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pentance one moment, but immediately forsake their evil ways, and turn unto the Lord their God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; Joel ii. 13. and who bas assured us, by his prophet, that when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezekiel xviii. 27.

As for those unhappy Christians who have entered upon a good life, and are engaged in the practice of virtue and religion; who make the glory of God, and the salvation of their own souls, and the souls of all others, their great care and concern: I need only to exhort them to go on in their Christian course with courage and resolution; to hold fast their profession, Heb. iv. 14. and with an unwearied diligence to press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus; Phil. iii. 14. nothing doubting but that he that hath begun a good work in them, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. i. 6. God

is faithful, that has promised: and therefore they may rest assured, that he will remember and reward their work of faith, and labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ; 1 Thess, i. 3. and that in due season they shall reap if they faint not, Gal. vi. 9. Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come; Heb. x. 37. and his reward is with him, to give to every man according as his work shall be: Rev. xxii. 12. to him that overcometh, he will grant to sit with him in his throne; even as he also overcame, and is set down with his Father in his throne. Rev. iii. 21.

O happy happy time, for those blessed souls who have fought the good fight, and kept the faith! all their labours will then be at an end: that crown of Life, Rev. ii. 10. which God hath promised to his faithful servants, will then be bestowed upon them; and they shall be admitted to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not

away. 1 Pet. i. 4. They shall then be received into a place of endless bliss and joy, where there shall be no more

death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain; but all tears shall be wiped from their eyes: Rev. xxi. 4. and they shall for ever enjoy the most perfect and consummate happiness, and sing eternal Hallelujahs of praise and thanksgiving unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ecer and ever. Amen.

THE CONCLUSION.

Ir a good life be attended with so many advantages as, I hope, I have shewn it is; if it will make us live happily,die comfortably, and at last entitle us, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, to an eternal inheritance in that kingdom which he has purchased for us with his most precious blood; if on the other hand, guilt be its own punishment in this world, and everlasting misery will most certainly be the lot and por tion of the wicked and impenitent in the next; what manner of persons ought we

to be in all our conversation and godliness! and how steadfast and immoveable should these reflections make us in the ways of God's laws, and in the works of his commandments! with what indignation and abhorrence should we look upon sin; and with what speed should we flee from that dreadful enemy of our souls, which would rob us of our present as well as future happiness! how should the consideration of these things make us take heed lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God! Heb. iii. 12. and how steadfastly should we resolve to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but to walk as children of light in the ways of true piety and holiness; not delaying for one moment the care of our immortal souls! for the day is far spent, the night is at hand, and there is no time to be lost. We have a great work to do a work that requires and deserves our utmost care and diligence. If we perform it well, great will be our reward in heaven: for, faithful is He that has promised. We may be as

sured, that if we are diligent and industrious in this work which God hath assigned to us in this world, our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord: for, if we have our fruit unto holiness, our end will be everlasting life. But if, instead of working out our salvation with fear and trembling, Philip ii. 12. that is, with the greatest care and circumspection, we are negligent and remiss in the service of our great Lord and master Jesus Christ; if, instead of living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, we lead vicious and wicked lives, and spend our days in sin and vanity; miserable will be our condition both here and hereafter. For, although God is a being of infinite goodness and mercy, and is patient and long suffering toward sinners; being unwilling that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance; yet we must remember, that he is also infinitely just, and will assuredly vindicate the honour of his laws. sin and wickedness is an abomination in his sight he is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; and if his wrath be

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