32. THE DUTY OF THE AGED SAINT.
32. THE DUTY OF THE AGED SAINT.
The kind providences of my lot, command my gratitude to my Heavenly Father—my entire dependance on his arm—and peace and composure in my bosom.
The heavenly promises of being brought home to glory, and satisfied forever with his likeness, may shed a little heaven through my bosom; and because I am so far advanced in life, may rather cheer than distress me. O how vain and uncertain is this world—but how sweet and sure the unseen world—towards which I look!
When Hezekiah got the message of his death, he turned away his face from his courtiers, his officers of state, and his attendants, towards the wall; for none of our friends can attend us through the dark valley of death. So in view of my approaching dissolution, I should turn my face, my affections, away from all created things.
I am now, like the Israelites, arrived on the very banks of Jordan, and just waiting for the command to cross over. Until that day comes, I wish by the 'eye of faith' to take pleasant and repeated views of the unseen world.
This will wean me from this present wilderness—endear heaven to me—and encourage me in view of passing over the river. Israel dwelt forty years in the desert—but when they left it, they left it for good and never pitched a tent there again, or expressed the least desire of returning there.
Just so, though I should dwell seventy years in this weary world, yet when called away, O with what cheerfulness will I leave the land of my pilgrimage, the place of my exile! When gone, I shall be gone forever, and raise a triumphant song at having entered my everlasting rest; and being set forever free from sin and earth, from infirmity and death!