382 StMLPRIZI: IV rIEaTFt. tflisc. tit, ead lives, which confirm their title to there'. They have no bright views of the celestial world, and earnests of %heir salvation, for it is only for watchful souls, that these cordials are prepared in the fainting hour : It is only to he watchful christian, that these foretastes of glory are given. " The fruit of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness isquietness and assurance for ever," is. xxxii. 17. " Blessed is he Nvhich watcheth, and kcepeth his garments clean, that he may enter with triumph into that city, where nothing shall enter that de- fileth, Rev. xvi. 15. 3. " Slumbering and slothful christians, are oftentimes left to wrestle with sore temptations of Satan=, and have dreadful conflicts in the day of death :" And the reason is evident, because they have not watched against their adversary, and obtained but few victories over him in their life. These temptations are keen and piercing thorns, that enter deep into the heart ofa dyingcreature. Thedevil may ' be let loose upon them with great wrath, knowing that his time is but short," Rev. xii. l2. and yet there is great justice in the conduct of the God of heaven, in giving them up to be buffeted by the powers of hell. What frightful agonies are raised in the consci- ence by the tempter and the accuser of souls, on a sick or dying bed, can hardly be described by the living, and are known only to those Who have felt them in death. 4. " Such drowsy christians .make dismal work for new and terrible repentance on a death-bed:" For though they have sincerely repented in times past of their former sins, yet having too Much omitted the self- mortifying duties, having given too much indulgence to temptation and folly, andhaving net maintained this ha- bitual penitence for their daily offences in constant ex- ercise, their spirits are now filled with fresh convictions, and bitter remorse of heart. The guilt of their careless. and slothful conduct finds them out now, andbesets them around; and they feel most acute sorrows, and wounding reflections of conscience, while they have need of most comfort. What a glorious entrance had St. Paul into the world of spirits, and the presence of Christ? He had made repentance, and mortification, and faith in Jesus, his daily work : O wretched man that I am 1" who shall deliver n;ef'roin the body of this death? Ror. i,
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