July 6 — On the Uncertainty of the Time and Manner of our Death

Consider, first, that death is the passage from time to eternity. If we die well, it will be well with us for all eternity; but if we die ill, it will be ill with us for endless ages; so that upon this one moment of death depends a long eternity. But when shall this moment come? When shall "we die? Shall it be this night, or to-morrow? Shall it be a week, a month, a year hence, &c.? Oh! of all this we know nothing at all, only that it will be when we least look for it; for our lrd has assured us, that he shall come like a thief in the night, that is, when we least think on it: {Luke xii.) And therefore he tells us we must always watch and always be ready; for if we are surprised, and die in our sins, we are lost for ever.

Consider, secondly, that we are not only wholly ignorant of the time of our death, but also of all other circumstances relating to it We neither know the place where we shall die, nor the manner how we shall die; nor whether our death shall be violent, or natural; by fever, or consumption; gentle, or sharp; of quick despatch, or more lingering; at home, or abroad; whether our last illness shall deprive us of our senses, or no; whether we shall have the assistance of our ghostly father, and the helps of the sacraments, or no; what dispositions our souls shall then be in, or what ability we shall then have to make proper use of those last moments, upon which our all depends for eternity Alas! all these things are quite hidden from us; no wit, no learning, no wisdom upon earth, can help any man to the knowledge of any one of these things. O, let this dreadful uncertainty, of all the particulars that relate to our death, determine us to live always in the expectation and preparation for death; that we may not have that great work to do at a time when we shall have no convenience or ability to do it.

Consider, thirdly, that, death being so certain, and the time and manner of if so uncertain, it would be no small satisfaction to a poor sinner, if he could die more than once; that so, if he had the misfortune once to die ill, he might repair the fault, by taking more C9 a second time. But, alas I we can die but once; and when once we have set our foot within the gates of eternity there is no coming back; and if k be a miserable eternity into which we have stepped, there is no redemption; we pass from death to a second death, to the very extremity of misery, without end or remedy. O, how hard it is to do that well which we can do but once, and can never try or practise beforehand! O my soul, see, then, thou take care to study well this important lesson by a continual preparation for death.

Conclude to make it the great business of thy life to learn to die well. Remember there is no security against an evil death, but a good life; every thing else leaves thee exposed to dreadful uncertainties.