2. 'Tis certainly future. All the wretched Accidents of this Life, such as concern us in our Persons, Relations, Estates and Interests; a thousand Disasters that a jealous Fear and active Fancy will extend and amplify; as they may, so they may not happen to us. And from this mixture of contrary Possibilities, from the uncertainty of event, Hope, that is an insinuating Passion, mixes with Fear, and derives Comfort. For as sometimes a sudden Evil surprises not forethought of; so often the Evil that was sadly expected, never comes to pass. But what Man is he that lives, 1and shall not see Death? Who is so vain as to please himself with an imagination ⟨p. 17⟩of Immortality here? Though Men are distinguished in the condition of Living, yet all are equal in the necessity of Dying. Humane Greatness in every kind, Nobility, Riches, Empire cannot protect from the sudden and Sovereign Hand of Death, that overthrows all. The most conspicuous difference in this World is between the Victorious, and the Vanquished prostrate at their Feet: but Death makes them equal. Then the wretched Captive shall upbraid the proud Conqueror, Art thou become weak as we? Art thou become like us? The Expressions of Scripture concerning the frailty of Man are often literally and precisely verified: He is like the Grass, in the morning it flourishes and groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and withereth. Death is a prevalent insuperable Evil, hence the proverbial Expression, Strong as Death that subdues all, cruel as the Grave that spares none. 'Tis in vain to struggle with the pangs of Death. No Simples in Nature, no Compositions of Art, no Influence of the Stars, no Power of Angels, can support the dying Body, or retain the flitting Soul.2 There is no Man hath power over the Spirit to retain ⟨p. 18⟩the Spirit; neither hath he power in the day of Death: and there is no discharge in that War. The Body sinks in the Conflict, and Death feeds on its prostrate Prey in the Grave.
2. 'Tis certainly future. All the wretched Accidents of this Life, such as concern us in our Persons, Relations, Estates and Interests; a thousand Disasters that a jealous Fear and active Fancy will extend and amplify; as they may, so they may not happen to us. And from this mixture of contrary Possibilities, from the uncertainty of event, Hope, that is an insinuating Passion, mixes with Fear, and derives Comfort. For as sometimes a sudden Evil surprizes not forethought of; so often the Evil that was sadly expected, never comes to pass. But what Man is he that lives, 1and shall not see Death? Who is so vain as to please himself with an imagination ⟨p. 17⟩of Immortality here? Though Men are distinguish'd in the condition of Living, yet all are equal in the necessity of Dying. Humane Greatness in every kind, Nobility, Riches, Empire cannot protect from the sudden and Sovereign Hand of Death, that overthrows all. The most conspicuous difference in this World is between the Victorious, and the Vanquish'd prostrate at their Feet: but Death makes them equal. Then the wretched Captive shall upbraid the proud Conqueror, Art thou become weak as we? Art thou become like us? The Expressions of Scripture concerning the frailty of Man are often literally and precisely verified: He is like the Grass, in the morning it flourishes and groweth up, in the evening it is cut down and withereth. Death is a prevalent insuperable Evil, hence the proverbial Expression, Strong as Death that subdues all, cruel as the Grave that spares none. 'Tis in vain to struggle with the pangs of Death. No Simples in Nature, no Compositions of Art, no Influence of the Stars, no Power of Angels, can support the dying Body, or retain the flitting Soul.2 There is no Man hath power over the Spirit to retain ⟨p. 18⟩the Spirit; neither hath he power in the day of Death: and there is no discharge in that War. The Body sinks in the Conflict, and Death feeds on its prostrate Prey in the Grave.
- 1Psal. 89.4.
- 2Eccles. 8.8.
