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and we shall gain such an inestimable blessing, as will make the danger, let it be as great as it will, well worth the falling into. Indeed, I do think that all the circumstances of the disorder which has now just visited our country, are well fitted, if we use them rightly, to turn to our great and endless comfort, with as little cost of present chastisement as possible. What we all feel, I imagine, in our daily living, and particularly so as we are younger and more thoughtless, is a want of dwelling enough on the reality of death. Although we know that we must die sooner or later, yet we go on in a very habitual confidence that it will not happen soon. And, no doubt, the increased skill of modern physicians, increased cleanliness, and various other causes connected with our present civilization, have made the probabilities of life much greater than they were in the days of our fathers. I cannot but think then, that it may serve very usefully to sober and awaken us, to know that there is a disease near us which spares no age, and against which no skill, no resources whatever of human ability, have proved a complete protection. I do think it very wholesome to know, that it is not a great improbability that any one of us here assembled, the youngest as well as the oldest, may, within

a short period, be called away to give his account. And not less wholesome to know beforehand, (though, indeed, a most fearful aggravation to those who delay till it be too late,) is the fact, that it will be utterly vain to think of a death-bed repentance in this case; that the disease is so sudden and so powerful, that it is a mere impossibility for any one to dream of turning to God after it has once seized him, if he has not become at peace with him before. I repeat that, knowing as we must know our own weaknesses, and how fatally we are wasting our time in fancied security, we have great reason, I speak most sincerely, we have great reason for blessing God, that he has sent us this merciful warning. But again, if this disease were like some of the older pestilences-if its stroke were inevitable, and if it swept down its thousands in every place, then we might be overcome by our fear, and either sit down in helpless weakness, or run, as has been the case in older times, into utter desperation. It has been well said, by Paley, that if sudden death were too common, it would palsy all the business of life; it would render such conduct as that of St. Paul,-at once calm, active, and cheerful, a thing impossible. And, therefore, the great pestilences of former times have

been awful judgments rather than warnings: they have produced little wholesome fruit; but have exhibited at once scenes of wild enthusiasm on the one hand, and of desperate wickedness on the other. But this present disease, while it is enough to give us wholesome warning, is not enough to unman or to palsy us. If it were raging amongst us, still, according to all former experience, the number of its victims would be comparatively small; the business of life need not be interrupted,-need not be performed less actively,— though it ought, and I do pray that it would be, performed in a more Christian spirit. Again, though no human means are altogether a protection against this disease, yet they may do very much to lessen its dangers the cheerful conduct of St. Paul would probably save us bodily, as it would be sure to save us spiritually. The calmly and actively taking the precautions that prudence would suggest, would have every prospect of not being taken in vain. It is then a shame to us, as men and as Christians, if we either let this disease teach us nothing of the faith of Paul, or if it so far overcomes us as to hinder us from acting with Paul's sense and cheerfulness. "Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is,”—understanding what his merciful

will is, in sending us a warning so effectual, and yet so gentle;-so well fitted to make us turn to God in the spirit which God most loves. It is a warning, not to be slack in our worldly business, as if life were certainly just about to close; not to leave off our usual and wholesome amusements, as if it were of no use to strengthen our bodies, and to brace our minds; but it is a warning to us to leave off our sins, it is a warning to us, that we lose no time in becoming at peace with God through Jesus Christ,—it is a warning to us to keep our lamps burning, or to go quick to get a fresh supply of oil, for, should the cry be heard of the Bridegroom's coming, he will be present almost as soon as we hear of it. It is a warning for you, and for me, that we should make life what it ought to be,-that we should be able to thank God before all men, with a sincere faith and trust in him,that we should be his zealous and happy servants, whether he choose that we should serve him here, or before his throne in heaven.

ON THE RIGHT

INTERPRETATION AND UNDERSTANDING

OF

THE SCRIPTURES.

No question can be of greater importance to every man, than that which regards the right use of the Scriptures. The volume of the Old and New Testaments is received by Christians as their rule of life: they look to it as the source of all their religious knowledge, and all their hopes and fears beyond the grave; and as to the supreme guide of their principles and practice in this world. But that which holds good of God's natural gifts, holds good, also, of the revelation which he has been pleased to make to us of himself and of his will. It is not available to our use, without some efforts on our part: its benefits may remain hidden, nay, we may pervert it

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