CHARLES.
No, my dear, we have no more reason to fear upon our sick bed, than when we are in lively company, taking a walk, or on the stormy sea. We are always under the protection of our Creator; he can preserve us, or call us hence whenever he thinks fit.
EMILIA.
We appear, I think, nearer death when we are sick than when we are in a good state of health.
CHARLES.
We appear, you say, but that appearance deceives us, and we are led to think so because God commonly calls us out of the world by sickness; this seems the usual way, and we suppose that death is at a distance when we are in a confirmed state of health; yet we are, in the very midst of our pleasures, near the grave. For instance, when you are singing, or dancing, a dreadful fire may burst out, and none may have power to escape; nay, without such an unforeseen accident, a single glass of cold water, after such an amusement, has often occasioned death. Who would then presume to say, that they have many years of pleasure to come?
EMILIA.
I believe you are right.
CHARLES.
How many people recover when they have been given over by physicians, whilst those apparently in health die suddenly?