DEATH, TEMPORAL, IS THE WAGES OF SIN-IS THE LOT OF ALL MANKIND.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.—Genesis iii. 19.

And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.-Genesis v. 5.

When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.-Job xvi. 22.

Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.-Job xxxvi. 18, 19.

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.-Psalm xlix. 6, 7.

Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?-Ps. lxxxix. 47, 48. All go unto one place: all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.-Ecclesiastes iii. 20.

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.-Ecclesiastes viii. 8.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.-Ecclesiastes ix. 10.

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond-tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.-Ecclesiastes xii. 5, 7.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; (for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed where there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.)-Rom. v. 12-14.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.-Hebrews ix. 27.

DEATH, TEMPORAL, TO THE SAINTS IS A CHANGE TO THE ENJOYMENT OF EVERLASTINg Life.

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.-Genesis v. 24.

And it came to pass as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.—2 Kings ii. 11.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 1 will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.-Psalm xxiii. 4.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.—Psalm cxvi. 15.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.—Luke xvi. 22.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.—Luke xxiii. 42, 43.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live : and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.—John xi. 25-27.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.-John xiv. 2, 3.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.-Acts vii. 59, 60.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ ; which is far better.-Philippians i. 21, 23.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.— I Thessalonians iv. 13, 14.

DEATH, ETERNAL, THE WAGES OF SIN-THE LOT OF THOSE WHO ARE HOPELESSLY LOST FOR EVER.

The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.-Psalm ix. 16, 17.

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?—Isaiah xxxiii. 14.

And fear not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.-Matthew x. 28.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. -Matthew xxv. 41.

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.— Luke xvi. 22-25.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.-Romans vi. 23.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.-2 Corinthians iv. 3, 4.

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.—2 Thessalonians i. 8, 9.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.-Revelation xx. 13, 14.

DECISION-RELIGIOUS DETERMINATION IS OFTEN REQUIRED AND BENEFICIAL. EXAMPLES.

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him conie unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.-Exodus xxxii. 26.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.—Joshua xxiv. 15.

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.-Ruth i. 16.

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.-I Kings xviii. 21.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.-Matthew vi. 24.

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.-Luke ix. 51.

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father.—Luke xv. 18-20.

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.-Acts xxi. 13.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.--Galatians i. 15, 16.

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the, people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Hebrews xi. 24, 25.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.-Revelation iii. 15, 16.

DECREES, COUNCILS, PURPOSES OF GOD, ARE ETERNAL, UNCHANGEABLE AND RIGHTEOUS, ALL FOR HIS OWN GLORY.

Because I will publish the name of the Lord; ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth, and without iniquity; just and right is he.-Deuteronomy xxxii. 3, 4.

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.-Psalm xxxiii. 11.

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.-Proverbs xix. 21.

This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.—Isaiah xxviii. 29.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Isaiah xlvi. 9, 10.

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And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?-Daniel iv. 35.

Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.-Acts ii. 23.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.-Acts xiii. 48.

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.-Acts xvii. 26.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! for who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? for of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.-Romans xi, 33-36.

According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.-Ephesians iii. 11, 12.