The Whole Works of Robert Leighton to Which Is Prefixed; A Life of the Author (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1844 Excerpt: ...thai it is no long course to the utmost period of life; yet our hearts are little instructed by this knowledge. How great need have we to pray this prayer with David here, or that with Moses, Teach us to number our days, that ice may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm ic. 12. Did we indeed know and consider how quickly we shall pass hence, it were not possible for us to cleave so fast to the things of this life, and, as foolish children, to wade in ditches, and fill our laps with mire and dirt; to prefer base earth and flesh to immortality and glory. That I may know how frail I am. Most part of men are foolish, inconsiderate creatures, like unto the very beasts that perish, Psalm xlix. 12, only they are capable of greater vanity and misery; but, in as irrational a tvay, they toil on and hurry themselves in a jnultitude of business, by multitudesof desires, fears, and hopes, and know not whither all lends. But one well-advised thought of this one thing, would temper them in their hottest pursuits, if they would but think how frail they are, how vain a passing thing, not only these their particular desires and projects are, lmt they themselves, and their whole life. David prays that he may know his end, and his prayer is answered; Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth. If we were more in requests of this kind, we should receive more speedy and certain answers. If this be our request, to know ourselves, our frailties and vanity, we shall know that our days are few and evil, know both the brevity and vanity of them. Ver. 5. Thou hast measured out my days M a hand-breadth. That is oneof the shortest measures. We need not long lines to measure our lives by: each one carries a measure about with him, his own hand; that is the longest and fullest measur...