BERM. XL.1 LIVING ABOVE THE DEAD. 187 then, Omy soul, thou hast one more motive to diligence in all the duties of life than ever thou hadst before : And thou hast also one more support under all thy sor- rows, beyond what thy former days were ever acquainted with. A delightful support it is under sufferings, and a noble motive to duty. Awake, awake, all my active powers, let every grace be in exercise, and every talent be employed to bring this revenue of honour to my God and my Saviour in this life, which the saints above can- not give him, andwhich, at themoment of death, must for ever cease. Blessed Spirit, lead me to the practice of the most use- ful duties, that my service may be of a large extent both to God and man: Now let me study and contrive, wherein I maybest promote the interest of Christ and his gospel here on earth. Let me bear the burdens of life with a holy satisfaction : Let me endure the fatigues, of labour with a sacred pleasure : Let me resist the temp- tations, let me sustain the sorrows of life like a good sol- dier of Christ in the present field of battle. Heaven will have other business for me, and proper work of its own : That is the place ofjoy and triumph. Forgive, O my God, all my slothfulness in duty, and my impatience of suffering, Let this new and glori- ous motive possess my spirit powerfully, and influence all my future conduct, that when the messenger of death shall tell me, I must be employed in this sort of work no more, I may look back from the borders of eternity, and rejoice that I have been assisted by divine grace, to do so much for God on earth : and when I am called away from the present stage of action, I may be -received by my great Master at the gates of heaven, with a " Well done good and faithful servant, come enter into the joy of thy Lord." Amen. HYMN FOR SERMON XL. THE PRIVILEGE OF THE AWAKE my zeal, awake my love, And serve my Saviour here below, Io works which all the saints above, Which holy angels cannot do. LIVING ABOVE THE DEAD. My faiths and hope maysee the Lord, Though veils of darkness lie between; Hope shall rest firm upon his word, And faith rejoice in things unseen.
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