Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showedMeditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed
Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is showed; I. That some true believers on Christ are afraid of death, but that they have no just cause to be so. II. That good men as well as others may be taken out of the world by a sudden death. III. That not earth but heaven is the Christians home. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]Meditations on death. Delivered in several sermons, wherein is shewed; I. That some true believers on Christ are afraid of death, but that they have no just cause to be so. II. That good men as well as others may be taken out of the world by a sudden death. III. That not earth but heaven is the Christians home. / By Increase Mather, D.D. ; [Two lines from Hebrews]
Increase Mather 1639–1723printed by Timothy Green, 1707
[8], 171, [5] p. ; 14 cm. (12mo) · 33k words · Evans 1321
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.
3. As for the Children of God the […] part of their Spiritual Kindred […] in Heaven: That then and not the […] is the Country they belong […]. Their Father is there, Mat. 5.•. Your Father which is in Heaven. […] their Elder Brother is there. Our •ord Jesus Christ is the First-born of […] Brethren, and He is ascended […] Heaven. In Luk. 19.12. We •ave a Parable of a Noble man that […] into a far Country to receive […] Kingdom. Our Lord Jesus Christ […] intended by that Noble Man; and •eaven is the far Country: Thither […] He gone to receive a Kingdom. And […] of our Brethren, that are so in a spiritual sense are in Heaven. There ⟨p. 118⟩is not any Godly man in the world but has more Friends, more Spiritual Kindred in Heaven by far than he ha• on Earth. All the Righteous me• that have Dyed since Abel (the […] Righteous man that Dyed) and un•• this day, they are all in Heaven; an• they are the Brethren of Believe•• here on the Earth. Yes, and the […] Angels too who are the Nation• of Heaven, they look on Believers here on the Earth as their Younger Brethren; being Guardians to them the• are very tender of them. Accordingly when John was ready to fall down and worship the Angel, ('tis like […] thought it was not an Angel […] Christ,) Rev. 19.10. he said, Do […]; I am thy Fellow Servant, and of thy Brethren the Prophets. Believers […] on Earth, and the Angels in Heaven▪ have the same Father. God is th• Father of Angels in respect of Creation and Similitude: And He is the Father of Believers in respect of Regeneration & Adoption. The Scripture speaks of the whole […]
and on the Earth. It is the same […] of God; only those in Hea••n are in […] •pper room▪ and those […] Earth are ••ill here below▪ So […] the greatest part of their Kin••d •s in Heaven: That then is their […].
3. As for the Children of God the 〈…〉 part of their Spiritual Kindred 〈…〉 in Heaven: That then and not the 〈…〉 is the Countrey they belong 〈…〉. Their Father is there, Mat. 5.•. Your Father which is in Heaven. 〈…〉 their Elder Brother is there. Our •ord Jesus Christ is the First-born of 〈…〉 Brethren, and He is ascended 〈…〉 Heaven. In Luk. 19.12. We •ave a Parable of a Noble man that 〈…〉 into a far Countrey to receive 〈…〉 Kingdom. Our Lord Jesus Christ 〈…〉 intended by that Noble Man; and •eaven is the far Countrey: Thither 〈…〉 He gone to receive a Kingdom. And 〈…〉 of our Brethren, that are so in a ••iritual sense are in Heaven. There ⟨p. 118⟩is not any Godly man in the worl• but has more Friends, more Spiritua• Kindred in Heaven by far than he ha• on Earth. All the Righteous me• that have Dyed since Abel (the 〈…〉 Righteous man that Dyed) and un•• this day, they are all in Heaven; an• they are the Brethren of Believe•• here on the Earth. Yes, and the 〈…〉 Angels too who are the Nation• of Heaven, they look on Believers here on the Earth as their Younger Brethren; being Guardians to them the• are very tender of them. According•ly when Iohn was ready to fall down and worship the Angel, ('tis like 〈…〉 thought it was not an Angel 〈…〉 Christ,) Rev. 19.10. he said, Do 〈…〉; I am thy Fellow Servant, and of thy Brethren the Prophets. Believers 〈…〉 on Earth, and the Angels in Heaven▪ have the same Father. God is th• Father of Angels in respect of Crea•tion and Similitude: And He is the Father of Believers in respect of Regeneration & Adoption. The Scripture speaks of the whole▪〈…〉⟨p. 119⟩and on the Earth. It is the same 〈…〉 of God; only those in Hea••n are in 〈…〉•pper room▪ and those 〈…〉 Earth are ••ill here below▪ So 〈…〉 the greatest part of their Kin••d •s in Heaven: That then is their 〈…〉.
