32 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



approach, nor night close the casements of their 

 eyes any more, nor the pale aspect of death the 

 second time seal the indenture of a profound si- 

 lence. Consider it seriously, for piety is good 

 policy ; and a holy, devout, and penitent life, no 

 impediment to a vertuous Christian : And so 

 good rest, Theophilus, that sleeps in silence. 



Theoph. Silent I am, but riot asleep ; nor do I 

 dream when I contemplate the everlasting praise 

 of the great Creator. How quickly has the 

 night dismantled herself of those shady sables 

 that covered day, and concealed the flaming 

 steeds of the sun, when advancing to approach 

 our northern horizon ? 



Arn. Come then, let us rise, and shake off 

 security ; for as sleep is no solid direction to 

 point out to us the way to heaven, so death 

 (tho at a distance) is no long reprieve (nor as- 

 sured protection) from the grave. 



Theoph. Our former ancestors lap'd not them- 

 selves in downy quilts, but made the earth their 

 common reception. But this age degenerates 

 from potentates to pedan ticks ; and carnally de- 

 vote their services to every idle and voluptuous 

 fancy. Do we not see with what eagerness some 

 men pursue all dishonest actions, whilst some 

 others, under the consideration of riches, hug a 

 conceal'd joy in their ill-got treasures ? where- 

 by they contrive the calamity of the poor, and 



