Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.-Job ix. 25, 26.

We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off and we fly away.Ps. xc. 9, 10.

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.-Job vii. 6.

Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.Prov. xxvii. 1.

Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.-James iv. 13, 14.

ye

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.—Eph. v. 15.

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.-Eccl. ix. 12.

There is but a step between me and death.— 1 Sam. xx. 3.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.-Eccle. ix. 10.

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.-Ps. xxxix. 4.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.-Ps. xc. 12.

T Remarks or address.

If there is to be no service at the grave, the address may conclude with the brief service, "Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God," &c., Section 1, and with

Prayer and the benediction.

SECTION IV.

Service for an ordinary funeral.

MAN that is born of a woman is of few

days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.Job xiv. 1, 2.

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand ?-Ps. lxxxix. 48.

of the grave

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him :

that he should still live forever, and not see corruption. For wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.-Ps. xlix. 6, 7, 9, 10.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone: and the place thereof shall know it no more.-Ps. ciii. 15, 16.

Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.-Job xiv. 20, 21.

As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away; so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.-Job vii. 9, 10.

So man lieth down and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. Our fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?-Zech. i. 5.

I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.-Job xvii. 14.

For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.—Job xxx. 23.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it

was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.-Eccl. xii. 7.

IF

F a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.-Job xiv. 14, 15.

For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. Job xix. 25–27.

There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.-Acts xxiv. 15.

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.-1 Cor. xv. 12, 20–22.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.-1 Cor.

XV.

53.

Remarks or address.

¶ If there is to be no service at the grave, the address may conclude with the brief service, "Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, &c.." Sec. I., and with

SECTION V.

For an aged person.*

MAN that is born of a woman is of few

days, and full of trouble. He cometh

forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.— Job xiv. 1, 2.

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.-Eccl. viii. 8.

One dieth in his

full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.-Job xxi. 23-26.

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?—Ps. lxxxix. 48.

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

* It will add greatly to the interest of the occasion where this service is used, for the minister to accompany the several verses of the closing portion with brief explanations as he passes through it. Probably few commentators have done the chapter better justice, than has Dr. ADAM CLARKE, to whose notes we respectfully refer.