A sermon preached in the parish church of St. Giles in the Fields at the funeral of Bernard Connor, M.D., who departed this life, Oct. 30, 1698 : with a short account of his life and death / by William Hayley ...
         Hayley, William, 1657-1715.
      
       
         
           1699
        
      
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             A sermon preached in the parish church of St. Giles in the Fields at the funeral of Bernard Connor, M.D., who departed this life, Oct. 30, 1698 : with a short account of his life and death / by William Hayley ...
             Hayley, William, 1657-1715.
          
           36 p.
           
             Printed for Jacob Tonson ...,
             London :
             1699.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Connor, Bernard, 1666?-1698.
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms XC, 10 -- Sermons.
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
           Funeral sermons.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           in
           the
           Parish
           Church
           of
           St.
           Giles
           in
           the
           Fields
           .
        
         
           At
           the
           FUNERAL
           of
           Bernard
           Connor
           ,
           
             M.
             D.
          
           
        
         
           Who
           departed
           this
           Life
           ,
           Oct.
           30.
           1698.
           
        
         
           
             With
             a
             Short
             Account
             of
             his
             Life
             and
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           By
           
             William
             Hayley
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           Rector
           of
           the
           said
           Church
           ,
           and
           Chaplain
           in
           Ordinary
           to
           His
           Majesty
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Iacob
             Tonson
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Iudges-Head
           ,
           near
           the
           
             Inner-Temple
             Gate
          
           in
           Fleetstreet
           ;
           and
           at
           
             Grays-Inn
             Gate
          
           in
           
             Grays-Inn
             Lane
          
           ,
           1699.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           the
           Funeral
           of
           Doctor
           Connor
           .
        
         
           
             PSALM
             XC
             .
             12.
             
          
           
             So
             teach
             us
             to
             number
             our
             days
             that
             we
             may
             apply
             our
             hearts
             unto
             wisdom
             .
          
        
         
           THere
           is
           nothing
           more
           apparent
           to
           the
           capacity
           of
           all
           men
           than
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           nothing
           of
           which
           mankind
           is
           more
           universally
           perswaded
           than
           the
           necessity
           of
           Death
           ;
           these
           are
           truths
           so
           self-evident
           ,
           that
           there
           needs
           no
           labour
           to
           demonstrate
           them
           ,
           the
           fate
           of
           past
           Genenerations
           has
           given
           us
           palpable
           arguments
           to
           imprint
           them
           upon
           our
           minds
           ,
           and
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           every
           such
           like
           occasion
           of
           meeting
           ,
           are
           so
           many
           
           fresh
           renewals
           of
           the
           impression
           ;
           so
           that
           as
           to
           the
           Doctrinal
           part
           all
           men
           seem
           to
           be
           〈◊〉
           wise
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           ignorant
           does
           not
           want
           an
           instructor
           to
           tell
           him
           that
           he
           must
           Die
           ,
           and
           that
           every
           day
           of
           his
           Life
           brings
           him
           one
           Step
           nearer
           to
           the
           Grave
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           though
           men
           are
           thus
           universally
           wise
           in
           the
           Theory
           ,
           we
           find
           them
           almost
           as
           universally
           unwise
           in
           the
           more
           necessary
           point
           ,
           that
           of
           practice
           .
           Men
           know
           they
           must
           Die
           ,
           they
           daily
           discourse
           and
           complain
           of
           it
           ,
           nay
           in
           their
           temporal
           concerns
           their
           covenants
           ,
           projects
           and
           securities
           ,
           they
           consider
           and
           provide
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           are
           so
           blind
           that
           they
           seldom
           apply
           it
           to
           their
           great
           ,
           their
           eternal
           concerns
           ,
           or
           draw
           from
           it
           those
           plain
           and
           easy
           conclusions
           ,
           which
           it
           naturally
           furnishes
           to
           perswade
           to
           a
           circumspect
           and
           religious
           manner
           of
           living
           .
        
         
           Some
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           great
           truth
           indeed
           ,
           but
           so
           plain
           as
           not
           to
           need
           the
           being
           reflected
           on
           ,
           and
           therefore
           neglect
           it
           as
           hardly
           worth
           their
           notice
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           think
           the
           consideration
           of
           it
           may
           be
           assumed
           at
           their
           leisure
           .
           Some
           again
           know
           it
           is
           
             too
             true
          
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           afraid
           of
           it
           ;
           they
           see
           't
           is
           pointed
           and
           must
           prick
           their
           consciences
           ,
           if
           they
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           dwell
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           therefore
           put
           away
           the
           evil
           day
           far
           from
           them
           ,
           remove
           the
           thought
           of
           it
           from
           their
           minds
           ,
           as
           they
           wish
           they
           could
           do
           
           the
           thing
           from
           their
           persons
           ,
           and
           say
           in
           their
           hearts
           to
           such
           suggestions
           ,
           as
           the
           Demoniacks
           did
           to
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           
             that
             they
             should
             not
             come
             to
             torment
             them
             before
             the
             time
             .
          
           And
           others
           use
           the
           important
           truth
           yet
           worse
           if
           possible
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           distort
           it
           to
           patronize
           folly
           and
           levity
           ;
           they
           conclude
           since
           life
           is
           short
           't
           is
           best
           enjoy
           its
           delights
           as
           fast
           as
           they
           can
           ,
           and
           live
           apace
           because
           they
           must
           shortly
           depart
           ;
           and
           so
           advance
           for
           their
           common
           Motto
           ,
           
             Let
             us
             eat
             and
             drink
             for
             to
             morrow
             we
             die
             .
          
           Thus
           the
           great
           and
           useful
           lesson
           of
           the
           brevity
           of
           life
           ,
           which
           Nature
           teaches
           ,
           and
           the
           word
           of
           God
           inculcates
           ,
           misses
           of
           its
           true
           end
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           
             reformation
             of
             our
             manners
          
           ;
           is
           overlook'd
           by
           the
           negligent
           ,
           dreaded
           by
           the
           voluptuous
           ,
           and
           perverted
           and
           abused
           by
           the
           daring
           and
           prophane
           .
        
         
           The
           Sacred
           Author
           therefore
           of
           this
           Psalm
           ,
           who
           is
           supposed
           to
           have
           been
           Moses
           the
           favorite
           of
           God
           ,
           makes
           it
           his
           petition
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           be
           directed
           by
           the
           aid
           of
           Heaven
           in
           the
           application
           of
           this
           piece
           of
           knowledge
           ;
           and
           since
           the
           world
           was
           generally
           so
           unfortunate
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           make
           a
           due
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           God
           would
           graciously
           please
           to
           teach
           him
           and
           his
           people
           the
           way
           to
           profit
           by
           it
           .
           He
           knew
           very
           well
           that
           our
           days
           pass
           on
           insensibly
           ,
           and
           that
           
             we
             bring
             our
             years
             to
             an
             end
             as
             it
             were
             a
             tale
             that
             is
          
           
           
             told
             ;
             that
             the
             days
             of
             our
             years
             are
             threescore
             years
             and
             ten
             ,
          
           that
           if
           they
           exceed
           ,
           't
           is
           but
           to
           bring
           an
           accession
           of
           labour
           and
           sorrow
           ;
           and
           that
           their
           date
           is
           made
           much
           shorter
           by
           our
           own
           
             ill
             conduct
          
           ,
           and
           the
           just
           punishment
           that
           it
           deserves
           ;
           that
           the
           divine
           anger
           frequently
           cuts
           the
           thread
           of
           a
           dissolute
           life
           ,
           and
           the
           divine
           providence
           sometimes
           straitens
           the
           bounds
           of
           a
           pious
           one
           ,
           and
           therefore
           that
           
             all
             are
          
           concerned
           to
           reflect
           seriously
           on
           their
           frail
           and
           uncertain
           state
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           that
           consideration
           a
           motive
           to
           a
           wise
           and
           a
           watchful
           conduct
           ;
           and
           since
           all
           wisdom
           comes
           from
           above
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           God
           himself
           that
           must
           
             direct
             our
             goings
             in
             his
             paths
             ,
          
           or
           else
           
             our
             foot-steps
             will
             slip
          
           ,
           he
           makes
           this
           his
           supplication
           ,
           and
           thereby
           directs
           us
           to
           do
           the
           same
           ,
           that
           God
           the
           Author
           of
           all
           that
           is
           good
           in
           us
           ,
           or
           useful
           for
           us
           ,
           would
           
             so
             teach
             us
             to
             number
             our
             days
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             apply
             our
             hearts
             unto
             wisdom
             .
          
        
         
           Wisdom
           is
           in
           the
           sense
           of
           my
           text
           ,
           the
           prudent
           administration
           of
           our
           life
           ,
           the
           disposal
           of
           our
           ways
           agreeably
           to
           reason
           and
           religion
           ,
           the
           careful
           preservation
           of
           our
           innocence
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           the
           securing
           our
           happiness
           in
           a
           future
           one
           ;
           these
           being
           the
           great
           ends
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           obtaining
           of
           them
           being
           the
           main
           of
           our
           hopes
           ,
           and
           the
           due
           prosecution
           of
           them
           the
           most
           exalted
           wisdom
           .
           
