In which words are imply'd ,

1. The shortness and uncertainty of our Lives . Our Lives are measured by days .

2. Our unwillingness to number them . We must be taught it .

3. How we ought to number them . So teach us to number , &c.

4. What effect a right numbring them would have upon our Lives and Conversations . It would incline our Hearts to true Wisdom .

1. The shortness and uncertainty of our Lives , which are measured out to us by Days , not Months and Years ; teaching us , that we are only assured of the {αβγδ} the time present , Luke 12. and know not but the next moment our Souls may be required of us . We are truly one of those Creatures Pliny tells us of , call'd {αβγδ} , Creatures of a Day ; for tho' our lives may be lengthen'd out to many Months and Years , yet we are exposed to so many Diseases , such variety of Accidents and Misfortunes , that we have reason to look upon every Day as our last . Let a Man but contemplate the curious Frame and Composition of his Body ; Psal . 139.14 . how many Springs and Wheels go to the making up this wonderful Machine : Let him but consider the infinite number of Bones , Veins , Arteries , and Fibres , the different Situations , Intentions , and Qualifications of each , together with their continual and unaccountable Fermentations ; and that , if but one Pin in this miraculous Movement is out of order , it threatens the Dissolution of the whole ; and he will soon find , how little reason he has to flatter himself with the hopes of long Life , from Youth and a Vigorous Constitution ; that his life hangs by a slender Thread , and his Preservation is as great a Miracle as his first Formation . The story of Damocles is the Case of every one of us . Whilst we indulge our selves in the Enjoyments and Pleasures of this World , and please our selves with the Hopes of many Happy Years to come : Death holds his Shaft over our Heads , and perhaps the next moment strikes us through .

't would be too trite a Theme , to particularise the many Diseases and Accidents Mankind is subject to , our daily Experience will suggest such Considerations as these to us , and therefore I shall not insist upon them ; but close up all with the Apothegme of a Jewish Rabbi . Suppose ( says he ) you were forewarn'd of seven Men , that one of them should kill you , would not you put your self upon your Guard at the approach of any one of them : In like manner , when we are assur'd that one day must be our last , ought we not in common Prudence to prepare our selves , lest the Present should be so . And therefore we may justly wonder ,

2. At our Aversion to meditate on the shortness of our Lives , that we have need to be taught this plain Lesson , So teach us to number our Days , &c. But alas ! we are so taken up with the Pleasures and Enjoyments of this World , our Faculties are so earnestly arrested with the Objects of Sense , that 't is very irksome to us , to think of parting with such dear Friends , and old Acquaintance . We say with the Apostles in the Mount ; 't is good to be here ; and hanker after the Leeks and Onions of Egypt , even when we are on the Confines of the Heavenly Canaan . We are indeed very exact in computing our Bags of Money and Acres of Land , our Sheep and Oxen are told , our Accounts ballanc'd , and even the Sands of the Sea escape not our Arithmetick ; but , as if the days of our Life had no relation to us , we seldom trouble our heads to number them , or else perversely multiply those few Units to an Eternity . For tho' we daily see many of our Friends and Acquaintance snatch'd away from us in their Youth and the flower of their Age ; yet these we take little notice of ; but , if one amongst an hundred lives to threescore years and ten , this is continually in our thoughts , and we question not , but our Lives will bear the same Date with his ; nay in extream Age , we flatter our selves with the hopes of many Years to come , and are never so old but we expect to live a Year longer . Alexander the Great , puft up with his success in Arms , declares himself the Son of a God , tho' his immature death at 32 Years of Age prov'd him mortal . And the Roman Captains dazled with the splendour of their Triumphs , found they had need of a Memento te mortalem esse , remember that thou art mortal . And therefore we have great Reason , by a frequent Meditation on Death and Eternity , to loosen our Souls from sensual Objects , to shake off these Houses of Clay , and call to mind that this World is not our Home , that we are of a more Divine Original , free Denizens of the Heavenly Jerusalem . And therefore I come to shew ,

3. How we ought to number our days .

1. Number only the Time present . Do not promise thy self many Months and Years of Health and Prosperity , since every moment thou enjoyest , is the unmerited Largess of Heaven . That vital fire which informs thy unactive Clay burns no longer than 't is sustain'd by the Breath of the Lord which at first kindled it ; and therefore do not cheat thy self , ( as the generality of Mankind doth ) and fancy thou hast many years in store since the time to come is no more thine than that which is past , and thou mayst as well call back Yesterday , as assure thy self of to Morrow . To call that time thy own which is so little in thy power , would be to Act over the folly of the mad Athenian , who standing upon the Key at Athens , took account of all the Ships that entered in , and their burthen , and fancy'd them his own . 't would be time mispent to inculcate this plain and self-evident Truth , did not our Experience teach us , that though 't is universally believ'd , 't is seldom thought on ; for upon what account do men defer the Reformation of their Lives ? why do they put off this important ( and as they themselves confess ) absolutely necessary work ? but that they expect their days should be extended to the utmost limits of Humane Life , and they drop ripe into their Graves .

