worthy to be saved; nor would it have been less secure, if he had accomplished what he once attempted, than if he had died, as good men have often done, in the paroxysm of a fever, uttering imprecations.

What an argument, what an encouragement for us, liable as we are to similar visitations, to acquire that in the day of our health, of which no disease of body or of mind, that is unconnected with moral guilt, can ever deprive us! And O how consolatory the assurance, that even should our latter days be deeply clouded, by constitutional disease of body or of mind, the stock of devotion and of Christian virtues which we now lay in, will remain in our possession, and with us, go through all the chances of this life, to be our incorruptible inheritance, in that which is to come. Let this consideration stimulate our exertions, and call forth all the energies of our minds, in that work which God hath given us to do. Let us beware of imposing upon ourselves for the encouragement of indolence and folly. "He only that doeth righteousness is righteous; and he only that soweth to the

spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting." If we sow sparingly, we shall also reap sparingly; but if we abound in good works, we shall abound also in that harvest of glory, which will be the appropriate reward of Christian virtuc.

SERMON

151

SERMON VI.

ON THE DEATH OF A FATHER.

Zechariah i. 5. Your fathers, where
are they?

EVERY hour brings some occurrence to remind us of our own mortality. But it happens in this, as in other cases, that the frequency of the admonition diminishes its effect. The warning that is often repeated soon becomes uninteresting; and even the lessons of the great teacher, Death, by growing familiar, cease to be impressive.

There are events, however, which force even upon the most inconsiderate, a temporary conviction, that they have here no continuing city; but are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. As long as the king of terrors conquers at a distance, his gradual advances are not perceived; his sudden attacks are not apprehended. But

when

when he begins to carry the war into our own dwellings; more especially, when he strikes home upon those, who seemed to stand, as a rampart, between ourselves and destruction, then indeed the dream of indifference is suddenly interrupted; we start into reflection ; and a prophetic voice seems to address us in these significant words, "Your fathers, where are they?"

It is a question which must rouse, if any question can. For it brings us, as it were, in contact with death. Whilst our fathers live, the danger appears remote, and the strength of the enemy is not regarded. But when they fall, our line of defence is broken; we open our eyes to the hazards of our situation; the conqueror presents himself to the imagination, glorying in his might; and after crushing the parent, he seems to put himself in the very attitude of aiming his next dart at the unprotected, trembling child.

Is it possible in such circumstances to be unaffected? When we behold those resigning their lives, to whom we were indebted for ours, can we still remain indifferent to the

apposite

apposite expostulation, "Your fathers, where are they?" Surely it is natural to start at the alarm, which providence thus sounds in our ears, and to say within ourselves, "Where they are, I shall soon be, in the land of silence; in the darkness of the grave."

But though the loss of a father is perhaps the most striking lesson of mortality, that death can read; and though a Christian ought to receive it, as a warning to timely preparation; yet this is not the only light in which it may be viewed. My present intention, is to fix upon some other feelings and reflections, which such a loss will naturally excite in a contemplative mind. By dwelling upon these in our solitary moments, we may improve the dispensations of Providence, and render them subservient to the great purposes of practice and of consolation. Thus may the tombs of our fathers be converted into books of wisdom; and though dead, they may yet speak for the edification of those, whose happiness, next to their own salvation, was the dearest and the last wish of their hearts.

Let me just observe, before we proceed,

that