Our Lord himself has desired us to pray for the coming of God's kingdom; which means, that we may be fit to enter into it by death; and the Apostle Paul desires all Christians to consider death as the finishing of their sorrows, and to take comfort in the thoughts of it.

6. In this uncertain state of being, we should always remember our Saviour's words, in the parable of the worldlyminded man-"Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee:" Then, whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?-Dreadful is the thought of death to those who are devoted to this world; and who go on, living as if they were never to die. Alas! why do we not grow wise unto salvation? Why do we not contemplate the rich and prosperous of all ages?-Of what avail, to them, was all their prosperity, when death urged his irresistible claim? What could they reply to those

awful words, "Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee?" They, who are at present acting the most brilliant parts on the great stage of existence, or who are revelling in luxury, shall soon close their short scene, and be forgotten by those who succeed them; and if they have neglected to secure to themselves an inheritance in that kingdom "which fadeth not away," how improvident have they been!-The pyramids of Egypt are still standing; but of them, by whom they were built, not a trace remains, Life is of little advantage to man, unless he makes use of it to prepare for death ; and thereby to secure to himself, through Christ, an entrance into the everlasting and unspeakable happiness of heaven.

7. Our Saviour commands his disciples to take care that the light which is in them be not darkness. How vile must our faults appear in the sight of God, when even our virtues are not free from

imperfection! How ought we to tremble, when we remember that we must all appear before his judgment-seat!-How idly, how carelessly do we too often perform our services to Him! with what unconcern do we talk of him, as if we were no way interested in the existence of a God!-Let us.carefully look into ourselves, and, before all opportunity is lost. for ever, let us take care that the light which is in us, be not darkness.

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8. Watch, therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord will come." These words of our Saviour are addressed to men of all ranks and ages; and yet we are so occupied with our vain projects, and worldly enjoyments, that sickness, or the approach of death itself, is often insufficient to awaken our attention to them. But why are we so fond of this life, so unwilling to think of quitting this world?-Alas! it is because the love of God is not in us; and because we do

not value, as we ought, the joys of heaven, or the promises of everlasting life.O wretched slaves of sin! whom not even a crucified Saviour dying for you, lifts above the corruption of your mortal state; a state, in which, by your own confession, you are miserable, awake from this sad delusion, before it is too late! Watch and pray; for ye know not the hour when your souls must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ.

ON THE PROPER USE OF OUR TIME, AND THE DANGER OF MISEMPLOYING IT.

1. Ir is not necessary to enforce the absolute duty of employing your time well, if you have at all learned your duty to God: But there is still much to learn, concerning the disposal of that which (if well used) is to lead us to immortality. It always has been, and, alas! always. will be, much easier to meet with good people in theory, than in practice; but we must remember, that in the proper management of our time, nothing but constant practice is of any avail in the sight of God.

2. "To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under