ghost, and where is he? We understand our lat- | cern. ter end to be The commencement of a future and eternal state of being. The dust shall return to the earth as it was; but the spirit shall return to God who gave it. After death cometh the judgment, which shall try every man's work; and the sentence of the Judge shall admit of no appeal, nor can the consequences which follow, whether happy or miserable, be ever altered, or reversed. They that are Christ's, made perfect in holiness, shall immediately enter on the full and everlasting enjoyment of God; whilst the enemies of his cross and his cause shall be cast into outer darkness, 'where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.' We understand death to be The universal destiny of man. The stroke of death cannot be resisted by force, nor evaded by artifice, nor set aside by the influence of rank or wealth. One event happeneth to the righteous and the wicked, to the king and his subjects, to the philosopher and the fool, to the man of wealth and the child of poverty, to the sinner of fourscore and the infant of yesterday. I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.' We understand that the event of death may come Soon and suddenly upon us. It cannot be far off, and it may be very near at hand. This night thy soul may be required of thee. How often are children carried off before their parents, the scholars before their teacher, the physician before his patients. Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.' We understand death to be The penalty of guilt. By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death hath passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.' In Adam all die, even those who never sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression. But as death is the wages of sin, so 'the gift of God is eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.' To understand death aright we must view it in connection with All who are truly wise will consider their latter end. Wisdom requires them to consider it with Serious attention, as a subject in which they are deeply interested, and with which they must very shortly be brought into personal connection. Fools may altogether exclude the thought of death; but instead of being resisted as a presumptuous intruder, it ought to be welcomed as a friendly monitor, and permitted habitually to influence our feelings and conduct. It is not more calculated to alarm the sinner and bring him to Christ, than it is necessary to humble the believer, and excite him to duty. They who are wise will consider their latter end— Practically, and in the way of diligent preparation, by cultivating a state of mind and character suitable for meeting death. This includes the exercise of a simple and steady reliance on the work of Christ; connected with the cultivation of exalted spirituality, unfeigned and universal repentance, enlarged and active benevolence. Our lamps must not merely have oil in them, they must be filled with it, and exhibit a bright and vigorous flame. Nothing but the privilege of union to Christ realized by faith, evinced in the purification of the heart, and in the victory which overcometh the world, can prepare us to meet death with safety, or warrant us to meet it with confidence and comfort. 'Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' They who are wise will consider their latter end— Without delay. The Bridegroom may tarry, but the delay cannot be long; and the suddenness of his coming may be such as to take even those who love and long for his appearance by surprise. Then 'whatsoever tlfy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.' TWENTIETH DAY.-MORNING. The remedy which has been provided for it in the sacrifice of Christ, who by dying took away sin, which is the sting of death, and destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage, Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour and who are enabled to say, 'Thanks be unto out my Spirit unto you, I will make known God, who giveth us the victory through Jesus my words unto you,' Prov. i. 23. Christ our Lord.' How awfully momentous is WISDOM has a word in season for persons of the event of death, when thus understood! How every variety of character and circumstances. For unaccountable, how fatal the infatuation which the ignorant, she has a word of instruction; for treats it as a matter of trifling or of distant con- the sorrowful, a word of consolation; for the secure, a word of alarm; for the fearful, a word of encouragement. She speaks here to sinners, to 'simple ones' who 'love simplicity,' to 'scorners' who 'delight in scorning,' to 'fools' who hate 'knowledge;' that is, to wilful, daring, and obstinate transgressors, and for them she has a word of 'reproof.' Her reproofs are conveyed through many different channels. One of these is Conscience is a reprover. The sinner may shut his eyes to the light of scripture, and his ears to the voice of the preacher; but where can he find a retreat from the lash of an awakened conscience? By nature conscience is defiled; and it may be blinded through ignorance, or misled by error, or seared as with a hot iron by sensual excess. But the force of natural conscience cannot be altogether subdued; and when its testimony is heard condemning the sinner, and setting before him the terrors of a coming retribution, as in the case of Belshazzar whose 'knees smote one against another' when he who 'trembled' when Paul ‘reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come;' what is this but a message of reproof from heaven? How precious are the reproofs administered by the counsels of— Christian friendship! 'Faithful are the wounds of a friend.' David held them in high estimation, 'Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.' Such reproofs ought to be received as tokens of affection, and listened to as the dictates of wisdom. The word of God. