they list; be supremely devoted, and slavishly conformed to the world; and yet be made happy at last-that men may die the death, though they live not the life of the righteous. Can any thing be better suited to the feelings of the carnal heart? Can a more effectual opiate be administered to the conscience of the impenitent and unrenewed ?*

Who then may be said on scriptural ground, to "die in the Lord?" The phrase in the Lord, or in Christ, for they are synonimous, so frequently occurs in the Scriptures, that no one at all conversant with the sacred volume can be at a loss respecting its meaning. "This is his commandment," says John, "that we should

"If we are ready to conclude that they are now in a state of glory whose principles we believed to be incorrect, whose practice, to say the least of it, we know to be negligent, who, without our indulging a censorious or a presumptuous spirit, we thought lived in a state of mind, and a course of habits, not only far from right, but even avowedly inferior to our own; will not this lead to the conclusion, either that we ourselves, standing on so much higher ground, are in a very advanced state of grace, or that a much lower than ours may be a state of safety? And will not such a belief tend to slacken our endeavours, and to lower our tone, both of faith and practice?

"By this conclusion we contradict the affecting assertion of a very sublime poet,

"For us they languish, and for us they die.

"For while we are thus taking and giving false comfort, our friend as to us will have died in vain. Instead of his deatly having operated as a warning voice, to rouse us to a more animated piety, it will be rather likely to lull us into a dangerous security. If our affection has so blinded our judgment. we shall by the indulgence of a false candour to another, sink into a false peace ourselves.”—Practical Piety.

believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandment abideth in him." Again, "He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandment, is a liar : but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” "If any man be in Christ," says Paul, he is a new creature, old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." "What things were gain to me," says the same apostle, "those I counted loss for Christ; yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness which is of the law; but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

From these passages among many others, it appears, that to be in Christ, or in the Lord, is to be the subject of a thorough and radical change; a change so great and universal, as to be fitly denominated a new creation-is to exer

cise a faith which leads to, or consists in an utter renunciation of all self-dependance, and a humble, joyful reliance upon the merits of Christ for salvation-is to yield a sincere, habitual, persevering obedience to all the requirements of the Gospel-is, in a word, to be a vital and practical Christian.

That some are brought in the season of sickness, and even on the borders of the grave, to sustain essentially this character-to exèrcise the faith and the love which, should opportunity be given, would evince their existence in the heart, by the fruits of holiness in the life, cannot be denied, without presumptuously limiting the Holy One of Israel, who "hath the times and the seasons in his own power." In such instances of late conversion, however, it may be reasonably expected, that there will be deep conviction, and strong detestation of sin-admiring, adoring apprehensions of the Divine forbearance and mercygreat desire to live, that God may be glorified, time redeemed, and the influence of a sinful example upon the minds and morals of others in some measure

counteracted-tender, faithful warning to surrounding friends; and an earnest recommendation of Christ to their immediate acceptance, supreme affection, and unqualified obedience. When nothing, or but little of this kind appears in what is usually called a death-bed conversion, there is great reason to suspect its reality; however strong the hope, or rapturous the joy of the departing soul. But even the most promising appearances, much as they may encourage and comfort the hearts of surviving friends, cannot be depended on with certainty. They may be, dreadful peradventure! but appearances after all. For they have been known to fail, when returning health has put them to the test.

The only satisfactory, infallible evidence, therefore, of dying in the Lord, is living in the Lord-living in obedience to the precepts, and in conformity to the example of Christ. Mortifying the deeds of the body-the corrupt and inordinate propensities of the flesh. Having the conversation in heaven, the affections on things above. Resisting the ailurements of the world, the instigations of Satan,

the motions of sin. Maintaining habitual intercourse with God, through the medium of his word, and in the exercise of prayer. Seeking his wisdom to guide, and enlighten; his grace to sustain, establish, and comfort. Loving his character, rejoicing in his government, submitting to his authority, acquiescing in his will, adhering to his service, whatever opposition or contempt it may excite, whatever difficulty or self-denial it may cost. Endeavouring to grow in grace; in deadness to the world, to self, to sin-to wax stronger in faith, to glow warmer with love-and to abound more and more in all the fruits of the Spirit, and in all the duties of a sober, righteous, and godly life: that religion may be honored, God glorified, and souls saved. Being ashamed, humbled, grieved, in view of the past. Applying continually to the blood and righteousness of Christ for justification and cleansing; and making him, after all that is done, the only foundation of confidence towards Godthe only anchor of hope to the soul.

This it is to live in the Lord. They who have thus lived-who have evinced