SERM. XL.] Liv1VG ABOVE THE DEAD. 1$5 length of our life here on earth, has been a great, and real, and everlasting advantage to us, by preparing us for a higher station after death, and a fairer inheritance in that world which is everlasting. Inference II. " Though your hopes of heaven be never so well grounded, yet be not too impatient of dwelling longer on the earth : Arid though your burdens and sor- rowsmay be verygreat in life, yet be not toohasty and im- portunate in your desires of death." Support yourself un- der áll the fatigues, trials- and difficulties of the present state, with this consideration, that you are nowemployed in such service for God, and paying such a tribute of ho- nour to him in your suffering circumstances, as all the saints in heaven cannot do. Some of the children of God in this world have been too impatient oflife, and too eager in their importunities for deathand the grave. Job and Elijah were great favourites of heaven, but they failed a little in this point; and God, in the coursé of his provi- dence, afterward made it appear what eminent service he had for them both to do before they left this world. Elijah was designed to reform the whole nation of Israel from idolatry, and Job to be the parent of a new large family, and give the world an example of God's reward -, ing providence. If life be yours, O christian, and be numbered among your possessions, be not too hasty to part with it, nor to throw away that talent which may yet in days to come be employed to the signal honour of thy God and Saviour. Inference III. " If life be almost spent, and you have done little for God, see that in your last, your dying hours; if possible, you speak and act for his glory." Let not the whole season of life quite pass away, . and be turned over like a blank leaf which has none of the praises of Gods` written upon it. A word of warning from a death -bed may make a deep and happy impression on those that hear it, and through divine grace may save a soul : and if so, thou shalt hear of it again with honour and ap- plause in the great day. The thief that was converted 'k It was a custom in former days for merchants in their books of ac- counts to have " Laus Deo, or Praise to God," written in thebeginning of every leaf, and it stood on the head ofthe page inlarge and fair letters, to put them always in minci, that in their human affairs they should carry 6 a divine design for the glory ofGod.
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