Birds — Meditation 10

Observing in a snowy season, how the poor hungry Birds were haltred and drawn in by a grain of hair cunningly cast over their heads, while poor creatures they were busily feeding, and suspected no danger; and even while their companions were drawn away from them, one after another, all the interruption it gave the rest, was only for a minute or two, whilest they stood peeping into that hole through which their companions were drawn, and then fell to their meat again, as busily as before. I could not chuse but say, Even thus surprizingly does death steal upon the children of men, while they are wholly intent upon the cares and pleasures of this life, not at all suspecting its so neer approach. These Birds saw not the ha[•]d that insnared them, nor do they see the hand of death plucking them one after another into the grave.

Ovid.: Omnibus obscur as injecit illa manus Death's steps are swift, and yet no noise it makes; Its hand unseen, but yet most surely takes.

And even as the surviving Birds for a little time seemed to stand affrighted, peeping after their companions, and then as busie as ever to their meat again: Iust so it fares with the careless inconsiderate world, who see others daily dropping into eternity round about them, and for the present are a little startled, and will look into the grave after their neighbours, and then fall as busily to their earthly imployments and pleasures again as ever, till their own turn comes.

I know, my God! that I must die as well as others; but, O let me not die as do others, let me see death before I feel it, and conquer it before it kill me; let it not come as an enemy upon my back, but rather let me meet it as a friend half way! Die I must, but let me lay up that good treasure before I go, Mat. 6. 19. carry with me a good conscience when I go, 2 Tim. 4. 6, 7. and leave behind me a good example when I am gone, and then let death come and welcom!