THOMAS SPENCER.

Sweet in his undissembling mien
Were genius, candor, meekness, seen,
The lips that lov'd the truth;
The single eye, whose glance sublime
Look'd to eternity through time;

The

tion is this! How great the multitude that are con- it is benumbed with cold; it must lie down for rest, stantly dropping into eternity! and how numerous or it will fall of itself: it must be perpetually exerthe paths that lead to the grave! Life, too, is but a cised, or it will become the habitation of disease: short journey, and we soon arrive at the house ap-it must be treated with attention and watched over pointed for all living. We may rather be said to with care, or it will be rendered unfit for the funcdie daily, than to live. We have not only the spoils tions of life. How many wheels are there in perof death around us, but the seeds of death within us. petual motion! the friction of which, if driven too We do not all however, descend to the tomb in the fast, will set fire to the whole machine; or, if imsame way. Some few are spared to the age of man, peded or clogged, will stop the whole course. and then pass silently away. Others are cut off in apostle Paul, calls it a vile body;* not indeed in the bloom of life, and in the midst of active and respect to God's workmanship; but as it is flesh, useful exertions. Some linger for awhile under formed of the dust of the ground, the habitation of painful disease-they see their grave ready before many evil propensities, too often a hinderance to dethey lie down in it. Others, wearied with life, and votion, and must at last become noisome, and be cast impatient under its ills, throw themselves into the into the grave. Here, too, we are all on a level. arms of death: "they either shake their glass to What is that mighty conqueror, celebrated for his make it run faster, or break it at once by violence." | military glory and applauded for his noble achieveAnd some who bid fair to stand for a season, are ments in the field of battle?-It is but flesh. What unexpectedly called away by some mysterious dis- is that illustrious monarch, sitting on a splendid pensation of divine providence. Thus it was with throne, and clothed in all the robes of majesty? our departed young friend. The public eye was It is but flesh. What is that profound philosoupon him, and much was anticipated from his ta- pher, diving into the depths of science, or soaring lents and zeal in the great work in which he was above the intellects of his fellows. It is but flesh. engaged; but infinite Wisdom has seen fit to remove What is that persuasive orator, that so impresses him to another world. Well! what shall we say? with his cloquence, that charms and effects the pas "Clouds and darkness are round about the Most sions of human mind? It is but flesh. What is that High; but righteousness and judgment are the ha- fine form and beautiful countenance, that attracts the bitation of his throne."* attention and fascinates the senses? It is but flesh. "Death (says one) will alike condemn their eyes to impenetrable night; their tongue to eternal silence; their whole system to the grave. I see a superb monument; I approach this striking object. I see magnificent inscriptions: I read the pompous titles of general, prince, monarch; but I long to see the inside of this elegant piece of workmanship; and I peep under the stone that covers him, to whom all this pomp is consecrated. There I find-what? A putrid carcass, devoured by worms! O vanity of human grandeur! Vanity of vanities: all is vanity!" Now, is this the case? Then why should we think so much of our bodies? why should all our happiness be placed in the gratification of our senses Why should we spend so much time and money in adorning that which must soon decay?— Especially aged people; how painful is it to see them so fond of useless decorations! The day is nearly closed: the evening is advancing; and yet they want to go down to the grave covered with finery. Their strength, perhaps, is gone; their frame has the marks of death upon it. It is but a skeleton; and yet they want to cover it with ornaments. What an affecting sight, to see old age and new fashions meeting together! How much happier they whose adorning is not "the outward adorning of plaiting the hair, of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel, but is that of the hidden man of the heart, which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." Seek then this grace. Let not the body be adorned at the expense of the soul. Remember, "to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Put ye on, therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."il

The words we have chosen are not to be considered only in relation to the opposers of God's ancient people, at the time of their deliverance from captivity, but are applicable to the whole human race. "The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field." The mortality of man then is a subject with which we ought to be deeply affected. It is, indeed, that which makes but a faint impression on the mind; for though the living know that they must die, yet there is a most strange insensibility as to this awful event. We can hear of it without concern, and talk of it without feeling; when it comes nearer to us than usual, we seem awake for a moment, just drop a tear or two over our departed enjoyments, converse a little on the uncertainty of life, and then fall asleep again and dream away our existence; till at last, we are awakened by this very enemy, whose approach we have all along studied to forget, and which most of us, indeed, are ill prepared to meet! But how unwise is this, thus, to impose upon ourselves! Can any thing be more irrational? O that we were but wise that we did but consider our latter end!"+

