Almighty, "Thou shalt furely die." Well then, fince Sentence is passed; fince I am a condemned Man; and know not when the Dead Warrant may arrive; let me die to Sin, and die to the World, before, I die beneath the Stroke of a Righteous God. Let me employ the little uncertain Interval of Refpite from Execution, in preparing for a happier State, and a better Life; that when the fatal Moment comes, and I am commanded to shut my Eyes upon all Things here below, I may open them again to see my Saviour in the Manfions above.

SINCE this Body, which is fo fearfully and wonderfully made, muft fall to Pieces in the Grave; fince I muft foon refign all my bodily Powers to Darkness, Inactivity, and Corruption; Oh! let it be my conftant Care to use them well, while I poffefs them! Let my Hands be ftretched forth to relieve the Needy, and always be "more "ready to give, than to receive.

Let my
Knees bend, in deepest Humiliation,
before the Throne of Grace; while the Eyes
are caft down to the Earth, in penitential
Confufion; or devoutly looking up to Hea-
ven, for pardoning Mercy! -
In every

friendly

friendly Interview, let the "Law of Kindnefs dwell on my Lips;" or rather, if the Seriousness of my Acquaintance permits, let the Gospel of Peace flow from my Tongue: Oh! that I might be enabled in every pu blic Concourse, to lift up my Voice like a Trumpet, and pour abroad a more joyful Sound, than its moft melodious Accents, in proclaiming the glad Tidings of free Salvation. Be fhut, my Ears, refolutely! fhut, against the malevolent Whispers of Slander, and the contagious Breath of filthy Talking: But be fwift to hear the Inftructions of Wisdom; be all Attention, when your REDEEMER fpeaks; imbibe the precious Truths, and convey them carefully to the Heart. Carry me, my Feet, to the Temple of the LORD; to the Beds of the Sick; and Houfes of the Poor, - May all my Members, devoted intirely to my Divine Mafter, be the willing Inftruments of promoting his Glory.

Then, ye Embalmers, you may fpare your Pains: Thefe Works of Faith, and Labours of Love, thefe fhall be my Spices and Perfumes. Enwrapped in thefe, I would lay me gently down, and fleep fweetly in the blessed JESUS;

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JESUS; hoping, that God will "give. "Commandment concerning my Bones;" and one Day fetch them up from the Duft, as Silver from the Furnace, purified, "I fay, not seven times, but feventy times "feven."

'

HERE my Contemplation took Wing; and, in an Instant, alighted in the Garden, adjoining to Mount Calvary. Having viewed the Abode of my deceased Fellow-Creatures; methought, I longed to fee the Place where our LORD lay. And, Oh! what a marvellous Spectacle was once exhibited in this memorable Sepulchre! He, "who "cloathes Himself with Light, as with a Garment, and walks upon the Wings of the "Wind," was pleased to wear the Habiliments, of Mortality, and dwelt among the proftrate Dead.- Who can repeat the wonderous Truth too often? Who can dwell upon the tranfporting Theme too long? He, who fits inthroned in Glory, and diffuses Blifs among all the Heavenly Hosts, was

cr

Darkness his Curtain, and his Bed the Duft,
Though Sun and Stars are Duft beneath his Throne.

COMPL.

once

once a pale and bloody Corpfe, and preffed this little Spot.

O DEATH! how great was thy Triumph in that Hour! Never did thy gloomy Realms contain fuch a Prifoner before. Prisoner, did I fay No; He was more than Con queror. He arofe, far more mightily than Samp fon, from a tranfient Slumber; broke down the Gates, and demolished the strong Holds, of those dark Dominions. And

This, O Mortals, This, is your only Confolation and Security. JESUS has trod the dreadful Path, and fmoothed it for your Paffage. JESUS, fleeping in the Chambers of the Tomb, has brightened the dif mal Manfion, and left an inviting Odour in thofe Beds of Duft. The dying JESUS (Ne ver let the comfortable Truth depart from your Minds! The dying JESUS) is your fure Protection, your unquestionable Pafport through the Territories of the Grave. Believe in Him, and they fhall prove a High

way to Sion," fhall tranfmit you fafe to Paradife. Believe in Him, and you fhall be no Lofers, but unspeakable Gainers, by your Diffolution. For hear what the Oracle of Heaven fays upon this important Point: Whofo

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Whofo believeth in Me, shall never die.

What fublime and emphatical Language is This! Thus much, at least, it must import: The Nature of that laft Change fhall be furprifingly altered for the better. It fhall no longer be inflicted as a Punishment, but rather vouchfafed as a Blefling: To fuch Perfons it shall come attended with fuch a Train of Benefits, as will render it a kind of hap py Impropriety, to call it Dying. Dying! No, 'tis Then they truly begin to live: Their Exit is the End of their Frailty, and their Entrance upon Perfection: Their last Groan is the Prelude to Life and Immortality.

OYE timorous Souls, that are terrified at the Paffing-Bell; that turn pale at the Sight of an opened Grave, and can scarce behold a Coffin, or a Skull, without a fhuddering Horror; Ye that are in Bondage to the grifly Tyrant, and tremble at the fhaking of his Iron Rod cry mightily, to the Father of your Spirits, for Faith in his dear Son. Faith will free you from your Slavery*. Faith

Death's Terror is the Mountain Faith removes;
'Tis Faith difarms Deftruction.
Believe, and look with Triumph on the Tomb.

Thefe,