SERMON NUT. 6`67 everlasting concerns. " Part of me is gone to the dust already, itis not long ere the surviving part shall go also. Death has smitten the desire of my eyes, and the partner of my joys, it will strike me ere long, and am I ready ?" This thought dwells upon the heart of a true christian at such a season, and while the Spirit of God assists the work, it is not in the power of all the trifles in this earth to banish the holy thought, and carnalize the mind again. Aswhen a man is seized with the dead palsy, or has a limb cut off, and buried in the dust, how sensibly does this awaken in him the thought of death and futurity ? " The sentence of death isbegun to be executedon me already, and the whole execution will bequickly fulfilled ; it is time nowto be ready, for death is in good earnest, and has begun his work." And if our departed relative were a christian indeed, and gaveus comfortable hope in his death, then it leads our thoughts naturallyto heaven, and most powerfully touches the springs of our heavenly hopes. It raises our pious wishes to the upper world and we say, as Thomas did at the death of Lazarus, Let usgo, that we may die with him; John xi. 16. Let us goto our God and ourholy kindred, and enjoy their better presence there. Let us not sorrow for the dead, as those that mourn without hope ; 1 Thess. iv. 13. but look upward to things unseen, and forward to the great rising-day, and rejoice in the promised and future glo- ries that are beyond life and time." Every dear relativethat dies and leaves us, gives us one mo- tive more to be willing to die : Their deathfurnishes us with one newallurement towardheaven, and breaks off one of the fetters andbonds that tiedus down to this earth. Alas ! we are tied to fast to these earthly tabernacles, these prisons of fleshand blood. We are attached too much to flesh and blood still, thoughwe find them such painful and such sinfulcompanions. We love to tarry in this world too well, though we meet with so many weaning strokes to divide our hearts from it. O it is good to live more at a loose from earth, that we maybe ready for the parting hour : LetIts not be angry withthe sovereign hand of God that breaks one bond after another ; though the strokes be painful, yet they loosenour spirits from this cottage of clay, they teach us to prac- tise a flight heaven-ward in holy meditations and devout breath- ings ;. and we learn to say, How long, OLord, how long? The Recollection." Have any of us lately felt such part- ing strokes as these ? Have we lost any of our belovedkindred ? Godcalls upon usnow, and enquires, " What have you learned of these divine lessons ?" I would ask myself this day, Have I seen the emptiness and the insufficiency of creatures, and recalled myhope andconfidence from every thingbeneath andbeside God Voi. r. R r
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