doubt not but such thoughts would in time have their proper effect, and would so thoroughly convince them of the great folly and danger of sin, as to make them in good earnest set about the great work of their salvation.

The judgment to come is a very amazing consideration: it is a fearful thing to hear of it; but it will be 'much more terrible to see it, especially

to those whose guilt must needs make 'them so heartily concerned in the 'dismal consequences of it: and yet, ' as sure as I stand and you sit here, 'this great and terrible day of the 'Lord will come; and who may abide his coming! What shall we do when that day shall surprise ns careless and unprepared! what unspeakable horrour ' and amazement will then take hold of us, when lifting up our eyes to heaven, we shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and 'great glory! when that powerful voice, which shall pierce the ears of 'the dead, shall ring through the

Abp. Tillotson's Sermons, Vol. II. p. 412.

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world, Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment! when the mighty trumpet shall sound, and waken the sleepers ' of a thousand years, and summon the dispersed parts of the bodies of all men, that ever lived, to rally toge'ther and take their places! and the 'souls and bodies of men, which have 'been so long strangers to one another, shall meet, and be united again, to receive the doom due to their deeds! what fear shall then surprize sinners! and how will they tremble at the presence of the great Judge, and for the glory of his majesty! how will their consciences fly in their faces, and their own hearts 'condemn them for their wicked and ungodly lives, and even prevent that sentence, which yet shall certainly 'be passed and executed upon them!

Oh let me then intreat every one, with all the earnestness that an object of such vast importance requires, frequently and seriously to think upon the tremendous day of judgment, and the great account they must then give; to consider with themselves how they

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stand with respect to another life; andwhat a dreadful condition they will be in, if they should be called to appear at the judgement seat of Christ, before they have made their peace with God, and secured an interest in the merits and intercession of their great Judge. But especially let me persuade those, who, in pursuit of their unlawful pleasures have plunged themselves in sensuality and wickedness, to pause a moment, and consider whither they are going. Let me beg of them as they have any regard for their present peace and happiness, or any value for their precious souls; as they would not leave this world under the terrours and agonies of a guilty conscience, nor appear at the last day, in the presence of God, and angels, and of men, under all the circumstances of horrour, shame, and confusion; and, lastly, as they would not then be banished from the presence of God for ever, and be cast into the bottomless pit of destruction, to be there tormented without measure, and without end; let me, I say, prevail upon them not to delay

their repentance one moment, but immediately forsake their evil ways, and turn unto the Lord their God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; Joel ii. 13. and who has assured us, by his prophet, that when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Ezekiel xviii. 27.

As for those happy Christians who have entered upon a good life, and are engaged in the practice of virtue and religion; who make the glory of God, and the salvation of their own souls, and the souls of all others, their great care and concern; I need only to exhort them to go on in their christian course with courage and resolution; to hold fast their profession, Heb. iv. 14. and with an unwearied diligence to press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus; Phil. iii. 14. nothing doubting, but that he that hath begun a good work in them, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil. i. 6. God

is faithful, that has promised; and therefore they may rest assured, that he will remember and reward their work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ; 1 Thess. i. 3. and that in due season they shall reap if they faint not. Gal. vi. 9. Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come; Heb. x. 37. and his reward is with him, to give to every man according as his work shall be! Rev. xxii. 12. to him that overcometh, he will grant to sit with him in his throne; even as he also overcame, and is set down with his Father in his throne. Rev. iii. 21.

O happy, happy time, for those blessed souls who have fought the good fight, and kept the faith! all their labours will then be at an end: that crown of Life, Rev. ii. 10. which God hath promised to his faithful servants, will then be bestowed upon them; and they shall be admitted to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away. 1 Pet. i. 4. They shall then be received into a place of endless bliss and joy, where there shall