25. On the uncertain hour of death, and the speedy end of this life

" Vigilate, quia nescitis diem neque hora/nJ^* " Watch ye, therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour^ 1. Blessed is the soul that thinks often of the last hour, when all must be ended in this life ; — joys and sorrows, honours and reproaches.

Happy the soul that is as a poor pilgrim travelling towards God ; — which despises all the pomp of this world, howsoever great or alluring. For in that last hour all shall perish,— castles, cities, villages, ves- VALLEV or- LILIES. 233 sels of gold and silver, all delicate viands, and variegated cups of perfumed wines.

Then shall be mute, lyre, trumpet, pipe and harp.

Then shall be no more sport nor mirth, no more dance nor loud applause, no more songs nor merry laughter, no more the cry of revelry in street or bower, for the hearts of all living shall wither away, and the whole earth shall tremble in the presence of God.

Oh how wise is he who meditates daily on these things, and who prepares, by tears, for the enjoyment of blessings to come, and joy eternal.

2. Blessed is he who separates himself voluntarily from the many ; snares and perils of this world, and j from all that may ilaiter his sensual appetite. j Blessed is the pilgrim who, in I his exile, weeps, and mourns, and desires to be dissolved, and to be with Christ in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed is the man who hates this world, and all therein that would allure him to sin ; and who flies like Elias, to some monastery in the desert, from the face of numberless dangers, which often drag down the unguarded soul to hell.

Blessed is he that watches day and night against temptation, and who cries out with Elias, " It is enough for me. Lord, take away my soul ;"* for it is better for me to die in Thy grace, and when my heart is full of trust in Thee, than to live in this world, surrounded by so many dangers, a witness to evil ; for so long as the soul is united to the body, and the body is nourished with the produce of earth, man cannot be exempt from sin, nor free from temptation, nor assured that he may not hereafter fall.

He then is greatly deceived, and , errs like a man foolish of heart, who only desires to live long here below, and to purpose to do many things, when he knows not where he shall be on the morrow.

3. Remember, ye rich and powerful, surrounded with so many enjoyments and delights, what will become of you, when dead and buried in the earth? what will all those riches which you possess, avail you ?

Behold! to-day a king, in full enjoyment of life and empire, and tomorrow he is found no more, nor shall his voice again be heard.

To-day, he is seated on a lofty throne, and arrayed in robes of gold, and to-morrow he is laid in the tomb and shall be seen no more.

To-day he is honoured hy many, to-morrow he is regarded by none.

To-day he is magnified by all, tomorrow is divested of all his riches and honours, and villas and castles.

To-day he is comely above other men, and numbered with kings ; to-morrow he is food for worms, and a stench in the nostrils.

As he came naked into the world, so, like a poor exile, shall he be borne to the grave.

For short is the end of all the pleasures, pomps, and vanities of this world, and death and grief, and mourning and fear, is the lot of all.

His holiness the Pope dies ; the Cardinals die ; the most powerful sovereigns die ; and others succeed, who in their turn soon follow them to the tomb.

No one can be assured of life for a single day, nor obtain from the Pope, nor from all earthly monarchs, the privilege of not dying ; nor procure a benefice or an office, from which he can never be ejected.

It often happens that after having obtained favours and places, death comes unexpectedly, and takes all away ; so that the supplicant returns from court, as poor and naked as when he first went thither.

4. We read in history of many among the patriarchs and fathers, who lived very long. " Such and such a one lived ;" and so of others ; but at last it is said of all, — " and he died :" for " we all die, and like waters that return no more, we sink into the earth,"* whence we sprung.

Vv'hat is the most protracted period of life but a short moment, — a passing wind, — a morning brightness which fades away, — a traveller who retraces not his steps ?

Ijike a Hash of lightning which disappears in the twinkling of an eye, so shall ages disappear ; and with them the kingdoms of the earth.

Reckon the hours, the days, the months, and the years of thy life ; and tell me whither are they all gone ? — they have passed away like a shadow ; they have perished like the spider^s web, — destroyed by the first wind.

There is nothing lasting, nothing abiding on this earth ; of which the body of Adam, and of his sons were all fashioned.

5. Greatness, beauty, pleasures, — all in the world, is full of vanity and frailty.

Then let not these attractions allure, nor their despite or deprivation overwhelm thee.

The fairest colours fade in death, and the richest ornaments, decked with gold, silver, and precious gems, in the dark tomb are dim and vahieless.

Therefore in all thy works, whatever they may be, wherever thou goest, whithersoever thou proceedest, be mindful of the end of life, and of that last hour, which shall come when thou thinkest not.

Blessed is he, who, with the Apostle St. Paul, " <lesires to be dissolved, and to be with Christ ; a thing by far the better "* for us, than to remain a long time in the flesh, on the sea of this world, beaten about by storuis, a stranger to God, and ever in fear.

If thou wilt bear Jesus continually in thy heart , if thou wilt love Him sincerely ; if every day thou wilt address thy prayers to Him ; then mayest thou confidently hope to one day enter into His kingdom ; for He hath said, ' where I am, there also shall my minister be." Blessed is the servant, who, at his last hour, shall deserve to hear those sweet words of Jesus Christ, " Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."