AMIN 383 SURPRIZE IN DEATH. tDISC. III. borders of the grave, and will you venture to drop in before your hopes of life and immortality are secured, and a joyful resurrection ? You pass, perhaps, many nights, wherein the infirmities of your flesh will not suf- fer you to- sleep, and to take that common refreshnìent of nature; and shall not these same infirmities keep you awake to things spiritual, and rouse all your thoughts and cares, about your immortal interests ? 2. You, whose circumstances or employments of Iife expose you to perpetual dangers, eitherby land or by sea; you, who carry your lives, as it were, in your hand, and are, often in a day, within a few inches of death ; is it not necessary for you to enquire, daily, Am I prepared for a departure hence ? Am I ready to hear the sum- mons of my Lord, and ready to give up my account be- fore him ? Shall I dare go on another day with my sins unpardoned, with my soul unsanctified, and in imme- diate danger of eternal misery ? A fall from a horse, or a house -top, may send you down to the pit, whence there is no redemption; every wind that blows, and every rising wave may convey you into the eternal world, and are you ready to meet the great God in such a surprise, and without warning ? 3. You who are young, and vigorous, and flourish amidst all the gaieties and allurements of .life, you are in most danger of being lulled asleep in sin, and there- fore I addressed you lately in a funeral discourse, when the present providence gave each of you a new and loud call to 'awae, and I pray God you mayhearhis voice in it. 4. Perhaps others of you are arrived at old age, and the course of nature forbids you to expect a long conti-. nuance in the land of the living : Are any of my hearers ancient sinners, and asleep still ? Venturousand thought- less creatures ! that have grown old in slumber, and worn out their whole life in iniquity ! Surely,' it is time, for you to hear the voice of theSon ofGod in the gospel, and accept of his salvation : Behold, thejudge is at the door ! he comes speedily, and he will not tarry : his herald of death isjust at hand : Areyou willing he should seize you in a deadly sleep, and send you into eternal sorrows ? And let aged christians bestir themselves, and awake from their slothful and secure frames of spirit;
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