Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/50

 to meet  him."  (Matt.  xxv.  6.)  He  must,  lastly,  entirely surrender  himself  into  the  hand  of  God,  repeating  the words  of  Christ,  "  Father,  into  Thy  hands  I  commend  my spirit"  (Luke  xxiii.  46);  or  those  of  David,  "  Bring  my soul  out  of  prison,  that  I  may  praise  Thy  name."  (Ps. cxli.  8.)

I. Immediately  after  death  we  shall  be  judged,  "  that every  one  may  receive  the  proper  things  of  the  body,  according as  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good  or  evil." (2 Cor. v.  10.)  Ponder  the  terrors  of  this  judgment. Who are the  parties  to  be  concerned  in  it? The Judge  is  infinitely wise — you  cannot  deceive  Him;  infinitely  powerful— you  cannot  resist  Him;  infinitely  just — you  cannot bribe Him  :  He  is  supreme,  and  consequently  from  His decision you  cannot  appeal. Your accusers  will  be  the devils, your  arch-enemies;  the  witnesses,  your  angel guardian, and  even  your  own  conscience. Thus will your poor  soul  be  circumstanced. You will  stand,  bereft of counsellors  and  friends,  despoiled  of  everything  which you had  in  the  world,  and  accompanied  by  nothing  but your own  works. These alone,  whether  they  have  been good or  evil,  will  accompany  you  to  judgment. " Their works,"  says  St. John, "  follow  them." (Apoc. xiv.  13.)

II. Consider the  terrors  of  this  judgment,  in  regard to the  strict  account  which  you  must  give  of  yourself. Your whole  life  will  be  accurately  examined,  every  action, the most  concealed,  every  thought,  the  most  secret,  will  be brought  into  open  view. " All  things  that  are  done  God will  bring  into  judgment"  (Eccles.  xii.  14),  even  "every idle  word." (Matt. xii.  36.)  The  infinitely  wise  Judge will exact  an  account,  not  only  of  evil  committed,  but