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Should it be said, such instances as these are extraordinary. Be it so. Yet there are cases daily occurring, in which we may see the obvious benefit of sanctified affliction. Mr. Baxter wrote that useful book, the Saint's Rest, when he was far from home, without any other book to consult but his Bible, and in such a bad state of health, as to be in continual expectation of death for many months; and therefore he fixed his thoughts on heavenly rest, which he declared had benefited him more than all the other studies of his life.

Have you, reader, found even in affliction the sweetness and sufficiency of the Saviour's grace? Then bless God for his chastening hand in all your trials. Seek especially the light of the Redeemer's countenance, and let past experience encourage you in all future troubles.

3. In the hour of death, Christ is often peculiarly precious to the believer

There is something unspeakably awful in the last hours of irreligious characters. "The wicked

is driven away in his wickedness." How dark are the prospects, how uncomfortable the feelings of the expiring infidel! How dreadful is the summons of death to the sordid worldling! Torn from his hold of all earthly things, he is forced, unprepared, to appear at the bar of an

offended God. How bitter are the last moments, how painful the last struggles of the dying profligate! A dreadful sound in his ears, a gloomy cloud before his eyes, and a heavy burthen lies on his conscience! The feeble glimmer of false hope is extinguished, and leaves him in the darkness of despair. Now contemplate the last moments of the Christian. "The river flows with

the smoothest stream when it descends toward the ocean, and the sun sheds the most mild, reviving lustre in its setting." Such is the happy close of the Christian's course.

"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." But whence spring the peace, the comfort, the joy, and triumph of the Christian in his dying hours? By what wonder-working power is he sustained, when feeble nature sinks under the stroke? What secret, mysterious charm transforms the king of terrors into a messenger of joy? It is faith in the Son of God. Now Christ is indeed precious. Now the believer finds it sweet to think of what Christ has done for him, and what he will be to him for ever.

He thinks of what Christ hath done for him. "I am going," says he, "the way of all flesh." "Worms must destroy this body, but I know that my Redeemer liveth." "He took not on him the

nature of angels; but, O! astonishing condescension, he took on him the seed of Abraham." "He gave himself for me, to redeem me from all iniquity. For me he conquered the powers of death and hell. For me he hath prepared a mansion of bliss, and a crown of glory, which fadeth not away. Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation!"

At this period he thinks with delight of what Christ hath wrought in him.

The image of God was blotted and defaced by the entrance of sin, and it must be restored before the soul can be fit for heaven. Hence it is said," without holiness no man can see the Lord." A kingdom of unspeakable happiness is promised, but we must be made meet to be partakers of that bright inheritance." 6. When the earthly house of this tabernacle shall be dissolved, we have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens;" but we also must be previously fitted for it. Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who also hath given us the earnest of the Spirit." O! says the dying saint, what a mercy that I should be arrested in my mad career by the arm of an Almighty Redeemer, and brought to a knowledge of his salvation! What a privilege is the gift of

the Holy Spirit, by which my polluted heart is renewed! To my unworthy soul he hath granted the heavenly manna, the bread of life, in this wilderness. To me he hath given a new name, as a preparative for the New Jerusalem. How then can I fear in the moment of dissolution? No: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better than the highest and happiest place on earth.

In the hour of death the Christian can think with delight on what Christ will be to him for

ever.

The men of the world have their portion in this life, and a poor, despicable portion it is. Very different is the lot of the saint. He can look higher than all created good, and say, "My heart and flesh fail, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. My life is hid with Christ in God; and when he who is my life shall appear, then shall I appear with him in glory." Adieu, ye toys and trifles of time! How dim and vanishing the scenes! How tasteless and unsatisfying the delights of this lower world! "I long to be absent from the body, and for ever present with the Lord!" Such is the calm, the pleasing, and triumphant end of the Christian.

It would be easy to introduce many examples, but I shall here mention only a few. William, Lord Russel, who was cruelly beheaded under false pretences, declared, just before his execu❤ tion," Neither my imprisonment, nor the fear of death, have been able to discompose me in any degree. On the contrary, I have found the assurance of the love and mercy of God in and through the blessed Redeemer, in whom alone I trust. And I do not question but I am going to partake of that fulness of joy which is in his presence; the hopes of which do most wonderfully delight me, that I think this is the happiest time of my life, though others may look upon it as the saddest."

Dr. John Owen, in a letter which he wrote to a particular friend but two days before his death, expresses himself in these words: "I am going to him whom my soul has loved, or rather, who has loved me with an everlasting love, which is the whole ground of all my consolation. The passage is very irksome and wearisome, through strong pains of various sorts, which have all issued in an intermitting fever. I am leaving the ship of the church in a storm; but whilst the great Pilot is in it, the loss of a poor under-rower will be inconsiderable. Live and pray, and hope, and

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