2. Appoint set times for numbring your days . For so bewitching are the Temptations and Allurements of the world , that unless we frequently meditate on this Subject , we shall be apt to place our Affections on things below ; to take up on this side Jordan , and forget our Heavenly Canaan . We are Creatures of sense , busied about those Objects which at present offer themselves to us , and are very hardly perswaded our Condition shall be altered . We promise our selves a long and uninterrupted succession of Prosperity , the Enjoyment of our Goods for many years , when we know not but this Night our Souls may be required of us ; and therefore the Advice of a Heathen Moralist , would certainly much more become a Christian , That we should examine out selves every night before we compose our selves to sleep , {αβγδ} , &c. What Progress have I made in my Christian Course ? What Good have I done this day ? What Sins have I committed ? What ought I to have done which I have omitted ? This would have the same Effect with keeping an exact Account of our Temporal Incoms and Expence ; of which 't is observ'd , that hardly any man that performs it carefully , runs out of his Estate by his own Profuseness . This would keep our Consciences tender , and stifle the first risings of Sin in our Hearts : 't would crush the Cockatrice in the Egg , and extinguish the Sparks of Lust , before they are fann'd into the flame of habitual sins .

3. Number the days you have lost . Consider with your self quam minima pars vitae est quam vivimus , Infinita est velocitas temporis quae magis apparet respicientibus , Sen. ep . 59. how little of our time we spend in those Actions which are suitable to the Dignity of our Natures , and tend to promote our true , that is , our Eternal Interest . For to omit that Infancy is the Life of a Plant , that Child-hood and Youth are Vanity , compute the time we spend inter pectina & calicem , then add what we lavish in eating , drinking , and sleeping ; what ill husbands shall we find our selves of that little which remains ? the greatest part is taken up in pursuing the Criminal Pleasures of the World , the Lusts of the Flesh , the Lusts of the Eye , and the Pride of Life : Whereas the worship of our Creator , the making our calling and Election sure , the preparation for Death , are often wholly neglected ; and generally but the Imployment of some leisure Hours : The best of us are too frequently allur'd by the Follies and Vanities of the World , we lose many precious seasons of Grace , and grieve and resist God's Holy Spirit . And therefore let these Considerations make us more careful for the future , let it suffice that for the time past we have been seduc'd by the sollicitations of the Devil , and our own corrupt Natures ; from henceforth let us press forward , redeeming the time , knowing that it is now high time to awake out of sleep : The night is far spent , the day is at hand , let us therefore cast off the works of darkness , and let us put on the Armour of Light .

4. Number your days in order to Eternity : Consider , that upon a due managing this small Portion of Time allotted us in this World , the Eternal welfare of our Bodies and Souls doth depend . Ex hoc momento pendet Aeternitas . That this World is , as it were , the great Laboratory for the preparing us for the next , and that if we are not perfected here , we cease to be so for ever ; Death comes , and shuts the Door , and deprives us of the hopes of all future happiness : If with the Foolish Virgins we slumber , and neglect to trim our Lamps with the Oil of Grace and Good Works , till the Bridegroom comes , there will be no borrowing then when we have need of it , we shall be for ever excluded from the Marriage-Feast : for as the Tree falls so it lies , and according as our management of those Talents God has here entrusted us with has been , such will our condition be to all Eternity hereafter . O Eternity , Eternity ! who can without concernment contemplate this endless State of Bliss or Misery ? who can think on it without Horrour and amazement ? 't is a Stream which always flows , a Duration which never ceases ; which must needs be above our Comprehension , since 't is more boundless than thought it self . Did but the Sinner seriously meditate on it , could he but once be capable of such a serious thought , 't would make his Knees smite together , and every Joint tremble . The Drunkard would let fall his Cup , and the boiling blood of the Lascivious person , would chill and freeze at this consideration ; that after he has endured Hell Torments more Ages than there are hairs on his Head , or Sands on the Sea shore , or than Arithmetick can number ; he shall be no nearer an end of his Misery , than when he first entred into them . Be wise then in time , and weigh it well , which are to be preferr'd ; the Pleasures of sin , which are but for a Season , or those at God's Right-Hand for evermore : which is easiest to be born , the momentary Sufferings of this present Life ; or the fiery Vengeance of an angry God to all Eternity . And that these Considerations may make the more lasting Impressions on your minds ,