           And
           the
           
             applying
             our
             hearts
          
           to
           this
           wisdom
           ,
           is
           the
           making
           it
           the
           
             ultimate
             design
          
           of
           all
           our
           thoughts
           and
           actions
           ,
           the
           fixing
           our
           minds
           upon
           it
           ,
           the
           entertaining
           it
           with
           such
           serious
           meditation
           as
           the
           dignity
           of
           the
           subject
           requires
           ,
           the
           keeping
           it
           still
           in
           our
           view
           ,
           and
           not
           letting
           it
           either
           escape
           by
           inadvertency
           ,
           or
           grow
           remiss
           by
           its
           becoming
           familiar
           ,
           but
           the
           persisting
           in
           a
           constant
           ,
           uniform
           contrivance
           and
           endeavour
           ,
           to
           order
           the
           little
           time
           we
           have
           so
           wisely
           ,
           as
           to
           secure
           our
           eternity
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           
             so
             work
             out
             our
             own
             salvation
             with
             fear
             and
             trembling
             .
          
           This
           is
           to
           be
           the
           great
           important
           result
           of
           the
           
             numbring
             our
             days
          
           ,
           or
           the
           reflecting
           seriously
           on
           the
           shortness
           and
           uncertainty
           of
           human
           life
           ;
           this
           is
           the
           excellent
           lesson
           that
           we
           are
           to
           learn
           by
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           by
           all
           other
           like
           occasions
           of
           assembling
           ,
           which
           were
           piously
           designed
           ,
           not
           for
           vain
           useless
           ostentation
           ,
           but
           for
           our
           real
           instruction
           and
           improvement
           ;
           and
           were
           not
           so
           much
           intended
           for
           ceremony
           to
           the
           dead
           ,
           as
           for
           advantage
           to
           the
           living
           ;
           this
           being
           an
           opportunity
           when
           our
           hearts
           are
           supposed
           to
           be
           more
           mollified
           ,
           and
           more
           capable
           of
           serious
           impressions
           ,
           when
           our
           tears
           should
           soften
           and
           prepare
           the
           soyl
           for
           the
           reception
           of
           God's
           word
           ,
           and
           further
           its
           fruitfulness
           ;
           when
           our
           senses
           being
           fill'd
           with
           the
           demonstration
           of
           the
           vanity
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           we
           should
           sensibly
           rellish
           the
           joys
           of
           another
           .
           And
           
           O!
           that
           it
           would
           please
           God
           so
           to
           bless
           what
           I
           am
           now
           about
           to
           deliver
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           effectually
           engage
           us
           all
           ,
           not
           to
           a
           faint
           reflection
           on
           mortality
           ,
           which
           passes
           away
           with
           the
           pomp
           of
           the
           funeral
           ,
           but
           to
           such
           an
           habitual
           remembrance
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           might
           work
           its
           natural
           effect
           ,
           the
           
             applying
             of
             our
             hearts
             to
             true
             wisdom
          
           ;
           to
           unfeigned
           holiness
           and
           the
           fear
           of
           God.
           This
           would
           be
           an
           effect
           truly
           answering
           the
           charity
           of
           our
           deceased
           Brother
           ,
           who
           being
           now
           (
           as
           we
           hope
           in
           God
           )
           united
           to
           the
           society
           of
           the
           Saints
           in
           glory
           ,
           would
           with
           them
           more
           rejoyce
           at
           the
           conversion
           of
           a
           sinner
           ,
           than
           at
           panegyricks
           on
           himself
           ;
           and
           be
           more
           pleased
           at
           the
           improvement
           of
           others
           vertues
           ,
           than
           at
           the
           recital
           of
           his
           own
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           order
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           I
           shall
           in
           my
           discourse
           upon
           these
           words
           observe
           this
           following
           method
           .
        
         
           I.
           I
           shall
           shew
           that
           the
           numbring
           our
           days
           furnishes
           us
           with
           excellent
           motives
           to
           a
           pious
           and
           holy
           life
           .
        
         
           II.
           That
           the
           applying
           of
           them
           to
           this
           end
           is
           the
           highest
           piece
           of
           wisdom
           .
        
         
           III.
           I
           shall
           enquire
           how
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           that
           they
           have
           generally
           so
           little
           influence
           on
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           engage
           them
           seriously
           to
           a
           constant
           and
           habitual
           piety
           .
        
         
         
           IV.
           I
           shall
           conclude
           with
           an
           earnest
           exhortation
           ,
           to
           make
           that
           due
           application
           of
           our
           hearts
           to
           wisdom
           which
           the
           text
           directs
           us
           to
           pray
           for
           ,
           and
           the
           present
           occasion
           does
           so
           movingly
           recommend
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           I.
           That
           the
           numbring
           our
           days
           furnishes
           us
           with
           excellent
           motives
           to
           a
           pious
           and
           holy
           life
           .
           The
           
             numbring
             our
             days
          
           is
           the
           serious
           consideration
           of
           the
           brevity
           and
           uncertainty
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           the
           fatal
           necessity
           of
           a
           dissolution
           ;
           that
           we
           must
           die
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           not
           be
           long
           before
           we
           do
           ,
           that
           the
           time
           is
           not
           at
           our
           own
           disposal
           ,
           no
           not
           in
           our
           knowledge
           ,
           that
           the
           method
           of
           our
           ending
           our
           days
           is
           as
           uncertain
           as
           the
           time
           ,
           but
           that
           whenever
           or
           however
           it
           happens
           ,
           it
           opens
           a
           passage
           into
           an
           eternity
           of
           joy
           or
           misery
           .
           Such
           reflections
           as
           these
           make
           up
           the
           work
           of
           numbring
           our
           days
           ,
           and
           at
           first
           apprehension
           they
           must
           strike
           the
           mind
           with
           attention
           and
           concern
           ;
           but
           they
           are
           too
           many
           to
           be
           considered
           all
           together
           ,
           and
           too
           fruitful
           of
           arguments
           to
           have
           them
           all
           at
           one
           glance
           deduced
           and
           attended
           to
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           distinctly
           treat
           of
           some
           at
           least
           of
           the
           principal
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           shew
           the
           motives
           they
           afford
           to
           piety
           and
           a
           holy
           life
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           numbring
           our
           days
           implies
           that
           we
           must
           die
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           period
           must
           be
           put
           to
           them
           ;
           whatever
           can
           be
           numbered
           must
           end
           ,
           't
           is
           only
           infinity
           
           that
           is
           always
           durable
           .
           The
           life
           of
           man
           is
           indeed
           properly
           eternal
           ,
           and
           his
           mortal
           life
           is
           but
           the
           prologue
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           were
           made
           principally
           for
           another
           world
           ,
           and
           this
           present
           one
           is
           but
           the
           journey
           that
           leads
           to
           it
           .
           Let
           it
           be
           therefore
           never
           so
           durable
           we
           must
           at
           last
           come
           to
           our
           
             long
             home
          
           ,
           and
           its
           length
           will
           then
           be
           nothing
           ,
           when
           eternity
           is
           put
           in
           the
           balance
           with
           it
           ,
           how
           pleasant
           soever
           the
           objects
           of
           our
           senses
           may
           be
           ,
           however
           our
           affections
           may
           doat
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           say
           within
           our selves
           ,
           as
           Peter
           did
           to
           our
           Saviour
           on
           the
           mount
           ,
           
             It
             is
             good
             for
             us
             to
             be
             here
             .
          
           Yet
           the
           eternal
           Laws
           of
           mortality
           oppose
           their
           bent
           ,
           and
           cry
           aloud
           to
           us
           that
           
             we
             have
             here
             no
             abiding
             city
             .
          
           Our
           bodies
           are
           tabernacles
           that
           cannot
           last
           long
           ,
           and
           nature
           it self
           by
           degrees
           moulders
           these
           our
           houses
           of
           clay
           ,
           to
           make
           way
           for
           death
           ,
           and
           that
           lands
           us
           upon
           immortality
           .
        
         
           The
           consideration
           of
           this
           is
           sufficient
           to
           teach
           us
           that
           the
           business
           of
           
             this
             world
          
           is
           not
           to
           be
           our
           greatest
           care
           ;
           that
           what
           is
           needful
           for
           our
           temporary
           support
           is
           not
           of
           so
           great
           importance
           ,
           as
           what
           makes
           a
           provision
           for
           an
           
             endless
             life
          
           ;
           what
           if
           every
           thing
           here
           does
           not
           fall
           according
           to
           our
           wishes
           ?
           or
           what
           if
           it
           does
           ?
           what
           if
           the
           world
           frown
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           meet
           with
           disappointments
           in
           our
           designs
           ,
           necessity
           in
           our
           fortune
           and
           pains
           and
           diseases
           in
           our
           bodies
           ?
           