4. Their inheritance is in Heaven. The […] they have a right unto is there. • Pet. 1.4▪ An inheritance reserved in •eaven for you. Where a mans Inheritance is, that is his Country. Thus […] is as to Gods Children, in Heaven […] their Inheritance: They have▪ an […] there that can never be taken […] them; Heb▪ 10.34. You took the […] of your Goods joyfully, knowing […] in Heaven you have a better and a […] enduring Substance. Believers […] an Estate there that will endure, […] will never fail. The Richest […] in the world has no Estate comparable to what the meanest Saint has […] another World. All the Riches & […] of Solomon was nothing to what […] intends for His Children; Eph▪• 18. The Riches of the Glory of His ⟨p. 120⟩Inheritance. They have a Treasur• laid up there, Mat. 6 20. Lay up for your selves Treasure in Heaven. There are but very few of them that have any considerable Treasure here o• Earth, but then a vast Treasure is laid up in Heaven for them: There indeed is their All. Paulinus an Eminent Minister in the City of Nola ▪ when His House was bur•t, and all his Estate taken from him, he looked an• pointed towards Heaven, and said, Ther• is my Estate, there is my All.
4. Their inheritance is in Heaven. The 〈…〉 they have a right unto is there. • Pet. 1.4▪ An inheritance reserved in •eaven for you. Where a mans Inhe••tance is, that is his Countrey. Thus 〈…〉 is as to Gods Children, in Heaven 〈…〉 their Inheritance: They have▪ an 〈…〉 there that can never be taken 〈…〉 them; Heb▪ 10.34. You took the 〈…〉 of your Goods joyfully, knowing 〈…〉 in Heaven you have a better and a 〈…〉•nd•ring Substance. Believers 〈…〉 an Estate there that will endure, 〈…〉 will never fail. The Richest 〈…〉 in the world has no Estate com••rable to what the meanest Saint has 〈…〉 another World. All the Riches & 〈…〉 of Solomon was nothing to what 〈…〉 intends for His Children; Eph▪• 18. The Riches of the Glory of His ⟨p. 120⟩Inheritance. They have a Treasur• laid up there, Mat. 6 20. Lay up for your selves Treasure in Heaven. There are but very few of them that have any considerable Treasure here o• Earth, but then a vast Treasure is laid up in Heaven for them: There indeed is their All. Paulinus an Eminent Minister in the City of Nola ▪ when His House was bur•t, and all his Estate taken from him, he looked an• pointed towards Heaven, and said, Ther• is my E•tate, there is my All.
