that blessed circle must they be, or all is lost.h

I had a painful scene to witness one day, owing to the extreme ignorance of this matter, and the fatal mistakes which were the consequence. An aged man was dying and sent for me. His daughter told me before I entered the chamber, that it was delightful to be with him, he was so calm and contented; for, said she, he can look back upon a wellspent life. "Spent, where?" I asked. But she did not understand my question. When I took my seat by his side, the

h If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom. viii. 9.

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Rom. x. 3.

There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. Prov. xxx. 12.

This present evil world. Gal. i. 4.

old man smiled, and said--" Thank you, sir, for coming to see me; I am glad to tell that death has no terror for me; you

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I am thankful to say that I am prepared." Prepared?" I exclaimed, looking upon his dirty dress.m

I found on enquiry, that this poor creature had walked twice round the

kingdom, outside the walls." He was convinced that by so doing, he had performed all that was required, and that when he died he should be carried through the gate, and buried inside."

I lost no time in endeavouring to shew

m He saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. Matt. xxii. 11.

n My people have committed two evils. They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jer. ii. 13.

• When a wicked man dieth, bis expectation shall perish and the hope of unjust men perisheth. Prov.

xi 7.

:

him his error, and convinced him, that if not within the kingdom before he died,P he could not be admitted afterwards, but must for ever remain without. He became greatly agitated, and asked to be carried through the gate immediately, but his medical attendants interfered. They said that he could not be removed without certain death, and that no one must speak to him of such matters.' Poor aged sinner! He groaned and died! He had put off the moment for gaining admittance too long, and he was lost for ever.s

In the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. Eccles. xi. 3.

q Salvation is far from the wicked. Ps. cxix. 155.

r Afterwards when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Heb. xii. 17.

* Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. Is. xxviii. 17.

When I called the next day, I found all his family consoling themselves with promises and assurances from the guide book, not one of which was addressed to them.t

I had great difficulty in arguing with a person who pleased himself with the conviction that he had often been very near" the gate. He confessed that he had gone back sadly, and had lived far * but that he was at one time very away, close. "And after all," said I, "however close, you were on the wrong side." Cannot you see, that whether near or far off, if you are not within, you are

t Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Luke viii. 18.

u

My son, give me thine heart. Prov. xxiii. 26.

For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world.

1 John v. 4.

He that hath the Son, hath life-and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life.

1 John v. 12.

without?" z But he would not acknowledge this. He thought it something that he came near. Alas! to remain always near, and only near, is to perish everlastingly."

Besides those watchmen appointed by the Prince, there were others who did not belong to the kingdom, but got on the walls by means of a ladder, and sat there to teach. Many of them were very desirous to be of use, but as they had not been through the gate, of course

z He that is not with me is against me. Matt. xii. 30.

a How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation ? Heb. ii. 3.

b He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John x. 1. 10. 27.