Yesterday we were born. To-day we live. Tomorrow we die. The sum total of human life is justly calculated by the hoary-headed patriarch Jacob, "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been." Gen. 47:9. A truth this that lies level with the common observation and judgment of all men; but is admitted into the regenerate heart and conscience only, with the importance it possesses, so as suitably to affect the mind and influence the conduct. Hence the absolute necessity of divine faith; the continual need of exercising our meditations upon the certain approaching dissolution of all things.
It is thus we learn to die daily to the perishing objects of time and sense; and to live like ourselves, immortal inhabitants of "a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." To live and lean upon our beloved Jesus, as the stay of our soul and strength of our hope, is true happiness. While all things below perish in the using, invisible realities ripen in prospect, and most powerfully engage our affections, because they are durable and eternal.
Hence the believer is excited to watchfulness, that he may stand; to prayer, that he may be kept; and to sobriety, that he may persevere. Thou knowest, that the sin of open vice and excess is great; but know also, that the cares, riches, pleasures, and honors of this world as really intoxicate the mind as outward, gross sins do the body. What need, what daily need hast thou to watch constantly, be sober continually, and pray alway! Pride is contrary to sobriety of judgment of thyself. Lust and intemperance are inconsistent with the soundness of thy faith, the stability of thy hope, and the exercise of thy love. These are ever at hand to beset thee. Say, therefore, when canst thou dispense with a watchful frame of spirit? when intermit prayer and humble dependence on thy God; sweet exercise of watching unto prayer for divine power; in prayer, for sweet enlargements; after prayer, for a gracious answer from our Lord?
Ever may this just reflection be on thy mind, when tempted or inclined to cast in thy lot with the carnal, and to indulge thyself in attending the bewitching scenes of sin, folly and Vanity, Am I now acting like one who knows the end of all things is at hand? do I conduct as one in his right mind? am I watching unto prayer? can I desire, pray for, and expect the sense of Jesus' love and presence to be with me? Remember thy calling: it is to love and live upon an unseen Jesus; and to act as daily expecting to receive the end of thy faith, the ration of thy soul 1 Peter 1:9.
*