Page:Some ejaculations and dying words of the late Reverend Mr. John Willison, Minister of the Gospel at Dundee.pdf/8

8 Oh, delightful thought! that I who was going on in sin, should be plucked as a brand out of the burning. Oh, how will they lay on a death-bed that have nothing but their own works to fly to, with only this to depend on, I should be the most miserable of all creatures, but the long white robe of my Redeemer's righteousness is all my desire. They are truly blessed, they alone are happy, who are enabled to exalt' in the garments of celestial glory, which never waxeth old, in the illustrious robes of a Saviour's consummate righteousness, which are in- corruptible and immortal. This is a robe which hides every sin, of thought, word or deed that I have committed O how unspeakably happy are they who are justified by this all perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who therein can constantly triumph and glory. Lord, I live upon Christ, I live upon his righteousness I live upon his blood and merits; yea, I die also leaning wholly upon this bottom. It is not past experiences or manifestations I depend upon : it is Christ, a present all-sufficient Saviour and perfect righteousness in him I look to. All my attainments are but loss and dung besides. When I find myself polluted I go to this fountain for cleansing: Lord give me delight in approaching to thee; delight to be at a throne of grace. O that I could make my bed there, lay and die there. "The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. O for strength to offer a holy violence by faith and prayer.

Thus the author died as he lived, testifying the power of religion upon himself: and that at a time when men have most need of its comforts. The foregoing words are transcribed from his own manuscript, now lying in the hands of MR. BELL, minister at Aberbrothick.

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