joy and happiness, worthily to enjoy it; if affliction and want, firmly to endure it; if anxiety and danger, to oppose to it courage and confidence. And should we depart hence before that future comes, which makes others so apprehensive, then is the treasure won, which accompanies us beyond this scene, and every well-employed hour gained for eternity. Lastly, the proper contemplation of death is also a school of wisdom, inasmuch as it enlightens us respecting the enjoyment of life; and teaches us more and more to purify and ennoble it. Immediately before the words of our text it is, indeed, asserted that this life, even in its best estate, is but toil and labour. And who can deny that, if we except the untroubled years of childhood and early youth, no other lot has fallen to most men, even those who are called fortunate? But what a difference between those who wisely know how to "use the world without abusing it," and those who, much as they fancy themselves masters of the art of the enjoyment of life, yet by their restless exertions derive gratification but for the moment, a gratification, which they must often repent for years. How they toil, how they weary themselves to obtain what is vain and transient! Even better men, how frequently they deprive themselves of quiet and pure enjoyment, because they are deficient in the true wisdom of life! Yes, my friends, though toil and labour be our lot, nevertheless there is an enjoyment of life in the midst of labour, and toil itself has its joys. Are they not the reward of difficulties overcome, of final victory after a hard struggle, of the end attained after faithful and indefatigable labour, of renewed strength after exhausting exertion? God has thus provided for elevated self-enjoyment, in that he has granted nothing great and glorious to man, which must not be acquired by labour and trouble. And thus, finally, have they enjoyed their existence, as in the worthiest and purest, so also in the most gratifying manner, who have not forgotten that sooner or later they must die, and unseduced by the show and glare of false happiness, have sought first the kingdom of God; who, therefore, while here were already blest in hope, comforted in affliction, joyful and grateful for the smallest gift, inwardly secure in the midst of the disturbances of life, which they could not escape, and, if disposed to be dispirited, remembering that the time was not distant, when they should come to the peace of the people of God, and enter into the joy of their Lord. Lord of our days! Teach, O teach us rightly to reflect that we must die. So shall we certainly become wise unto all eternity. D d |