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It is the greatest of all errors,to attempt to escape this feeling, by averting the mind from it; and there are many consolations, which the steady contemplation of it affords, by which the magnitude of its terrors is circumscribed, and the idea of death rendered more tolerable sto the mind of man.

In our sympathy with the dead, we think not so much of the real importance of their situation; of the awful futurity which awaits them from the judgment of their Saviour; but we think it miserable for them to be deprived of the sight of the sun; to be shut out from human intercourse, and laid in the cold grave, a prey to corruption, and the reptiles of the earth; to be no more thought of in this world, but to be obliterated, in a little time, from the memory of their dearest friends and relations ;-the happiness of the dead, however, is affected by none of these things; nor is it such circumstances which can disturb their profound repose; they are sleeping in their dust, unconscious of the mouldering scene around them; nor will they awaken any more, till the last

trumpet calls them to the judgment of Christ. Therefore, reflection may at once cut off all this outward scenery of death; whatever it is, the dead know it not; nor is it wise to inflame, by all the terrors of imagination, an evil in which there are so many realities to dread; neither are we to suppose that death, coming at last, is so unwelcome as our fancy, viewing it at a distance, would lead us to suppose ;-long sickness induces a weariness of life; the body is comfortless in old age; and it deadens the mind; our friends are all gone before us; perhaps, our kindred, and our children; every succeeding year dissolves some tie which binds us to the world; extinguishes some affection; annihilates some power; weakens some appetite; impairs some excellence; so that we perish, day after day, till little of the true man remains, and the grave has but a small portion to receive.

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Meditation on death teaches us, that the evil is not without its remedy; that foresight can diminish that evil; that it is am evil which may be brought within the compass of our own sway, and dominion;

and that, though we must all die, it rests with us to determine upon the feelings with which we shall die, by adopting that course of actions from which those feelings must proceed ;-and this appears to me to be the great use, and purpose, of thinking on death; not to think of that damp earth, and that dreary tomb, and those childish terrors, of which the dead feel, and know nothing; but to impress upon our hearts this truth, that, through Christ, we are become the lords of death, and masters over all the sorrow, and lamentation, which death carries in its train; that the mere separation of matter, and spirit, is a pang of so short a moment, that it is hardly a rational object of fear; that the real pang is the remembrance of a mispent life; of every act that has been cruel, unkind, and unjust; of time dissipated; talents misapplied; man injured; and God forgotten. If you think the accumulation of such thoughts, and such recollections as these, is awful, take care that they do not accumulate; if you dread such agonics of spirit, look to their origin, and to their cause; remember the great apostle; draw near to God, while all the

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pleasures of the world are yet before you; give up to him some portion of youth, and health; wait not till disease enables you to offer up only the remnants, and leavings of life; but die daily, before half your career is run; anticipate the last day; imagine a Mighty God; adore his purity; supplicate his mercy; tremble at his power;-be not so rash, and so mad, as to let the salvation of your souls depend upon whether the air of this day is noxious, or pure; whether the blasts of Heaven shall be a little too damp, or a little too cold; but be always ready for death; think, like a man engaged in warfare, that you cannot call an hour your own; and be assured of this, that death, mere animal death, is nothing; it is often better than life, and thousands welcome its approach; but the sting of death is sin, and we know that victory which Christ has gained over sin, by dying daily; therefore, we may tear out that sting, and welcome a gentle death, as the end of every sorrow, and the harbinger of greater, and nobler joys.