of the text, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." By which, he intimated, both, that his time on earth was short, and hastening to a conclusion; and likewise, that, whether men approve or condemn, whether they think to reward or punish, what God hath appointed and commanded, must be done.

Now, such as Christ appeared in the miraculous good work of healing the blind man, such was his whole life; a blessed course of constant and perfect obedience to God, and good will to man. Did Christ, therefore, thus live and die, that He might save mankind? And shall we not so live, that, dying in his faith, we may save ourselves? Did He do and suffer so much, that he might lead us in the way of life, and shall we not follow him? Did He overcome the sharpness of death, that he might open to us the kingdom of heaven, and shall we not enter in? All the diligence, watchfulness, and patience, required of us in our Christian warfare, are infinitely below what Christ, for our sakes, freely underwent. Let, then, love and gratitude to his goodness, the encouragement of his example, and our own highest interest, stir up and animate us to follow his blessed steps; that,

when he shall appear, we may receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away.

Another motive to diligence in working the works of God, is, that the life of man is short and insecure; that death is a certain, though unknown period, towards which we are hastening, from the very morning of our day. Serious and weighty considerations! But which, as being mentioned before, and plain to every man's experience, I forbear to insist upon; and pass on to the last argument I shall propose; which is,

That, when death, as night, overtakes us, our work and labour for salvation are at an end.

The sum of the Scripture doctrine upon this point is, that, whereas in this life, the wheat and tares, the good and bad, are mixed together; immediately after death, there is a just separation made, and they are divided from each other, by the power and justice of God; that each may go, as is expressed in Holy Writ, to their own place. The wicked have their own, or proper place, to which they are sentenced among the spirits in prison; there to abide under darkness, sadly reflecting upon an ill-spent life, and expecting with terror the day of judgment. The righteous have also their own, or proper place,

åssigned them, to which they are carried, with Lazarus, by the holy angels; where their souls abide in a blessed security, rejoicing in their present state, and with full assurance of still more perfect happiness, "When the Lord shall come, to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, in that day."

Wherefore, death is as night to all men; a state and time of inactivity, so far, that, after it, they cannot change their place among the good or wicked; or do the works which are essential to their salvation. For we are to be judged, according to the works done in the flesh; and not according to any thing done after we have put it off.

To them who have been diligent, and have done the works of the day, this night of death is a season of repose, and blessed tranquillity; they cease from their labours, and are at rest. But to the slothful servants, to those who have spent their life in wickedness or excess, it is, not indeed a season of rest, - for death gnaweth upon them; but a period and end of hope; after which, there is no working out their salvation.

In the condition in which they lie down in the grave, in the same they must abide till the awful time, when they shall be called to give an

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account of themselves to their Lord: for it is appointed to men, once to die, and after that the judgment.

These things, brethren, beloved in the Lord, let us well consider: and let the thought of them awaken us from sleep; the dangerous sleep of security in sin. Let us go forth to our work and our labour, while our Lord is hiring his labourers, and calls us into his vineyard: that, when he shall come, with his reward in his hand, we may receive the praise and recompense of good and faithful servants. Since the days of man pass away and are gone, the close of evening cannot be far from any; and we know not how near it may be to some of us. The admonition, therefore, of our blessed Saviour, is suited to all ages and conditions of a Christian people. And with His words I shall conclude: Jesus said unto them, " Yet a little while is the light with you: walk, while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you."

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DISCOURSE XVII.

REV. xxii. 12, 13.

AND BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY; AND MY REWARD IS WITH ME, TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HIS WORK SHALL BE.

I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END, THE FIRST AND THE LAST.

THE prophecies contained in the Revelation, were delivered to Saint John chiefly by the ministry of angels. But Christ himself opened these visions; and here, in the conclusion of them, returns to speak in his own person.

That his people may not say in their hearts, "Behold, my Lord delayeth his coming," but may hold themselves in readiness to receive him, he forewarns them, that his coming will be sudden and unexpected: "Behold, I come quickly." That they may not deceive themselves with a dangerous surmise, that it is a matter of indifference, what their life and con