a very inconsiderable duration; or to secure to
ourselves the pleasure of a life that is fixed and settled, and will
never end? Every man, upon the first hearing of this question, knows
very well which side of it he ought to close with.

3. But however right we are in theory, it is plain that in practice we
adhere to the wrong side of the question. We make provisions for this
life as though it were never to have an end, and for the other life as
though it were never to have a beginning.

Should a spirit of superior rank, who is a stranger to human nature,
accidentally alight upon the earth, and take a survey of its
inhabitants, what would his notions of us be?

4. Would not he think that we were a species of beings made for quite
different ends and purposes than what we really are? Must not he imagine
that we were placed in this world to get riches and honours? Would he
not think that it was our duty to toil after wealth, and station, and
title? Nay, would not he believe we were forbidden poverty by threats of
eternal punishment, and enjoined to pursue our pleasures under pain of
damnation? He would certainly imagine that we were influenced by a
scheme of duties quite opposite to those which are indeed prescribed to
us.

5. And truly, according to such an imagination, be must conclude that we
are a species of the most obedient creatures in the universe; that we
are constant to our duty; and that we keep a steady eye on the end for
which we were sent hither.

But how great would be his astonishment, when he learnt that we were
beings not designed to exist in this world above threescore and ten
years; and that the greatest part of this busy species fall short even
of that age?

6. How would he be lost in horror and admiration, when he should know
that this set of creatures, who lay out all their endeavours for this
life, which scarce deserves the name of existence, when, I say, he
should know that this set of creatures are to exist to all eternity in
another life, for winch they make no preparations?

7. Nothing can be a greater disgrace to reason than that men, who are
persuaded of these two different states of being, should be perpetually
employed in providing for a life of threescore and ten years, and
neglecting to make provision for that which, after many myriads of
years, will be still new, and still beginning; especially when we
consider that our endeavours for making ourselves great, or rich, or
honourabl