V5SO PRIVILEGì OF 411E LIVING ABOVE THE DEAD and applause in the great day.. The thief that was con- verted upon the cross, spoke a word for Christ in his last mo- ments, and it has been blessed to rescue many from the jaws of despair : That dying creature had done nothing for God in his life ; a *vicious life, anda wicked creature ! Bit the profession . of sincere faith and repentance which he made at his death, Math been richly honoured in the kingdom of grace ; and I am per- suaded it has helped many a fearful christian on toward the king- dom of glory. 1V. " If so many valuable works are done, and so many graces are exercised on earth, which have no place in heaven, then the lives of the saints are worth praying for. Precious in the eye of God is the life of his saints, and they should be pre- cious in the eye of man too.' When an active, useful christian, when a pious magistrate, when a zealous and faithful minister goes down to the dust, alas ! how much good ceases from the earth for ever ? The world knows not what it loses by such a death. Let not children be impatient at the length of life which their holy parents enjoy : You know - not, children, what benefit ye may reap from their example, their counsel, their earnest pray- ers; and secret wrestlings with God for your soíds : Let us have a care that we do nothing, that may break the spirits of our pious friends, or that may hasten the departure of holy persons from this lower world, whose virtues and graces are of eminent use among us. Let us rather pray earnestly, that God would lengthen out the days of those, who speak and act with a useful veal for the honour of Christ, and for the welfare of the souls of ,men. 'When death once has put a period to their days, all this sort of service is'finished for ever ; and we ourselves may sus- tain Unknown lossby their speedy departure out of this world. TheRecollection. " Is notthis a strange doctrine which Z have heard to-day, that a christian on earth has many privileges Which' can never belong to the saints in heaven ? Is it not strange tidings to hear, that there are many graces to be exer- cised in this life, which neither saints nor angels can practise in the holy and heavenly world ? Andyet the evidenceis so strong, and the truth is soplain and certain, that I see it, and I must be- lieve it. Remember'then, 0my soul, thou hast onemore motive to diligence in all the duties of life than ever thou hadst before: And thou Last also one more support Under all thy sorrows, be yowl what thy former days were ever acquainted with. A de- lightful suppórt it is Under sufferings, anda noble motive to duty. Awake, awake all my active powers, let every grace be in exer- cise, and every talent be employed to bring this revenue of ho- tour to my God cud my `Saviour in this life, which the Saints
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