5. Implore the Assistance of God's Crace , that he would teach you so to number your days , &c. For without this , all our endeavours will prove unsuccessful , the Temptations of the Devil will be too hard for us , and we shall be born down by the stream of our corrupt Inclinations . 't will be impossible for us long to maintain a violent Motion , that runs counter to our Passions and Appetites , without a spiritual Principle inspir'd into us from above ; it must be this Spring which sets all the Faculties of our Souls on working , and enables us to surmount those Difficulties which otherwise would be insuperable ; 't is the Grace of God alone which triumphs over Nature , and will in the end Crown us with a Wreath of Victory , if accompanied with our honest Endeavours . Of this we have a plain instance in the Philosophers , who were Men of most excellent Tempers , furnished with the most admired Precepts of Moral Philosophy , and yet none of them could live up to their own Rules ; but by their Practice utterly confuted their Speculation . They did indeed number their Days , their Discourses were full of pompous Expressions of the shortness and uncertainty of Life , the contempt of Death , and Vanity of worldly things ; but their Meditations did not direct them to apply their Hearts unto Wisdom . For neither Cato nor Brutus ( who were represented as the consummate Exemplars of Wisdom ; Men , who had realiz'd the sublime Idea of Vertue described in their Writings ) were able to make a fair Exit from the Stage of Life . So insufficient are the best Precepts of meer Natural Reason ( like Torrents that are dryed up in the heat of Summer , when there is most need of them ) they fail in extremity , because not deriv'd from the Fountain of Life .

6. Frequently visit the Houses of Mourning , behold your expiring Friends and Relations when they are on Beds of languishing and leaving the World , when all Prejudice and Passion leaves them , when the Soul retires within it self , beholds all Objects in their proper Colours , and every thing in its true Light : Then listen what Counsel and Advice they 'll give you . Will they bid you pursue the Syren Charms of deluding Pleasure ? or court the Aery Applause of the giddy Multitude ? or burthen your self with thick Clay ? No , all these they 'll , tell you are vain and useless , nothing yields them any real satisfaction , but the remembrance of a well spent life , a good Conscience , saving Grace , and the knowledge of Jesus Christ . I come to shew ,

4. And lastly , what Effect a right numbring our days would have upon our Lives and Conversations . It will teach us to apply our Hearts unto true spiritual wisdom , which consists in these four things ,

1. In keeping us from all wilful and presumptuous sins .

2. In a careful improvement of Time .

3. In taking off our Affections from worldly things .

4. In a due preparation for Death , and comfortable Hopes of Happiness hereafter .

1. The frequent Meditation on the shortness and uncertainty of our Days , will keep us from wilful and presumptuous sins . 't is the good advice of the Son of Sirach . Remember thy end , and let Enmity cease , remember Corruption and Death , and abide in the Commandement ; for , he that considers that he walks upon the brink of Eternity , will be very careful how to direct his steps ; he dares not affront the great Judge of the world , by a wilful violation of his Laws ; nor with the Rich man in the Gospel , sing a Requiem to his Soul , because he knows not but this night it may be required of him ; with St. Jerom , he fancies the last Trump continually founding in his ears , arise ye dead , and come to Judgment : And when tempted to the commission of any sin , reasons thus with himself . Would I do this thing , if this day were to be my last ? and how know I , but my Soul may expire the next moment , since this very moment , many thousands are breathing out their last ? And therefore the Indian Brachmans had their Sepulchres before their Doors , that , both at their going out and coming in , they might remember their approaching Death , as a curb to restrain them from all sinful pleasures , and immoderate desires of worldly enjoyments .

2. It would make us careful to improve every moment of our time , considering how great the Task is we are to perform in those few moments which are allotted us . For believe me ( Friends ) the business of our salvation is a work of difficulty , and requires our utmost Care and Diligence . The subduing our Corruptions , the denying of our selves , and breaking off those Vicious Habits , which have got the possession of our Souls , and the introducing the contrary Graces of Faith , Vertue , Knowledge , Temperance , Patience , Godliness , Brotherly kindness , and Charity . This is not to be performed without Pains and Industry ; and therefore we are commanded in the Holy Scripture , to work out our Salvation with fear and trembling , to strive to enter into the strait gate , and to give all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure .

