvation by us, must here be done. It was on earth that Christ himself wrought the work ofour redemption, ful- filled all righteousness, became our ransom, and paid the price of our salvation ; and it is here that our part is to be done. And the bestowingof the reward is God's work, who,, we are sure, will never fail. There is no place for the least suspicion or fear of his misdoing, or failing, in any of his undertaken work. But the danger and fear is of our own miscarrying, lest we be not found ,capable of receiving what God will certainly give to all that are disposed receivers. To distrust God is heinous sin and folly; but to distrust ourselves we have great cause. So that if we will make sure of heaven, it must be by giving all diligence to make firm our title, our calling, and our election, here on earth. If we fear hell, we must fear being prepared for it. Arid it is'great and difficult work that must behere done. It is here that we must be cured ofall damning sin ; that we must be regenerate and new born; that we must be pardoned and justified by faith. It is here that we must be united to Christ, made wise to salvation, renewed by his Spirit, and conformed to his likeness. It is here that we must overcome all the temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh, and perform all the duties towards God and man, that must be rewarded. It is here that Christ .must be believed in with the heart to righteousness, and with the mouth confessed to salvation. It is here that we must suffer with him, that we may reign with him, and be faithful to the death, that we may receive the crown of life. Here we must so run that we may obtain. III. Yea, we have greater work here to do than mere securing
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