5. Heaven is the place where they shall abta• longest: Therefore that is their Home, the Country which they belong to. A Sojourner does not abide so long in the Country he passeth through, as in his own Country▪ There is no Comparison between our abode on the Earth, and in tha• World whither we are going. God Promised concerning His People o• Old, 2 Samuel 7.10. That they should have a Place of their Own, out of which they should not be removed. This is fulfilled unto the Elect of God. ⟨p. 121⟩•eaven is a Place of their own: And •is a Place out of which they shall […] be removed. As for their Earth•• Habitations, they must be remo••d out of them never to come into ••em any more: Job 7.10. He shall •urn to his House no more; neither shall […] Place know him any more▪ But as […] their House in Heaven, they shall […] be removed out of that for ever•here they are in Everlasting Habita•••ns, Luk 16.9. When once the Children of God are got home, when once […] are housed in Heaven, there they ••all be to all Eternity. Therefore •avid could say, Psal. 23. ult. Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all my •ayes, and I shall dwell in the House of […] Lord for Ever. Heaven is that •ouse of the Lord in which His Children shall dwell for ever. Thus we […] that not Earth but Heaven is the […] belonging unto the Servants of […]; therefore they are said to be •••angers here. The Believer may […] this Earth Gershom, (as M•se• did […] Son) saying, I am a Stranger in a ⟨p. 122⟩Strange Land. But Heaven is thei• Country. It was well replied by one o• the Ancients▪ who when he was threatened with Banishment for his Religion You (said he to his Persecutors) cannot Banish me out of my own Country Not Earth but Heaven is my Country and Banish me out of that if you can▪ You may hasten me to my own Country but you can never turn me out of it.
5. Heaven is the place where they shall abta• longest: Therefore that is their Home, the Countrey which they belong to. A Sojourner does not abide so long in the Countrey he passeth through, as in his own Countrey▪ There is no Comparison between our abode on the Earth, and in tha• World whither we are going. God Promised concerning His People o• Old, 2 Samuel 7.10. That they should have a Place of their Own, out of which they should not be removed. This is fulfilled unto the Elect of God. ⟨p. 121⟩•eaven is a Place of their own: And •is a Place out of which they shall 〈…〉 be removed. As for their Earth•• Habitations, they must be remo••d out of them never to come into ••em any more: Job 7.10. He shall •urn to his House no more; neither shall 〈…〉 Place know him any more▪ But as 〈…〉 their House in Heaven, they shall 〈…〉 be removed out of that for ever•here they are in Everlasting Habita•••ns, Luk 16.9. When once the Chil••en of God are got home, when once 〈…〉 are housed in Heaven, there they ••all be to all Eternity. Therefore •avid could say, Psal. 23. ult. Good•ess and Mercy shall follow me all my •ayes, and I shall dwell in the House of 〈…〉 Lord for Ever. Heaven is that ouse of the Lord in which His Chilen shall dwell for ever. Thus we that not Earth but Heaven is the belonging unto the Servants of ; therefore they are said to be angers here. The Believer may this Earth Gershom, (as Mse did Son) saying, I am a Stranger in a
2. As for Strangers and Sojourners many times their Dignity and Worth […] not known. Sometimes a Prince do•• Travel Incognito in Foreign Countries and then he is taken to be but a• ordinary man. And thus it is wit• Gods Children, who are like Prince in a Disguise in this world: […] world little knows, little thinks tha• they are persons of such Worth […] Dignity as indeed they are; Psal. 4• 16. Thou makest thy Children to […] Princes in all the Earth. The Children of Christ are Princes in the Earth ▪ A•e, but they are not known to […] such They are thought by the […] not to be as indeed they are; as oft••⟨p. 123⟩[…] is with Strangers and Sojourners▪ […] thus it was with our Lord JESUS CHRIST: He was as to His Humane •ature of the Royal Family of Da••d; and Born unto a Crown & Kingdom: Therefore the Wise men said, […]. 2.2. Where is He that is Born […] of the Jews? That they knew ••deed by Divine Revelation: but o••ers did not know it. Christ was […] King Messiah, whom God had pro••sed to send into the world to be […] Saviour of it: The world did […] take Him to be such an one; Joh. •▪ 10. He was in the world, and the ••rld knew Him not. And the Jews themselves, although' they did expect the ••ming of the Messiah at that very […] that Christ came, yet they did […] know that our Lord Jesus was […]. He came to His own, and His […] received Him not. Nay, some of […] own Relations, some that according to the Flesh were near a-kin to […], yet did not know that He was […] King Messiah which they did ex••ct to come into the world. Therefore ⟨p. 124⟩Christ says, Psal. 69.8. I am a Stranger to my Brethren, and an Alien to my Mothers Children. Had the world known that He had been such an One as He truly was, they would never have dealt by Him as they did▪ If they had known that He had been the Lord of Glory, they would not have Crucified Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to His Person is the Eternal Son of God, but there were very few that knew Him to be so, while He was a Stranger and Sojourner on the Earth. The Jews when they saw Him hanging on the Cross, mocked and derided at His being the Son of God, Mat. 27.40▪ He said He was the Son of God, Le• Him come down from the Cross, and we will believe Him. Thus did they mock Him.
