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is anticipated by some eminently pious persons with restless disquietude; and no wonder that death, the most formidable of all afflictions, should awaken the most

sensible concern.

Let such persons learn to distin

guish between the feelings of nature, and the influence of religion; between the diffidence of nervous affection, and the timidity which consists with evangelical faith. And let the friends of such persons exercise tenderness towards them: let them combine, in all their converse, judgment and kindness.

The diffidence of which we now speak is moderated greatly by the influence of heavenly truth on the heart; and faith in the promises of God provides an invaluable antidote against it. We cannot but contemplate with adoring gratitude the grace of our blessed Redeemer, who gathers the lambs in his arm, and carries them in his bosom; who breaks not the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax; who says to them who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, fear not," who suffered "that he might destroy him that had the power of death, and deliver them who, through fear of death, were all their life-time subject to bondage."

We read not much of the timidity and fears of the primitive Christians in regard to this event; and it becomes an interesting inquiry, how they attained the happy conquest. Doubtless it was by the vigour of faith, the fervour of love, and the patience of hope. It was by "looking unto Jesus," by living near to him, by imbibing much of his Spirit, and following him fully. It was by "holding fast the beginning of their confidence stedfast unto the end," well assured that it "hath great recompence of reward.”

In all cases, there are two considerations of very high importance in order to our conquest of the fear

of death. These are, that our title to heaven be clear, and that our meetness for heaven be advancing: in other words, that we live in the exercise of faith, and grow in the attainment of holiness.

Our title to heaven is not any moral excellency of our own; no goodness of disposition or kindness of action which may attach to us; it is the righteousness of the Son of God-the obedience unto death of the blessed Saviour on behalf of transgressors. To this let us ever look; this let us ever plead; and on this let us steadily rely. We injure our evidence, we obscure our hope, we create nothing but uncertainty in regard to our interest in the heavenly inheritance by a hesitating and divided reliance. In all that relates to our acceptance with God, and our prospect of his kingdom, "Christ is all and in all."

Our meetness for heaven is personal holiness, produced by the agency of the Holy Spirit. It is he who subdues the corruptions of the heart and promotes its purity, who transforms the disposition of the mind and restores the whole character to the resemblance of God. To his agency, therefore, let us look. His influence let us cherish with unremitting care. In such degree as we do this we shall attain to all that constitutes the dignity of man, and shall have "peace which passeth understanding." We shall prove the truth of those remarkable words, As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together."

From the whole,-Let those who are unprepared for the solemn event, take warning. Whether a man be avowedly an infidel, or a mere nominal believer; whether he be deliberately a deceiver, or carelessly a profligate; he is unprepared for death, and consequently for judgment, and for eternity.

O that such could be persuaded to turn their thoughts upon themselves, to reflect on the danger of their condition, the worth of the soul, and the vast importance of its security and happiness! We speak thus not merely from a conviction that safety and happiness are desirable, but from a certain knowledge that they are to be attained. What is the Gospel, but a message from Heaven to the guiltythe news of salvation to the lost-the glad tidings of pardon, peace, and hope to perishing transgressors? We wish you to know that this is your state, and then we shall urge the Remedy with success. We long that you may feel the bitterness of your disease, and then you will prize the cure. "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there?" Blessed be God for both! Jesus is "the Lord that healeth," the all-sufficient Saviour; and his truth and grace have sovereign efficacy.

Finally,-Let those who are waiting in a temper of humble hope and growing preparation for the great event, take courage.--We shall not repeat the promises of which you have been already reminded, but we urge you to dwell on the faithfulness of Him who hath promised, who also will do as he hath spoken. "All the promises of God are in Christ, yea and amen, to the glory of God by us." Are you discouraged because of the way? Disheartened by affliction, temptation, and disappointment? These are nothing more than you were taught to expect.

When you set out for the heavenly Canaan you were told not only of Jordan to be crossed at the end of your course, but of a wilderness through which you must travel, and of many of the difficulties and dangers of the road. But still look unto Jesus, and he will never leave you; trust also in Him, and he will guard and guide you to the end. "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart wait, I say, on the Lord."

"Tell me not," said a venerable minister," how a man died, but how he lived." Yes; the one is of much higher moment than the other, and furnishes a much surer test of character; for many circumstances have influence on a man's enjoyment in the hour of dissolution which are totally distinct from religion. This is certain, if we live Christians, we shall die Christians. "The swelling of Jordan" will abate, its waters will divide, the Angel of the Covenant will conduct us safely through; and in the prospect of this happy and glorious result, faith now inspires the song "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ *."

* 1 Cor. xv. 55-57.

SERMON II.

THE CONVERSION OF MANASSEH.

2 CHRON. Xxxiii. 13.

Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.

THE Bible records a brief history of a double race of kings-the kings of Israel and of Judah. Not one of the former was pious. Of the latter, several were mixed characters; some were eminently good; and others were notoriously wicked: Manasseh was one of the worst. It is not easy to conceive of greater excesses than those into which he fell. But he lived to regret them: his heart was penitent, and his subsequent conduct evinced that his repentance was sincere. Manasseh ranks among the most illustrious instances of the riches of Divine mercy, and the power of Divine grace.

An epitome of his history is contained in the two or three preceding verses, which we shall consider in connexion with the text:-" And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people; but they would not hearken. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And

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