XXXI.

IS A LINGERING OR A SUDDEN DEATH

TO BE PREFERRED?

PART I.

MATTHEW Vii. 20, 21.

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

How much is every one of us agitated by intelligence of the sudden death of a friend-by a report of the decease even of one of our acquaintances, whom only a few hours or a few days before we saw, conversed with, and knew to be in health! We are greatly alarmed. It costs us some pains to believe the fact, as if that were incomprehensible and impossible which occurs so frequently in life— as if God, the Lord of life and death, ought to make an indulgent exception to the common course of events in favour of ourselves, and every thing connected with us.

What alarms us, then? It seems shocking,

that the man, contrary to his expectations, and without any preparation, hastily torn away in the midst of his plans and projects-is placed in another world. We put ourselves in the situation of the deceased person, and feel his dumb horror after the violent change with which he has been transported from his daily works to an unknown eternity. It shocks us to think of such a separation from his family, without bidding them farewell,—without the least pressure of the hand of friendship.

Very different are our feelings at the sight of him who is a long while declining, and whose illness can only end with certain death. It is true, we are more prepared for the sorrow we have to suffer; but yet, even at the least appearance of amendment, some hope that the disease may not be fatal awakes and springs up within us. We hope so much the more readily, so much the more fervently, as the person with whose loss we are threatened is dearer to us. His death throws us into sorrow no less deep, notwithstanding we had been prepared for the event. The sick person, indeed, seldom suffers so severely as we figure to ourselves in an over-heated, self-tormenting imagination; but who can see his formerly blooming, now debilitated figure, his pale cheeks, his languid, sunken eyes, without being affected with the warmest sympathy? Who can hear the groans, the sighs, the quick,

languid, hard drawing of the breath, without wishing: May the God of Mercy soon end this state, and give peace to the sufferer in the sleep of death -since this is now inevitable!"

Thus does a sudden death alarm us-thus pains us the sight of one who is dying by degrees.

Which is then the most desirable,-if wishes would avail, when the end of all hopes and wishes is at hand?-Is a sudden or a lingering death to be preferred?

In truth, this question appears at first sight fruitless; as our wishes with regard to what shall come to pass, cannot determine it. But notwithstanding this, the occupation of the mind on this subject is very attractive, and the consideration of it becomes useful and beneficial, if it remove the many prejudices which we may have entertained respecting it.

For are there not, in fact, many persons who hold a sudden death to be the greatest of all evils, because they suppose, that whoever suffers it in the midst of his sins, of which he has not had time to repent, is subjected to certain condemnation? Are there not many, who for that reason call on God in prayer to preserve them from sudden death?

But such a supposition is surely the fruit of an unworthy idea of the greatness and justice of God. For if, in fact, a sudden death were the most dread

ful of all evils, how could God, whose children we all are to whose pity and compassion we all lay claim-favour some men in this important matter (if it be so) and some not? If an earthquake, or an inundation suddenly deprive of life a hundred or a thousand men, are there not, probably, among them as many gross sinners as righteous men? If a sudden death were the worst of fates, would not the Almighty allow a difference to be made in the distribution of it? What advantage, then, have the millions who gradually expire on a sick-bed?

It is said, indeed: But the sinner has a respite given him on a death-bed to repent of his many failings, and to turn unto God.' Are we not, then, all sinners? And if repentance in the anguish of death can set all right with our spiritual concerns, would it not be contrary to the Divine paternal love, which embraces all with the same favourwho makes His sun to shine on the just and on the unjust to refuse to many thousands the blessing which it grants to others? Would even an earthly father show such injustice to his children? No ;-— your representation of the Divine Being is defective, because you have an erroneous idea of the value of a death-bed repentance. If a malefactor repent in prison of his offences, and be filled with terror at the prospect of punishment, would you

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hold him in the same estimation, and rank him with the uniformly pious and virtuous man? Would you, in the instance of a child who had long afflicted you with his disobedience, and wickedness of all kinds, if you wished to put an end to his misconduct, and resolved to execute on him the long-threatened punishment,-were he now through fear of that punishment to weep and repent-would you reward and endeavour to please him, as you would the docile, diligent child, who constantly fulfilled your wishes with the most tender and affectionate submission? Your sense of justice would rise up against it. How then can you regard the All-just as more unjust than yourself would be? How can a repentance of the moment, produced by anguish, be of equal worth with a whole life of virtue? Christ has himself warned us with the greatest earnestness against this error. It is not tears, nor words, nor prayers, that will avail-but the learning to do well, and the performing of works demonstrative of amendment. For, "by their fruits shall ye know them,” saith the Lord. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall inherit the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (MATT. vii. 20, 21.)

Hence is a sudden death by no means to be feared as one of the most dreadful evils, merely