19 Since the persecution and reviling is only blessed which comes upon thee because thou hast the mind which was in Christ, and because thou art his, for his name's sake.

20 The evil spoken of thee must be false---and the enmity arising only hence, because thou art not as other men, worldly, carnal, and sensual.

21 Mark, then, and be circumspect in thy goings: be above measure careful in thy outward walking, for the enemy watcheth for an occasion of wrong, yea, he lieth in wait to entrap and ensnare thee.

22 But if upholden by the grace of God, thou continuest upright when persecution assails thee, when evil tongues and hands lay fast hold of thee, rejoice, be exceeding glad, leap for joy, for great is thy reward in heaven-thou, like thy master, through sufferings shall pass unto glory.

CHAP. XI.

On Death and Judgment.

1 O DEATH, where is thy sting? Jesu, great, glorious, and triumphant conqueror, we bless and adore thee-thou hast given us the victory.

2 Oh when shall I be dissolved and live with thee for ever; Oh when shall I be set free, and restored to my Father's house.

3 0 thrice happy and desirable change! when, Lord Jesus, when wilt thou come, and give my soul her full fruition of love?

4 When shall I be delivered from this heavy load of flesh, when rescued from this prison of my body? when, Lord, escaped from all the poor and miserable enjoyments of this transitory world?

5 Oh, when shall I intrust to the faithful earth, this mortal seed, to be raised up a glorious and incorruptible body, like a beautiful plant in full verdure and glory, meet for the paradise of God.

6 In thy good time, wise Father, in thy own proper hour, Sovereign Disposer of all events.

7 And yet to shake off this flesh, to render unto earth this warm and moving frame---to sleep in death, to perish in loathsome corruption---strengthen us, Almighty Jesus---hold us up in that gloomy hour. Who but the suffering Lamb of God could have made the bitter potion sweet?

8 Shout, Oh ye sons of God, sing together, Oh ye morning stars, for joy; the day of your redemption draweth nigh.

9 Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry: every eye shall see him, behold, he cometh in the clouds of glory.

10 A trumpet, heard through the whole earth, awaking and arousing its dead, proclaimeth his awful approach---who shall be able to abide his presence?

11 Clad in majesty and terror, seated on his living throne, with ten thousand, and ten thousand times ten thousand of his saints he cometh---he cometh to judge the earth.---Lord, Lord, prepare us for thy coming.

12 Behold the whole heavens melting away with fervent heat---see the elements in confusion, behold the earth flaming--see the dead arising and ascending up into his presence, hear the dreadful trump, hark the insufferable clamour, view the innumerable throng approaching the awful tribunal.

13 Sinner, what is this to thee? Think, Oh think, that thou also must appear. Sinner, repent

and be advised.

14 But behold the judge, he openeth the book, he alone hath prevailed to open it; list, for a silence ensueth still as night, and every being trembles with expectation.

15 Oh ye lovers of the Lord, can I describe your felicity words are faint; heaven openeth her doors, while the judge, with a voice sweeter than ten thousand softest instruments of music, declareth, Come,

ye blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.

16 But who shall describe the horrors of the wicked? Depart, ye cursed-Oh my soul, let us draw a vail over that dreadful scene, and humbly in prayer plead for the sons of infidelity, that even now in this their day, they may see and know the things concerning their peace.

17 Ŏ Lord Jesu, fountain of love and mercy, save them, Oh save them from the horrors of that day, open their eyes that they may see, open their ears that they may hear. Lord, be gracious unto thy people, turn them so shall they be turned; source of all mercy, fountain of all love, give to all mankind the knowledge of thee their only God and Saviour. Ob let thy kingdom come, and reign thou absolutely amongst us, so shall thy will be done upon earth, as it is by thy servants in heaven, so shall we rejoice to meet thee in the clouds, and to be with our dear and blessed Lord for ever. Hear us, O Father, we earnestly en treat thee, for this thy beloved Son's sake, who with thee and the eternal Spirit ever liveth, three persons but one God, blessed over all, from generation to generation. Amen. Come quickly, even so come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

PARDON.

ON DEATH.

Nothing is so sure as Death, and nothing so uncertain as the time. You may be too old to live; you can never be too young to die. You should therefore live every hour as if you were to die

the next.

BREAK, break, insensible, obdurate heart!
Let shame, and dire confusion cover me,

And darkness, black as my own crimes, surround
My guilty head! Lord, what a wretch am I!
What a vile sinner! hateful to myself,
For so ungratefully offending thee!

Then, how much more detestable must I
Be in thy sight, whom I've offended thus!
Oh, why have I provok'd the God on whom
Depends the breath I ev'ry moment draw---
The God by whom I was from nothing rais'd
To mental pow'rs, and immortality,
And render'd capable of joys in heav'n---
The God, whose goodness has run parallel
With my existence---who has kept me safe
Amidst a thousand snares, and saved me from
The dreadful ruins which I used to court?
How often, from the very gates of hell,
Has he brought back my soul, and rescu'd me
From the tremendous wages of my sin,
When there was but a dying groan, but one
Faint sigh between me and eternal death!
When human succour fail'd, and mournful friends
Were taking their farewell, and ev'ry hope
Forsook me, and the king of terrors stood
Ready to snatch me hence---to God I cry'd,
Out of the depths of mis'ry and despair---
I cry'd, and he inclin'd his gracious ear,
And from the op'ning grave redeem'd my life;
He brought my feet out of the miry clay,

And set them on a rock, immovable.
A thousand instances could I recount
Of the Lord's goodness, all to my own shame.
Could I look on thee as mine enemy,
I might forgive myself; but when I know
Thou hast so often prov'd thyself my Friend,
My tender Father, my Deliverer,

The Author of my life and happiness,
Good God! in what a light do I appear!
What a strange monster of ingratitude,
With sins most heinous to requite thy love!
Could I accuse thee of severity,

Or call thy statutes rig'rous and unjust,
Then I had some excuse; but, reason there
Puts me to silence, forcing an assent

To all thy laws, as holy, just, and good.
But oh! t' increase my guilt, I have transgress'd
The sacred rules which I so much approve!
I have provok'd the justice which I fear---
Rebell'd against the God whom I adore.
Yet there are higher aggravations still
Of mine iniquity---for, I have sinn'd
Against unparallel'd benignity.
Here of my folly lies the emphasis---
"Tis this which strongly marks my misery.
May I not say, the sense of this excites
As much tormenting anguish as the fear
Of losing heav'n or sinking into hell?
Thy tender love, and all thine acts of grace,
Formerly pleasing subjects of my thoughts,
Are now my terror, upon this account.
The titles of an enemy and judge

Scarce sound more painful to my ears, than those
Of a kind benefactor, and a friend,

Which aggravate so shamefully my guilt.
Those sacred names confound, and terrify
My soul, because they furnish conscience with
Reproaches the most poignant and severe.
The thoughts of such beneficence abus'd,