274 THE GREAT IMPORTANCE earneftness which a matter of fuch infinite importance demands, feriously to inquire of himself whether he is in the path which leads to everlasting happiness; whether he is prepared to render that great account, which will one day most affuredly be requi red of him. But more particularly let me intreat those who are deeply immersed in fenfuality and wickedness, to pause in their fatal career-to reflect for a moment whither they are haftening! Let me conjure them, if they have any regard for their immortal fouls, to confider without delay, the things which belong unto their peace; to forfake their evil ways, "and turn unto the 'Lord their God, who is gracious and mer ciful, flow to anger and of great kindness;" "for I have no pleasure in the death of him 'that dieth, faith the Lord God; wherefore turn yourselves and live." As for thofe happy chriftians, who have entered upon a good life, and are engaged in the practice of virtue and religon ; who make the glory of God, and the falvation of their own fouls and the fouls of others, their great care and concern, it is only ne ceffary to exhort them to proceed in their christian course with courage and refolution; 66 to hold fast their profeffion," and with an unwearied diligence "to prefs towards 'their mark, for the prize of the high cal ling of God in Christ Jefus ;" not doubting, but that he that hath begun a good ' work in them, will perform it until the day ' of Jefus Chrift." They have the promise of God; of that Being who is infinitely just and true, that he will remember and reward "their works of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jefus 'Chrift ;" and that" in due feason they 'fhall reap if they faint not."-" Be thou • faithful unto death," faith he " and I will 'give thee a crown of life." O happy, happy time for those bleffed fouls, "who have fought the good fight, and kept the faith!" All their labours will then be at an end; they will then be admitted to "an inheritance incorruptible, • undefiled, and that fadeth not away;" and be received into that place," where there 'fhall be no more death, neither forrow . pain;" for "in thy prefence," O God, "is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are A PRAYER. MOST gracious God, who through the merits and mediation of thy bleffed Son Jefus Chrift, haft promised eternal life and happiness to thofe who, by a patient continuance in well-doing, feek for glory, honour, and immortality; give me, I most humbly befeech thee, a firm and lively faith in all thy promifes; that, having the fulleft affurance of thofe important truths which thou haft been pleafed to reveal to us in the gofpel, I may make it the principal concern of my life to obtain thy favour and protection. Grant, O Lord, that the path of duty, may to me be a path of pleasure; that I may love the things which thou commandest, and desire that which thou doft promise. me. Let the hopes and expectations of that unfpeakable happiness which thou haft prepared for us hereafter; enable me to pass through this vale of tears, with cheerfulness, and a perfect refignation to thy will; and to bear with patience whatever troubles thou, in thy great wisdom, mayeft permit to vifit Wean me, O Lord, from the vanities of this tranfitory world, and fuffer me not to become weary of well-doing; but fo fix my thoughts and affections on things above, that, by the affiftance of thy Holy Spirit, I may persevere in a courfe of piety and virtue, and finally, at the great day of retribution, may be among the number of thofe to whom it fhall be faid, "Well done, thou good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Grant this, O merciful Father, through the merits, and for the fake of my bleffed Redeemer, Jefus Chrift. Amen. Ꮓ In this edition of THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF A RELIGIOUS LIFE, the Editor has taken the liberty of making fome few alterations: These are, principally, in the mode of expreffion, which the change of ftyle that has taken place fince the first publication of the work, appeared to have rendered neceffary. |