ould there be any reason to be content, that this id not happen to me till I was old, and full of ches? "The greatness of those things which follow leath, makes all that goes before it sink into nohing. Now, that judgment is the next thing that I look for, and everlasting happiness or misery has come so near me; all the enjoyments and prospericies of life seem as vain and insignificant, and to nave as little to do with my happiness, as the clothes that I wore before I could speak. "But, my friends, how am I surprised, that I have not always had these thoughts. For what is there in the terrors of death, in the vanities of life, or the necessities of piety, but what I might have as easily and fully seen in any part of my life? What a strange thing it is, that a little health, or the poor business of a shop should keep us so senseless of these great things, that are coming so fast upon us! "Just as you came into my chamber, I was thinking with myself, what numbers of souls there are now in the world, in my condition at this very time, surprised with a summons to the other world; some taken from their shops and farms, others from their sports and pleasures, some at suits of law, others at gaming tables; some on the road, others at their firesides, and all seized at an hour when they thought nothing of it; frightened at the approach of death, confounded at the vanity of all their labours, designs, and projects, astonished at the folly of their past lives, and not knowing which way to turn their thoughts, to find any comfort: their consciences flying in their faces, bringing all their sins to their remembrance, tormenting them with the deepest convictions of their own folly, presenting them with the sight of the angry Judge the worm that never dies, the fire that is ed, the gates of hell, the powers of dar bitter pains of eternal death. "Oh! my friends! bless God, that of this number, that you have time an employ yourselves in such works of bring you peace at last. And take th you, that there is nothing but a life of or a death of great stupidity, that can k apprehensions. Had I now a thousa would give them all for one year more, present unto Go one year of such devoti works, as I never before so much as int perhaps, when you consider that I hav from scandal and debauchery, and in nion of the Church, wonder to see me s morse and self-condemnation at the a death. But, alas! what a poor thing it lived only free from murder, theft, and a "You know, indeed, that I have never oned a sot; but you are at the same tim and have been frequent companions of my ance, sensuality, and great indulgence. now going to a judgment, where nothing warded but good works, I may well be that though I am not a sot, yet I have no sobriety to plead for me. "It is true, I have lived in the commun Church, and generally frequented its wo service, when I was not too idle, or othe posed of by my business or pleasures. my conformity to the public worship has be a thing of course, than any real intention forming the duty which that service suppo it not been so, I should have been more dev intention of living up to the piety of the Gos This never so much as entered into my head my heart. I never considered, whether I was ng as the laws of religion direct, or whether my y of life was such as would procure me the mercy God at this hour. “And can it be thought, that I have kept_the ospel terms of salvation, without ever so much as cending, in any serious and deliberate manner, her to know or to keep them? Can it be thought at I have pleased God, with such a life as he retires, though I have lived without ever considering hat he requires, or how much I have performed? ow easy a thing would salvation be, if it could fall to my careless hands, who have never had so uch serious thought about it, as about any one comnon bargain that I have made! "In the business of life, I have used prudence nd reflection; I have done every thing by rule and method. I have been glad to converse with men of xperience and judgment, to find out the reasons vhy some fail, and others succeed in business. I have taken no step in trade, but with great care and caution, considering every advantage or danger that attended it. I have always had my eye upon the main end of business, and have studied all the ways and means of being a gainer by all that I undertook. "But what is the reason that I have brought none of these tempers to religion? What is the reason, that I, who have so often talked of the necessity of rules, and methods, and diligence, in worldly business, have all this while never once thought of any rules, or methods, or managements, to carry me on in a life of piety? "Do you think any thing can astonish and con found a dying man like this? What think a man must feel, when his cons this folly to his charge? when it sh how regular, exact, and wise, he has matters, that are passed away like a how stupid and senseless he has lived, reflection, without any rules, in things ment as no heart can conceive! "Had I only my frailties and imp lament at this time, I should lie here, h ing in the mercies of God. But alas call a general disregard, and a thoroug all religious improvement, a frailty or i when it was as much in my power to b careful, and diligent, in a course of pie business of my trade! I could have many helps, have practised as many rul taught as many certain methods of ho of thriving in my shop, had I but so i desired it. "Oh! my friends! a careless life, u and inattentive to the duties of religion, tute of all excuse, so unworthy of the me so disgraceful to the sense and reason of that I can hardly conceive a greater than for a man to be thrown into the stat in, to reflect upon it." Penitens was unable to proceed, a after, expired. |