           what
           if
           all
           these
           join
           together
           to
           make
           our
           journey
           uneasy
           ?
           if
           we
           are
           sure
           in
           the
           end
           to
           find
           a
           lasting
           comfort
           ,
           to
           have
           all
           our
           tears
           wiped
           off
           ,
           and
           an
           admittance
           given
           us
           into
           the
           
             joy
             of
             our
             Lord
          
           ?
           and
           what
           if
           Fortune
           smile
           upon
           us
           here
           for
           a
           moment
           ?
           what
           if
           we
           are
           feared
           or
           envy'd
           ,
           caressed
           or
           loved
           by
           those
           about
           us
           ?
           what
           if
           we
           have
           health
           of
           body
           ,
           plentiful
           estates
           and
           fair
           reputations
           ?
           if
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           our
           hopes
           reach
           no
           farther
           ,
           and
           death
           is
           to
           put
           an
           end
           both
           to
           our
           grandeur
           and
           our
           expectation
           ?
           would
           not
           any
           man
           that
           reflects
           seriously
           on
           this
           be
           apt
           to
           say
           to
           himself
           ,
           shall
           I
           spend
           my
           thoughts
           or
           contrivance
           for
           that
           which
           profiteth
           nothing
           ?
           or
           for
           so
           short
           a
           time
           ?
           shall
           I
           loose
           my
           rest
           and
           my
           peace
           ,
           to
           be
           rich
           or
           great
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           my
           neighbours
           ,
           when
           I
           am
           poor
           and
           miserable
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           my
           God
           ,
           destitute
           of
           the
           riches
           of
           his
           grace
           ,
           and
           the
           Spiritual
           treasure
           of
           good
           works
           ?
           shall
           I
           gratify
           my
           own
           follies
           and
           vices
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           hurry
           of
           them
           fancy
           I
           live
           for
           a
           moment
           ,
           and
           so
           be
           carried
           away
           blindly
           into
           everlasting
           Death
           ?
           O
           stupidity
           and
           madness
           !
           that
           can
           please
           it self
           with
           the
           gaiety
           of
           a
           mortal
           state
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           not
           make
           provision
           for
           immortality
           !
           't
           is
           enough
           that
           this
           world
           passeth
           away
           ,
           to
           make
           us
           not
           value
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           our
           home
           is
           in
           another
           ,
           to
           perswade
           us
           to
           think
           of
           ,
           and
           provide
           for
           it
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Another
           reflexion
           that
           the
           numbring
           of
           our
           days
           will
           afford
           us
           ,
           is
           ,
           that
           life
           is
           at
           best
           but
           short
           ,
           and
           of
           no
           considerable
           duration
           ;
           if
           we
           reckon
           it
           from
           our
           birth
           to
           the
           period
           of
           a
           good
           old
           age
           ,
           't
           is
           no
           vast
           circuit
           ;
           when
           Iacob
           had
           lived
           near
           twice
           the
           common
           age
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           the
           days
           of
           his
           pilgrimage
           were
           130
           years
           ,
           he
           told
           Pharaoh
           that
           
             the
             days
             of
             the
             years
             of
             his
             life
             were
          
           but
           few
           as
           well
           as
           evil
           .
           'T
           is
           the
           usual
           complaint
           of
           those
           that
           spend
           their
           time
           in
           enquiries
           after
           Sciences
           ,
           in
           the
           search
           of
           Nature
           ,
           or
           the
           improvement
           of
           Arts
           ,
           that
           knowledge
           is
           of
           a
           vast
           extent
           ,
           and
           life
           is
           but
           short
           to
           work
           it
           out
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           measure
           the
           greatness
           of
           the
           work
           that
           most
           concerns
           us
           ,
           the
           subduing
           our
           corruptions
           ,
           the
           improving
           our
           graces
           ,
           and
           the
           study
           and
           practice
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           this
           short
           time
           will
           appear
           yet
           more
           inconsiderable
           ,
           the
           days
           fly
           swiftly
           ,
           and
           the
           night
           hastily
           approaches
           
             wherein
             no
             man
             can
             work
          
           .
           I
           do
           not
           now
           mention
           ,
           that
           a
           great
           part
           of
           this
           life
           is
           spent
           before
           we
           come
           to
           any
           maturity
           of
           thought
           ,
           that
           another
           great
           portion
           is
           given
           to
           necessary
           employments
           and
           diversions
           ,
           and
           a
           third
           glides
           away
           insensibly
           in
           the
           silence
           of
           thoughtless
           Sleep
           ;
           for
           the
           present
           let
           us
           suppose
           that
           all
           of
           it
           were
           in
           our
           hands
           to
           husband
           and
           employ
           to
           our
           spiritual
           advantage
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           were
           sure
           it
           should
           not
           be
           suddenly
           snatcht
           from
           us
           ,
           yet
           alas
           !
           it
           is
           easily
           measured
           ,
           
           we
           see
           how
           short
           it
           seems
           to
           ourselves
           ,
           when
           we
           look
           back
           upon
           what
           is
           past
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           do
           but
           compare
           it
           with
           eternity
           ,
           it
           quite
           disappears
           and
           vanishes
           into
           nothing
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           see
           then
           what
           use
           wisdom
           would
           make
           of
           such
           a
           consideration
           as
           this
           ;
           would
           it
           pass
           this
           little
           time
           it
           has
           given
           it
           to
           no
           purpose
           ?
           or
           to
           wicked
           ones
           ?
           would
           it
           study
           methods
           and
           contrivances
           to
           waste
           and
           mispend
           it
           ?
           would
           it
           neglect
           its
           work
           or
           add
           to
           it
           ?
           would
           it
           carelessly
           let
           slip
           the
           opportunities
           of
           repentance
           and
           amendment
           ,
           or
           render
           them
           yet
           more
           difficult
           by
           affected
           and
           habitual
           impieties
           ?
           these
           methods
           are
           directly
           opposite
           to
           a
           perswasion
           of
           the
           brevity
           of
           life
           ;
           such
           a
           thought
           would
           be
           productive
           of
           diligence
           and
           watchfulness
           ,
           and
           would
           make
           us
           vigilant
           in
           catching
           at
           and
           improving
           every
           opportunity
           that
           Providence
           is
           pleased
           to
           afford
           us
           of
           
             making
             our
             calling
             and
             election
             sure
          
           ;
           we
           should
           account
           it
           unexcusable
           folly
           to
           waste
           our
           pretious
           time
           in
           the
           serving
           of
           our
           lusts
           ,
           in
           the
           jollities
           of
           extravagance
           ,
           or
           the
           Supinity
           of
           sloth
           and
           idleness
           ;
           we
           should
           then
           conclude
           that
           we
           ought
           at
           least
           to
           employ
           our
           time
           well
           ,
           if
           we
           could
           not
           prolong
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           make
           some
           progress
           in
           our
           spiritual
           race
           ,
           press
           on
           daily
           nearer
           and
           nearer
           to
           perfection
           ,
           and
           be
           therefore
           more
           active
           ,
           because
           we
           find
           we
           have
           not
           long
           to
           run
           ;
           but
           above
           all
           we
           
           should
           dread
           the
           going
           backward
           in
           our
           course
           by
           vice
           and
           licentiousness
           ,
           and
           the
           fettering
           our selves
           in
           the
           sinful
           pleasures
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           loading
           our
           minds
           with
           the
           clogs
           of
           wicked
           affections
           and
           vicious
           desires
           .
           Whoever
           is
           truly
           sensible
           that
           his
           hours
           are
           few
           ,
           will
           not
           dare
           to
           be
           prodigal
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           wisely
           considers
           that
           his
           work
           is
           great
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           must
           be
           done
           ,
           will
           tremble
           at
           the
           thoughts
           of
           idly
           neglecting
           it
           ,
           remissly
           engaging
           in
           it
           ,
           or
           foolishly
           swelling
           its
           bulk
           or
           obstructing
           its
           progress
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           numbring
           our
           days
           will
           convince
           us
           ,
           that
           this
           short
           life
           is
           yet
           shorter
           to
           us
           ;
           that
           its
           period
           is
           uncertain
           and
           unknown
           ;
           and
           what
           must
           necessarily
           end
           quickly
           by
           the
           common
           laws
           of
           nature
           ,
           is
           frequently
           by
           our
           own
           follies
           ,
           by
           chance
           and
           accident
           ,
           and
           by
           an
           over-ruling
           providence
           suddenly
           broke
           off
           and
           concluded
           ,
           or
           which
           is
           equal
           to
           us
           ,
           render'd
           useless
           to
           our
           main
           design
           ,
           the
           preparing
           for
           
             another
             life
          
           .
           We
           may
           perhaps
           arrive
           to
           the
           age
           of
           man
           which
           the
           Psalmist
           assigns
           ,
           that
           of
           threescore
           years
           and
           ten
           ;
           we
           may
           possibly
           ,
           by
           a
           gentle
           hand
           of
           God
           be
           called
           from
           the
           hurry
           of
           business
           ,
           the
           vanities
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           the
           temptations
           of
           pleasures
           ,
           and
           have
           leisure
           ,
           upon
           a
           bed
           of
           retirement
           ,
           without
           acute
           or
           discomposing
           sickness
           ,
           to
           think
           and
           prepare
           for
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           make
           our
           peace
           
           with
           God
           ;
           these
           advantages
           't
           is
           possible
           the
           divine
           clemency
           may
           afford
           some
           of
           us
           ;
           but
           we
           are
           to
           reflect
           that
           these
           are
           extraordinary
           advantages
           ,
           that
           God
           does
           not
           generally
           vouchsafe
           to
           men
           ,
           but
           is
           pleased
           to
           indulge
           only
           to
           some
           few
           as
           particular
           expressions
           of
           his
           Paternal
           love
           .
           The
           present
           occasion
           of
           our
           meeting
           must
           divert
           us
           from
           such
           expectations
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           turn
           our
           thoughts
           upon
           the
           usual
           methods
           of
           mens
           departure
           ,
           we
           see
           that
           the
           most
           are
           taken
           off
           ,
           when
           they
           least
           think
           of
           it
           ;
           some
           suddainly
           without
           time
           to
           reflect
           ,
           some
           by
           acute
           diseases
           that
           disturb
           the
           mind
           ,
           and
           take
           away
           either
           its
           sense
           ,
           or
           the
           calm
           which
           is
           necessary
           for
           divine
           thoughts
           ;
           and
           in
           some
           the
           vigor
           of
           the
           understanding
           wears
           away
           with
           the
           strength
           of
           the
           body
           ,
           and
           dotage
           takes
           up
           that
           time
           which
           they
           had
           destin'd
           for
           the
           work
           of
           their
           Conversion
           ;
           thus
           we
           see
           we
           are
           not
           rationally
           to
           expect
           that
           our
           years
           should
           grow
           to
           their
           possible
           extent
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           should
           be
           useful
           to
           us
           if
           they
           did
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           should
           constantly
           be
           apprehensive
           of
           what
           may
           always
           happen
           ,
           and
           be
           still
           prepared
           for
           what
           may
           every
           day
           arrive
           .
        
