Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub
[ocr errors]

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal (Matt. xxv. 46).

IN REFERENCE TO HEAVEN.

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Cor. ii. 9).

In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore (Ps. xvi. 11).

Many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven (Matt.viii. 11).

There shall be a great multitude which no man can number, out of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, that shall stand before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands (Rev. vii. 9).

There the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick; for all the people that dwell therein, are forgiven their iniquity (Isa. xxxiii. 24).

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Rev. xxi. 4).

They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst any more; neither shall the sun light upon them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains

of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Rev. vii. 16).

Then they shall sing, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Rev. v. 12).

-Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, for he hath redeemed us to God by his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Rev. v. 9).

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Rev. i. 5).

PART FIFTH.

THE POWER OF FAITH EXEMPLIFIED IN THE DEATH-BED EXPERIENCE OF EMINENT CHRISTIANS.

N.B.-These worthies are brought forward in the order of time in which they died.

You should often visit the godly upon their death beds, for from them you may learn some salutary lessons.

There is nothing in history so improving to the reader, as the accounts we meet with of the death of eminent Christians, and of their behaviour in that trying season.

The last days of good men are often their best days, and their last words their best words.

MARTIN LUTHER, when all his friends were gathered about him, began to pray in the following manner, "O eternal and merciful God, I thank thee that thou hast revealed to me thy Son Jesus Christ; whom the Pope, and the multitude of the ungodly, revile, persecute, and blaspheme. I beseech thee, my Lord and Saviour, receive my soul!" He then clasped his hands together, and without a finger or a fea

ture being disturbed, he quietly fell asleep in Jesus.

PHILIP MELANCTHON, throughout his illness, frequently exclaimed, "I desire to depart and be with Christ. In thee, O Lord, have I trusted, let ine never be confounded; for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth."

JOHN CALVIN often repeated these words of David, "I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it! Thou, Lord, chastenest me; but I am abundantly satisfied, since it is thy hand. It is enough that I live and die to Christ, who is gain to us both in life and death."

JOHN KNOX.-"Come, Lord Jesus,-into thy hand I commend my spirit.-Be merciful, O Lord, to thy church, which thou hast redeemed. Raise up faithful pastors, who will take charge of thy church. Often hath Satan tempted me to despair; but thanks be to God who hath given me the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I am persuaded that within a short time, I shall exchange this mortal life for a blessed immortality."

ROBERT ROLLOCK.- -"O my God, I have seen thee but darkly in the glass of thy Word. 0 Lord, grant that I may enjoy the eternal light of thy countenance, which I have desired and longed for. I bless God that my heart is in heaven; and, Lord Jesus, why shouldst thou

not have it? It has been my care, all my life long, to dedicate it to thee; I pray thee take it, that it may live with thee for ever."

THEODORE BEZA was much afflicted with tedious watchings; but he endeavoured to sweeten the time by holy meditations; and speaking to his friends about it, used these words of the Psalmist: "When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate upon thee in the night-watches; because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." While a minister was praying with him, Beza, without the least pain or groan, yielded up his spirit into the hands of God who gave it.

JOHN WELSH was often so filled with the sensible enjoyment of God, that he was heard to utter these remarkable words: "O Lord, hold thine hand; it is enough; thy servant is but a clay vessel, and can hold no more. death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, that giveth me le victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

MRS JANE RATCLIFFE said, "I do not fear death, for the pain of it; for I am persuaded that I have endured as great pains in my life; and death will cure me of them all. I do not fear death, because Christ died the cursed death of the cross for me." Her last words were, "Make haste to help me, O God of my salvation."

K

« FöregåendeFortsätt »