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for reproof. It points out the evil nature and ruinous consequences of sin, and declares the certainty of a coming judgment, by which 'the wrath of God shall be revealed from heaven against all unright-beheld the hand-writing on the wall; or of Felix eousness and ungodliness of men.' At the same time it deals with the peculiarities of individual character; it holds up to sinners of every description a mirror which reflects the image of their own depravity, and it comes home to the conscience of each in language which reproves alike the indifference of the careless, the duplicity of the hypocritical, the pride of the self-righteous, the impiety of the profane, and the excesses of the voluptuous. For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.' Ministers are reprovers. They are traitors to the cause of Christ who speak smooth things,' saying, 'Peace, peace, when there is no peace,' and seek to please rather than to profit and edify the people. Their commission runs in these terms, 'Cry aloud, spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.' John the Baptist did not flatter Herod the king, but reproved him as he deserved without fear or favour. Of Jesus it is said, that he taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes; and his Divine influence. This is graciously proservants are commanded to 'preach the word, be mised; for wisdom has said, 'I will pour out my instant in season and out of season, reprove, re- Spirit unto you.' Repentance is man's duty, but buke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.' God's work. We may change the conduct, but he Popular errors must not be countenanced, but renews the heart; we may avoid the act of sin, but corrected; prevailing sins must not be connived he destroys the love of it; we may go through at, but condemned; unwelcome truths must not be the forms of duty, but he implants the principle concealed, but declared; the vices both of indi- of obedience. To the commandment which says, viduals and communities must, without distinc-Turn ye at my reproof,' let us therefore reply, tion of rank, or sex, or age, or circumstances, beTurn thou me and I shall be turned, for thou fearlessly exposed; the people must be addressed art the Lord my God.' not in vague generalities, but in plain, pointed, and searching appeals to the conscience and the heart. He is a bad preacher who makes the hearers forget themselves in their admiration of him. Discourses which give greatest offence frequently do most good. The afflictive dispensations of providence speak the language of reproof. Manasseh had been one of the chief of sinners, but solitude and suffering brought him to repentance, and he found mercy. We are prone to complain of our trials, but if we viewed them in the proper light we should see cause to be thankful for them. We ought always to bear in mind that to improve them aright is to be reproved by them. The reproofs of wisdom all aim at one practical object, it is to awaken repentance.' But reproofs cannot produce this effect without the operation of— Reproofs must be understood in order to be effectual. Wisdom has provided and promised all needful instruction. She therefore adds, 'I will make known my words unto you.' The Spirit has given the word, but he must also give the capacity to discern its meaning. In his light 134 ghost, and where * ter end to be The commer state of being earth as it v God who judgment, v the sentenc nor can t happy or They thi shall im enjoym and hi 'wher of Christ's atonement to those whom Facher has given him. It will be sufficient answer every objection, and silence every murmr for the Judge to say, 'I have called, and ye sed. Few are chosen,' but 'many are called;' and it is not with the purpose of election, which has not been revealed, that sinners have to do, h with the call of mercy which addresses to them the free, unrestricted, unconditional offer of salvation. In refusing this call they act wilfully, deliberately, from enmity to God, and aversion to his service. This is the condemnation that light is come. into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds snow, were evil.' Thus they incur the guilt of disobey creatures, minuti avurezar and angeobation. of despising his mercy, of rejecting his counsel, o and will ritzmater vau ru al us inteligent ing the command of God, of denying his truth Ware art, miesi ***** II mary cases, to counting the blood of the covenant, wherewith know the reasons is emine nor do we in Christ was sanctified, an unholy thing, and doing My case possess de agar fi te compre- despite unto the Spirit of grace. Resting of hend them. But he has a fe every thing such grounds the punishment of the wicked sha that he does, which, when clenche revealed, shall be perfectlyat once demonstrate the messity of his pro Righteous. The justice of God demands it cedure, and car is perfect we, and holy, his mercy permits it; his truth and faithfulnes and gracious churuar “Ooods and darkness cannot be maintained without it. All the attr are round at him, yet righteousness and butes of his character will be infinitely honoure judgment are the sheation of his throne; mercy by it. The whole intelligent creation will a and truth shul ge hotre his face," prove of it. Sinners themselves will silent In the intulence extended to wicked men acquiesce in it. The man who had not on t there is an apacent deviation from those princi- wedding garment was speechless in presence pies of rectituir and impartiality which regulate the king, so shall be the finally impenitent und the divine government. Not only do they seem the sentence of the Judge. And their conden to enjor input in sin; they often attain to a nation as it is perfectly righteous so it is inevi Certain. Now they have an 'accepted tim of perplexity and discouragement to the people and a 'day of salvation. But the door, by whi hardened in wickedness But they abuse the Prayer will no longer avail. All the things th of God, while it renders sinners bolder and more they are now invited to enter, will then be sh divine federace and long-suffering, not know- belong to their peace will be hid from their ey ing that the goodness of God leadeth to repen- The God of mercy will then have forgotten to gainst the of wrath, and revelation of the vain must be the hope of the poor and distress tance: and then treasure up to themselves wrath gracious,' and will be favourable no more.' H rightwas andyments of God.' 'Because sentence when their prayer for relief is met not by the lo gent work is not executed speedily, and language of sympathy, but by laughter a shervore she heart of the sons of men is fully set mockery! How dreadful to hear the Father show de evil' But God will bring every mercies declare, I also will laugh at your work her sedgment, and will render unto every amity, I will mock when your fear come mar ading to his work; and he will be glori- And he is not a 'man that he should lie, or fod the destruction of his enemies than son of man that he should repent." in the scan of his redeemed people. He has How then shall we escape if we neglect so gr salvation? Who can resist the force of his grands of their condemnation. They mighty arm, or elude the inspection of his permitted to urge the plea of ignor- seeing eye? What is there to make up for the want of opportunity, nor even want of his friendship, or to protect us from y as their excuse; far less shall they effect of his anger? The punishment of the plead the decrees of God, or the ner will be unspeakably— Awful. To them on the left hand the Judge | only with profound respect, but with affectionate shall say, 'Depart from me, ye cursed, into ever- acquiescence; they must be submitted to not only lasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.' 