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SERIOUS ENQUIRIES.

MAN is distinguished in the scale of existence as a rational creature; hence a desire of knowledge is natural to him. He possesses a principle of curiosity which influences him to make perpetual enquiries, as to the nature and tendency of the various objects which pass in succession before him. It is to be lamented, however, that while he is anxious to ascertain the causes and effects of sublunary events, he is too unmindful of his best interest. Fascinated by the appearance of worldly scenes, and hurried on by the force of sensual appetites, he forgets that he is an accountable, an immortal being; and will not stop to consider things as they really are. Though reason and conscience, providence and revelation, are monitors which remind him of his duty; yet he will not listen to their dictates, but too often prefers the present gratification of his senses, to his future welfare and happiness.

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Now, reader, if this has been your case; if you have been thus deceived, and lived hitherto without consideration-for a few moments attend to the voice of Instruction. Come, and let us ask a few important questions in relation to our present and future state and may it, under the Divine blessing, excite us to seek wisdom from above, and to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear. Our first enquiry then shall be

as to

HUMAN LIFE.

WHAT is it? Is it stationary? Is it substantial? Is it of long duration? Is it at our command, and at our control? Can we live as long as we please? Can we even say, to-morrow is our's; or can we tell what a day will bring forth? Alas! no. Ask then, what is it? Is it not " a vapour, that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away?"* And what strength is there in a vapour; who can grasp a vapour? How weak, how uncertain, how fleeting is it? Who

* James iv. 14.

would ever think of trusting to that which so soon expires? who would ever think of building his happiness on that which is precarious, and must soon pass away? Again, what is it? Is it not like the withering grass and the fading flower? Hear the Scripture, "As for man his days are as grass; as the flower of the field so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more."* And who would place all his dependance on such frail objects as these? who would gaze perpetually on the most beautiful flower that must shortly fade? Again: what is it? Is it not a dream? How confused, how vain, how empty! Look back on your past life, and ask, whether it does not appear to you as a dream? How transient has it been! And how trifling and unimportant the scenes in which you have been engaged! What is it? Is it not like the swift sailing vessel? Besides its rapid motion, consider too how often it is exposed to danger; how frequently visited with the storm; how little at the command of mortals when the winds and

* Ps. ciii, 15. + Job xx. 8.

Ibid. ix. 26.

the waves beat upon it! And should you like always to be tossed with tempest? Is it pleasant to be always in danger? Or, is the troubled sea your delight? Again, what is it? Is it not as a tale that is told?* Yes, reader; human life has been a sorrowful tale to many. Sin has embittered it with a thousand evils. It has been a mournful story, and the end has been worse than the beginning. It is a tale too that is soon told; "for man that is born of a woman is but of few days, and full of trouble." And have you ever thought what will be told of you? Shall it be said that you lived and died without repentance? Dreadful thought! if this be all that your survivors shall be able to inscribe on your tomb. O that you may be wise, and seek the favour of him, whose grace alone can render life pleasant and death welcome. Again, what is it? Is it a large portion of time? Are centuries allotted for man's existence? No: "The days of our years are threescore years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for

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it is soon cut off, and we fly away.' ” Nay, it is compared to a week, a day, a span, a sleep, a hand-breadth, a watch in the night. We need not then waste the few moments we have. We need not laboriously exert ourselves in trying to abridge human life. Is it too long for us, that we can idle so much of it away ? Is it so dull, that we can willingly give up great part of it to unnecessary sleep; to vain conversation, to unlawful pleasures? Reader, remember how contracted it is already; and what a solemn command is given to "redeem the time:"† for what is it? It is a valuable treasure to be redeemed. What is gone indeed cannot be recalled, but what is to come may be improved. Who can tell what depends on a single moment! "By the enjoyment of God, every moment may be rendered more valuable than the whole earth." But if it be mispent; if it be devoted to the service of sin and satan; if it be lavished on the vanities of time and sense; if by wicked devices it be murdered in this world, it will rise up against us in the next? O the folly of en

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