':.t4.. THE ibEÁ'rH Ot ffiINDA£D' TriTP'R6VETf, [SERE:?. /tit, them, whether we have behaved aright Or no, and when it quickens our duty to surviving relatives. While they are alive, and present with us, our neglect ofduty towards them does not so soon strike oui consci- ences; but when the stroke Of death divides them from is in this world for ever, we are ready then to bethink .Ourselves, whether our carriage toward them has been just and kind : And if our enquiry finds out our guilt, our hearts are tender at that season, and we soon yield to the conviction. " Did I pay that duty to a father, which he Well deserved, and which God required ? Did I treat á mother with that filial affection, and, submissive tender- ness that became a child ? Did I pay that just deference and honour to the counsels and advice of my parents as I should have done ? Did I treat my sisters with that decent affection and respect that became rime ? And did I exer- cise brotherly love toward all my equal relatives? Or has myconduct been undutiful, unkind, and unbecoming ? Andespecially if we have this fo charge ourselves with, that we took no care for the welfare of the souls of those that are dead. Such thoughts as these will hang heavy about the heart, and press hard upon the conscience in that day. ` Did I not see my child or my brother walk in the ways of sin : and yet did I ever give him a hint of his dreadful danger ? Did I fear that he was a stranger to the grace of God, and yet did I not neglect to invite him to receive the gospel ? Had I not reason to question whether he was a sincere convert or no ? But how little have I done toward his conversion? "' Or if he was ever concerned about the affairs of his soul, and awàkened and thoughtful about death and hell, did I direct him in the way of peace ? Did I endeavour to lead him to Jesus the Saviour ? Or did I let him go on Without instruction, or without comfort, till death laid its cold hands upon him, and he plunged into the eternal world at a mournful uncertainty ? O my heart ! my heart ! The anguish of it pains me beyond what I am able to bear. O that I could recal my brother, or my son from the grave ! How would I follow him with coun- sels and entreaties ? And neither give him nor myselfany rest, till I had good hope, through grace, that he had fled for refuge to layhold on Christ andhis salvation. I would never be at ease, nor would I cease pleading for him at
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