eace after death.

"For my own part, I apprehend, I should not much care (if free from
pain) what my portion in this world was,--if a life to continue, perhaps
one year or twenty, or eighty; but then, to be dust, not to know or be
known any more,--this is a thought that has something of horror in it to
me, and always had; and would make me careless, if it were to be long or
short; but to live, to die, to live again, has a joy in it; and how
inexpressible is that joy, if we secure an humble hope to live ever
happily; and this we may do, if we take care to live agreeably to our
rational faculties, which also best secures health, strength, and peace
of mind, the greatest blessings on earth.

"Believe the word of God, the Holy Scriptures. What most hinders faith,
I am persuaded, is ignorance of God's true nature. Look up to the
firmament, and down to the deep, how can any doubt a divine power? And
if there is, what can be impossible to infinite power? Then, why an
infidel in the world? In His Gospel the terrors of God's majesty are
laid aside, and He speaks in the still and soft voice of His Son
incarnate, the fountain and spring whence flow gladness. The idolatrous
heathen perform their worship with trouble and terror; but a Christian,
and a good liver, with a merry heart and lightsome spirit: for, examine
and consider well, where is the hardship of a virtuous life? (when we
have moderated our irregular habits and passions, and subdued them to
the obedience of reason and religion). We are free to all the innocent
gratifications and delights of life; and we may lawfully, nay, further I
say, we ought to rejoice in this beautiful world, and all the
conveniences and provisions, even for pleasure, we find in it; and
which, in much goodness, is afforded us to sweeten and allay the labours
and troubles incident to this mortal state, nay, inseparable, I believe,
by disappointments, cross accidents, bad health, unkind returns for good
deeds, mistakes even among friends, and what is most touching, death
of friends.

"But in the worst of these calamities, the thought of a happy eternity
does not alone support, but also revive the spirit of a man; and he
goeth forth to his labour with inward comfort, till the evening of his
day (that is, his life on earth), and, with the Psalmist, cries out, 'I
will consider the heavens even the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the
stars which Thou hast ordained. What is man, that Thou art mindful