50. The Dying one appears before the Judgment Seat

of God.

EXHORTATION.

"We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."—2 Cor. v. 10. "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged," is the admonition of the Apostle

Paul, in 1 Corinthians, xi. 31; and truly the man who examines his own life, accuses himself, and prays for grace in the name of Jesus, will not be condemned by God, but will experience his goodness and mercy; for he who acknowledges and renounces his trespass, shall have mercy. This, therefore, should be the care of the dying.

1. He must remember that sooner or later he must appear before the judgment seat, for it is

THE DYING ONE APPEARS BEFORE appointed for man once to die, and afterwards the judgment. 2. Therefore a dying one will do well to be reconciled to God in time, to ask his forgiveness in the name of Jesus' blood, and thus attain unto grace; then he may rest assured, that, die when and as God will, quickly or slowly, God will graciously accept his soul, and that on the last day he will enter into life eternal, justified by the blood of Jesus. I know, O God, that it is appointed for me once to die, and afterwards the judgment. Therefore, I now appear before thy judgment seat, while yet I live; I would be reconciled to thee before I die. O righteous God! I know that I am a great sinner! I have broken all thy holy commandments, often designedly, I have not loved thee with all my heart, nor with all my soul, nor with all my might; I have not always followed in the footsteps of my Jesus, nor suffered the Holy Ghost to lead and guide me as I ought to have done. I remember that I was made thy child in holy baptism, but that I have not always lived as a child of God, that in confession and at thy holy table, I have made many promises, of which I kept but few, and again associated myself with the world. Lord, I have THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD.

done amiss; the load of my transgressions presses me down; I have not walked in the way pointed out by thee; my sins rise over my head, and like a weighty burden they have grown too heavy for me. O gracious God! thou who hast declared that thou dost not seek the death of the sinner, but that he should turn and live, behold, I come and desire to make my peace with thee. O, I repent of my sins, and fall down before thy judgment seat, and beseech thee, Lord God Father in heaven, to have mercy upon me! Lord God Son, the Saviour of the world, have mercy upon me! Lord God Holy Ghost, have mercy upon me! I invoke thy great mercy, O Father! I have sinned in heaven and before thee; I am not worthy to be called thy child, yet O be merciful unto thy child, and do not disown me! I fly unto thee, O Jesus, my Advocate! O intercede for me, a sinner, now, and in the hour of my death! For the sake of thy precious blood, forgive my trespasses; for the sake of thy holy wounds, let me find grace before the austere judgment seat of God! Lord, be gracious unto me according to thy goodness, and wipe out my sins after thy great mercy. O most precious Holy Ghost! I pray to thee to create a new heart within me, sanctify and purify it, give me thy testimony that I am a child of God and in favor with God. Yea, work in me a true THE DYING ONE APPEARS BEFORE repentance, a living faith, and holy resolves to live only to thy honor, and to die in childlike obedience. O produce in me holy thoughts, devout sighs, acceptable meditations on death, and give me a refreshing foretaste of heaven and of the glory that is to come. Let me hear thy consoling words in my heart, "Be of good cheer, my son, thy sins are forgiven thee." O most Holy Trinity! have mercy upon me, let me find favor in thy sight when I leave this world, and do not take me into judgment for the evil I have done, but have mercy upon me according to thy love. Amen. 1. "Rise from your graves, ye dead!" Thus shall the call be sounded, Which on the latter day shall find us all astounded;

Which to the faithful flock shall promise rare delight,

And fill the trembling hearts of sinners with affright.

2. "Rise from your graves, ye dead!" Your sleep at last is over, Ye blessed of the Lord, no more without shall hover.

The garments are prepared, the crowns are for you stored;

Enter into the joy and comfort of your Lord!

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD.

3. "Rise from your graves, ye dead!" Come from your earthly cover; Ye wicked all the pangs of hell shall now discover

Ye once rejected me, I hold you nothing worth;

Wailing and gnashing teeth shall be your lo, henceforth.

4. "Rise from your graves, ye dead!" Lo, here are bone and tissue, Flesh, sinew, hand, eye, foot! from earth and air they issue. That wherewith you have served the Lord is glorified,

That wherewith you have sinned, consumed and cast aside.

5. "Rise from your graves, ye dead!" Ye faithful now shall glory In halos like the sun, undimmed, untransitory.

Immortal bodies with immortal souls shall blend,

Ye shall enjoy the rest of saints that hath no end.

28*

THE DYING ONE FORGIVES