that the aged may glorify God by patience, and call down blessings on the world by their prayers.

Since the time of death is so various, no man can know his own time. Hence it is the wisdom of every one to be always ready. "Let your loins be girded about," says our Lord, "and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men, who wait for their Lord, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. And if he come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants." We proceed to our next observation.

II. Death often approaches men in a secret unSUSpected manner.

"As the fishes are taken in an evil net, and the birds caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time." While those thoughtless creatures are sporting in their respective elements, or seeking their food as nature directs them, suddenly they are entangled in the hidden snare. So it is with the sons of men. There are as many nets and snares for us, as for them. And we are as blind to our dangers as they. Let the fisherman, when he drops his hook or stretches his net; let the sportsman, when he levels his tube or sets his snare, remember, there may be a net spread and a snare set for him. While he wishes, that the thoughtless fish or silly fowl may be caught in his snare, let him beware, lest he himself, as incautious as they, fall into a snare more fatal; the snare of temptation and sin. Death often sets his snares in places where we think no danger. He may make our employments, our amusements, our refreshments, our comforts, the nets in which to take us. The air which we breathe may be charged with some pestiHential quality. The food which we eat, may by

means of some noxious ingredient, or some peculiar state of the body, operate to our destruction. The blood, which is the life, and which distributes health through the body, may become the vehicle of death. An unseen accident may obstruct the circulation of the blood, the dilatation of the lungs, or some other movement of this complicated machine. Immoderate exertion in our labor, or an unnatural position in our sleep may derange the system. Images painted on the scene of fancy in sleep, may decoy or affright us to some fatal action. Common occurrences, such as we have met with safety a thousand times, may, under peculiar cireumstances, prove disastrous. Death may attend us in our walks and in our fields, may follow us to our diversions, or our bed chambers; and by a hidden and unsuspected stroke finish our course. The earth; the water; the air; the clouds; cold and heat; storms and winds; the fire which warms us; the houses which shelter us; the beasts which serve us; the business which supports us; the pleasures which amuse us, may in their various ways become the means of our death. The pestilence walks in darkness; we see not its approach. Casualties lie in ambush, and spring upon us unsuspected. Were our senses so acute, or our knowledge so perfect, that we could be apprized of all the dangers which attend us, we should be in continual alarm; there would be terror on every side; we could neither lie down in peace, nor go abroad without anxiety. It is a mercy, that God hides from us many of our dangers; else we could neither possess our minds in patience, nor perform our duty with cheerfulness, nor use the gifts of providence with delight.

Lest, however, we should fall into an indolent security, God is pleased, now and then, to withdraw the curtain, and show us how near death has VOL. I. Z z

been to us, and how narrowly we escaped his power. He now and then brings us into visible danger, and brings us out unhurt. He now and then subjects us to painful wounds, under circumstances which threatened no danger, to teach us that we are always dependent; that we have our being in him; that when he gives quietness, none can make trouble; but when he hides his face, none can behold him.

III. Our next observation is, that when the snares of death fall on the sons of men, there is no way of escape. This Solomon intimates, when he compares the manner of their death to the capture of fishes and birds in a net.

"No man hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death.” We may for a time use means with success for our own, or our friends' preservation. But the fatal hour will come, when no means can be applied, or none will avail. "What man is he that liveth and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave ?" "There is not a man, who can by any means redeem a brother," a companion, a child, or even himself, "that he should live forever and not see corruption." Not only the foolish and simple, the rash and incautious, but also great and wise men die, go to the generation of their fathers, and return no more to see the light. Our times are in God's hands; the bounds which he has appointed, we cannot pass.

Death often seizes mortals in such a manner, that neither they, nor those around them, have means, opportunity or ability to attempt their preservation. The means may be out of their reach, or out of their mind; or the attack may be so violent, or so sudden, as to prevent the application, or defeat the success of them. When death makes a more gradual approach, the ordinary means of preserving

life may be, and soon will be unavailing; for these are designed in providence, not to perpetuate, but only to prolong life for a season. The tabernacle in which the soul resides, will soon be broken down by disease or casualty, or worn out by use or age. Then no meaas can repair or restore it. While the body remains a proper receptacle for the soul, and a suitable instrument of its operations, the soul cannot depart from it; longer than this, it cannot stay. Death does not properly consist in the retirement of the rational soul from the body. If it did, who would die? Would not the soul, which has a natural attachment to the body, abide with it? Or how would beasts die, which have no rational soul? There is a previous dissolution of the principal parts of the body, and a consequent cessation of its necessary functions. Then no man can retain the spirit; no art of medicine can restore the broken frame; no arguments can persuade the retiring soul to remain. It is God who takes away the spirit; and when he takes away, who can hinder him? It is he who brings down to the grave; and when he brings down, who can raise himself up?

Let it further be considered, that as there is no escape from death in this world, so for the guilty there is no escape from punishment in the next. Death, whenever it comes, terminates the day of probation. They who die impenitent, die in their sins-under the guilt of all the sins, which they have committed, and under the power of all the ungodly lusts which they have indulged, and all the vicious habits which they have contracted; and they who are unrighteous and filthy, will be so still.. There is no work in the grave. When death has done its work, sinners will have no power to recall their iniquities and cancel their guilt; to do the works which they have neglected; to counteract the ill effects of their corrupt example and vain

conversation; to obtain the mercy of God by pray. er; to prevent the sentence of condemnation, or flee from the wrath to come.

Let not the strong man glory in his strength, nor the young man in his youth. They are no less exposed to death than the sickly and the aged. The time is coming, when they can make no resistance to the king of terrors, nor escape from the jaws of the grave.

Now the patience of God waits on you; salvation is brought near to you; the terms of it are laid before you. There is a space of repentance; there is free access to the throne of grace. Go, pour out your hearts in God's presence; seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near.

If you neglect to call upon him now, will he hear your cry when trouble comes? He calls to you; If you will not hear, you also may call and not be heard, when distress and anguish come upon you. If the snares of death surprize you in your guilt, the pains of hell will next compass you about.

It is amazing to think, that rational creatures, whose eternal salvation is depending, and whose opportunity to secure it is short, should spend their time as thousands do. How lamentable, that the season allowed them for the work of their salvation should be prostituted to folly and guilt. O, be ye wise and understand; consider your end; number your days, and apply your hearts to wisdom.

We will here intermit our subject, and resume it on another opportunity.