7 384 SURPRIZE IN DEATH. CDISC. III. dying. friend ; these anxious fears, about the departed - spirit, swell the tide of our grief high, and double the inward anguish. They are gone, alas ! from our world, but we know not 'whither they are gone, to heaven or to hell. A sad farewel to those whom we love! A dismal parting-stroke, and a long heart-ache! And what honour can be 'expected to be done to God or his Son, what reputation or glory can be given to reli- gion, and the gospel, by a drowsy christian, departing, as it were, under a spiritual lethargy ? He dies under a cloud, and casts a gloom upon the christian faith. St. Paul was a man of another spirit, a lively and active saint,' full of vigour and zeal in his soul :. It was the holy resolution and assurance of this blessed apostle, that' Christ should be magnified= in his body, whether by life or death; Phil. i. O. He spenthis life in the service of Christ, and he could rejoice in death as his gain. It is a glory to the gospel, when we can lie down and die with. courage, in the hope of its promised blessings. It is an honour to our common faith, when it overcomes the ter- rors of death, and raises the christian to a song. of tri- umph, in view of the last enemy. It is a new crown put upon the head of our, Redeemer, and a living cordial put into the hands of mourning. friends, in our dying hour, when we can take our leave of themwith holy fortitude, rejoicing in the salvation of Christ. No sooner does he call, but we are ready, and.can answer with holy trans- port, " Lord, I corne." This is a blessing that belongs only to the watchful christian. May every one of us be awake to salvation in our expiring moments, and partake of this glorious blessedness ! [" Here this discourse may be divided."] I proceed now to a few remarks, and particularl; suchas relate to the necessity and duty of constant watch fulness, and the hazardous case of sleeping souls. Remark I. " To presume on long life is a most dan- gerous temptation, for it is the common spring and cause ofspiritual sleep and drowsiness. Could we take an in- ward view of thehearts of men, and trace out the springs rbf their 'coldness and indifference about eternal things, and the shameful neglect. of their most important inter- ests, we should find this secret thought is the - Bottom of their hearts, " that we are not like to die -to-day of to-.
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