THE COTSQVEST OVER DEAT$. [DISC. I. or no, whether I shall stand the test in that day? I dread that solemn, that important hour that shall put me into an unchangeable state of miseries that are infinite, or of infinite blessedness. How shall 1, that am a sinner, stand before that tribunal and thatjudge, in whose sight no mortal can be innocent ? My evidences for heaven are dark and cloudy, that I cannot read them ; they have been often sullied with fresh guilt, and I doubt whether I am new born or no, or reconciled to God. And -what if I should he mistaken in this affair of the greatest mo- ment ? The mistake can never be rectified ; therefore I shake at the thoughts of death, that hour of decision; for My faith is weak." Another saint of a strong and lively faith, but of a timorous temper cries out, " Mow shall I bear the ago- nies and the pangs of death? I am not afraid to enter into eternity; the grace of Christ, and his gospel, have given me hope and courage enough to be dead ; but I am still afraid of .lying ; it is a hard and painful work, how shall I sustain the sharp conflict ? I shiver at the thoughts of venturing through that cold flood that di- vides betwixt this wilderness and the promised land." Another Christian is too much unacquainted with the world of spirits, with the nature of the separate heaven, with thepàrticular business and blessedness of holy souls departed : and he is afraid to venture out of this region of flesh and blood, into a vast and unknown world. Though he has good hope through grace, that he shall arrive safe at heaven ; yet the heavenly country is so unknown a land, and the valley of entrance to it so dark, that he fears to pass into it through the shadow of death. Another is terrified at the thoughts of death, because he knows not how to part with his dear relatives in the flesh, and to leave them exposed to an unkind age and a thousand dangers. " If I had none to leave behind me, I could die with chearfulness ; but while I think of such a separation, the thought of death has terror in it." Thus upon varions accounts a good man may have fearful apprehensions of dying ; and that which carries so much terror about it, may well be called an enemy, Before we proceed any further, let us make two re- flections on the first general head:
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