N00657:18
A discourse concerning the uncertainty of the times of men, and the necessity of…
A discourse concerning the uncertainty of the times of men, and the necessity of being prepared for sudden changes & death. Delivered in a sermon preached at Cambridge in New England. Decemb. 6. 1696. On occasion of the sudden death of two scholars belonging to Harvard College. / By Increase Mather, president of that college. ; [Two lines from I Samuel]A discourse concerning the uncertainty of the times of men, and the necessity of being prepared for sudden changes & death. Delivered in a sermon preached at Cambridge in New England. Decemb. 6. 1696. On occasion of the sudden death of two scholars belonging to Harvard Colledge. / By Increase Mather, praesident of that colledge. ; [Two lines from I Samuel]
printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1697
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
There are three things for us here briefly to Enquire into. (1.) What Times they are which Men know not? (2.) How it does appear that they are Ignorant thereof. (3.) The Reason Why they are kept in Ignorance of their Time.
Quest. 1. What Times are they which men know not?
Ans. 1. Time is sometimes put for the proper season for Action. For the fittest season for a man to Effect what he is undertaking. The Seventy Greek Interpreters translate the words KAIRON AVIOU. There is a Season, a fit Time for men ⟨p. 9⟩to go to work in. If they take hold of that nick of opportunity, they will prosper and succeed in their Endeavours. It is a great part of wisdom to know that season. Hence it is said, A wise mans Heart discerneth both Time and Judgment. Eccles. 8.5. but few have that wisdom or knowledge. Therefore it is added in the next verse. because to every purpose there is Time and Judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. The meaning is, because men discern not the proper Time for them to Effect what they purpose, their misery is great. If they would attempt such a thing just at such a Time, they would make themselves and others happy, but missing that Opportunity great misery comes upon them. So it is as to Civil Affairs very frequently. Men discern not the proper only season for them to obtain what they desire. Yea, and so it is as to Spirituals. Men are not aware of the proper season wherein they may obtain good for their Souls. There is a price put into their hands to get Wisdom, but they have no heart to know and improve it. There is a day of Grace in which i• men seek to God for mercy they shall find it.