death, which are falling on all sides of them, would not reach them too in their turn; or as if they had a greater security than so many others who are daily swept away. Senseless worldlings! Why will you not open your eyes? Why would you fondly imagine yourselves secure from the stroke of death, when you cannot so much as promise yourselves one single day of life? How many will die before the end of this month, that are as young, as strong, and as healthy as you are? Who knows but you may be of that number? Ah! Christians, take care lest you be surprised. Set your house in order: and for the future fly from sin, the only evil which makes death terrible. Live always in those dispositions in which you would gladly be found at the hour of your death. To act otherwise, is to renounce both religion and reason.
5. Consider the state and condition of this corruptible body of ours, as soon as we are dead. Alas! it immediately becomes pale, stiff, loathsome, and hideous; insomuch, that our dearest friends can scarce endure to watch one night in the same room with it, much less bear to lie in the same bed. And so fast does it tend to stench and corruption, that its nearest relations are the first to desire to get it out of the house, and to lay it deep under ground, that it may not infect the air. But what companions, what attendants, must it meet with there? Worms and maggots. For these, O man, thou art pampering thy body: these are to be thy inheritance, or rather, they are to inherit thee: whatever thou art to-day, to-morrow thou art to be the food of worms. Ah! worldlings, that are enamoured with your own and others' beauty, and thereby too often drawn from your allegiance to God, vouchsafe for once to reflect upon
