Page:The Works of Samuel Johnson ... A journey to the Hebrides. The vision of Theodore, the hermit of Teneriffe. The fountains. Prayers and meditations. Sermons.v. 10-11. Parliamentary debates.pdf/459

 : That "man born of a woman is of few days." And,

trouble."
 * That "man born of a woman is full of

As this changeable and uncertain life is only the passage to an immutable state, and endless duration of happiness or misery; it ought never to be absent from our thoughts, that "man born of a woman is of few days."

The business of life is to work out our salvation; and the days are few in which provision must be made for eternity. We all stand upon the brink of the grave; of that state, in which there is no repentance. He, whose life is extended to its utmost natural boundaries, can live but a little while; and that he shall be one of those, who are comparatively said to live long, no man can tell. Our days are not only few, but uncertain. The utmost that can be hoped, is little; and of that little, the greater part is denied to the majority of mankind.

Our time is short, and our work is great: it is, therefore, with the kindest earnestness, enjoined by the apostle, that we use all diligence to make our "calling and election sure." But to an impartial surveyor of the ways of men, will it appear that the apostle's summons has been heard or regarded? Let the most candid and charitable observer take cognisance of the general practice of the world; and what can be discovered but gay thoughtlessness, or sordid industry? It seems that to secure their calling and election is the care of a few. Of the greater part it may be said, that God is not in their thoughts. One forgets him in his business, another in his amusements; one in eager enjoyment of to-day, another in solicitous contrivance for to-morrow. Some die amidst the gratifications of luxury, and some in the tumults of contests undecided, and purposes uncompleted. Warnings are multiplied, but without notice. "Wisdom crieth in the streets," but is rarely heard.

Among those that live thus wholly occupied by present things, there are some, in whom all sense of religion