Page:Cross of Christ, the Christian's glory (1).pdf/20

20 ſepulchral ſtand ornamented with imagery.

Why then, ſaid my working thoughts, Oh, why ſhould we raiſe ſuch a mighty ſtir about ſuperiority and precedence, when the next remove will reduce us all to a ſtate of equal meanneſs! why ſhould we exalt ourſelves, or debaſe others, ſince we muſt all one day be upon a common level, and blended together in the ſame undiſtinguiſhed duſt? Oh that this conſideration might humble my own, and others pride; and ſink our imaginations as low as our habitation will ſhortly be.

Among theſe confuſed relicks of humanity, there are without doubt, perſons of contrary intereſts and contradicting ſentiments, but death like an able days-man, has laid his hand on the contending parties, and brought all their differences to an amicable concluſion. Here enemies, ſworn enemies, dwell together in unity. They drop every imbittered thought, and forget that they once were foes. Perhaps, their crumbling bones mix, as they moulder, and thoſe who, while they lived, ſtood aloof in irreconcilable variance, here fall into mutual embraces, and even incorporate with each other in the grave. Oh that we might learn from theſe friendly aſhes, not to perpetuate the memory of injuries; not to ſoment the fever of reſentment, nor cheriſh the turbulence of paſſion; that there may be as little animoſity and diſagreement in the land of the living, as there is in the congregation of the dead!