         
           This
           reflection
           then
           must
           necessarily
           awaken
           us
           from
           the
           lethargy
           of
           security
           ;
           and
           shew
           us
           the
           fatal
           imprudence
           of
           putting
           the
           evil
           day
           
             far
             from
             us
          
           .
           
           Have
           I
           not
           begun
           my
           preparation
           for
           death
           till
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           yet
           for
           ought
           I
           know
           this
           may
           be
           the
           very
           last
           day
           of
           my
           life
           ?
           I
           may
           perhaps
           
             this
             hour
          
           be
           called
           to
           give
           up
           my
           accompts
           ,
           and
           wretched
           man
           than
           I
           am
           !
           I
           have
           scarce
           yet
           had
           it
           in
           my
           thoughts
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           an
           accompt
           to
           make
           !
           must
           not
           such
           a
           consideration
           as
           this
           terrify
           the
           sinner
           ,
           discover
           the
           egregious
           folly
           of
           a
           wicked
           life
           ,
           the
           necessity
           of
           repentance
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           speedy
           one
           ?
           is
           it
           possible
           that
           a
           man
           could
           take
           any
           pleasure
           in
           the
           most
           delightful
           of
           all
           his
           sensual
           enjoyments
           ,
           if
           he
           reflected
           that
           in
           that
           very
           moment
           he
           were
           to
           expect
           death
           as
           the
           reward
           of
           it
           ?
           this
           he
           knows
           he
           deserves
           ,
           and
           he
           does
           not
           know
           but
           he
           may
           feel
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           can
           never
           be
           easy
           or
           satisfied
           ,
           while
           he
           remembers
           it
           ,
           till
           he
           has
           made
           his
           peace
           with
           that
           God
           ,
           in
           whose
           hands
           are
           his
           life
           and
           death
           .
           Nothing
           sure
           can
           be
           a
           more
           rational
           inducement
           to
           draw
           off
           our
           dependance
           on
           the
           world
           ,
           than
           to
           think
           we
           do
           not
           know
           how
           soon
           we
           may
           quit
           it
           ,
           nor
           is
           there
           a
           more
           natural
           consequence
           of
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           death
           ,
           than
           the
           absolute
           necessity
           of
           a
           present
           and
           certain
           preparation
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           The
           last
           suggestion
           I
           shall
           offer
           from
           the
           numbring
           our
           days
           ,
           which
           carries
           with
           it
           one
           of
           the
           strongest
           motives
           to
           a
           
             true
             use
          
           of
           life
           ;
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           
           same
           moment
           that
           terminates
           our
           days
           ,
           puts
           an
           end
           likewise
           to
           all
           opportunities
           of
           conversion
           or
           reconciliation
           to
           God.
           
             As
             the
             tree
             falls
             so
             it
             lies
             ,
          
           and
           as
           the
           grave
           receives
           us
           ,
           so
           will
           it
           deliver
           us
           to
           
             judgment
             .
             Behold
             now
             is
             the
             accepted
             time
             ,
             behold
             now
             is
             the
             day
             of
             salvation
             ,
          
           but
           
             in
             death
             no
             man
             can
             remember
             God
          
           or
           make
           his
           peace
           with
           him
           in
           the
           pit
           .
           Were
           there
           a
           middle
           state
           ,
           where
           we
           might
           have
           a
           double
           prospect
           ,
           backward
           on
           the
           vanities
           and
           follies
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           forward
           on
           the
           two
           portions
           of
           endless
           bliss
           or
           torment
           ,
           and
           might
           we
           be
           there
           admitted
           to
           sue
           out
           our
           pardon
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           attonement
           for
           the
           errors
           of
           our
           life
           ,
           it
           would
           possibly
           not
           be
           reckon'd
           folly
           ,
           to
           defer
           our
           preparations
           for
           another
           world
           ,
           till
           we
           had
           done
           with
           this
           ;
           but
           
             Sacred
             writ
          
           assures
           us
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           such
           middle
           state
           or
           opportunity
           of
           reconcilement
           ,
           but
           that
           as
           certainly
           as
           't
           is
           
             appointed
             for
             all
             men
             once
             to
             die
             ,
          
           so
           certainly
           
             after
             death
          
           succeedeth
           
             the
             judgment
          
           :
           and
           we
           shall
           not
           be
           judged
           according
           to
           any
           future
           thoughts
           we
           may
           have
           hereafter
           ,
           but
           
             every
             man
             shall
             receive
             according
             to
             what
             he
             has
             done
             in
             the
             flesh
             whether
             it
             be
             good
             or
             evil
             .
          
        
         
           Is
           there
           then
           no
           thought
           ,
           or
           labour
           in
           ,
           or
           beyond
           the
           grave
           ?
           is
           there
           nothing
           that
           can
           avail
           us
           towards
           joy
           in
           the
           world
           to
           come
           ,
           but
           our
           passing
           of
           
           our
           days
           on
           earth
           in
           a
           conscientious
           discharge
           of
           our
           duty
           ?
           and
           can
           we
           live
           here
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           had
           nothing
           to
           do
           ,
           or
           nothing
           but
           what
           we
           might
           defer
           till
           a
           future
           state
           ?
           is
           this
           life
           our
           only
           stage
           of
           probation
           and
           tryal
           ,
           and
           must
           the
           other
           receive
           us
           as
           we
           are
           qualified
           when
           we
           go
           out
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           can
           we
           think
           we
           are
           not
           concerned
           how
           we
           behave
           our selves
           here
           ,
           or
           deliver
           our selves
           up
           to
           our
           Iudge
           ?
           if
           when
           we
           depart
           hence
           spotted
           and
           polluted
           with
           unrepented
           sins
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           fountain
           left
           to
           purge
           our
           pollutions
           ,
           but
           a
           devouring
           fire
           only
           to
           punish
           them
           ,
           sure
           we
           cannot
           be
           so
           stupid
           as
           not
           to
           wash
           away
           speedily
           our
           habitual
           vices
           ,
           in
           repentant
           tears
           and
           a
           bitter
           humiliation
           ,
           and
           labour
           mightily
           
             in
             this
             our
             day
             ,
             for
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             to
             our
             peace
             ,
             before
             they
             are
             hid
             from
             our
             eyes
             .
          
           And
           if
           those
           only
           are
           addmitted
           into
           the
           company
           of
           the
           lamb
           ,
           who
           are
           sanctified
           by
           his
           blood
           ,
           and
           cloathed
           with
           innocence
           ,
           will
           not
           common
           sense
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           to
           lay
           hold
           on
           the
           merits
           of
           his
           blood
           and
           passion
           ,
           by
           a
           zealous
           performance
           of
           the
           duties
           of
           that
           covenant
           which
           was
           sealed
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           careful
           preservation
           of
           our
           integrity
           ,
           and
           an
           affectionate
           doing
           of
           his
           Will
           while
           we
           are
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           make
           our selves
           meet
           to
           be
           received
           into
           his
           glory
           ,
           
             cleanse
             our selves
             from
             all
             filthiness
             both
             of
             flesh
             and
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             perfect
          
           
           
             holiness
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             ?
          
           that
           when
           we
           come
           to
           die
           ,
           we
           may
           do
           it
           with
           joy
           ,
           and
           embrace
           our
           dissolution
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           will
           crown
           the
           pious
           life
           on
           earth
           ,
           with
           an
           immortal
           one
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           the
           genuine
           applications
           of
           some
           of
           the
           most
           considerable
           reflections
           ,
           that
           arise
           from
           the
           
             numbring
             our
             days
          
           ,
           whereby
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           this
           lesson
           furnishes
           us
           with
           excellent
           motives
           to
           a
           holy
           life
           ,
           I
           come
           now
           to
           shew
        
         
           II.
           That
           the
           applying
           of
           them
           to
           this
           end
           is
           the
           highest
           piece
           of
           wisdom
           .
           And
           that
           ,
           whether
           wisdom
           be
           taken
           for
           judging
           aright
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           doing
           what
           is
           most
           for
           our
           interest
           and
           advantage
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           wisdom
           be
           taken
           for
           
             judging
             aright
          
           ,
           or
           deducing
           just
           consequences
           from
           evident
           truths
           ,
           what
           can
           be
           more
           evident
           than
           the
           wisdom
           of
           these
           conclusions
           ?
           if
           we
           must
           quit
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           then
           enter
           upon
           an
           eternity
           of
           joy
           or
           misery
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           rational
           to
           take
           care
           how
           we
           steer
           our
           present
           course
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           not
           make
           a
           fatal
           mistake
           at
           last
           ?
           if
           the
           time
           we
           have
           to
           stay
           be
           but
           short
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           just
           and
           fit
           that
           we
           be
           cautious
           of
           loosing
           and
           misapplying
           it
           ?
           if
           its
           duration
           be
           uncertain
           ,
           and
           futurity
           be
           out
           of
           our
           knowledge
           ,
           does
           it
           not
           highly
           become
           an
           understanding
           creature
           ,
           to
           be
           prepared
           for
           what
           may
           happen
           ?
           and
           if
           this
           opportunity
           being
           once
           
