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was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to his works;-And the Sea gave up the Dead which were in it, and Death and Hell [Hades or the Grave] delivered up the Dead which were in them, and they were judged every Man according to their Works; and Death and Hell, or the Grave were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second Death: and whosoever was found not written in the Book of Life, was cast into the Lake of Fire."

St. Paul, as it is set forth in the eighth Sermon, gave Felix a Sketch only of some of the most alarming Circumstances of the Dissolution of this World and the last Judgment; leaving us with a Wish that he had given us a more full Description, in one connected View, since no Language (but that of Scripture and the inspired Writers) is equal to the Mighty Theme. This led me, as above, to collect the chief of those Scripture Texts which relate to those subjects, according to the order in which the writings of the authors, stand in the Bible; beginning with Moses, and extending down to the revelation of St. John; out of which a short description might be taken, wholly or very nearly in the words of Holy Writ. This hath been attempted as follows.

""Tis Midnight!* deep, still and dreary midnight. For that great day of the Lord shall come

The Sermon from which this description is copied, was first delivered in Trinity Church, New-York, more than 47 years ago, viz. on Christmas Day, 1755, intended to be as nearly in Scripture Language as possible. The Reader will judge what difference the long period of VOL. I.

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rity and ease.

as a Thief in the Night; when all is hushed in Secu'Tis as if Darkness and Silence had resumed their ancient reign. On this side, on that, an universal Slumber has sunk the unsuspecting world into deep repose. The very Sons of riot lean the exhausted head after the foul debauch, and tired nature enjoys a temporary respite. Even the usual watch of night slumbers on his post, and not a single thought is loose, save those airy dreams that sport on wildered fancy. Or if it be not Midnight---palpable and visible darkness to all (nor can it be, while the Sun goes round and dispenses his alternate supplies of light to the different nations upon Earth); yet it is the Midnight of the Mind---the unguarded hour of the Soul, when it is engaged in every thing else, except the one thing needful!" "Tis when the lamps of men are without Oil; and when, like the foolish Virgins, they are not looking for the Coming of the Bridegroom!

But behold! the warning Angel descends from Heaven. A Cloud is his garment---a Rainbow encircles his head---his face is as the Sun's Glory, and his feet as pillars of fire. He holds in his hand a little book open, which is the Registry of God, and contains the Councils of the Creator; he sets his · right Foot upon the Sea and his left Foot upon the Earth; and he lifts up his [other] hand unto the Heavens; and with a voice loud as when a lion roareth, and in the midst of seven thunders, Swears--

47 years, will make in the compositions of a man; but it being part of the Author's works, and always designed for the Press, this was consider. ed as the proper place.

By him who liveth forever and ever, who created Heaven and the things that therein are, and the Earth and the things that therein are, and the Sea and the things which are therein---Swears! What does he Swear after this most alarming introduction? Swears, "That there should be Time no longer" that the Sun and the Seasons, and the Succession of Day and Night, and all the things that now are, should cease to be, and should be swallowed up, and lost in the vast unfathomable Abyss of Eternity!

Thus assured of the Death of Time, and the Dissolution of this world, let us approach in the fear of God, and guided by his word, to attend and describe their awful Funeral! For, Hark! the invitation is given, and the summons announced by another Angel, even an Archangel, whose mighty voice, and the loud sound of the trump of God shake the earth from Centre to Pole--

"Awake! Awake! ye that dwell in dust, and come to Judgment! Hear O ye dry bones the word of the Lord, and come together from the four winds!”

It is done! the dry bones hear and obey. In the dark mansions of every grave and charnel-house, a noise and shaking is heard, while the bones come together, bone to his bone, at the Almighty summons; Lo! the sinews and the flesh come upon them, and the skin cover them above, but there is no Breath in them. Yet, Lo! again the Lord speaks and commands..." Come from the four winds, O Breath!" and the breath comes! they live, and stand upon their feet, an exceeding great army, and turn their new-opened eyes to the Heavens---But the Hea

vens!...Where are they? they are gone, fled away, and their place is filled with prodigies, and wonders and appearances stupendously great.

For Lo! Conspicuously glorious, the Ancient of Days comes forth from his clouded pavilion. His throne is fixed, and he doth sit upon it---Before it appears a sea of glass like unto chrystal. His gar. ment is white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool. Thousand thousands minister unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand about him. And now they proceed with a mighty shout and the sound of the trumpet. A fiery stream issues before him to clear his way, and his chariot wheels appear as a living blaze. The new-raised dead start from the tremendous prospect with surprize, and turn their eyes from the Heavens back to the Earth--but the earth! where or what is it? Its whole face is one wide ocean of smoke and flame. It reels to and fro---it staggers like a drunken man, and totters to its lowest foundations. The sea and the waves roar. Every island is moved from its place; and the works of art, the labour of ages, are buried in one undistinguishable ruin.* Nor 'these alone---The

* It may be agreeable to the reader to peruse the following grand description of the celebrated Dr. Young, taken from the same passages of scripture. See his poem entitled the Consolation-Night Thoughts, the 9th or last night.

At midnight, when mankind is wrapt in peace
And worldly fancy feeds on golden dreams;
To give more dread to man's most dreadful hour-
At midnight, 'tis presum'd, this pomp will burst
From tenfold darkness; sudden as the spark
From smitten steel; from nitrous grain the blaze.

mountains and solid rocks, melt as wax before the fire; nay the proud bills themselves, that were of old, dissolve away like the snows upon their hoary tops; and the whole fabrick of nature sinks beneath the astonished nations. All faces are turned into paleness; and, on every side, the voice of Anguish and Guilt is heard, wishing to disappear with the Earth,

Man starting from his couch shall sleep no more!
The day is broke, which never more shall close!
Above, around, beneath, amazement all!
Terror and glory join'd in their extreme!
Our God in grandeur, and our world on fire!
All nature struggling in the pangs of death!
Dost thou not hear her? dost thou not deplore
Her strong convulsions, and her final groan?
Where are we now? Ah me! the ground is gone,
On which we stood-Lorenzo! while thou may'st,
Provide more firm support, or sink forever!

Where? How? from whence? vain hope! it is too late!
Where, where, for shelter shall the guilty fly,
When consternation turns the good man pale?
Amazing period! when each mountain height
Out-burns Vesuvius; rocks eternal pour
Their melted mass, as rivers once they pour'd.
Stars rush; and final ruin fiercely drives
Her ploughshare o'er creation! while aloft,
More than astonishment! if more can be,
Far other Firmament than e'er was seen,
Than e'er was thought by man! far other stars!
Stars animate, that govern these of fire-

A swift Archangel, with his golden wing,

As blots and clouds, that darken and disgrace

The scene divine, sweeps Stars and Suns aside!
And now, all dross remov'd, heaven's own pure day
Full on the confines of our Ether, flames.

While (dreadful contrast!) far, how far beneath!
Hell, bursting, belches forth her blazing seas,
And storms sulphureous; her voracious jaws
Expanding wide, and roaring for her prey.

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