have been far from entertaining such a desire; but, on the contrary, been glad and desirous to live to the utmost period in which he could be useful to his fellow-creatures. Nay, even as it was, though in such a perilous state, he expresses satisfaction in the presumption of his life being likely to be prolonged, that he might be serviceable to his favourite Philippian christians to whom he writes, and to promote the cause of the gospel.

In this passing state of trial there are at all times some cases and situations like our apostle's, where it cannot be wrong to wish, if it be the divine will, to be released out of this world; where, for example, by some sudden heavy stroke of calamity persons are at once deprived of all earthly comforts; where any labour under grievous bodily torments where there is no prospect of remedy, or are subject to still more intense and intolerable mental sufferings.

But in all cases we are to strive to attain the fullest resignation to and acquiescence in the will of God, as ever most kindly intentioned to us in his severest dispensations, and who does not willingly grieve or give pain but for the greater good of the sufferer, and which

will hereafter be made to appear, though we cannot now see it; for this temper of mind will minister all possible ease and relief in every distress.

In all other cases, to wish to be out of the world is vain and wrong; whereas we ought to desire to stay and be useful in it, so long as shall seem good to that infinitely wise and good Being who appointed us our station, and to strive to keep up a temper of being pleased with so fair and beautiful and well-furnished a habitation as he has given us at present, without minding some slight inconveniences that we may meet with in it.

But then it must ever be remembered, that if we desire to live merely to eat and to drink and to sleep, and to indulge ourselves, this is the life of a beast, not of a man. We should strive to live to the best purposes, for moral improvement of ourselves and of others, otherwise we do not properly live at all, we live to no good end,

IV.

Here, and oft in other places, it is pleasant and most encouraging to see our apostle's readiness to leave the world, and with what cheerfulness and alacrity he speaks of it. 2H 2

In,

deed

deed he had all reason to do it, who could say, (2 Tim. iv. 7, 8.) "I have fought a good fight (rather, I have contended in the noble contest); 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 to all them that love his appearing."

But we are not to expect this indiscriminately in all cases; for some excellent persons have such a natural dread of dying, owing commonly to early prejudice, or to some weakness of the bodily frame that no reasoning can eradicate, that they cannot bring their minds to view it without terror. Although it has been frequently remarked, that those who had such undue apprehensions beforehand, have often shown the greatest calmness and fortitude when the hour of their dissolution approached.

Tender affections and long virtuous attachments for those we are to leave behind us, may make a truly good mind linger long, and retain too strong a desire to remain with them here.

We should, however, watch ourselves in this respect, and, if the thought of death be bitter to us, consider well whether we are not

too

too fond of this world and its innocent and lawful enjoyments, so as to make us unwilling to forego and relinquish them. These things are doubtless given to cheer us on our journey through the vale of life, but not to detain us too long on the road and draw us away from our true business, and from pursuing it strenuously unto the end.

They are not the objects of our chief affections, but He primarily that gave them to us; and if they make us less willing to depart and go to him, (for death to a good man is a messenger to call him to God,) we abuse his gifts; they are a hurt to us instead of a blessing.

his

The christian must not lament over himself with the moralizing heathen poet, that he must soon leave for ever, wife, and friend, and all that was dear to him; his pleasurable house and inviting gardens; and nothing but the dull cypress accompany him to the grave, eternal home. For the christian has hope of seeing again in that other world, and of recovering, all he loses here that were truly to be valued and worthy of regard. And this will, in time, blunt the edge of our heaviest losses and disappointments.

But,

But, in truth, what makes men chiefly fear to die, is their living in the practice of what they know to be evil, or in the neglect and omission of plain known duties, which makes them afraid to go before that presence where a strict account will be taken of all their actions, even the most secret, and every one will receive according to his works, good or evil. We must, therefore, as the apostle speaks, (1 Tim. vi.) lay a good foundation for eternal life, by doing nothing for which our heart condemns us; but take care to secure its constant testimony, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, according to our light and powers, we have had our conversation in this world. This will disarm death of its terrors, and give joyful hope and confidence to the sincere disciple of Christ when bidding adieu to all hu man things.

Lastly:

V.

We find the heathen moralists, to whom death was commonly a most frightful object, as they had little light or hope of any thing beyond it, full of rules and directions in their writings to teach men how to die, how to compose themselves for it, that it might not sur