this, a spiritual preparation is necessary, to the nature and importance of which your solemn attention is requested.

II. Spiritual preparation is two-foldnamely, a preparation for the consequences of death, and a preparation of mind for the event itself; for many are prepared for all its consequences, whose minds. are not prepared to encounter, with composure, the painful struggle of expiring nature, and to enter calmly and at once, upon a new and untried state of exist

ence.

1. Let us then, in the first place, speak of a preparation for the consequences of death, which is the main subject of vast importance and engrossing interest to fallen, yet immortal man; and without which, all other preparation will be of no avail.

Death introduces us first to the judg"It is appointed unto men once

ment.

to die, but after this the judgment." Secondly, it introduces us to an eternal and spiritual state of being, where happiness is connected with, and dependent on, a capability of serving and enjoying God.

First. A preparation for the judgment is necessary. A preparation is necessary, because we can not escape the judgment; and because, in an unconverted state, we are not prepared for it. Jesus Christ is appointed to judge the world. He is God, and therefore omniscient, and incapable of error, either by condemning the justified, or clearing the guilty, which he has declared he will by no means do. He is holy, and therefore at an infinite remove from corruption and bribery, and criminal favouritism. He is just, and his judgment therefore will be righteous judgment, and according to truth. He is omnipotent, successful resistance is therefore impossible. The law of God is the rule of judgment, which is holy, just and

good; and all the attributes of God are pledged for its firm maintenance, and for the punishment of its transgressors. The subject matter to be judged, is your con duct in this life; for you will be judged "according to the deeds done in the body." Your words shall be judged. "I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Math. xii. 36. Even your secret thoughts must be subject to the scrutiny of this omniscient judge, for unto Him are the secrets of all hearts known. "The thought of foolishness is sin," Prov. xxiv. 9, and therefore to be judged. When God looked down upon the wickedness of man, and saw that it was great in the earth, he also saw that "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Gen. vi. 5. "The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord." Prov. xv. 6. Because the

thoughts will be brought in judgment, the unrighteous man is exhorted to "forsake his thoughts." It was on this account also, that Peter, after reproving Simon Magus for his wickedness and folly, said to him, "Pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee." Acts viii. 22.

The sentence pronounced by the judge in each case will be either, "well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord:" or "depart thou cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." "These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal."

In your present state, if not a penitent believer, you are wholly unprepared to stand this trial, or meet your judge in peace. You are at present in a perishing condition, for "he that believeth not, is

CONDEMNED ALREADY," John iii. 18. God is "angry with the wicked every day.” "There is no peace saith my God to the You are designated in the You are now dealt

wicked."

Bible as condemned.

with as condemned. The provision of a Saviour, and the offer of his pardon, declare your present state to be that of condemnation. And the urgent appeals, and tender expostulations of our Saviour, the prophets and apostles, declare it to be one also of extreme peril and necessity. The death of Jesus Christ was in execution of a sentence already pronounced against us, not of one yet to be determined upon and formed. We are by nature guilty sinners: transgressors of the law of God. We sinned in Adam in his first transgression, and fell with him. Rom. v. 12-20. We have committed actual sin, and have rejected the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ. Dear reader, how often, think you, has this crime of deepest hue, been