To those who have this proof of being in Christ, that they love God, and keep his commandments, it should be the highest joy and consolation to reflect, that however they may have reason to deplore their own frailty and imperfections, they are complete in him. As ye have, therefore, received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught; abounding therein with thanksgiving. Let us then walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

SERMON XL

The Necessity of timely Preparation for Death.

ST. JOHN ix. 4.

The night cometh, when no man can work.

THIS is a suitable admonition to all those who are full of occupation as respects the things of the present world, but are postponing to a future time the preparation which is to fit them to die. If the life to come were, like this, frail and transitory, if its object were to procure treasures that shall corrupt, honours that shall perish, or the means of pleasure which must be short-lived and unsatisfying, it would be of little consequence though the night should come, before we had completed our work, nor fully executed our plans. Indeed, in the pursuits of this world, such is generally the experience of men. The night does actually overtake them, while yet their schemes and purposes are unfulfilled; while the means in which they are seeking for happiness are unattained; while all their diligence is yet required

to ensure success; or at best, when they are just preparing to taste the fruits, and enjoy the rewards, of their labour.

Thus the lives of men are wasted without securing even the worldly objects for which they have toiled; for in the midst of plans, and projects, and anticipated pleasures, the night cometh; their work is abandoned; they are removed from the scene of their occupations and enjoyments; and leave others to take up the same pursuits in which they also are to be foiled and disappointed.

Earthly pursuits, however, and earthly advantages, are of inferior import; and whether the end of these be success or disappointment, is of momentary account. But, my brethren, when we look at the great work which men have to do in reference to a future life; when we regard the dread importance of the things unseen on which we are soon to enter; especially when we reflect that those things are eternal, that when this transient life is sped, there is no change of that destiny which, whatever it may be, shall then be awarded to us all; it is surely enough to fill every bosom with solicitude, inquiry, and alarm. And when we think of the shortness and uncertainty of life; that we know not what a day may bring forth; that a breath separates us from the world of spirits, to which every instant one and another is departing; and that we know not how soon our change may come; they who have all their

preparation yet to make, should listen with fear to the caution, The night cometh, the night in which no man can work.

My brethren, what have we done, what are we doing, in relation to our eternal interest? Have we made our peace with God? Are we prepared to meet him at his summons? Are we giving all diligence to make our calling and election sure? Are we at all engaged in working out our own salvation? And are we doing it with that fear and trembling which befit those who know not at what hour their Lord doth come? If this be our case, then "blessed are those servants whom their lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, "and make them to sit down to meat, and will "come forth and serve them. And if he shall "come in the second watch, or come in the third "watch, and find them so, blessed are those ser"vants." But if this is not our case; if the days of youth, in which we are enjoined to remember our Creator are gliding away unimproved, or worse than wasted; if the strength and vigour of manhood have arrived, and yet we have not begun to prepare; if the declining weakness of age has made our limbs to totter, and our hearts to faint; and even yet the work is delayed; what voice of supplication can be too earnest, what entreaty too importunate, what admonition too serious, in order to awaken us to our danger, to arouse us to

our duty? Alienated from God by nature, and enemies in mind by wicked works, we are justly exposed to condemnation; nay, we are condemned already; the wrath of God abideth upon us. This is the scriptural representation of our state; for the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, and our Saviour has declared, "Except a man be "born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." We are therefore called upon to repent, to be converted, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, to become new creatures. To this end, not only is the Holy Spirit vouchsafed; not only has that grace which bringeth salvation appeared unto all men, teaching them that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, they should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present life; but this probationary life is extended; the entreaties and expostulations of Scripture, and of the ministry from without, and conscience within, unite in urging the continual exhortation to work while it is called to-day; now to be reconciled to God. And that we may be induced to embrace his salvation by faith, that our dispositions, desires, and tempers, may become holy, our evil habits abandoned, and our life reformed; we are alternately awed by the threatenings, and allured by the promises, of the Gospel.

If then we are omitting this reasonable service, if we are neglecting the great salvation, if we are living without reference to God, and without re