nisc. ttl.j SURPRIZE.IN DEA'Ii. vii. 24. " I run, I fight, I subdue my body, and keep it under ;" I Cor. ix 26, 9,7. I am crucified to the world, and the world to me ; the life which I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God ;" Gal. ii. vi. 14, When he was ready to be offered up, and the time of his departure was at hand, from the edge of the sword, and the borders of the grave, he could look back upon his former life, and say, I have fought the good' fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous- ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me ;" 9, Tim. iv. 7, 8. 5. " The unwatchful christian, at the hour of death, has the pain and anguish of reflecting, that he has omitted many duties to God and man, and these can never be performed now ;1' that he has done scarce any services for Christ in the world, and those must be left for ever undone : " There is no further work or device, no labours of zeal, no activity for God in. the grave, whither we are hastening ;" Ec. ix. 10. " Alas ! I have brought forth but little fruit to God and it is well if I' be not cast away as an unprofitable servant. My talents have laid bound up in rust, or been but poorly employed whilst I have lain slumbering and inactive : The records ofmy life, in the court of heaven, will spewbut very lit- tle service for God amongst men: I have raised few monuments of praise to myRedeemer, and I can never raise them now. I shall have but few testimonies for my love and zeal to appear in the great day of account, when the martyrs, and the confessors, and the lively christians shall be surrounded with the living ensigns of their victories over sin and the world, and their glorious services for their Redeemer. Wretch that I am ! that I have loved my Lord at so cold a rate, and lain slumber- ing on a bed of ease, whilst I should have been fighting the battles, of the Lord, and gaining daily honours for my Saviour !" 6. " As such sort of christians give but little glory to God in life, so they do himno honour in death; they are no ornaments to religion while they continue here; and leave perhaps but little comfort with their friends when they go hence :" Doubtings and jealousies, about their eternal welfare; mingle with our tears and sorrows for a.
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