i54 THE RIGHT IMPROVEMENT OF LIF . [SERM. XXIX, hours, your relatives, your fellow-creatures, and so make the world the better for you. The days and years of life should be numbered by the multitude of good works, as much as by the revolutions of the sun and moon : For lost and wasted time should not come into the account of life. But if this were our way of counting, what should. we say of thousands, who have lived to no other purpose but to eat and drink, and to make up the number of mankind ? O it is a mean and pitiful thing only to be old in time, and not in duties to God, or benefits to men. And, as an author speaks on this subject, " All the good works of many who are stricken in years will lie in a very little compass: To be an ancient man or woman of two or three years old, sounds like a contradiction," and it is, indeed, a matter of great shame, and ought to awaken deep repentance. Howmany are there that live'to no purpose at all, and the world will not miss them when they are gone ? How many that live to wicked purpose, and the world is glad to be rid of them ? Some are mere cumberers of the ground, and some are perfect nuisances, and public mischiefs. Such should never pretend to the name of Christians: Let us remember it was the character of our blessed Lord, that " he went about doing good ; and he was willing to work those workswhile it was his day of life; for the night was coming on him wherein be should have no such sort, of work to do,'.' John ix. 4. 0 may our Saviour be our pattern, and let us be followers of the holy Jesus i' Alas ! what 'a noble pattern ! what si w and distant followers! It was this desire of service to the world, that put the ri eat apostle into a strait betwixt two, as in Philip,. i. 23. lie knew not what to ask for, " Shall I pray for death and glory, my heart bath a wish that way? It is far bet- ter for me to depart, and to be with Christ : Or shall I desire to continue in life ! This is for the service of your faith, and furtherance of your joy; therefore I am content, saith he, to have m.y crown andglory deferred, that my longer life may be your advantage. O what an illustriousspi t of zeal and love reigned in the heart of this apostle !' " Ye are the light of the world," saith. Christ to his
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