In attending to these words, let us observe the state of man as here represented, and endeavor to derive from them some important and useful lessons. I. Observe the Description.-Man is flesh! It is true he possesses an immaterial, immortal principle; but his animal frame is frail and perishing. He is not composed of gold nor silver, marble nor iron, wood nor stone, nor any of the durable materials around him. Almost every object he sees or handles is less perishable than himself. There is nothing substantial in his nature. He is affected by almost every thing that touches him. An insect can contend with him; a worm can undermine II. Observe the Comparison.-" All flesh is grass, him; a little air can stifle him; a few drops and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the of water can drown him; a moth can crush him. field." Human nature in its lowest state is but grass, The Almighty need not throw a mountain on and in its highest, but a flower. "The Lord God formhim to destroy him; he need not call for a tor-ed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into rent to inundate him; he need not open a volcano to swallow him.-No: Weakness and death are in his very frame. It is but an earthly house; a temporary building; the various parts of which are kept together with labor and difficulty. The body must be daily fed, or it languishes: it must be clothed, or

his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. He is then of earthly extraction. Though God was his maker, yet he was not constituted pure intelligence. The first man, says the apostle, was

66

* Phil. iii. 21.
Pet. iii. 3, 4,

§ Gen. ii. 7.

+ Saurin.

Rom. viii. 6. xiii. 14.

The

of the earth, earthy."* Like grass, how easily endan-appointed unto men once to die, and after that the gered, how soon cut down. How exposed to the winds judgment. There is no man that hath power over and storms of adversity. Nor can he screen himself the Spirit to retain the Spirit; neither hath he power from these. They pass over the field of life, and often in the day of death."* Ever since the entrance of prove destructive in their career. The diseases to sin, death has been making the most awful ravages. which we are liable are numerous, and the casualties "One generation passeth away, and another cometh; we are subject to, are not a few. Ten thousand things but the earth abideth for ever." "The world," says lie in ambush to push us to the grave. And even one, "is like a great fair, where some are coming events trifling in themselves have proved destructive. in-others going out, while the assembly that is in "We read of some, that a fly or a grape stone have it is confused, and the most part know not wheredispatched them; some that have died by plucking an fore they are come together." Whether men howhair from their breasts; the Almighty thus turning a ever be wise or ignorant, idle or active, rich or poor, very hair into a spear to destroy them. If we consi- young or old, death is common to all. It is not to der the vicissitude of natural things, we shall find be bribed by riches, impeded by power, conquered that death reigns in them all. The day dies into by strength, nor stayed by entreaties. All ranks night, summer into winter; time itself, that destroys fall before this destroyer. Sometimes it is the harmall things, yet dies continually; nor can it exist two less infant, who has no sooner entered the vale of minutes together. Our very life is nothing but a tears than it is commanded to depart. Sometimes succession of dying; every day, and every hour the youth, whose powers just began to open, and wears away part of it, and so far as it is already whose appearance was the most promising, is unspent, so far are we already dead and buried: so expectedly removed. Sometimes the middle aged, that the longest liver has no more, but, that he is in the midst of business, and apparently in health, longer a dying than others."