2. As for Strangers and S•j•urners many times their Dignity and Worth 〈…〉 not known. Sometimes a Prince do•• Travel Incognito in Forreign Countrie• and then he is taken to be but a• ordinary man. And thus it is wit• Gods Children, who are like Princ• in a Disguise in this world: 〈…〉 world little knows, little thinks tha• they are persons of such Worth 〈…〉 Dignity as indeed they are; Psal. 4• 16. Thou makest thy Children to 〈…〉 Princes in all the Earth. The Chi••dren of Christ are Princes in the Eart•▪ A•e, but they are not known to 〈…〉 such They are thought by the 〈…〉 not to be as indeed they are; as oft••⟨p. 123⟩〈…〉 is with Strangers and Sojourners▪〈…〉 thus it was with our Lord JESUS •HRIST: He was as to His Humane •ature of the Royal Family of Da••d; and Born unto a Crown & King••m: Therefore the Wise men said, 〈…〉. 2.2. Where is He that is Born 〈…〉 of the Iews? That they knew ••deed by Divine Revelation: but o••ers did not know it. Christ was 〈…〉 King Messiah, whom God had prosed to send into the world to be Saviour of it: The world did take Him to be such an one; Joh. 10. He was in the world, and the rld knew Him not. And the Iews emselves, altho' they did expect the ming of the Messiah at that very that Christ came, yet they did know that our Lord Jesus was . He came to His own, and His received Him not. Nay, some of own Relations, some that accordg to the Flesh were near a-kin to , yet did not know that He was King Messiah which they did exct to come into the world. Therefore
And thus it falls out with the Children of God, they are Strangers in the world on this account, for that the world knows not what they are▪ They are the Adopted Children of God, but the world knows not that they are so. They are Persons of the greatest Worth and Excellency of any ⟨p. 125⟩••at live on the Earth, Psal. 16.3. The […] are the Excellent in the Earth. […] the world does not take them to […] so, because their worth is not that which appears outwardly to a Carnal […]. It is in the Grace which they […] adorned with. The Righteous is […] Excellent than his Neighbour. It […] their Righteousness, their Holiness ••at makes them more Excellent; ••at's invisible, a Carnal Eye can't be••ld it. The Kings Daughter is all […] within. Believers have an eternal Glory, known to the Lord. •hey have not (it may be) Outward Ornaments to set them forth be••re the world, but they have that ornament which is of great Price in […] sight of God; so are they the Excellent in the Earth. The most Wor••y men that have been on this Earth, […] been no more regarded than •••grims in Beggars Clothes would […] been, Heb 11.38. They […] about in Sheep-skins▪ and […]. The poor Servants of God […] were fain to go in Leathern ⟨p. 126⟩Clothes, tis said▪ the world was not worthy of them. This evil world was not worthy that such men should live long in it. The holy Prophets were the worthiest men that lived on the Earth in their Days, and yet the world did despise them, and treat them very unworthily. The world did revile them, and speak all manner of evil of them. The holy Apostles were among the Worthiest of men in the world in their Days, and yet they were not esteemed as such, but were treated as men of no worth; 1 Cor▪ 4.13. We are made the Filth of […] world, and the Off-•••ring of all things▪ So then they were l•ke Strangers and Sojourners, whose Worth was no• known.
