uries and vanities of this world; but confiders himself only as a fteward entrusted with it by his LORD and MASTER, for the good of his brethren, to be employed in the relief of thofe poor famifhed fouls, for whom as well as for him his Compaffionate SAVIOUR died. Is adversity his portion? he submits to it with patience and refignation: nay, he deems it a bleffing, and kiffes the rod wherewith he is chaftifed. His Faith and Love are always at hand, and administer to him an unfailing confolation and support. His peace of mind remains inviolate } fince he is taught by the Spirit of Truth, that abideth in his breaft, to receive every difpenfation of his Heavenly Father with fubmiffion, yea, with thankf giving.

Laftly. To finish the character of "the perfect, upright man," let us atP 4 tend

tend to the firmness, peace, and ferenity of foul, with which he meets the approaches of death.

Come, then, my Fellow-Chriftians, accompany me for once to a fcene, which I could with was more frequently the object of your attention and ferious reflection-accompany me to the Deathbed of the RIGHTEOUS! Nor be alarmed at the invitation, or imagine that I intend to deprefs your fpirits, and make you melancholy. It is his laft conflict with reluctant nature, and the Powers of darknefs-but the HERO is victorious and triumphant.

To him, who has obtained an intereft by Faith in the All-atoning Blood of a REDEEMER; who hath experienced the Birth of the SON OF GOD in his foul; whofe heart and affections are fanctified by the Indwelling of the SPIRIT OF LOVE; who, by the powerful aid of the Same Spirit, hath been

enabled

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enabled to triumph over the world, the flesh, and the devil; whofe "conver"fation is in Heaven," and whofe hopes are fixed in a better country beyond the grave to fuch an one, death is fo far from being a rude, unwelcome, gueft, that he is embraced with all the eagerness and fatisfaction with which we receive a long-expected friend. Ghaftly and terrific as he is, the reflection, that he is come to rescue him from this scene of temptation, and transport him to the bofom of his FATHER and his GOD, ftrips the monfter of his native horrors, and irradicates the gloom in which he makes his appearance.

Stretched upon a bed of fickness, languishing beneath the fucceffive fhocks of fome inveterate difeafe; furrounded, perhaps, by an afflicted wife, with her lovely train of weeping innocents-behold! the good, perfect, upright man

lies calm, peaceful, and unruffled, amid fo many rude affaults. His Faith hath fixed him to the ROCK OF AGES; and the ftorms of adverfity can never beat him off

"I know that my REDEEMER liv"eth," fays the expiring Hero. I know, that he that fpeaketh in righteouf"nefs, is mighty to fave." Though "I walk through the valley of the "fhadow of death, I will fear no evil." Though the region I am about to travel through, is dreary, covered with midnight darkness, and invested with foul fiends and legions of devils-yet I know, that the Rays of the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS will enlighten my path. I have his buckler to repel the fury of the darts of my adverfaries; I have his "rod and staff" to comfort and support me. The struggle betwixt life and death, is a painful one, it is true -but it is a very fhort one.

Shall I

my

shrink at the agony of a moment; when that agony is to open the glories of Paradise upon my foul?-Shall I recoil from the embraces of death, when I know that he is my friend and deliverer, who alone can unfetter my foul, and release me from this prifon of clay ?-Weep not, then, thou dear afflicted partner of my heart! weep not, ye fweet innocent pledges of our chaste affection!—I have learned not to weep even for you-Surely, ye would not keep me back from REDEEMER, when his Arms are ftretched forth to receive me!-It is he alone that gives me confidence in this hour of danger; and the fame that I feel for myself, he teaches me likewife to feel for you-He will be an Husband to my difconfolate widow; -he will be a Father to my orphan babes! I have not a wish to continue one moment longer here" my defire is "to depart, and to be with CHRIST." An holy impatience hath taken poffef

fion

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