through and to separate yourself from this world. " Blessed is that servant, whom when his Lord cometh He shall find so doing." (S. Matt. xxiv. 26.) He who expects death at every hour, even though he should die suddenly, will not fail to die well.
Affections and Prayers.
Every Christian ought to be prepared to say, when death shall be announced to him, Since therefore, my God, but so few hours remain to me, I would love Thee as much as it is possible for me to do during the short time I shall have in this life, so that I may love Thee more in the life to come. But little remains for me to offer Thee; therefore I will offer these my pains to Thee, and the sacrifice of my life, together with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, made for me upon the Cross. O Lord, the pains which I am suffering are but few and very slight compared with what I deserve to suffer: such as they are I embrace in token of the love I have for Thee. I yield myself to every punishment that it may please Thee to send me. If only I may love Thee in eternity, punish me as Thou wilt, but do not deprive me of Thy love. I know that I do not deserve to love Thee any longer, because I have so often despised Thy love; but Thou wilt not spurn a repentant soul. I repent, O my Sovereign Good, for having offended Thee. I love Thee with all my heart, and trust everything to Thee. Thy death, O my Redeemer, is my hope. Into Thy wounded hands I commend my soul. " Into Thy hands I commend my spirit: for Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of truth." (Ps. xxxi. 6.) O my Jesus, Thou Who hast given Thy Blood to save me, do Thou never allow me to be separated from Thee. I love Thee, O Eternal God, and I hope to love Thee in eternity.
