of, endeavour to find some reason for the mor- tality of our neighbour, which does not attach to ourselves. When, as in the instance now before us, a person is snatched away suddenly, and in full health, as it were, we are constrained for a moment to reflect, that we also are liable to be called away : but it is surprising how soon the thought vanishes from our minds, and how little permanent effect remains. We are told, that our danger is in reality increased by our security ; and that we are then most of all exposed to the stroke of death, when we are most dreaming of" peace and safety ;" yet we cannot awake from our torpor, or set ourselves to prepare for death and judgment. We are not altogether unconscious, that destruction, even inevitable and irremediable destruction, must be the portion of those who are taken unprepared ; and yet we defer our preparation for eternity, in the hope of finding some more convenient season. We see our neighbour surprised as by " a thief in the night ;" and yet we hope that notice will be given to us. We even bear about in our persons some disorders or infirmities which might warn us of our approaching end ; and yet we look for another and another day, till like a woman in travail, we are unexpectedly seized, and with great anguish of mind are constrained to obey the call.
Now whence is it, that notwithstanding " we know perfectly" the uncertainty of life, we are so little affected with the consideration of it ? If there were no future state of existence, we might account for it ; because men would naturally put away from them any thoughts, which might diminish their enjoyment of present good. But when this life is only a space afforded us to prepare for a better, and when an eternity of happiness or misery depends on our improvement of the present hour, it is truly amazing that we should be able to indulge so fatal a security. One would think that every one would be employing all the time that he could redeem from the necessary duties of life, in order to provide for his eternal state :