           lost
           ,
           there
           be
           
             no
             other
          
           to
           retrieve
           our
           hopes
           ,
           does
           not
           common
           reason
           urge
           us
           immediately
           to
           embrace
           and
           employ
           it
           ?
           and
           do
           we
           not
           all
           act
           thus
           in
           those
           affairs
           that
           relate
           to
           our
           temporal
           concerns
           ?
           and
           how
           then
           should
           it
           not
           be
           prudence
           to
           judge
           alike
           with
           reference
           to
           our
           eternal
           ones
           ?
           the
           contrary
           judgments
           which
           Libertinism
           raises
           ,
           how
           unconclusive
           and
           absurd
           are
           they
           !
           life
           must
           end
           ,
           therefore
           't
           is
           no
           matter
           how
           we
           spend
           it
           ;
           't
           is
           short
           ,
           therefore
           't
           is
           not
           worth
           our
           improving
           ;
           't
           is
           uncertain
           ,
           and
           therefore
           't
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           design
           any
           thing
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           our
           only
           opportunity
           ,
           and
           therefore
           —
           what
           ?
           that
           we
           must
           
             neglect
             ,
             pervert
          
           and
           abuse
           it
           !
           O
           senseless
           folly
           ,
           and
           unmanly
           stupidity
           !
           we
           pretend
           in
           vain
           to
           reason
           ,
           if
           we
           can
           judge
           no
           better
           ;
           we
           have
           no
           pretence
           to
           understanding
           ,
           no
           not
           so
           much
           as
           to
           that
           of
           the
           
             beasts
             that
             perish
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           then
           if
           we
           take
           wisdom
           for
           the
           doing
           of
           that
           which
           is
           most
           for
           our
           interest
           and
           advantage
           ,
           one
           should
           think
           there
           were
           no
           need
           of
           proof
           to
           evince
           ,
           that
           to
           spend
           our
           life
           in
           goodness
           and
           piety
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           useful
           deduction
           we
           can
           make
           from
           the
           vanity
           and
           brevity
           of
           it
           ;
           for
           what
           do
           we
           loose
           by
           it
           ?
           or
           what
           do
           we
           gain
           by
           the
           contrary
           ?
           if
           there
           be
           certainly
           a
           future
           judgment
           ,
           an
           eternity
           of
           bliss
           ,
           and
           a
           lake
           of
           everlasting
           fire
           ,
           we
           are
           then
           sure
           nothing
           
           but
           piety
           can
           bear
           the
           one
           ,
           can
           be
           admitted
           into
           the
           other
           ,
           or
           delivered
           from
           the
           last
           .
           And
           I
           would
           ask
           a
           prophane
           and
           impenitent
           person
           ,
           how
           he
           thinks
           he
           can
           bear
           the
           pomp
           of
           the
           last
           tribunal
           ?
           what
           thoughts
           would
           be
           raised
           in
           him
           from
           the
           sight
           of
           a
           
             distant
             Heaven
          
           ,
           and
           what
           sense
           he
           would
           have
           of
           the
           torments
           of
           a
           
             present
             Hell
          
           ?
           if
           these
           things
           must
           be
           ,
           sure
           reason
           as
           well
           as
           religion
           must
           make
           the
           Apostles
           reflection
           ,
           
             what
             manner
             of
             persons
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             in
             all
             holy
             conversation
             and
             godliness
             ?
          
        
         
           But
           what
           if
           these
           things
           were
           only
           probabilities
           and
           conjectures
           ?
           what
           if
           we
           were
           not
           fully
           assured
           that
           there
           were
           to
           be
           a
           future
           state
           ,
           but
           only
           apprehended
           and
           dreaded
           it
           ?
           a
           pious
           life
           would
           still
           be
           the
           most
           advantageous
           conclusion
           we
           could
           deduce
           from
           this
           ;
           for
           what
           do
           we
           loose
           by
           it
           ?
           nothing
           but
           some
           of
           the
           deceitful
           pleasures
           of
           sense
           ,
           which
           alwasy
           fall
           short
           of
           our
           hopes
           ,
           end
           in
           dissatisfaction
           ,
           and
           never
           fully
           gratify
           :
           and
           yet
           we
           gain
           in
           exchange
           the
           delights
           of
           vertue
           ,
           which
           are
           
             deep
             ,
             real
          
           and
           lasting
           .
           And
           what
           great
           pleasure
           is
           it
           that
           we
           have
           from
           vice
           ?
           is
           it
           enough
           to
           make
           amends
           for
           the
           fears
           and
           dread
           we
           have
           ,
           least
           the
           checks
           of
           our
           conscience
           ,
           and
           the
           voice
           of
           reason
           and
           religion
           should
           prove
           true
           at
           last
           ?
           does
           it
           ballance
           the
           dismal
           apprehensions
           we
           have
           upon
           a
           sickbed
           ,
           or
           upon
           approaching
           death
           ?
           No
           ,
           I
           am
           fully
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           as
           there
           is
           
           no
           one
           so
           wicked
           but
           he
           would
           
             die
             the
             death
             of
             the
             righteous
             ,
          
           and
           wishes
           it
           whilst
           he
           lives
           ;
           so
           there
           is
           not
           any
           so
           profligate
           ,
           but
           when
           he
           sees
           his
           last
           hour
           is
           coming
           ,
           he
           would
           most
           willingly
           choose
           to
           have
           had
           all
           his
           years
           confin'd
           to
           a
           bed
           of
           weakness
           ,
           and
           debar'd
           all
           the
           sensual
           delights
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           so
           that
           he
           might
           die
           like
           the
           
             good
             man
          
           ,
           and
           have
           that
           peace
           of
           conscience
           ,
           and
           comfortable
           assurance
           of
           happiness
           ,
           which
           the
           
             pious
             Christian
          
           has
           when
           he
           departs
           this
           life
           .
        
         
           I
           shall
           therefore
           make
           no
           question
           but
           that
           every
           one
           that
           hears
           me
           is
           fully
           convinced
           ,
           of
           the
           wisdom
           of
           applying
           the
           thoughts
           of
           death
           to
           the
           reformation
           of
           life
           ;
           and
           so
           may
           be
           all
           mankind
           are
           ,
           when
           they
           do
           but
           reflect
           ;
           and
           yet
           we
           see
           these
           reflections
           are
           like
           man
           himself
           ,
           
             short-lived
             ,
             uncertain
          
           ,
           and
           too
           often
           fruitless
           ;
           and
           therefore
           that
           they
           may
           not
           be
           so
           with
           us
           ,
           let
           us
           if
           we
           can
           ,
           find
           out
           the
           causes
           of
           this
           unhappiness
           in
           order
           to
           avoid
           them
           ,
           and
           this
           I
           am
           to
           endeavour
           in
           my
           
             third
             General
          
           .
        
         
           III.
           Where
           I
           am
           to
           enquire
           ,
           how
           it
           comes
           to
           pass
           that
           these
           things
           have
           generally
           so
           little
           influence
           on
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           engage
           them
           seriously
           to
           constant
           and
           habitual
           piety
           .
           Now
           to
           omit
           others
           ,
           I
           conceive
           it
           generally
           owing
           to
           one
           of
           these
           
             two
             reasons
          
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           Men
           do
           not
           generally
           consider
           seriously
           ,
           or
           reflect
           on
           these
           truths
           ,
           with
           that
           attention
           and
           meditation
           as
           is
           proper
           for
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           great
           importance
           ;
           the
           world
           is
           most
           commonly
           taken
           up
           with
           interest
           and
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           mens
           thoughts
           are
           habitually
           possest
           with
           contrivances
           of
           another
           nature
           ;
           and
           when
           a
           person
           is
           so
           overbusy
           in
           raising
           his
           fortune
           ,
           gratifying
           his
           appetite
           ,
           or
           combating
           with
           necessity
           ,
           matters
           of
           religion
           ,
           and
           particularly
           preparation
           for
           death
           ,
           may
           wait
           long
           before
           they
           are
           admitted
           ;
           and
           when
           they
           are
           ,
           they
           have
           but
           a
           short
           hearing
           ,
           and
           are
           presently
           dismist
           with
           a
           
             be
             gone
             for
             this
             time
             and
             when
             I
             have
             a
             convenient
             opportunity
             I
             will
             resume
             ye
             .
          
           Now
           inconsideration
           is
           a
           certain
           obstruction
           to
           the
           most
           excellent
           rules
           or
           motives
           that
           can
           be
           given
           a
           man
           ;
           the
           Doctrine
           I
           now
           press
           is
           a
           
             soveraign
             medicine
          
           indeed
           ,
           but
           it
           must
           be
           applied
           and
           digested
           ;
           if
           the
           patient
           will
           not
           receive
           and
           keep
           it
           ,
           't
           is
           in
           vain
           to
           expect
           any
           benefit
           from
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           as
           plain
           an
           argument
           as
           sense
           and
           reason
           can
           invent
           against
           the
           worship
           of
           an
           image
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           thing
           insensible
           and
           uncapable
           of
           adoration
           ;
           and
           yet
           not
           only
           the
           Gentile
           world
           ,
           but
           the
           Israelites
           themselves
           ;
           and
           ,
           I
           wish
           I
           could
           not
           add
           ,
           some
           Christians
           ,
           have
           been
           drawn
           into
           the
           folly
           ,
           and
           the
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           in
           his
           44.
           
           Ch.
           and
           19.
           
           Verse
           gives
           the
           reason
           for
           it
           .
           And
           that
           
           is
           ,
           that
           
             none
             considereth
             in
             his
             heart
             ,
             I
             have
             burnt
             part
             of
             it
             in
             the
             fire
             ,
             and
             shall
             I
             make
             the
             residue
             of
             it
             an
             abomination
             ?
             shall
             I
             fall
             down
             to
             the
             stock
             of
             a
             tree
             ?
          
