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(illegible text)gs to futurity; for who knows what shall be on (illegible text) morrow, or even the next hour? "For what is your life?" saith the Apostle James, “it is even a (illegible text)our, that appeareth for a little time, and then (illegible text)nisheth away " May this solemn consideration lead (illegible text) all duly to appreciate and improve the present (illegible text)ment.
The important lesson to be learned from the consideration of the shortness and the uncertainty of (illegible text)e, is to improve it. "It is appointed unto men (illegible text)e to die, but after this the judgment." "For we (illegible text)ist all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, (illegible text)t every one may receive the things done in his (illegible text)ly, according to that he hath done, whether it (illegible text) good or bad." The consideration of a future (illegible text)gment produces very different effects, according to the two different views taken of it by the two different classes of men, the righteous and the wicked. (illegible text)ievers of the gospel, while in this world, like (illegible text)er men, are the subjects of various and numerous (illegible text)ictions, of sorrow, of disease and death. They know that it is through much tribulation they must (illegible text)er the kingdom. They know that all things work together for their good; and though "no chastening (illegible text) the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous; nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit (illegible text) righteousness to them that are exercised thereby.". The consideration of the shortness of time, in one point of view, is not a subject of regret to the believer. (illegible text) looks forward to death as the happy period which (illegible text)ll terminate the scene of distress and dissappointment, with which he hath been surrounded in this (illegible text) of tears, this valley of the shadow of death. (illegible text) knows that “Jesus Christ hath abolished death, (illegible text) brought life and immortality to light by the gospel." He can adopt the language of the apostle im. iv. 6—8. “For I am now ready to be offered (illegible text) the time of my departure is at hand. I have