+ But, another figure are pierced by a sudden arrow from the bow of is here used by the Prophet: "all the goodliness death. Nor are the rich and the great exempt. thereof, is as the flower of the field." Not as the They too, must die, like others. There is no royal flower of the garden; where it is cultivated and pro- path to the grave. There is not one kind of death tected; but of the field, where every hand is ready for the monarch, and another for the peasant. The to gather it, or any foot may tread it down. The crown cannot prolong life, nor the sceptre sway the flower is noted for three qualities: sweetness, that last enemy, death. Here, too, the wise philosopher, affects the smell; beauty, that affects the eye; soft- as well as the ignorant barbarian, must fall. ness, that affects the touch. The metaphor, there- finest understanding must be darkened; the strongfore, is here employed to represent man at his best est powers fail; and the most brilliant imagination estate. But as the most beautiful flower soon loses be clouded. Nor shall the mighty conquerors of these qualities, so it is said, "the days of man are nations escape. Where are our Alexanders, and as grass; as a flower of the field so he flourisheth; our Cesars, who have struck terror through the the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the whole world? And, whither are those tending, who place thereof knoweth it no more. In the morning, yet disturb mankind with the noise of the chariots it flourisheth and groweth up; in the evening, it is of war, the clash of arms, and the groans of the dycut down and withereth." Have you not, reader, ing? Soon they must surrender to the king of terknown this in your own circle? You have been rors, and be numbered among the slain. Neither favored with earthly comforts; you have often let the beautiful nor the fair pride themselves in exlooked upon them with peculiar pleasure; you have ternal appearance. They too must lie down in the taken more than usual care with those flowers which grave, and their glory fade. The righteous also, have appeared tender and beautiful in your own however desirable their example, however exalted eyes; you have transplanted them, as you thought to their piety, must go the way of all the earth. The a more genial soil; you have said, well, these are wicked, too, must depart. However unwilling, they delightful objects—these are sources of the greatest must obey; however unprepared, they must go. pleasure-truly, I am happy in their possession-Their cries to stay cannot be heard; their hopes of these shall be my support and comfort in times yet respite will be in vain. The finally impenitent, it to come. O, how have you gone and watered these is said, do not go down gently into the grave; but flowers; how have you hedged them round; how they "are driven away in their wickedness: they have you endeavored to protect them when you saw are driven out of light into darkness, and chased the storm advancing; but ah! after all, you could out of the world." But shall not the benevolent, not preserve them: you have had the pain to see the the zealous, the useful be spared? An Enoch and leaf fade, the beauty decline, the energy fail, and an Elijah, indeed, reached the land of pure delight presently the whole fall. What! said you, Can it without passing the dark valley of death; but no be? Is this my child; is this my friend; is this the promise is given to others of the like privilege. object I so much admired? Father of mercies! why Yes; the most useful must die. These we may conthis? why didst thou not smite yonder weed? why sider as the goodliest flowers in the field: as the didst thou not let thy hand fall, on the unsightly most valuable of all. But how often are they cut plant, rather than on this choice flower? Thus, down just as they begin to bud, or suddenly wither however, Providence is pleased to work; and herein as they arrive to their full bloom? What shall we it becomes us to learn the vanity of depending on say to the instance before us? Was not here a beauany human excellency. Neither the goodliness of tiful flower, with hues painted by the rays of the the flower, the care of its owner, nor the felicity of Sun of Righteousness; and, unfolding its excellenits situation, can preserve it alive. Beware, then, cies as the summer advanced, but alas! suddenly of idolizing the creature. Turn your attention to swept away, to be seen no more, O God! mystea superior object: anticipate the joys of another rious is thy providence, but righteous art thou in all world-there, no worm is at the root; there, the thy ways! goodliness shall never fade.

