SECT. 13.1 'THE CONO.CEST OVER DEATH. 301 I would address myself to the younger branches of the mourning house, and say, bave ye had such a noble ex_. ample of victory over Mn and death in vain ? Will ye basely submit to the slaveryof the flesh, and yield tamely to the oppositions of this world, which were so bravely resisted by be who is gone before ye ? Will ye love this world, which is at enmity with God, and has ever been at enmity with all the saints? Are ye content to have your names for ever excluded from that honourable list of con- querors, where the names of your ancestors shine before the throne of God, and are recorded with honour in the memory of his churches? think how dreadful a Moment that will be, when you shall look death in the face, if ye have not begun to wage war with sin and Satan before! Bow dreadful to have many enemies at once assaulting you ! the lusts of your own heart, raging desires after the enjoyments of this world, the horrors of conscience, the buffetings of the devil, and the pangs of death. What, will ye do in the day of such a Ni,itation ? And remem- ber, that though death be the last enemy of the saints, it is not thus with sinners ; it does but transmit them into the world of damned spirits, where enemies multiplyup- on them, and grow more outrageous. Besides the bitter anguish of their own conscience, they have the wrath of .a God whom they have long provoked, and the malice of evil angels their tormentors, to conflict with to all eter- nity. `° But we hope better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak ;" Ileb. vi. 9. Reflection II. What divine comfort is there in my text for aged christians and dying saints, who have been watchful and vigorous in their war with sin, and gained many victories over this world and Satan, who is called the God of it ! What a delightful view such persons .have, when upon the borders of life ! Bear up with di- vine boldness ye heirs of glory, for you have but one ad- versary more to fight with ; Let your faith and patience, and holy courage, hold out a little longer, and victory and triumph are yours for ever. There is no enemy lies in ambush behind the tomb; when you have passed thq bars of death, you are out of the reach of all adversaries. Beyond the grave the coast is all clear for ever: The country flows with rich and untasted ,Measures; every
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