           And
           thus
           the
           certainty
           of
           death
           ,
           and
           the
           brevity
           and
           vanity
           of
           life
           ,
           are
           as
           
             strong
             motives
          
           to
           vertue
           and
           piety
           ,
           as
           can
           possibly
           be
           given
           to
           men
           ,
           but
           yet
           they
           can
           never
           have
           a
           due
           effect
           ,
           if
           
             Israel
             will
             not
             know
          
           ,
           if
           the
           
             people
             will
             not
             consider
          
           .
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           that
           the
           mercy
           of
           God
           breaks
           out
           into
           that
           pathetical
           wish
           in
           the
           32.
           
           Deut.
           29.
           
           
             O
             that
             they
             were
             wise
             that
             they
             understood
             this
             that
             they
             would
             consider
             their
             latter
             end
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           there
           are
           many
           that
           will
           not
           consider
           at
           all
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           likewise
           that
           baffle
           their
           consideration
           ,
           with
           the
           hopes
           of
           such
           advantages
           as
           possibly
           may
           happen
           .
           They
           know
           and
           consider
           too
           that
           they
           
             must
             die
          
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           life
           is
           short
           and
           uncertain
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           not
           ignorant
           that
           they
           must
           make
           their
           peace
           with
           God
           before
           they
           depart
           this
           life
           ,
           or
           perish
           everlastingly
           ;
           but
           yet
           't
           is
           possible
           they
           may
           live
           to
           a
           good
           old
           age
           ,
           and
           wear
           out
           by
           degrees
           ;
           may
           have
           leisure
           to
           think
           ,
           and
           be
           good
           when
           they
           are
           no
           longer
           able
           to
           enjoy
           the
           pleasures
           of
           life
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           resolve
           to
           lay
           aside
           all
           other
           business
           ,
           and
           think
           of
           eternity
           .
           They
           see
           there
           are
           some
           that
           God
           blesses
           with
           a
           gradual
           and
           a
           sensible
           
           departure
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           hope
           for
           the
           same
           mercy
           which
           God
           vouchsafes
           to
           these
           some
           ,
           and
           do
           therefore
           abuse
           his
           patience
           and
           long
           sufferance
           ,
           because
           they
           hope
           for
           it
           .
           I
           do
           not
           now
           urge
           the
           unreasonableness
           and
           ingratitude
           of
           such
           a
           carriage
           ,
           nor
           contend
           that
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           should
           rather
           lead
           us
           to
           a
           speedy
           reformation
           ;
           I
           am
           only
           now
           noting
           that
           how
           unreasonable
           soever
           it
           be
           ,
           yet
           still
           this
           is
           a
           great
           cause
           of
           the
           backwardness
           and
           roerastination
           of
           repentance
           :
           Hope
           is
           a
           flattering
           passion
           ,
           it
           will
           represent
           what
           is
           possible
           as
           if
           it
           were
           certain
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           sometimes
           given
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           might
           be
           always
           expected
           ;
           and
           so
           by
           pursuing
           these
           vain
           hopes
           men
           loose
           their
           real
           ones
           ,
           and
           are
           overtaken
           by
           evil
           when
           they
           promised
           themselves
           peace
           .
           They
           hope
           death
           will
           not
           come
           quickly
           ,
           and
           so
           squander
           away
           life
           ,
           and
           by
           expecting
           a
           longer
           duration
           of
           their
           being
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           are
           not
           hasty
           in
           laying
           the
           well
           grounded
           expectation
           of
           bliss
           in
           a
           future
           one
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           there
           be
           any
           here
           present
           who
           have
           hitherto
           deferr'd
           their
           preparation
           for
           another
           world
           ,
           who
           are
           in
           the
           strength
           of
           their
           youth
           ,
           and
           resolve
           still
           to
           put
           off
           this
           work
           'till
           old
           age
           ,
           I
           need
           not
           send
           them
           far
           for
           arguments
           to
           convince
           them
           of
           their
           folly
           .
           Our
           
             deceased
             Brother
          
           God
           has
           called
           away
           
           in
           the
           vigor
           of
           his
           youth
           ,
           about
           the
           
             thirty
             third
          
           year
           of
           his
           age
           ,
           when
           the
           world
           was
           in
           expectation
           of
           great
           things
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           when
           possibly
           improvement
           in
           
             natural
             knowledge
          
           ,
           reputation
           in
           his
           profession
           ,
           and
           advancement
           in
           his
           fortune
           filled
           and
           employed
           his
           thoughts
           .
           He
           had
           liv'd
           a
           vertuous
           and
           a
           sober
           life
           ,
           free
           from
           those
           extravagancies
           which
           men
           in
           the
           luxuriant
           bloom
           of
           youth
           and
           wit
           are
           too
           often
           carried
           into
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           they
           run
           into
           a
           hasty
           decay
           ;
           and
           yet
           God
           has
           been
           pleased
           to
           call
           him
           away
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           his
           course
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           him
           our
           warning
           of
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           life
           .
        
         
           Thus
           his
           fate
           is
           one
           argument
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           regard
           his
           judgment
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           that
           will
           be
           another
           ;
           for
           though
           he
           had
           been
           free
           from
           the
           debauches
           of
           the
           age
           ,
           yet
           what
           he
           seem'd
           most
           to
           lament
           at
           his
           death
           was
           that
           he
           had
           not
           been
           better
           prepared
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           had
           not
           employ'd
           more
           of
           that
           time
           which
           he
           spent
           in
           the
           search
           of
           nature
           and
           the
           entertainment
           of
           Philosophy
           ,
           in
           the
           more
           useful
           search
           into
           the
           state
           of
           his
           Soul
           and
           the
           concerns
           of
           a
           
             future
             life
          
           ;
           so
           that
           both
           the
           persuasion
           of
           his
           mind
           and
           his
           
             early
             departure
          
           strike
           in
           with
           my
           main
           design
           ,
           to
           press
           men
           to
           apply
           their
           hearts
           betimes
           to
           this
           piece
           of
           true
           wisdom
           ,
           the
           
             early
             preparing
             for
             eternity
          
           .
           But
           before
           I
           come
           to
           the
           close
           application
           of
           this
           ,
           it
           will
           
           perhaps
           not
           be
           unacceptable
           to
           you
           to
           have
           some
           short
           account
           of
           his
           life
           and
           death
           who
           gives
           the
           occasion
           of
           this
           present
           Admonition
           .
        
         
           He
           was
           born
           in
           Ireland
           ,
           and
           educated
           in
           the
           Communion
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           Rome
           ,
           and
           remained
           in
           his
           own
           Country
           ,
           as
           I
           am
           informed
           by
           his
           Friends
           ,
           till
           about
           the
           twentieth
           year
           of
           his
           age
           ;
           when
           in
           order
           to
           cultivate
           his
           Studies
           ,
           and
           to
           apply
           his
           mind
           to
           Physick
           ,
           and
           work
           out
           his
           fortune
           ,
           he
           betook
           himself
           to
           travel
           .
           His
           parts
           and
           conduct
           were
           soon
           taken
           notice
           of
           in
           the
           Court
           of
           France
           ,
           where
           the
           Care
           and
           Government
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           high
           Chancellor
           of
           Poland
           who
           were
           then
           in
           that
           Kingdom
           ,
           was
           committed
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           attended
           them
           in
           their
           travels
           into
           
             Italy
             ,
             Sicily
             ,
             Germany
          
           ,
           &c.
           which
           gave
           him
           opportunity
           of
           making
           many
           considerable
           Observations
           in
           those
           Countries
           .
           At
           his
           arrival
           in
           Poland
           ,
           whither
           he
           accompanied
           these
           Gentlemen
           in
           their
           
             return
             .
          
           ,
           he
           was
           made
           Physitian
           to
           the
           late
           King
           ,
           and
           by
           him
           recommended
           to
           his
           Daughter
           the
           Electoress
           of
           Bavaria
           ,
           to
           have
           the
           care
           of
           her
           health
           .
           After
           some
           stay
           at
           the
           Elector's
           Court
           ,
           he
           departed
           thence
           with
           several
           marks
           of
           esteem
           and
           favour
           ,
           as
           he
           had
           before
           done
           from
           the
           Court
           of
           Poland
           ,
           and
           he
           came
           through
           Holland
           into
           this
           City
           ,
           where
           he
           was
           admitted
           into
           the
           
             Royal
             Society
          
           and
           the
           
             Colledge
             of
             Physicians
          
           .
        
         
         
           Whether
           it
           were
           only
           to
           perfect
           himself
           in
           Physick
           that
           he
           came
           into
           England
           ,
           where
           our
           Professors
           have
           deservedly
           the
           reputation
           of
           excelling
           those
           of
           our
           neighbouring
           Nations
           ,
           or
           whether
           his
           riper
           years
           gave
           him
           other
           Opinions
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           than
           would
           have
           been
           tolerated
           in
           the
           Courts
           whence
           he
           came
           ,
           I
           had
           not
           opportunity
           of
           informing
           my self
           .
           In
           fact
           ,
           he
           had
           not
           been
           long
           in
           England
           but
           he
           became
           so
           far
           acquainted
           with
           our
           Doctrine
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           and
           approved
           of
           both
           so
           well
           ,
           that
           he
           professed
           himself
           a
           Member
           of
           
             our
             Church
          
           ,
           what
           were
           the
           main
           arguments
           and
           inducements
           to
           his
           conversion
           ,
           though
           I
           could
           wish
           they
           were
           publick
           ,
           I
           could
           not
           particularly
           examine
           ;
           for
           I
           knew
           not
           of
           his
           sickness
           till
           two
           days
           before
           his
           death
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           very
           weak
           ;
           and
           I
           was
           then
           ignorant
           of
           his
           having
           been
           bred
           up
           in
           the
           Roman
           Communion
           ,
           and
           had
           I
           known
           it
           ,
           I
           should
           still
           have
           thought
           it
           more
           necessary
           to
           employ
           that
           little
           time
           his
           weakness
           would
           enable
           him
           to
           hold
           a
           discourse
           ,
           in
           examining
           his
           present
           sincerity
           ,
           and
           directing
           him
           in
           his
           
             last
             work
          
           ,
           thn
           in
           enquiring
           into
           the
           occasions
           and
           reasons
           that
           brought
           him
           to
           a
           change
           of
           his
           Religion
           .
        