'When, therefore, the great day of his wrath is come, who shall be able to stand? Who among us can dwell with devouring fire? who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?' But, blessed be God, there is still a way of escape. The time has not yet arrived of which it is said, 'Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer.' His patience continues to wait, and his Spirit to strive. He calls upon us to 'come, for all things are now ready. Turn ye, why will ye die, O house of Israel? Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." TWENTY-FIRST DAY.-MORNING. from a sense of duty, but in the spirit of love. To this effect it is enjoined, 'These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart.' The words which God has commanded us deserve a place in the heart. They are the words of infallible truth, and merit our fullest confidence; they are the words of eternal life, and claim our warmest attachment. More to be desired are they than gold; yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey, and the honey comb.' It is the heart that God looks to, and speaks to: and the services we perform in obedience to his word can be acceptable and honouring to him in so far only as they express the feelings of the heart. So long as it has not taken possession of the heart, the word of God can produce no sanctifying effect on the character; and is in reality rejected. The good seed must be sown not by the way side, nor on stony ground, nor among thorns, where it would be either entirely lost, or exert only a superficial and temporary influence; but on the soil of a good and honest heart, where it will take deep root, and bring forth fruit in some thirty, in some sixty, and in some a hundred fold. But as it is man's duty to receive the word into his heart, so it is God's work to put it there, and he has graciously promised to do his own work. 'Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah; but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after these days, saith the Lord. I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.' *These words which I command thee this day shall stance a Cordial reception from ourselves. It is not enough that we put them in our houses, so as to have constant access to them for reading and meditation; nor even that we have them in our memories so as to be able to repeat them with ease and accuracy from beginning to end. They must not only be known and remembered, but understood and approved; they must be regarded not Having taken possession of the heart, the words which God has commanded us will necessarily exert their proper influence in securing all those practical effects which are intended or required. The memory will carefully retain them, the mind will seriously reflect upon them, the mouth will loudly speak of them, and the life habitually correspond with them. In particular, the reception of them for ourselves will produce the desire, and One Communicate them to others. This we are directed to attempt in two different ways. is by teaching, or— Instruction. "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.' Children represent the youth of every family; and in this view the injunction is addressed to parents. To them has been committed the charge of teaching unto their children the words which God has commanded. S TWENTIETH DAY.-EVENING. only shall we see light. Let us unite dependence | limitation of Christ's atonement to those whom 'Because I have called, and ye refused, I also In the indulgence extended to wicked men there is an apparent deviation from those principles of rectitude and impartiality which regulate the divine government. Not only do they seem to enjoy impunity in sin; they often attain to a far higher degree of prosperity than falls to the lot of others. This has in all ages been a source of perplexity and discouragement to the people of God, whilst it renders sinners bolder and more hardened in wickedness. But they abuse the divine forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth to repentance; and they treasure up to themselves 'wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgments of God.' 'Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.' But God will bring every work into judgment, and will render unto every man according to his work; and he will be glorified no less in the destruction of his enemies than in the salvation of his redeemed people. He has distinctly stated— The grounds of their condemnation. They shall not be permitted to urge the plea of ignorance, nor the want of opportunity, nor even moral inability as their excuse; far less shall they be allowed to plead the decrees of God, or the Righteous. The justice of God demands it his mercy permits it; his truth and faithfulnes cannot be maintained without it. All the attri butes of his character will be infinitely honoure by it. The whole intelligent creation will ap prove of it. Sinners themselves will silentl acquiesce in it. The man who had not on th wedding garment was speechless in presence the king, so shall be the finally impenitent und the sentence of the Judge. And their conden nation as it is perfectly righteous so it is inevi ably Certain. Now they have an accepted tim and a 'day of salvation.' But the door, by whi they are now invited to enter, will then be sh Prayer will no longer avail. All the things th belong to their peace will be hid from their ey The God of mercy will then have 'forgotten to gracious,' and will 'be favourable no more.' H vain must be the hope of the poor and distress when their prayer for relief is met not by the lo and language of sympathy, but by laughter a mockery! How dreadful to hear the Father mercies declare, 'I also will laugh at your c amity, I will mock when your fear comet And he is not a 'man that he should lie, or t son of man that he should repent.' How then shall we escape if we neglect so gr salvation? Who can resist the force of his mighty arm, or elude the inspection of his seeing eye? What is there to make up for want of his friendship, or to protect us from effect of his anger? The punishment of the s ner will be unspeakably |