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find the strings that bound up my tongue； and hindered me from speaking；
are unloosed； and I have words to express myself as freely and distinctly
as any other person。 From whence this strange and unexpected event
should proceed； I must not pretend to say； any farther than this； that it is
doubtless the hand of Providence that has done it； and in that I ought to
acquiesce。 Pray let me be alone for two or three hours； that I may be at
liberty to compose myself； and put my thoughts in the best order I can
before I leave them behind me。〃
The poor woman； though extremely startled at what her brother had
written； yet took care to conceal it from the neighbours； who； she knew； as
well as she； must be mightily surprised at a thing so utterly unexpected。
Says she； my brother desires to be alone； I believe he may have something
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in his mind that disturbs him。 Upon which the neighbours took their
leave and returned home； and his sister shut the door； and left him alone to
his private contemplations。
After the company were withdrawn he fell into a sound sleep； which
lasted from two till six； and his sister； being apprehensive of the return of
his fit； came to the bedside； and； asking softly if he wanted anything； he
turned about to her and spoke to this effect： Dear sister； you see me not
only recovered out of a terrible fit； but likewise that I have the liberty of
speech； a blessing that I have been deprived of almost sixty years； and I
am satisfied you are sincerely joyful to find me in the state I now am in；
but； alas！ it is but a mistaken kindness。 These are things but of short
duration； and if they were to continue for a hundred years longer； I can't
see how I should be anyways the better。
I know the world too well to be fond of it； and am fully satisfied that
the difference between a long and a short life is insignificant； especially
when I consider the accidents and company I am to encounter。 Do but
look seriously and impartially upon the astonishing notion of time and
eternity； what an immense deal has run out already； and how infinite it is
still in the future； do but seriously and deliberately consider this； and you
will find； upon the whole； that three days and three ages of life come much
to the same measure and reckoning。
As soon as he had ended his discourse upon the vanity and uncertainty
of human life； he looked steadfastly upon her。 Sister； says he； I conjure
you not to be disturbed at what I am going to tell you； which you will
undoubtedly find to be true in every particular。 I perceive my glass is run；
and I have now no more to do in this world but to take my leave of it； for
to…morrow about this time my speech will be again taken from me； and； in
a short time； my fit will return； and the next day； which I understand is the
day on which I came into this troublesome world； I shall exchange it for
another； where； for the future； I shall for ever be free from all manner of
sin and sufferings。
The good woman would have made him a reply； but he prevented her
by telling her he had no time to hearken to unnecessary complaints or
animadversions。 I have a great many things in my mind； says he； that
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require a speedy and serious consideration。 The time I have to stay is but
short； and I have a great deal of important business to do in it。 Time and
death are both in my view； and seem both to call aloud to me to make no
delay。 I beg of you； therefore； not to disquiet yourself or me。 What
must be； must be。 The decrees of Providence are eternal and unalterable；
why； then； should we torment ourselves about that which we cannot
remedy？
I must confess； my dear sister； I owe you many obligations for your
exemplary fondness to me； and do solemnly assure you I shall retain the
sense of them to the last moment。 All that I have to request of you is；
that I may be alone for this night。 I have it in my thoughts to leave some
short observations behind me； and likewise to discover some things of
great weight which have been revealed to me； which may perhaps be of
some use hereafter to you and your friends。 What credit they may meet
with I cannot say； but depend the consequence； according to their
respective periods； will account for them； and vindicate them against the
supposition of falsity and mere suggestion。
Upon this； his sister left him till about four in the morning； when
coming to his bedside to know if he wanted anything； and how he had
rested； he made her this answer； I have been taking a cursory view of my
life； and though I find myself exceedingly deficient in several particulars；
yet I bless God I cannot find I have any just grounds to suspect my pardon。
In short； says he； I have spent this night with more inward pleasure and
true satisfaction than ever I spent a night through the whole course of my
life。
After he had concluded what he had to say upon the satisfaction that
attended an innocent and well…spent life； and observed what a mighty
consolation it was to persons； not only under the apprehension； but even in
the very agonies of death itself； he desired her to bring him his usual cup
of water； and then to help him on with his clothes； that he might sit up； and
so be in a better posture to take his leave of her and her friends。
When she had taken him up； and placed him at a table where he
usually sat； he desired her to bring him his box of papers； and after he had
collected those he intended should be preserved； he ordered her to bring a
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candle； that he might see the rest burnt。 The good woman seemed at first
to oppose the burning of his papers； till he told her they were only useless
trifles； some unfinished observations which he had made in his youthful
days； and were not fit to be seen by her； or anybody that should come after
him。
After he had seen his papers burnt； and placed the rest in their proper
order； and had likewise settled all his other affairs； which was only fit to
be done between himself and his sister； he desir