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the Lord.

Who can make an estimate of the value of good old Jacob's last testimony to his children while laying upon his dying bed? What an encouragement was it to Timothy, and to thousands since, to receive from Paul, just before his death, this composed and cheering assurance, I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy iv. 6-8. The last words of good and pious men are generally more observed, impressive, and longer retained in memory, than the sentiments and advices we received from them when in health and strength. We receive them from their dying lips, as without disguise, under the influence of the God of truth, and as bearing the impressive seal of the Spirit of grace. Whether in the triumphs of faith, or in the language of humble confidence, the dying saint honours his God for the gift of the Saviour, the riches of his distinguishing grace, the stability of his everlasting covenant, the faithfulness of his promises, the perpetuity of his love, the preciousness of Jesus, and the sure and certain hope of immortality and glory. These, with many other great realities, impress the soul, and form the charming subjects for his dying testimony, and his warmest praise. Besides, every dying Christian has something more or less to communicate in relation to

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himself. The history of his life, the manner of his conversion, the bearing of his profession, the scenes of affliction which he has passed, the patience, forbearance, and faithfulness of his God, and likewise the sins, evils, and infirmities, which have attended him; so that he acknowledges the whole of his salvation to be of the rich, free, and distinguishing grace of God in Christ Jesus the Lord. To these may be added, the present state of his mind, the comforts he enjoys, or the temptations he endures; his advices to his family, and his prospects of eternity; by all these he honours his God, stamps a dignity upon his own character, while his dying testimony forms a more valuable legacy to his survivors than gold and silver! Let the reader duly weigh this answer to our general question, and he will not fail to adore the wisdom and the will of his God, in constituting death as the ordinary passage of his redeemed to eternal life. In this way what honour redounds to his name, how illustrious his grace, what a conviction of religion, how valuable the benefits to survivors, and how sweet heaven will be to the fleeting spirit! The whole of these would have been lost to us if God had opened any other way to pass into eternity.

14. The last reason which I shall assign for the death of the saints is, that the Almighty might produce the great and grand scene of the resurrection; for this you know pre-supposes the death of the body. This glorious event forms one great link in the chain of his eternal purposes, connected with

the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and is indispensably necessary, that the redeemed in body and soul might inherit everlasting felicity. No wonder, therefore, that the sum and substance of the apostle's preaching was, Jesus and the resurrection; that we find it connected with the sublime truths of the Gospel, and that it is strongly combined with the hope of the righteous, for if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians xv. 19. A Christian, in the strength of his days, may attain some good information, and be able to state and defend this important subject, but the possession of its real sweetness and consolations are reserved till death appears in sight. Then its necessity, cause, manner, order, glory, triumphs, with the numberless appendages to the glorious scene, as described in the word of God, become a subject of the deepest interest, and afford exquisite delight! Our divine Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE, and for whom we look from heaven, shall then change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians iii. 20, 21. And if we can thus rejoice while on this side the grave, what must be the actual scene when millions and millions of the redeemed, by the sound of God's trump, in the twinkling of an eye, shall start from the bed of death, claim their kindred spirits, and mount on high, to be for ever with the Lord! This is so delightful a part of the subject, that I could

dwell upon it longer, would the limits of my paper permit; but this is sufficient to confirm and to close my other reasons, in order to justify the way of God to man, in leading him throughout death to glory.

Cast then your gloomy fear of death aside,
Ye who the Saviour's holy image bear,
And for salvation trust in him alone,
And join the song of these triumphant saints,
He who has conquer'd your first enemy,
And of all enemies the very worst,
Will also, in due time, destroy the last,

WINTER,

An Emblem of Old Age.

Hail! aged pilgrim, whither goest thou?
The wint'ry storm beats hard upon thy brow.
Fear not, if Canaan be thy destin'd home,
Thy Saviour will not let thee go alone.
When flesh shall fail, thy body drop in death,
Thy soul shall then be number'd with the just.

How admirably designed are the four seasons of the year to describe the equal stages of human life! The beauties and vivacity of spring remind us of the charming days of youth, when all was gay, and animated beyond description. Summer is occupied as the laborious time for cultivation, in hope of a golden harvest. In autumn, while we attempt to gather our fruit, we ourselves begin to fade, as the leaf changes and trembles on the twig; and this is succeeded by the last stage, the winter of old age. The Christian knows how to apply these several seasons to himself, in the various stages of his spiritual life; in each of which he will devoutly confess, that the grace of our Lord Jesus has been abundantly verified. We shall therefore now make an attempt

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