"Nature and reason, as well as religion, directs us to do it": Secker on the Litany's petition against sudden death

From Secker's Sermon XCVI - from a series entitled 'An explanation and defence of the Liturgy of the Church of England' - on the pastoral wisdom of the petitions in the Litany against "sudden death" and for deliverance "in the hour of death, and in the day of judgement":

We have indeed been blamed for praying against sudden death. But the whole Christian church hath done it from ancient time: and nature and reason, as well as religion, directs us to do it. Some, we own (and we wish they were many), may be always prepared thoroughly, in all respects, to die at any time. Yet even these may have cause to wish for warning of their death, on account of other persons. Their example under the approach of it will usually be very instructive; and their dying advice mere than ordinarily beneficial to their friends, dependents, and relations: whom also their being taken away at once may shock, to a degree, for which they would he extremely sorry, whatever they might otherwise choose for themselves. But, even on their own account, Christian humility would surely desire a little space for completer preparation. And they who profess to wish the contrary, are they so very certain, as this implies, that every part, both of their worldly affairs and their eternal concerns, is in the best condition to which it can be brought ? Or may not possibly this appearing readiness to die at any time arise, either from a secret dread to think of dying at all, or a secret unbelief, more or less, at what will follow after death? But whatever a few may imagine best for themselves, justly or unjustly; some previous notice is undeniably best for the generality: and common prayers must be adapted to common cases; always submitting it to God, to make exceptions, where he shall think proper ...

As we have need of protection and deliverance continually, so we proceed to beg for it, not only in all time of our tribulation, or adversity; but in all time of our wealth, or prosperity: for when we seem in the most flourishing state, we are often in the most danger of evil; and of sin, the worst evil. But as the hour of death is a season of peculiar trial and terror; and the day of judgment will determine our lot for ever; we therefore intreat his more especial grace and favour at both. The former indeed fixes our condition at the latter. But still, as the best life and death obtain acquittal and reward, only through the pardoning goodness of our Judge; we have great cause to pray for ourselves, as St. Paul did for Onesiphorus, 'that we may find mercy of the Lord in that day'.