July 9 — On ike Death of the just Man

Consider, first, those words of the royal prophet, (Ps. cx?,) irecious in the sight of t Iord is the death cf his saints; aiid reflect how true it is, that the death of such as have served God in good earnest, is indeed both precious in the sight of God, and edifying in the eyes of men; because of those happy dispositions, with which they meet death, especially that faith and confidence, which they have in the gooess and mercies of their heavenly Fattier, apd in the infinite mercies of Jesus Christ their Re4e€er; and that perfect conformity to the divine will, accompanied with a profound humility, a deep sense of sorrow for sin, and an ardent love of God, with which they close their eyes, snfl yield up their souls into their Creator’s hands. O, what a happiness it is for a dying man to be in these dispositions! With what willingness does such a Christian as this leave this world! What peace and tranquillity does he find in his soul,,from the testimony of a good conscience! How joyfully does he fliqg himlf into the arms of his tender Father, who, he is well assured, will never reject his loving children, that cast their whole care upon him! O let my soul die the ath of the just, and let my last end be like to theirs, Numb, xxiii. 10.

Consider, secondly, what a comfort it is toa good man, at the approaches of death, to see himself now so near to the end of all his labours, of all the miseries of this wretched life, and of all those dangerous conflicts and temptations, to which he has hitherto been exposed, from those mortal enemies of his soul, the world, the flesh, and the devil; and to find himself just upon the point of being delivered from his long prison, from the body cf this death, from the servitude of corruption, and from sin, th stirr TQundeth him on all sides, in this vale of tears; apd of being called home from his banishment to his true country, which be has always longed for. O, what a satisfaction it is to a lover of God, to see himself now at the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem, where he is to see, love and enjoy his God for ever! What a pleasure to look forward into that blessed eternity, into which ha just now entering, and to sing with the psalmist, (Ps. cxxi,) J rfoice at the things that are said to me: we shall go into thp house of the Lord, O blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: they shall praise thee for ever and ever, Ps. Ixxxiii. To spph souls as these, when they are near their death, those words of our divine Saviour are directed, (Luke xxi. 28,) Look fip, and lift up your heads; because your redemption is at hond.

Consider, thirdly, the particular providence of God, in favour of his servants at their death, expressed by the prophet, (Ps. xl. 4,) in those words: The Lord helps them on the hed of their sorrow; he turns all their couch for them in their sickness. He restrains their enemy at that time, he mitigates their fears and apprehensions, he supports them under their pains and agonies, he encourages them against the terrors of death and judgment, he protects them in that critical hour under the shadow of his wings, that they may be able to say with the psalmist, (Ps. xxii,) Though J should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils; for thou art with me. In fine, he never forsakes them in death, who in their life have been faithful to him; but more particularly helps them then, when they stand most in need of his assistance, and when all the world besides forsakes them. O, blessed be his goodness for ever!

Conclude, if thou desirest to die the death of the just, to live the life of the just, and to do the works of the just; for such as thy works are during life, such will thy death also be. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, they may rest from their labours: for their works follow them; Revel, xiv. 13. See, then, that thy works be such as may make thy life holy, and thy death shall not fail to be happy.