erns all things. Then, like the Prophet Habakkuk, we may say, "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."

Thirdly, From this subject, WE MAY FORM AN ESTIMATE OF OUR OWN CHARACTER. For, notwithstanding our attendance on public ordinances, we have need to ask ourselves,-Am I living in ignorance of this Divine Head? Am I living without communion and fellowship with a risen Saviour? Am I ready to join the scoffer when I hear of deriving influence from him? For, whatever I know, if I know not this, I am living without Christ; without any vital union to him: and if so, in vain will it be to say, Lord, "we have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not, whence ye are." Such professors are described, in the Epistle to the Colossians, as "not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." "Holding the Head" is holding the life; for without him we can do nothing.

On the other hand,-Am I convinced that I am a poor lost sinner, and that there is no health in me? and, in consequence of this, do I desire to be united to the living Head? It is true that I may be brought down very low, and that in an hour of temptation my heart may sink; yet what though I come down-downdown-as low as ever poor mortal was,-yet if I can look up to my living Head, if I can look up and regard that head that was once pierced with thorns, but is now exalted, then, I may recollect that I have a sympathizing friend; and I can say with the Apostle, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, work

eth for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. iv. 17.

GOD'S MESSAGE TO HEZEKIAH.

Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

So great is the stupidity and infatuation in mansuch is his intoxication-such his carnality of heart, that he is disposed to go on minding the foolish trifling things of the moment, and forgetting the great and important things of eternity. He acts as if he were never to die. Little insignificant things are magnified -made of importance-allowed to lie near his heartwhile the one thing needful--the greatest and most interesting concern, is pushed into a corner-to be thought of at a more convenient season! There is therefore need of such an admonition as this.

There is sometimes a vain boasting in religion: but however people may talk when they do not consider, I will venture to assert that there is not a thinking man upon earth, whom such a message as this which was brought to Hezekiah, would not alarm. He has talked about dying he has thought of it if he is really a thinking man, and has made some preparation for it: but, when it comes, and the prophet says, Set thine house in order-set about the great work-prepare to die! there is not a thinking man upon earth, whom that message would not alarm. What, then, must be the case with the unprepared and impenitent, who have never thought or inquired respecting the foundation on which a sinner must stand; nor regarded the subject

when set before them? and yet, it must be said to them -it must shortly be said to each of them-Thou art but a dead man!

In this admonition there is implied, 1st, Set thy temporal affairs in order: thou art a king; put every thing in a proper posture for removal; thou hast had special privileges, and must give an account of them; for "thou shalt die, and not live." It is an ornament to a Christian in his profession, that he is a man of order, and a pattern to others as respects his temporal matters. Thus, in regard to his family, he will look around and say, I have endeavored to do my duty to each; I have done what I could for them.

But, 2nd, and more especially, it implies,-"Set thine house in order" in respect to thy spiritual affairs,—in regard to the things which concern salvation: so that when God comes, thou mayest be ready to give in thy account. For, are we not stewards, who must give account of our stewardship? Are we not soldiers, who have to fight before receiving a crown? Have we not a "course" to finish before receiving a prize?

If we consider what death is-the passing from a changeable state into an eternal and fixed one-it will appear the most awful consideration in the world! Therefore, "Set thine house in order:" put thy temporal and spiritual affairs in such a posture, as becomes a dying man who must shortly appear before God.

3rd. But there seems to be something further: "Set thine house in order," for thou art specially warned. Another may be dying, and not know it; but thou art dying under an express declaration of its approach. It is God's plan in his moral government, that a humbling dispensation should follow a prosperous one. The best of us need admonition, and to be called up to reflection. We are acting as if we were not to die at

all. The world does not know what dying is: "The man is gone!" they say; such a one "has put an end to his existence!" This is an atheistical way of talking. Is there an end of the man? was there an end of Dives? was there an end of Lazarus?

While God employs ministers-poor sinners to stand up and speak to others-earthen vessels, in which he is pleased to put his treasure, and to convey it; yet, it is not uncommon for God to become a preacher expressly himself; as if he should say to a man-You have heard from Sunday to Sunday what is said from the pulpit, and have listened in a formal and careless manner; but I will make you feel that I AM HERE: I will make you feel the truths preached: I will shake thy frame: I will open the grave before thine eyes: I will bring it sensibly before thee: I will take one, or two, or three out of thy family: I will make thee feel that thou art thyself within sight of the pit: I will place thee as among the dead: I will make thee contemplate the eternal world as at hand: I will say to thee, "Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live."

Did you ever know any thing of this? Did you ever know what it was to look death in the face? If you have, I will ask you another question-What was your view of the world at that time? What was your view of those fond imaginations that have taken hold of your heart in times past? What, then, did you think of religion? What, then, did you think of the Lord of life? What, then, did you think of a foundation to set the soul of your foot upon? What, then, of Christ? What, then, of his atoning blood, shed upon the cross to purchase pardon to reconcile thee to God-and to make death gain? And let me ask you, now that you are restored to life and health-Are these things different to what they were then? Does the coldness that is

come upon conscience since you have got over your sickness, and have been mixing with the world, take from the reality of these things? If they appeared so important in contemplation, what must they appear in vision in another world! You see, therefore, that it is a most important message to be brought to a man's conscience-"Set thine house in order;" especially since it must be said to every one-Thou art but a dead man ;—if not to-day, thou shalt be to-morrow.

4. The great wisdom of man, therefore, is to know how to set his house in order; i. e. to put his heart, and affairs, into such a posture, as that whenever death comes, he may be ready and prepared ;-however he may be alarmed at the moment-yet that he may be ready to meet it without fear of consequences.

If you will set out this next year as a truly wise and rational creature, begin with considering your state as a dying sinner. And though you may not all at once be able to enter into the comfort, and encouragement, and privileges of the Gospel-yet, set about religion; think of your eternal affairs; consider that death may be at hand. Setting your house in order, will not make death come the sooner, but the safer. Begin with your state: consider that death will strip you of every thing like disguise or pretence: begin with your own heart; and begin with God. Putting off the matter will only harden your conscience. Begin, I say, with your heart; carry it to God, and beg of him to cleanse the thoughts of your heart by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit, and enable you to prepare for death and eternity.

The great business in coming to the house of God is not to hear the speculations of a preacher upon some particular passage of Scripture, and to learn what may