July 15 — On the different States of departed Souls, before the last Day

Consider, first, that, according to the different issue of this trial in the particular judgment, the condition of departed souls shall be very different. For such as, like the rich glutton, (Luke xvi,) shall be found, at the time of their departure, quite void of grace and charity, and, in a word, all such as have died in mortal sin, shall, like the rich glutton, be immediately buried in the flames of hell, where the worm never rf/cs, and the f re is never extinguish, ed. Ah, how strangely shall the men of riches, the great ones of this world, the ladies that have been slaves to their pleasures here find their condition altered! A bed of fire, instead of their soft couches; the \vant of every thing that can afford the least comfort, even to a drop of water, intead of their former affluence I insulting devils, instead of servants and attendants; eterr nal torments for momentary satisfactions, &c. In fine, they that could never brook the least thing contrary to their own humour, appetite or will, now find themselves in an instant plunged into that bottomless pit, where they shall never know what it is to be indulged in any one desire or inclination. O that the children of this world, the unhappy slaves of their passions and pleasures, would think of this whilst they have time!

Consider, secondly, the very different condition of the souls of the children of G, after their departure hence. For as many of them as, like the martyrs and other saints, shall be found, when they are presented before the Judge, without blemish of sin, or debt of punishment due to divine justice, on account of former offences, not sufficiently expiated; shall be immediately translated to heavenly joys. Their earthly house of this temporal dwelling is now dissolved, hut they have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven, 2 Cor. v. 1. They are absent from the body, but present with the Lord, v. 8. They enjoy what the apostle so much longed for, when he desired to be dissolved, and to he with Christ, Philip, iii. 23. They are now before the throne of God, and in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne dwelleth over them — and the Lamb leads them to the living fountains of waters, (Revel, vii. 15, 17,) even the happy waters of eternal life, which ever flow from the throne of God. They follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, (chap, xiv. 4,) and they live and reign with him, chap. xx. 4. They even sit with him in his throne, (Revel, iii. 21,) and exercise with him power over the nations, chap. ii. 26. See, Christians, if you will but dedicate yourselves in good earnest to the love of God, during your short pilgrimage, what great things are prepared for you in your true country, and that immediately after your departure hence. How little reason, then, have the true lovers of God to apprehend a death, that shall bring them in an instant to the very fountain’s head of true and everlasting life I O what a happiness it is to shut in a moment the eyes, toith which we see this world and mortals, and to open them immediately to the sight of God, and of Christ! S. Cyprian.

Consider, thirdly, that, as all are to be tried, after their depaiv ture, by their works, and to be rewarded according to their works, which they carry with them hence to the judgment seat of Christ; so those whose deadworks have not been fully expiated by pei Mce, whose devotions and other good works have been foil of imperfectionii, who have built only with wood, hay, and stubble, though not to the destroying of the foundation of the faith and grace o/ Christ, shall suffer loss in thiscr trial; and, instead of being immediately admitted into the presence of God, in his heavenly temple, where nothing defiled shall enter, must wait dll the dross they have carried with them out of the world be purged away, and they be fitted for the sight and enjoyment of their sovereign Good. O, how few souls shall be found, at their departure, so perfectly pure, as to be qualified to fly up immediately to the embraces of God! How very few are there tba carry with them no spot, no blemish, no debt, not even of an idlt wordy into the other world, where, by the fixed decrees of Heaven, every soul shall be judged and rewarded, according to what she carries hence!

Conclude to spare no pains now to rid thyself, by penitential exercises, of all thy spots, stains and debts, whilst thou art on the way; lest, if thou leave them to be discharged in another world, thou mayst be cast into that prison y of which it is written, (Matt T. 26,) Amen; I say to thee thou shalt not go from the tiU thou pay the last farthing.