         
           He
           had
           in
           his
           sickness
           ,
           before
           his
           distemper
           arrived
           to
           a
           great
           heighth
           ,
           and
           while
           he
           was
           in
           his
           
             perfect
             senses
          
           ,
           made
           his
           Will
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           left
           five
           
           pounds
           to
           the
           poor
           of
           this
           Parish
           where
           he
           now
           lived
           ,
           and
           desired
           that
           if
           it
           should
           please
           God
           to
           take
           him
           out
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           I
           might
           preach
           him
           a
           
             Funeral
             Sermon
          
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           might
           be
           made
           publick
           ;
           his
           friends
           let
           me
           know
           this
           ,
           and
           at
           his
           and
           their
           request
           I
           visited
           him
           ;
           I
           found
           him
           very
           much
           decayed
           in
           his
           strength
           ,
           but
           perfectly
           sensible
           ,
           as
           he
           had
           still
           been
           ,
           in
           the
           intervals
           of
           his
           fits
           ,
           though
           the
           heighth
           of
           his
           Feaver
           put
           him
           into
           ravings
           .
           As
           soon
           as
           I
           saw
           him
           he
           requested
           of
           me
           what
           his
           friends
           had
           told
           me
           beforehand
           ,
           and
           I
           presumed
           his
           design
           in
           it
           was
           that
           he
           might
           be
           vindicated
           from
           the
           suspicion
           of
           some
           
             Heterodox
             opinions
          
           which
           his
           censurers
           imputed
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           that
           his
           death
           might
           be
           the
           occasion
           of
           an
           useful
           discourse
           to
           the
           living
           .
           I
           therefore
           told
           him
           that
           in
           case
           I
           complyed
           with
           his
           desire
           ,
           I
           thought
           it
           would
           be
           expected
           I
           should
           say
           something
           of
           a
           person
           whose
           writings
           and
           character
           had
           rendered
           him
           so
           much
           known
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           had
           given
           occasion
           to
           some
           people
           to
           speak
           doubtfully
           of
           his
           principles
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           this
           reason
           ,
           among
           others
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           very
           proper
           for
           me
           to
           have
           some
           satisfaction
           from
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           his
           Faith
           ;
           upon
           which
           I
           put
           several
           questions
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           
             whether
             he
             believed
             the
             Gospel
             ?
             whether
             he
             gave
             credit
             to
             the
          
           Miracles
           
             that
             are
             there
             recorded
             ;
             and
             lookt
             upon
             them
             as
          
           attestations
           
             of
             the
             truth
          
           
           
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ?
             whether
             he
             believed
             that
          
           Jesus
           Christ
           
             was
             the
          
           Saviour
           
             of
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             came
             to
             be
             our
          
           Propitiation
           ,
           
             and
             to
          
           satisfy
           
             divine
             justice
             for
             the
             sins
             of
             mankind
             ?
          
           to
           which
           ,
           and
           such-like
           questions
           he
           answer'd
           affirmatively
           with
           great
           earnestness
           ;
           and
           when
           I
           discoursed
           him
           on
           the
           subject
           of
           that
           Book
           of
           his
           ,
           which
           occasion'd
           suspicion
           of
           his
           Principles
           ,
           he
           declared
           that
           he
           had
           no
           intention
           to
           prejudice
           ▪
           Religion
           thereby
           ,
           and
           remitted
           me
           to
           his
           Grace
           the
           Archbishop
           of
           Canterbury
           for
           farther
           satisfaction
           ,
           to
           whom
           he
           said
           he
           had
           explain'd
           himself
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           as
           an
           attestation
           of
           his
           sincerity
           had
           received
           the
           Sacrament
           upon
           it
           ,
           at
           the
           Parish
           Church
           of
           
             St.
             Martin's
             in
             the
             Fields
          
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           since
           found
           to
           be
           true
           .
        
         
           I
           then
           began
           to
           examine
           him
           as
           to
           the
           state
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           what
           sense
           he
           had
           of
           his
           sins
           ?
           and
           what
           remorse
           for
           having
           at
           any
           time
           offended
           God
           ?
           and
           whether
           he
           were
           perswaded
           of
           the
           necessity
           of
           repentance
           and
           amendment
           of
           life
           in
           order
           to
           gain
           the
           Salvation
           purchased
           by
           
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           ?
           to
           all
           which
           he
           gave
           me
           very
           satisfactory
           answers
           ,
           and
           expressed
           great
           sorrow
           for
           the
           sins
           and
           errors
           of
           his
           life
           past
           ,
           and
           then
           join'd
           with
           us
           very
           devouty
           in
           the
           Prayers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           in
           the
           Office
           for
           the
           Visitation
           of
           the
           Sick.
           
        
         
           In
           the
           afternoon
           of
           the
           same
           day
           I
           went
           with
           a
           
           desire
           to
           have
           had
           some
           farther
           discourse
           with
           him
           ,
           but
           the
           violence
           of
           his
           fit
           being
           upon
           him
           ,
           he
           was
           not
           in
           a
           condition
           to
           be
           spoken
           with
           .
        
         
           The
           next
           morning
           I
           visited
           him
           again
           ,
           and
           found
           him
           in
           one
           of
           his
           intervals
           ,
           still
           sensible
           but
           very
           much
           weakned
           .
           I
           took
           this
           occasion
           to
           talk
           with
           him
           more
           particularly
           concerning
           his
           principles
           ,
           and
           upon
           mentioning
           the
           merits
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           askt
           him
           whether
           he
           depended
           entirely
           on
           the
           merits
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           his
           intercession
           for
           pardon
           of
           his
           sins
           and
           reconcilement
           to
           God
           ?
           and
           he
           made
           answer
           that
           he
           
             relied
             only
             on
             the
             merits
             of
             his
             Saviour
             .
          
           He
           was
           then
           put
           in
           mind
           of
           receiving
           the
           Sacrament
           ,
           and
           he
           said
           he
           desir'd
           it
           
             with
             all
             his
             Soul
          
           ,
           I
           asked
           him
           whether
           in
           receiving
           the
           Sacrament
           he
           had
           in
           his
           view
           the
           professing
           himself
           a
           disciple
           of
           Christ
           and
           a
           Member
           of
           
             his
             Body
          
           the
           Church
           ?
           and
           if
           in
           receiving
           it
           from
           
             my
             hands
          
           he
           desired
           to
           profess
           himself
           a
           Member
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           which
           question
           being
           a
           second
           time
           distinctly
           put
           to
           him
           by
           a
           friend
           of
           his
           then
           present
           ,
           he
           answered
           with
           very
           great
           seriousness
           that
           he
           did
           ;
           then
           I
           put
           him
           in
           mind
           of
           his
           neglect
           of
           receiving
           the
           Sacrament
           ,
           which
           he
           had
           not
           done
           since
           about
           
             two
             years
          
           ago
           when
           he
           communicated
           at
           St.
           Martins
           ,
           and
           he
           express'd
           a
           sorrow
           for
           it
           ;
           by
           all
           this
           I
           thought
           he
           sufficiently
           purged
           himself
           from
           the
           imputation
           of
           
             Deism
             ,
             Socinianism
          
           
           or
           Popery
           ,
           I
           lookt
           on
           him
           as
           a
           
             true
             penitent
          
           Member
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           and
           I
           gave
           him
           the
           Sacrament
           .
           He
           received
           it
           with
           signs
           of
           very
           great
           devotion
           ,
           with
           expressions
           of
           hearty
           repentance
           for
           all
           the
           sins
           and
           follies
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           and
           earnest
           petitions
           for
           pardon
           ,
           and
           so
           I
           left
           him
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           we
           could
           judge
           ,
           in
           a
           Christian
           disposition
           for
           death
           ,
           which
           I
           look'd
           upon
           as
           very
           near
           .
        
