It is, alas, so narrow a strait
betwixt the womb and the grave, that it might be called the Pas de
Vie, as well as the Pas de Calais. We are all [Greek text which
cannot be reproduced] as Pindar calls us, creatures of a day, and
therefore our Saviour bounds our desires to that little space; as if
it were very probable that every day should be our last, we are
taught to demand even bread for no longer a time. The sun ought not
to set upon our covetousness; no more than upon our anger; but as to
God Almighty a thousand years are as one day, so, in direct
opposition, one day to the covetous man is as a thousand years, tam
brevi fortis jaculatur aevo multa, so far he shoots beyond his butt.
One would think he were of the opinion of the Millenaries, and hoped
for so long a reign upon earth. The patriarchs before the flood,
who enjoyed almost such a life, made, we are sure, less stores for
the maintaining of it; they who lived nine hundred years scarcely
provided for a few days; we who live but a few days, provide at
least for nine hundred years. What a strange alteration is this of
human life and manners! and yet we see an imitation of it in every
man's particular experience, for we begin not the cares of life till
it be half spent, and still increase them as that decreases.
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