As death approacheth, the perfect and upright man, who realizeth his state, looks back with comfort, approving the part he hath acted, after renovation, and forward to the enjoyment of God, with stedfast hope and strong consolation.

We have this happiness of a dying saint, exemplified in St. Paul—­“I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand:  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid, up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.”—­His rejoicing was “the testimony of his conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, he had had his conversion in the world.”  In the testimony of his conscience, he read the evidence of his good estate —­of his sincerity towards God, and of his interest in Christ, He viewed nothing which he had done as meritorious—­as laying God under obligation, Grace in Christ was all his hope.  But he considered his love to God, and his zeal in his cause, as evidential that he was born of God, and the subject of divine grace in the Redeemer.  Thence he inferred his title to the inheritance, prepared of God for those who love him.

Other saints do the same.  In the testimony of conscience that they love God, and have obtained grace to serve him, they read their interest in the covenant and in the promises, in all their divine fulness.

This is the best, yea, the only evidence, of an interest in them.  Where this is found, the matter is determined; there can be no reasonable doubt of their good estate; but where it is wanting, every thing beside is of no avail.

It is natural for a servant, when he sees a reckoning day at hand, to look back, and inquire how he hath improved his trust, and what account he hath to give?  And from the testimony of conscience, he anticipates the reception he may expect from his lord.  MANKIND feel themselves accountable to God and naturally expect to receive from his impartial hand, according to their works; and when they perceive their probation drawing to a close, they naturally look about them, and inquire how they can appear before their Judge?

The dying Christian is sometimes heard observing to those about him —­“My glass is almost run.  Would to God I had been more faithful, and done more for him who loved me, and gave himself for me.  But blessed be his name, he hath enabled me to choose him for my portion, and enabled me to serve him in sincerity; though I have done it with much weakness and imperfection.  Now I rely on his grace; his grace will be sufficient for me; it will support me in death, and reward my poor services with an eternal reward.”

But if conscience, as death approacheth, speaks a different language —­If it testifies to a departing soul—­“You have neglected, the great salvation—­lived in pleasure and been wanton, minding only earthly things,” it fills the soul with anguish unutterable, causing it to anticipate eternal horrors!