"be

Here, then, is the end of all. "The grass witherIII. Mark the Universality of Man's Mortality.eth, and the flower fadeth;" but it is added, Not a few, but all flesh is grass. "As by one man cause the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it." Let sin entered into the world, and death by sin; so death us not consider it then as coming by chance. Whatpassed upon all men, for that all have sinned. It is ever be the means, the place, or the time, let us re+ Hopkins.

* 1 Cor. xv. 47.
Psalm ciii. 14, 16. xc. 6.

* Rom. v. 12. Heb. ix. 27. + Eccl. i. 4. viii. 8.
+ Boston.
Job xviii. 18. Prov. xiv. 32.

Having now offered a few Reflections on Mortality let us observe,

IV. The consolation afforded us under these affect ing views.

"As a

member, it is the Lord's doing. Besides, it is necessary to die, as well as to live. There is another state of things, as well as the present, and of far more importance. There is a judgment to come; and we must leave this world to appear before that "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the solemn tribunal. There are dark providences which word of our God shall stand for ever." And Peter cannot be understood here: we must quit the pre-adds, "and this is the word which by the Gospel is sent scene, that we may be able to bear the explana- preached unto you." Let us not say then, that our tion. There are riches of glory, which our present condition is deplorable. He who is infinitely wise capacities cannot contain: we must die before we and holy, is also merciful and gracious, long suffershall be able to explore them. There are abodes ing, and abundant in goodness and truth. of light, and mansions of absolute purity above; father pitieth his children, so he pitieth us." He but we must be dissolved, leave our imperfections has written to us the great things of his law; he here, and be endowed with glorious bodies and ce- has favored us with the revelation of his will. Belestial minds, to be fitted for the enjoyment of them. holding us as rational, yet sinful and dying creatures, To the righteous then, death is a friend. If the he hath made known to us a system every way adaptflower drop, it is that it may be removed from the ed to renovate our natures, illuminate our minds, desert, to bloom for ever in the light and glory of relieve our miseries, and conduct us safe to a hap the paradise of God. pier world. "In this was manifested the love of As it respects human life, the repetition used in God towards us because that God sent his only bethe text should teach us the earnestness with which gotten Son into the world, that we might live through the frailty of man should be stated, and the neces- him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but sity there is of endeavoring to impress the subject that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propition our own hearts. It is not said that the grass will ation for our sins." Here, then, amidst all the fade, but that it now does. We shall not only go, changes of time, and the awful ravages of death, but we are all now going to one place. "Our life we find a firm basis on which to build. Here we is a candle, either blown out by the wind, or soon can behold God as our father, Christ as our mediburns out of itself." Death comes indeed very sud-ator, and the divine Spirit as our comforter and den to some. Some go cheerfully to rest in the guide. Here it is that we hear a voice, saying, evening, but are consumed before the morning light. Son, daughter, be of good cheer, all thy sins are Some venture into the river, without suspecting forgiven thee." Our attention is turned off from danger; but the waves cover them, and they are every thing here to centre alone in the chief good. seen no more. Others set out on a journey, for bu- Here we can approach the Almighty without tremsiness or pleasure, but are thrown out of the vehi-bling; and, without presumption, humbly hope for cle, and carried back dead. Others, while convers- his benediction. Under the cross, we can dwell ing with a friend, in a moment are seized with pain, without fear, and with wonder and delight behold heave a sigh, and fall lifeless to the ground. It is our guilt rolled away for ever. Clothed with the a strange folly then, that we, who are subject to such righteousness of our Redeemer, and participating casualties, should yet dream of dying no other way the influences of his grace, we can rejoice with a than by old age. Did we but seriously consider, by joy unspeakable and full of glory. Yes, this, and what small pins the frame of man is held together, this only is the support of man under all the evils it would appear no less a miracle to us, that we live of life. This affords tranquillity within, while the to the end of one day, or one hour."* tempest rages without. Welcome, then, all ye scenes of sorrow and trouble! Welcome, all ye vicissitudes of life, and harbingers of death! Yea, welcome death itself, and an eternal world! These shall not affright the renewed soul; these shall not damp the happiness of him who looks above, and aspires to glory and immortality. O how delightful, how suitable is the gospel of Christ! What affliction does not this sweeten; what loss does not this repair; what condition does not this make easy! What gloom does not this dispel! "Blessed are they that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance; in thy name shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted."

But while the best and most serious must confess their insensibility to danger, how should we pity the wicked! Sudden death to a good man is sudden glory; but the wicked are neither happy in the thought of death, nor at all prepared for it. They have their portion in this life. The beauties of virtue, the excellencies of godliness, the glories of heaven have no charms for them. They prefer the indulgence of their appetites, the pleasures of the world, and the gratification of their passions to all the satisfaction which a good hope, a pure conscience, or right principles can afford. How dreadful must the prospect of death be to such men! The very thought of leaving this world must fill them with horror. Hence, when one flattered another in the midst of his enjoyments, and asked him, What he wanted more? he said "Continuance." But this is the very thing that cannot be granted. To how many does God say, "This night thy soul shall be required of thee?" O miserable man, then, who builds his happiness on what he cannot retain; who thinks about every thing but the right object; who is always busy in gazing upon the baubles of sense, and despises the pearl of great price; who is assiduously gathering imaginary treasures, which at last will be of no more avail than pebbles or straws, while he neglects the one thing needful! May such remember, before it be too late, that without repentance of their sin and faith in the Saviour, they cannot meet death with joy, nor ever be permitted to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

But let us observe here the striking contrast between this delightful system and all other things. The one is said to fade, but the other shall stand for ever. We have already seen that every thing of a sublunary nature tends to decay: however excellent it may appear to our view: however valuable it may be considered in itself; or however desirous we may be of retaining it-it is of no consequence; mutability and dissolution are written upon all. But here is the Plant of Renoun, that bears twelve manner of fruits; and which shall never cease to yield in the paradise above. For ages already hath the gospel shed its influence among the sons of men. The powers of darkness, indeed, have done all they could to destroy the leaves which are for the healing of the nations. The tree of life has been surrounded with enemies. There, the savage