Chap. 10.] is NOT ON EARTH. 165 at the wise disposal of God, and hard thoughts of most of his providences, of which this sin makes us guilty. Let us further consider, what a competent time most of us have had. Why should not a man, that would die at all, be as willing at thirty or forty, if God see fit, as at seventy or eighty ? Length of time does not conquer corruption ; it never withers nor decays through age. Except we re- ceive an addition of grace, as well as time, we naturally grow worse. " 0 my soul, depart in peace ! As thou wouldst not desire anunlimited state in wealth and honor, so desire it not in point of time. If thou wast sensible how little thou deservest an hour of that patience which thou hast enjoyed, thou wouldst think thou hadst had a large part. is it not divine wisdom that sets the bounds ? God will honor himself by various persons and several ages, and not by one person or age. Seeing thou hast acted thy own part, and finished thy appointed course, come down contentedly, that others may succeed, who must have their turns as well as thyself. Much time bath much duty: beg therefore for grace to improve it better ; but be content with thy share of time. Thou hast also had a competency of the comforts of life. God might have made thy life a burden, till thou hadst been as weary of possessing it, as thou art now afraid of losing it. He might have suffered thee to have consumed thy days in ig- norance, without the true knowledge of Christ : but he bath opened thy eyes in the morning of thy days, and ac- quainted thee betimes with the business of thy life. Bath thy heavenly Father caused thy lot to fall in Europe, not in Asia or Africa; in England, not in Spain or Italy? lath he filled up all thy life with mercies, and dost thou now think thy share too small ? What a multitude of hours of consolation, of delightful Sabbaths, of pleasant studies, of precious companions, of wonderful deliverances, of ex- cellent opportunities, of fruitful labors, of joyful tidings, of sweet experiences, of astonishing providences, bath thy life partaken of! Bath thy life been so sweet that thou art loath to leave it? Is this thy thanks to him, who is thus drawing thee to his own sweetness ? O foolish soul ! would thou wast as covetous after eternity, as thou art for a fading, perishing life ! and after the presence of God in glory, as thou art for continuance on earth ! Then thou
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