         
           These
           are
           things
           which
           I
           think
           my self
           obliged
           to
           give
           a
           particular
           account
           of
           ,
           partly
           to
           answer
           what
           I
           conceive
           was
           the
           design
           of
           the
           deceased
           ,
           and
           partly
           upon
           occasion
           of
           an
           accident
           that
           happen'd
           some
           hours
           after
           I
           left
           him
           ;
           which
           perhaps
           it
           will
           be
           thought
           not
           fair
           to
           conceal
           ;
           A
           certain
           person
           ,
           who
           it
           seems
           was
           a
           
             Romish
             Priest
          
           ,
           came
           to
           the
           Doctor
           's
           Lodgings
           ,
           and
           desired
           very
           earnestly
           to
           see
           him
           ,
           declaring
           that
           he
           was
           his
           Country-man
           ,
           his
           Friend
           and
           his
           Relation
           ,
           those
           about
           him
           ,
           looking
           upon
           him
           as
           very
           near
           his
           departure
           ,
           were
           unwilling
           he
           should
           be
           disturbed
           ;
           but
           upon
           great
           importunity
           did
           at
           last
           grant
           the
           stranger
           admittance
           ,
           who
           coming
           to
           the
           Bed
           side
           ,
           call'd
           the
           Doctor
           by
           his
           name
           and
           saluted
           him
           in
           his
           native
           Language
           three
           times
           before
           he
           regarded
           ;
           but
           at
           the
           third
           time
           he
           cry'd
           out
           
             for
             God's
             sake
             assist
             me
          
           .
           Upon
           which
           the
           company
           was
           prevailed
           with
           to
           leave
           the
           Room
           ,
           but
           the
           Doctor
           's
           most
           intimate
           friend
           returned
           to
           the
           
           door
           and
           heard
           the
           Doctor
           repeating
           over
           his
           Confiteor
           in
           Latin
           ,
           in
           a
           very
           huddled
           manner
           ;
           upon
           which
           the
           Priest
           gave
           him
           Absolution
           ,
           and
           then
           asked
           him
           whether
           he
           would
           have
           
             extream
             Unction
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Doctor
           said
           yes
           ,
           after
           which
           it
           is
           suspected
           it
           was
           given
           him
           .
        
         
           Now
           here
           could
           I
           imagine
           the
           Doctor
           was
           in
           his
           senses
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           was
           really
           in
           his
           heart
           of
           the
           Roman
           Communion
           ,
           while
           he
           only
           acted
           this
           part
           in
           the
           
             last
             scene
          
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           I
           should
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           very
           great
           stain
           on
           his
           memory
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           perswaded
           it
           would
           give
           everybody
           a
           shocking
           Idea
           of
           that
           Religion
           which
           would
           allow
           a
           person
           so
           to
           prevaricate
           both
           with
           God
           and
           Man.
           
        
         
           But
           I
           confess
           I
           believe
           his
           judgment
           was
           now
           quite
           decayed
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           did
           not
           know
           what
           he
           did
           ;
           for
           he
           was
           thought
           dying
           by
           those
           about
           him
           ,
           though
           he
           recover'd
           out
           of
           that
           Agony
           and
           liv'd
           till
           next
           day
           .
           His
           friend
           assures
           me
           that
           in
           his
           sickness
           he
           turned
           away
           another
           Romish
           Priest
           ,
           who
           would
           have
           seen
           him
           ,
           that
           the
           Doctor
           thanked
           him
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           desir'd
           that
           none
           of
           those
           persons
           (
           adding
           a
           reproachful
           word
           which
           I
           do
           not
           think
           decent
           to
           publish
           )
           should
           be
           admitted
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           was
           the
           
             Doctor
             's
             own
             desire
          
           that
           I
           should
           attend
           him
           in
           his
           sickness
           ;
           and
           I
           cannot
           see
           what
           occasion
           there
           should
           be
           for
           such
           a
           piece
           of
           dissimulation
           
           if
           he
           had
           been
           of
           the
           Roman
           Communion
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           case
           were
           thus
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           really
           past
           his
           senses
           ,
           it
           cannot
           but
           give
           us
           some
           resentment
           of
           the
           confidence
           of
           persons
           ,
           who
           will
           take
           such
           liberties
           in
           our
           Land
           as
           to
           obtrude
           themselves
           upon
           the
           dying
           Members
           of
           
             our
             Church
          
           ,
           when
           they
           know
           what
           severities
           any
           Protestant
           must
           expect
           ,
           who
           should
           dare
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           like
           it
           in
           a
           
             Popish
             Country
          
           .
           And
           it
           must
           give
           us
           some
           indignation
           against
           the
           vanity
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           which
           hopes
           to
           save
           a
           man
           by
           words
           said
           over
           him
           in
           which
           he
           bears
           no
           part
           ;
           and
           against
           the
           prophaneness
           of
           those
           Priests
           who
           prostitute
           the
           most
           Sacred
           parts
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           to
           those
           who
           have
           no
           faith
           in
           them
           or
           regard
           for
           them
           .
           However
           it
           be
           ,
           I
           thought
           it
           a
           sincere
           part
           to
           lay
           the
           thing
           open
           as
           it
           happen'd
           ,
           that
           it
           might
           not
           be
           pretended
           that
           any
           thing
           was
           concealed
           which
           should
           argue
           him
           of
           the
           Roman
           Communion
           ,
           or
           that
           we
           do
           ,
           what
           we
           justly
           reproach
           our
           adversaries
           for
           ,
           endeavour
           to
           gain
           credit
           to
           our
           Church
           by
           feigned
           and
           pretended
           conversions
           .
        
         
           IV.
           It
           is
           time
           now
           to
           hasten
           to
           the
           last
           thing
           I
           proposed
           ,
           to
           conclude
           with
           an
           earnest
           exhortation
           to
           all
           that
           hear
           me
           ,
           to
           make
           that
           due
           application
           of
           their
           hearts
           to
           wisdom
           which
           the
           Text
           directs
           us
           to
           pray
           for
           ,
           and
           the
           
             present
             occasion
          
           does
           so
           movingly
           recommend
           to
           us
           .
        
         
         
           Does
           the
           
             numbring
             of
             our
             days
          
           then
           afford
           us
           the
           most
           moving
           and
           prevalent
           arguments
           to
           a
           pious
           course
           of
           living
           ,
           and
           does
           the
           shortness
           and
           uncertainty
           of
           life
           and
           other
           reflections
           drawn
           from
           it
           ,
           naturally
           excite
           us
           to
           caution
           and
           vigilance
           ;
           let
           us
           then
           for
           our
           own
           interest
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           be
           perswaded
           to
           fix
           it
           in
           our
           minds
           ,
           and
           meditate
           upon
           it
           .
           Nature
           has
           written
           it
           in
           legible
           characters
           ,
           and
           providence
           gives
           us
           frequent
           demonstrations
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           the
           Funerals
           of
           our
           friends
           and
           acquaintance
           ;
           and
           this
           day
           affords
           us
           a
           fresh
           instance
           to
           awaken
           our
           memories
           .
           Let
           not
           
             this
             occasion
          
           then
           be
           unprofitable
           and
           vain
           ,
           let
           it
           not
           add
           to
           our
           condemnation
           ,
           by
           proving
           a
           new
           slighted
           call
           to
           conversion
           ;
           but
           let
           the
           natural
           death
           of
           our
           Brother
           be
           the
           commencement
           of
           our
           spiritual
           life
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           have
           not
           yet
           considered
           of
           our
           great
           change
           ,
           let
           us
           
             now
             begin
          
           ;
           and
           let
           not
           business
           ,
           pleasure
           or
           time
           obliterate
           the
           thought
           ,
           or
           stop
           its
           growth
           ;
           but
           let
           us
           constantly
           recall
           it
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ,
           in
           temptation
           it
           will
           help
           us
           to
           fly
           and
           resist
           ,
           in
           business
           it
           will
           prevent
           immoderate
           care
           and
           anxiety
           ,
           and
           in
           pleasures
           it
           will
           make
           us
           cautious
           to
           guide
           them
           by
           innocence
           ,
           and
           confine
           them
           with
           moderation
           .
           Thus
           will
           it
           be
           of
           use
           in
           all
           the
           scenes
           of
           our
           life
           ,
           and
           keep
           the
           judgment
           steady
           ,
           and
           the
           passions
           in
           sobriety
           .
        
         
           But
           above
           all
           ,
           let
           us
           take
           care
           that
           our
           meditations
           
           on
           this
           subject
           be
           not
           bare
           thought
           and
           persuasion
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           have
           their
           due
           energy
           upon
           our
           manners
           ;
           let
           not
           
             actual
             amendment
          
           of
           our
           lives
           be
           put
           off
           till
           another
           day
           ,
           nor
           Iet
           vain
           hopes
           of
           future
           opportunities
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           will
           never
           come
           ,
           make
           us
           loose
           the
           present
           which
           God
           has
           put
           into
           our
           hands
           .
           If
           we
           know
           we
           must
           die
           ,
           let
           us
           live
           as
           men
           that
           expect
           it
           ,
           if
           our
           time
           at
           best
           cannot
           be
           very
           long
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           give
           idleness
           or
           sin
           any
           share
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           if
           our
           end
           ,
           for
           ought
           we
           know
           ,
           may
           be
           now
           at
           hand
           ,
           and
           no
           one
           can
           tell
           ,
           but
           his
           turn
           may
           be
           the
           next
           ,
           let
           us
           endeavour
           to
           leave
           behind
           us
           a
           pattern
           for
           imitation
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           terror
           and
           abhorrence
           .
           And
           in
           the
           last
           place
           ,
           since
           we
           have
           no
           other
           time
           allotted
           us
           but
           this
           mortal
           life
           ,
           to
           provide
           for
           eternity
           ,
           and
           to
           secure
           our
           happiness
           ;
           let
           all
           our
           actions
           speak
           that
           we
           think
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           preparing
           for
           it
           .
           So
           shall
           our
           life
           here
           be
           a
           blessing
           to
           our selves
           ,
           a
           joy
           to
           our
           friends
           and
           a
           benefit
           to
           the
           publick
           ,
           and
           our
           death
           when
           ever
           it
           comes
           ,
           shall
           be
           acceptable
           and
           welcome
           ,
           not
           attended
           with
           anxious
           distrust
           ,
           and
           doubtful
           expectations
           ,
           but
           chearful
           and
           resigned
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           gives
           a
           blessed
           presage
           of
           a
           happy
           immortality
           .
        
         
           
             Which
             God
             of
             his
             mercy
             in
             his
             due
             time
             grant
             unto
             us
             all
             ,
          
        
         
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .