48. The Patient meditates on Death

EXHORTATION.

'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 Tim. iv 6, 7, 8. It is of great use frequently to recall the thoughts of death.

1. We thereby wean our hearts from vanity and sin, and school ourselves to regard earthly matters as things which we cannot take to heaven with us, which we cannot keep, and which will not avail us in the dying hour.

2. It is also needful, because those accustomed to think of death as of a remote casualty, are apt to become insolent, luxurious, and wicked, to be absorbed by the world, and to associate with it; if death comes upon such men unawares, they are hopelessly lost. 3. It is not to be regarded as a fatal symptom, if a patient speaks of death, orders his funeral, makes his will, and prepares for his blissful departure. For all this no one will die a moment sooner than God has ordained. 4. Nor must the last hour be regarded in so fearful a light as it is by many. Heathens,

THE PATIENT MEDITATES ON DEATH.

indeed, have said, that of all dreadful things, death is the most dreadful; but Christians die in the grace of God, in the arms of Jesus, in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, and of what should they be afraid. Is not this rather comfort, sweetness, and joy? Lord, it is enough, take my soul away! Thus do I cry unto thee, my God, perceiving, in my great and increasing feebleness, that the end of my life is attained. I desire to depart and be with Christ. I have no fear of death and dying, I have often thought of it when in health, and therefore it has no terrors for me now. Even as the dove of Noah gladly returned to the ark; as a traveller longs to return to his native land; so do I regard my approaching death as a passing from disquietude to perfect rest; as a happy arrival at home after a long pilgrimage in foreign parts, bringing with it, in place of eager yearnings, the fond embraces of my Jesus. I know that to the believing Christian death is a gentle sleep, and a transit to eternal life. The Lord is my light and my salvation, of what should I be afraid? The Lord is the vigor of my life, whom should I dread? God is my father, Jesus my advocate, the Holy Ghost my guide and comforter; to him I shall come, him I shall see THE PATIENT MEDITATES ON DEATH.

whom should I fear? When my Jesus spoke of his approaching death, he was wont to say, "I go to the Father." Dearest Jesus, I will repeat thy words. When I die, I shall go to the Father, to heaven, to joy, to bliss unspeakable. Why should I be afraid to die? Jesus is mine, his righteousness is mine, his merit is mine, his heaven is mine, why should I not be glad! The body goes to the earth, but the soul flies to God; it goes from this world to heaven, from vanity to bliss, from sadness to joy, from suffering to happiness, from weeping to glory; is not that a happy passage? I go to rest, to joy, to bliss, to the sun, to eternal joy. I see Jesus spreading out his arms and preparing to receive me as his child; I see thousands of saints anxious to bid me welcome. Therefore, I am of good cheer; I forget the things which are behind, even the earth, and all earthly matters, and reach after that which is before, after the heavenly gem which is laid up for us in heaven. How happy shall I be when lifted up; how shall I rejoice when in the arms of Jesus; how glad, when I have passed through death unto eternal life. Amen. 1. Who as a pious Christian would

Delight his Lord in dying,

Having the seal of Jesus' blood

To vouch for his relying.

Must struggle hard while here below.

That when his summons comes to go,

He may not weep at parting.

2. First let him fall upon his knees,

Bemoaning his transgression;

Thus Jesus he may hope to please,

And gain his intercession.

Let him abhor each wicked thought,

And all that he amiss has wrought,

Since he was of the living.

3. In Jesus Christ let him believe,

Then will his wounds restore him,

For he a sinner will receive,

And spread his mantle o'er him.

Then will he be relieved from sin,

And Jesus' grace shall lead him in

To realms of endless glory.

4. Then let him lead in piety

A godly conversation,

And thoughts of God dwell constantly

In every meditation.

And never let him turn aside,

But ever in the faith abide,

As God himself has ordered.

THE PATIENT MEDITATES, ETC.

5. But most of all let him eschew

The paths of sin and sorrow,

And all that shuts out God from view

Let him not plough the furrow

That false and wicked men pursue,

But to his covenant be true,

And hate what God despiseth.