sun. And it is but one more step to pass into the eternal world; but the sons of men can never step back again into time; for death, in this respect, is an impassable gulf. And have we eternal consequences depending on the moral characters we form in life? How solemn, then, the reflection that our lives at best are but shadows; that the arrows of death are continually levelled at our hearts; and we, every moment of our mortal existence, liable to be summoned by the king of terrours into the immediate presence of our final Judge, to be awarded according to the deeds done in the body! And when we shall open our eyes on the eternal world, and mark the incomprehensible vast which is before us, how strong will the reasons appear which urged us to prepare ourselves for this amazing existence! How immensely desirable will it seem to enter upon boundless being with a complete provision for our comfort through its interminable ages: a provision which will fill up every passing year with enjoyment, and leave an ample supply for the countless multitude of ages to come!

How soon will the short period of our life be gone! With what rapid flight, hours, and days, and years, hasten over our heads! What is the amount of our past life? A moment. What will be the amount of our days to come? Another moment. And then we shall be summoned to give up our account to God. And who will be our attendants through the dark valley of the shadow of death, angels or devils? Our characters as saints or sinners, will decide whether we be accompanied with the glorious messengers of light, or the fiends of darkness. While in life, we are in the midst of death; and constantly very near the amazing solemnities of eternity.

4th. This subject shows the propriety of our being solemnly affected in view of the death of our friends and fellow-mortals.

A variety of solemn and interesting reflections is

naturally suggested. Death itself is a very solemn and affecting thing. It is nature's last extremity; and the soul then stands in need of such support as mortals cannot give. At death, it takes its flight to a world unknown; but, to a world where all the inhabitants are ever active. This is true in regard to both saint and sinner. The soul does not then pass into a state of mental and moral stupidity; but it becomes incessantly active with the powers above, in glorifying God; or, in joining with infernal spirits, in their horrid blasphemies. This solemn and momentous truth is implied in the declaration, The wicked is driven away in his wickedness; but the righteous hath hope in his death. When we contemplate the departure of the soul at death, we may well exclaim,

But O the soul, that never dies;
When once it leaves the clay,
Ye thoughts, pursue it where it flies,
And trace its wondrous way.

Up to the courts where angels dwell,
It mounts, triumphing there;
Or devils plunge it down to hell,
To infinite despair.

If we see a fellow-mortal swept away by death, whose soul, we may justly fear, is consigned to the region of wo, all is darkness; for the body will be raised to shame and everlasting contempt, to which the guilty and wretched spirit will be re-united as its proper partner. While friends are mourning, the soul of the deceased is lifting up its eyes in torment, and no gleam of light issues in view of the resurrection for consolation.

But if we have a friend leave these mortal shores in the triumphs of faith, all is light; for his very remains are of incalculable value, in the distinction to which they are entitled beyond the grave. The body necessarily follows the destination of the mind. He, therefore, who gains a title to endless life, makes

complete provision for the welfare of the whole man. In the Christian system all good is united; our duty and our interest; the well being of the soul, and that of the body; the blessings of time, and those of eternity. Then may we mourning friends, so love our bodies and desire to preserve and cherish them, that we shall with the most effectual care, secure their revival to immortal honour, and the happiness with which it is connected. And this is to be accomplished not by adorning and pampering them here, in obedience to the calls of pride and luxury; but by seeking effectually the immortal life of those minds by which they are inhabited.

Under what great obligations we all are to Christ, the believer's life and resurrection. Had he not come into this world to die, the just for the unjust, every one of the human race must inevitably have sunk down to eternal death. Mourning friends must then have expected to meet the departing spirit, at the great judgement day, re-united to the raised body, and with it sentenced to everlasting misery. But now there is hope, even in the grave. The sting of death by reason of sin, is taken away from the believer; and he may exclaim, when contemplating the gloomy mansions of the dead, O grave! where is thy victory? The soul will immediately pass into glory to exult with glorified spirits, with patriarchs, prophets, and apostles; with Christ and his holy angels, in the immediate and blessed presence of God. And at the resurrection, the body which was turned to corruption and dust, will be raised and fashioned like unto Christ's own glorious body.

What consolation then for mourners, who have cheering evidence, that their departed friends are gone to the arms of Jesus. The blessed Redeemer stands ever ready to receive the departed spirit of his friends; for he is gone to prepare a place for them: And to his mourning disciples he said, In my Father's house there are many mansions. And are

we lamenting the loss of those who have died the death of the righteous? While we are mourning on the account of their departure, how are their souls rejoicing in heavenly transports, and now participating in joys unspeakable and full of glory. In view then of their unspeakable gain, let us weep for ourselves, and for our children. And may not parents, who have lost a tender infant, resign the soul to the grace and compassion of the Redeemer? Christ took little children in his arms, while on earth, and blessed them; and why may he not receive such into his arms in glory? Certainly the Lord may grant the sanctifying influences of his Holy Spirit, even to infants, and make them meet to be partakers with saints in light.

How comforting that neither abject poverty, malicious enemies, nor grim death, can pluck the soul of a believer from the hands of the divine Redeemer! Did the blessed Jesus frown in view of the ascension of the poor, despised beggar to a mansion of glory? No: as an eternal monument of honour, it will be proclaimed, He was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.

5th. This subject naturally calls to our mind, how affecting and melancholy it is to witness the death of an impenitent sinner.

There is not only reason for unbelievers to tremble at the prospect of their departure hence; but their surviving friends also may justly have their hearts quake, as they stand around their dying bed. Their distracted countenances, and dreadful exclamations, pierce the stoutest heart, and rend the souls of their relatives. As they view death fast approaching, in agony they break out, Hast thou found me, Oh! mine enemy! Must I be forced away? dread, cruel messenger! Oh! precious lost time! Oh! deluded, murdered soul! Now, now, I feel the cold, icy hand of death, preying upon my whole body. And ah! see merciless fiends greedy to seize my guilty, des

pairing spirit. Oh, my friends! Oh, my God! Am I eternally undone? Must I be plunged in wo, with awful expectation of more terrible vengeance being poured upon me, after the judgement! Oh, that God would be gracious, and strike out my existence? Can he not hear my accursed prayers and grant me annihilation? are all my enjoyments for ever at an end; and is hope gone for ever! I am chilled with death: my blood cold in my veins: my senses racked: : my soul distracted. Adieu, vain world. Farewell my friends! I am already sinking in eternal despair, and overwhelmed in torments without end.

How faint this description of an impenitent, dying sinner! But how affecting, how solemn, and how awful the departure of unbelievers, which will consign their wretched souls to that dreadful world, where reign the mists of the blackness of darkness for ever! Our souls may justly shudder at the thought of beholding a fellow-mortal thus expiring.

6th. How blessed the sight to behold a believer leave this world in peace.

The body dies; but glorious the release of the soul, in its departure from these mortal shores. Believers at death, do indeed experience an affecting change in regard to their bodies; still the soul can triumph in prospect of a blessed immortality. They then enter a new state of existence; are instantly surrounded with new and surprising objects, which excite the most transporting admiration. When a mortal paleness overspreads the dying frame, glory divine beams upon the soul. The departing saint, with death on one hand and his God on the other, in full view, exclaims in ecstasy, Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee: My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. O my dear children! beloved wife and friends! what mean ye weeping for me, and breaking my heart? My divine Redeemer calls; are you not willing to