The author blesseth God for his retirement, and kisses that Gentle Hand which led him into it; for though it should prove barren to the world, it can never do so to him.

He has now had some time he could call his own; a property he was never so much master of before; in which he has taken a view of himself and the world; and observed wherein he hath hit and mist the mark; what might have been done, what mended, and what avoided in his human conduct; together with the omissions and excesses of others, as well societies and governments, as private families and persons.  And he verily thinks, were he to live over his life again, he could not only, with God’s grace, serve Him, but his neighbour and himself, better than he hath done, and have seven years of his time to spare.  And yet perhaps he hath not been the worst or the idlest man in the world, nor is he the oldest.  And this is the rather said, that it might quicken thee, reader, to lose none of the time that is yet thine.

There is nothing of which we are apt to be so lavish as of time, and about which we ought to be more solicitous; since without it we can do nothing in this world.  Time is what we want most, but what, alas! we use worst; and for which God will certainly most strictly reckon with us, when time shall be no more.

The author does not pretend to deliver thee an exact piece; his business not being ostentation, but charity.  ’Tis miscellaneous in the matter of it, and by no means artificial in the composure.  But it contains hints that may serve thee for texts to preach to thyself upon, and which comprehend much of the course of human life.  Since whatever be thy inclination or aversion, practice or duty, thou wilt find something not unsuitably said for thy direction and advantage.  Accept and improve what deserves thy notice; the rest excuse, and place to account of good will to thee and the whole creation of God.

IGNORANCE

It is admirable to consider how many millions of people come into and go out of the world ignorant of themselves and of the world they have lived in.  If one went to see Windsor Castle or Hampton Court it would be strange not to observe and remember the situation, the building, the gardens, fountains, etc., that make up the beauty and pleasure of such a seat.  And yet few people know themselves; no, not their own bodies, the houses of their minds, the most curious structure of the world, a living walking tabernacle:  nor the world of which it was made, and out of which it is fed; which would be so much our benefit as well as our pleasure to know.  We cannot doubt of this when we are told the Invisible things of God are brought to light by the things that are seen; and consequently we read our duty in them as often as we look upon them, to Him that is the Great and Wise Author of them, if we look as we should do.

The world is certainly a great and stately volume of natural things; and may not be improperly styled the hieroglyphics of a better.  But, alas! how very few leaves of it do we really turn over!  This ought to be the subject of the education of our youth, who at twenty, when they should be fit for business, know little or nothing of it.