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I. THE FORCE OF THE WORDS.

1. The conjugal relation is a very tender and sensible one. It is natural, it is right, it is commendable in a gracious husband to consider and regard his wife as the "desire of his eyes"; as the most valuable of earthly objects.

2. The stroke of death will assuredly part them. Whatever situation we are placed in, however prosperous our circumstances, however successful our pursuits, however harmonious and agreeable our tempers and dispositions, however weighty and numerous our cares, however advantageous our mutual counsels and assistances, and however reluctant we may be to a separation, the stroke will come, and will break in pieces this tenderest of all connections known on earth.

3. Such a stroke is peculiarly painful and calamitous to the surviving husband. It closes forever those dear eyes which have always been observant of what might contribute to his welfare; it gives a fatal dash to those capacities which have been united and exerted in a manner and to a degree scarcely possible in any other, to alleviate her partner's distresses, and advance his joys, as if those joys and distresses of her husband had been her own; it disconcerts their most pleasing schemes, though formed with the most perfect harmony of which mortals are capable, and though pursued with the most glowing ardour. It ought to silence all our murmurings, and excite a holy, humble resignation, to hear our merciful God and Father say, "The stroke is from Me." "Is it not lawful for Him to do what He will with His own?" What He does, and why He does it, we are frequently ignorant now; but, so far as it will contribute to our happiness, or be necessary to justify His proceedings, "we shall know hereafter." It will probably constitute one part of the happiness of saints in heaven to review and admire the dispensations of a wise and gracious God towards them while upon earth.

II. A FEW OBSERVATIONS ON THE STROKE OF DEATH, AS IT RESPECTS MANKIND IN GENERAL AND BELIEVERS IN PARTICULAR.

1. Respecting mankind in general.

(1) The stroke of death separates the soul and body from each other, and lays the latter in the dust.

(2) This stroke is the consequence of sin.

(3) It is a stroke that makes no distinctions among men. Grandeur, power, and dignity have, in this case, no respect paid them.

(4) The stroke of death removes those on whom it falls from all the pleasures gad enjoyments of time.

(5) By this stroke we are deprived of all opportunities to prepare for heaven.

(6) The stroke of death is a certain stroke, that calls us to the judgment seat of Christ; in consequence of which our eternal state is irrevocably determined.

(7) The time of this stroke is very uncertain. God only knows when it will fall on me, or on any of you. It is sometimes very sudden; and it may be so to any of us. Happy, happy the man who is always prepared for it.

2. Let us consider this stroke as it respects the true believer in particular.

(1) The stroke of death translates them from a world of darkness, ignorance, and confusion, to a world of light.

(2) By the stroke of death the saints are removed from a world of perplexing controversy and contention, to a world of harmony and peace.

(3) This world is continually a state of temptations and defilements; but the true believer is, at death, delivered from it and translated to a state of purity and holiness.

(4) The stroke of death delivers the saints from a state of fear and anxiety, and removes them to a world where these shall be known no more.

(5) In the present state the children of God are frequently beheld with scorn and contempt by vain, unthinking men of the world, as their Saviour also was in the days of His flesh, and as His most eminent followers and servants have been in all ages. But the stroke of death takes them away from the scorn and derision of men, and they are translated to a world where they shall be advanced to real honour and dignity.

(6) This is a state of toil and labour, But when the stroke comes of which we are now speaking, the saints shall be called to eternal rest.

(7) While the saints are "at home in the body, they are absent from the Lord"; and consequently deprived of much felicity which is reserved for them; for "in His presence is fulness of joy," etc. And when they are delivered from this corrupt and degenerate world, this joy and these pleasures shall be theirs.

III. WHAT PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE DEDUCIBLE?

1. Hence we learn what is the one thing needful, and the folly and danger of neglecting it. Nothing will answer every purpose in life, death, and eternity but the knowledge and enjoyment of Jesus Christ, and salvation by Him.

2. Let me assist your inquiries respecting the way to enjoy this great blessing, and so to be prepared for the stroke of death.

3. From this view of death I call you to praise a merciful God, who has given His dear Son to deliver us from the fear of it, and recommend the blessed Jesus to you all, as your only, all-sufficient support and deliverer in your last trying moments.

4. The pitiable state of those who are practically preferring anything else to an immediate preparation for death.

5. Let all true believers, from hence, lift up an eye of faith, and take a pleasing view of that blessed world where the stroke of death shall be known no more.

6. Be diligent in improving the present moments for God. Employ all the members of your bodies, exert all the capacities of your mind, and all the superfluities of your earthly possessions, to support and advance your Redeemer's interest. Adorn it by a holy conversation; and recommend it to others by every prudent method."

7. Act as in continual expectation of death.

8. Is anything of equal consequence with dying safe?

(D. Taylor.)

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KJV: Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

WEB: Also the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,