Now he that is heartily convinc'd of this , will hardly think it Prudence to trifle away any part of that time , upon which an Eternity depends ; the length of his Journey will make him mend his pace , and improve to to the uttermost , those few Sands which are left in his Glass . He that understands wisely , how to number his days , will think his whole Life little enough to secure the great concern of his Soul , and himself sufficiently rewarded , if after many Fastings and Watchings , many Prayers and Tears , many acts of Mortification and self-denyal , many toilsom Conflicts with the Devil , and his own deprav'd Nature , he at last obtains a comfortable hope of Happiness in the Life to come .

3 It will take our Affections off from worldly things , by shewing us how vain and transitory they must needs be , since even our Lives , upon which these depend , are so uncertain and precarious ; if they do not make themselves wings , and fly away , yet we must leave them , and be taken from all those gilded Trifles , which , like the Apples of Sodom , gratifie our Senses for a little while , but then crumble to Dust , and leave an ungrateful smell behind them .

For wouldest thou purchase to thy self a Monopoly of all the Wealth in the world , wert thou able to empty the Western Parts of Gold , and the East of all her Spices , shouldst thou enclose to thy self the whole Earth from one end of Heaven to another , {αβγδ} . Ar. in Ep. and fill this wide world's circumference with Golden heaps and hoards of Pearl : Didst thou in the mean time sit at the Stern ; and hold the Reins in thine hand of all Earthly Kingdoms ; nay , exalt thy self as the Eagle , and set thy Nest among the Stars ; or , like the Sun of the morning , advance thy Throne , even above the Stars of God ; yet all this would be of no use to thee under the pressures and accusations of an awaken'd Conscience , or on a dying bed ; in vain wilt thou then seek for a portion of Scripture to sustain thy Soul , or call for a drop of that living water to quench thy thirst . The Pomp and Splendour , all the wealth of this world , can give no relief in a day of wrath , ( Prov. 11.4 . ) they will all vanish as the morning dew , or , like broken Reeds , pierce thy hands , when thou leanest upon them .

4. And lastly , to prepare our selves for Death , and lay good grounds for comfortable hopes of Happiness hereafter ; by frequently making up our accounts with God , we shall attain to such an holy trust and confidence in his Mercy , as not to be affrighted with those terrors , which Death the King of them usually brings along with him . For the Apostle tells us , that the sting of Death is sin ; that is , 't is the remembrance of past sins unrepented of , and neglect of this duty of numbring their days , which fills , even the Souls of Good Men , with fear and distraction at the time of their departure out of this life : The Devil then is very busie , and represents to their Consciences all the past miscarriages of their Lives ; he injects dire and black thoughts into their Minds , and frequently drives them even to the gates of despair . Now he , that is well practis'd in this holy Art of numbring his days , and hath liv'd in continual expectation of his approaching end , has nothing to do , but , with old Simeon , to sing his nunc dimittis ; Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace . Death is to him a welcome Messenger , which brings him a quietus esto . A rest from all pains , labours and Afflictions . He meets it with the same serenity of mind , that one meets a familiar Acquaintance ; and lies down in his Grave with as little concern , as he us'd to lye down in his Bed , Isa . 57.2 . So much reason had that wicked Prophet Balaam for his wish : O let me dy the death of the Righteous , and let my latter end be like his ! What remains therefore , but that , from a frequent and serious consideration of the shortness and uncertainty of our time here , we be all of us prevailed upon to apply our Hearts unto true spiritual wisdom ; that so , when our Souls shall leave these Houses of Clay ; and our mortal put on immortality , we may be receiv'd into those Heavenly Aboads , where the spirits of just men made perfect , enjoy perpetual rest and felicity , by an uninterrupted Communion with God in Glory ; which we have good reason to hope , is the happy Condition of this Honourable Person , whose Funerals we here solemnize .

It would be easie here to expatiate in a Panegyrick on her Birth and Parentage , and those other Endowments with which Nature and Education had bless'd her ; but this suits better with the Forum than the Pulpit , and they are all so well known to most here , that it would be of no use at present .

I shall only give you an account of those passages in her last sickness , of which I my self was a witness : In which , after she had struggl'd with the tedious Infirmities of a lingring Disease , with an invincible Mind ; she exchang'd this Life for a better ; like a devout Christian and a sound Member of the Church of England . For , when she found her strength decay , and that she was going to her long home , she earnestly requested the Viaticum of the Holy Sacrament ; and frequently desired the Prayers of the Church ; she solemnly declared her lively Faith in God , her serious Repentance for the past Errors of her Life , and her unfeigned Love and Charity towards all the World ; and , having receiv'd the Absolution of the Church , she past the rest of her time in pious and holy Ejaculations ; and at last devoutly breath'd out her Soul , in the words of the Holy Stephen , Lord Jesus receive my Spirit .