cern, and Inclinations to purfue, the Things which belong to their Peace!-But how fhall they attain this valuable Knowledge? I fend them not, adds the illuftrious Teacher, to turn over all the Volumes of Literature: They may acquire, and much more expeditiously, this Science of Life, by confidering their latter End. This Spark of Heaven is often loft under the Glitter of pompous Erudition; but fhines clearly, in the gloomy Manfions of the Tomb. Drowned is this gentle Whisper, amidst the Noife of fecular Affairs; but fpeaks diflindly, in the Retirements of ferious Contemplation. -Behold! how providentially I am brought to the School of Wisdom! *The Grave, is the moft faithfult Mafter; and thefe Inftances of Mortality, the most inftructive Leffons.Come then, Calm Attention, and compose my Thoughts; Come, thou celeftial Spirit, and enlighten my Mind; that I may fo peruse these awful Pages, as to become "wife unto Salvation." * The Man how wife, who fick of gaudy Scenes, Ex To read his Monuments, to weigh his Duft, + Wait the great Teacher Death. Pope. EXAMINING the Records of Mortality, I found the Memorials of a* promifcuous Multitude. They were huddled, at least they refted together, without any Regard to Rank or Seniority. None were ambitious of the uppermoft Rooms, or chief Seats, in this House of Mourning. None entertained fond and eager Expectations of being honourably greeted, in their darkfome Cells. The Man of Years and Experience, reputed as an Oracle in his Generation, was content to lie down at the Feet of a Babe. In this Houfe appointed for all Living, the Servant was equally accommodated, and lodged in the fame Story, with his Mafter. The poor Indigent lay as foftly, and flept as foundly, as the moft opulent Poffeffor. All the Distinction that fubfifted, was, a graffy Hillock, bound with Ofiers; or a fepulchral Stone, ornamented with Imagery. WHY then, faid my working Thoughts, O! why fhould we raise such a mighty Stir, about Superiority and Precedence; when the next Remove, will reduce us all to a State of equal Meannefs? Why fhould we exalt ourfelves, or debase others; fince we muft all, one Day be upon a common Level, and blended together in the fame undistinguished Duft? O! that this Confideration might humble my own -* Mifta Senum ac Juvenum denfantur Funera, and Hor. and others Pride? and fink our Imaginations as low, as our Habitation will shortly be! AMOMG thefe confufed Relics of Humanity, there are, without Doubt, Perfons of contrary Interefts, and contradicting Sentiments. But Death, like fome able Days-man, has laid his Hand on the contending Parties; and brought all their Differences to an amicable Conclufion. Here Enemies, fworn Enemies, dwell together in Unity. They drop every imbittered Thought, and forget that they once were Foes. Perhaps, their crumbling Bones mix, as they moulder: And those who, while they lived, ftood aloof in irreconcileable Variance; here fall into mutual Embraces, and even incorporate with each other in the Grave.-O! that we might learn from thefe friendly Ashes, not to perpetuate the Memory of Injuries; not to foment the Fever of Refentment; nor cherish the Turbulence of Paffion. That there may be as little Animofity and Difagreement in the Land of the Living, as there is in the Congregation of the Dead! But I suspend for a while fuch general Obfervations, and addrefs myself to a more particular Inquiry. YONDER white Stone, Emblem of the Inno Hi Motus Animorum, atque hæc Certamina tanta, Virg. cence cence it covers, informs the Beholder of One, who breathed out its tender Soul, almoft in the Inftant of receiving it.-There, the peaceful Infant, without fo much as knowing what Labour and Vexation mean," lies fill and is แ quiet; it fleeps and is at Reft." Staying only to wash away its native Impurity in the Laver of Regeneration, it bid a speedy Adieu to Time, andterrestrial Things. --What did the little hafty Sojourner find, fo forbidding and disgustful in our upper World, to occafion its precipitate Exit? Tis written, indeed, of its fuffering Saviour, that when he had tafted the Vinegar mingled with Gall, He would not drink t. And did our new-come Stranger begin to fip the Cup of Life: but, perceiving the Bitterness, turn away its Head, and refufe the Draught? Was this the Caufe why the wary Babe only opened its Eyes; juft looked on the Light, and then withdrew, into the more inviting Regions of undisturbed Repose? HAPPY Voyager! No fooner launched, than arrived at the Haven -But more emi * Job iii. 13. Matth. xxvii. 34. Happy the Babe, who, privileg'd by Fate, nently Prior's Sol. nently happy they, who have paffed the Waves, and weathered all the Storms, of a troublefome and dangerous World! Who," through many "Tribulations, have entered into the Kingdom 46 of Heaven;" and thereby brought Honour to their divine Convoy, adminiflered Comfort to the Companions of their Toil, and left an inftructive Example to fucceeding Pilgrims. HIGHLY favoured Probationer! accepted, without being exercifed!-It was thy peculiar Privilege, not to feel the flighteft of thofe Evils, which opprefs thy furviving Kindred; which frequently fetch Groans, from the most manly Fortitude, or moft elevated Faith. The Arrows of Calamity, barbed with Anguifh, are often fixed deep in our choiceft Comforts. The fiery Darts of Temptation, fhot from the Hand of Hell, are always flying in Showers around our Integrity. To thee, fweet Babe, both thefe Diftreffes and Dangers were alike unknown. CONSIDER this, ye mourning Parents, and dry up your Tears. Why fhould you lament, that your little ones are crowned with Victory, before the Sword was drawn, or the Conflict begun? Perhaps the supreme Disposer of Events, forefaw fome inevitable Snare of Temptation forming, or some dreadful Storm of Adverfity impending. And why fhould you be fo diffatisfied, with that kind Precaution; which C 2 houfed |