swer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for they that hated knowledge, and did not chuse the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof; therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. Prov. i. 24, &c. The end of the long-suffering and forbearance of God is to lead men to repentance : Rom. ii. 4. but if, instead of producing that blessed effect, it only hardens them in their sins, and makes them resolve to go on in their wicked courses, vainly presuming they will repent, when they come to die; how just it may be in God to leave them at their last hour under all the terrors and agonies of a fearful death! to laugh at their calamity, and to mock when their fear cometh !

O consider this, all ye that forget God, lest he pluck you away, and there be none to deliver you. Consider it in due time, before it be too late, before the dreadful hour comes upon you; when all opportunities of reconciling yourselves to your offended God, shall be taken from you, and the door of

hope shall be for ever shut. Silence the clamour of your passions, and listen to the threatenings of God's holy word, the admonitions of his blessed Spirit, and the checks of your own consciences. Be persuaded to set about the great work of your salvation today, while it is called to day, before the night cometh when no man can work. Remember, that though you are now, perhaps, in health and strength; in the prime and vigour of your years; surrounded with the pleasures of a great and splendid fortune; yet the time is coming, and (whether you think of it or not) is speedily approaching, when you must take your leave of all that is desirable upon earth.. Nothing will then stand you in any stead but a good conscience; neither honours, nor riches, nor any thing else that men are now so fond of, will then be able to give you one moment's ease, or afford you one comfortable thought. Nothing will then avail but the consciousness of having in some measure answered the end for which God sent you into the world; by having lived in

the fear and love of God, and in simplicity and godly sincerity having had your conversation in this world.

It was this that made St. Paul desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ : for, he had fought a good fight, and kept the faith. And therefore he could say with great assurance, when the time of his departure was at hand, that there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, should give him at that day. 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. And it was this that made a late pious divine* of our church, when he was near his death, utter these remarkable expressions: I am entering upon my last labour; the Lord gave, ' and is now taking away, blessed be the name of the Lord! for, I thank my God, I am going without any distrust, 'without the least misgiving, to a place ' of rest, and joy, and everlasting bliss. There is no life like a happy death. 'I have endeavoured, even from my "youth to approve myself a faithful 'servant to my great Master. I have

*Kettlewell. See the Preface to his Five Discourses published since his Death.

'taken some pains in writing several 'books; I have seriously considered them and am fully satisfied (looking on those about him), that you may * find in them the way to heaven. The Christian duties contained therein have been my practice as well as study and now I find the advantage of it. And therefore be careful to 'read them often and seriously; and live suitably thereunto, that, when you come to the condition I am now in, you may die with comfort, as you 6 see me do. I have some little pain indeed; but my pain is nothing so extraordinary as my hopes; for, I have earnestly repented of all my sins, and verily believe, that, through the tender ' mercies of my God, and the merits of my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, I shall be carried up into Abraham's bosom.' After which, it is said, he made this short prayer. 'I wait, O God, for that everlasting rest, which 'I want at present, but shall not long. I am ready, when thou my God callest for me; yet can stay with pa'tience till thou pleasest: for thy time

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is the best time, and thy pleasure the 'best pleasure.'

See here the end of a good man! how calm, how serene and comfortable is his death! Is there any thing like this, in the case of a wicked man, in the hour of his dissolution? alas! no. If you behold such a person in his last extremity (unless he die hardened and impenitent,) you will hear little else but bitter reflections, sad bewailings, wretched upbraidings of himself, for the folly and madness of his past life, together with despairing sighs and groans, black and dreadful to himself, and very terrible to all about him. May God of his infinite mercy keep every one of us from such a dreadful hour! and teach us all so to number our days, as to apply our hearts unto wisdom; unto that true wisdom, which will make us wise unto salvation; fill our minds with comfort and satisfaction, while we live; and, what is of infinitely more value, give us, when we come to die, that peace of God which passeth all understanding, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.