ON THE

DURATION OF ETERNITY.

MANY of the ancients have represented eternity by several emblems, but all their idea's apparently fall as short of it, as time does of that incommensurable quantity; neither do I presume to show any perfect resemblance of it: for were I so fortunate as to be indowed with all the excellent qualities that human nature is capable of, nevertheless I should be altogether insufficient for the performance of so great a work. I have often thought on eternity

with astonishment, and the more I have reflected upon it, the more I have been amazed: it may indeed be compared to an inexpressible duration of time, to the bottomless sea, that none can fathom, to a perpetual motion, to a globe. or a sphere, a wheel or a circle, which are not limited by any vis-.. ible bounds, so as to know where they begin or end; but in regard that all these things afford so imperfect a representation of it, I. shall proceed to my main design, which is to bring all judicious persons to such a consideration of this eternal future state, as may influence the whole course of their. lives; for I am thoroughly per suaded that if every christian would set a-part but six minutes every day, for the comparing of his short life to eternity, he would not

presume wilfully to offend or transgress the divine laws. Indeed, I know not how to account for the enormous wickedness of our age, when I see men running headlong into the pit of destruction, and just ready to fall down the dismal precipice of sin, without the least concern upon their spirits, and all for want of due consideration of eternity, and especially such serious reflections as these:

"O Lord what am I doing, I am travelling apace to the eternal mansions, but to what sort of them I am going, I know not; that is to say, whether it be to enter upon an eternity of misery and despair, or an eternity of happiness and joy; if to the former, I am undone forever, if to the latter,, I am in a place of safety. O vast profound, bottomless, unfathomable eternity, what

dimensions can I ascribe to thee, I am entirely swallowed up in the contemplation of thee; and can find no center! I fear I am launching out into the main ocean of eternal pains; so that if the almighty does not vouchsafe to stretch forth the right hand of his immense power to save, I shall perish everlastingly. O my dear Lord, rouse up my soul from the deadly lethargy of insensibility of heart, by the assistance of thy holy spirit; for there are but few sands left to run in the glass of my life. Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, send out thy light( and thy truth, let thy rod and thy staff comfort me; so as my spirits may be supported in this my last extremity; and then I will fear no evil, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. O Lord, I have greviously offended

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