And thus it falls out with the Children of God, they are Strangers in the world on this account, for that the world knows not what they are▪ They are the Adopted Children of God, but the world knows not that they are so. They are Persons of the greatest Worth and Excellency of any ⟨p. 125⟩••at live on the Earth, Psal. 16.3. The 〈…〉 are the Excellent in the Earth. 〈…〉 the world does not take them to 〈…〉 so, because their worth is not that •hich appears outwardly to a Carnal 〈…〉. It is in the Grace which they 〈…〉 adorned with. The Righteous is 〈…〉 Excellent than his Neighbour. It 〈…〉 their Righteousness, their Holiness ••at makes them more Excellent; ••at's invisible, a Carnal Eye can't be••ld it. The Kings Daughter is all 〈…〉 within. Believers have an •ternal Glory, known to the Lord. •hey have not (it may be) Out••rd Ornaments to set them forth be••re the world, but they have that ••nament which is of great Price in 〈…〉 sight of God; so are they the Ex••llent in the Earth. The most Wor••y men that have been on this Earth, 〈…〉 been no more regarded than •••grims in Beggars Cloathes would 〈…〉 been, Heb 11.38. They 〈…〉 about in Sheep-skins▪ and 〈…〉. The poor Servants of God were fain to go in Leathern
3. Strangers, Pilgrims, Travellers use to be inquisitive concerning the way to the place whither they are going, […] they should mistake the right way▪ And so it is with the Servants of God▪ they are inquisitive concerning th• way to Heaven: They •re asking after that way with great […] ⟨p. 127⟩of Soul; Jer. 50.5. They ask the way […] Zion with their Faces thither-ward, •eeping as they go. Thus are the Children of God Enquiring the way to the Heavenly Zion, and that with great •are and mournful frames, lest they •hould mistake their way. They do •o sooner take one step in the way to •eaven, but they are very inquisitive •bout that matter. As we see in •he Converted Goaler, Act. 16.30. He was no sooner beginning to set himself in the way to Heaven, but he •akes a very solicitous Enquiry. What ••all I do to be Saved? What must I do •o get to Heaven? That I might take •he right way that will bring me thither? They know that the way of •he Commandment is the way to Hea•en, and therefore are very desirous •hat they might know that way, that […] may be Revealed to them: Thus David, Psal. 119.19. I am a Stranger […] the Earth, hide not thy Commandments […]. As if he had said, Wilt thou […] tell a Stranger the way? Any […] that has common Ingenuity in ⟨p. 128⟩him if a Stranger ask the way, he will tell him. I am a Stranger, and wilt thou not tell me the way to Heaven? Surely thou wilt. Oh! hide not thy Commandments from me▪ since that is the way. These are the Desires of a Child of God. And when once they are set in the right way, they are very solicitous that they may not go out of it again: As in ver. 10. O let me not wander from thy Commandments. And if they have missed their way & gone astray, then are they exceeding desirous (as Travellers are wont to be) that they may be returned into their way again: Last ver. I have gone astray like a Lost Sheep, seek thou me. He Prayeth that he might be sought out, and set in the way in which he shouldst go.
3. Strangers, Pilgrims, Travellers use to be inquisitive concerning the way to the place whither they are going, 〈…〉 they should mistake the right way▪ And so it is with the Servants of God▪ they are inquisitive concerning th• way to Heaven: They •re asking after that way with great 〈…〉⟨p. 127⟩of Soul; Jer. 50.5. They ask the way 〈…〉 Sion with their Faces thither-ward, •eeping as they go. Thus are the Children of God Enquiring the way to the Heavenly Sion, and that with great •are and mournful frames, lest they •hould mistake their way. They do •o sooner take one step in the way to •eaven, but they are very inquisitive •bout that matter. As we see in •he Converted Goaler, Act. 16.30. He was no sooner beginning to set •imself in the way to Heaven, but he •akes a very solicitous Enquiry. What ••all I do to be Saved? What must I do •o get to Heaven? That I might take •he right way that will bring me thi•her? They know that the way of •he Commandment is the way to Hea•en, and therefore are very desirous •hat they might know that way, that 〈…〉 may be Revealed to them: Thus David, Psal. 119.19. I am a Stranger 〈…〉 the Earth, hide not thy Commandments . As if he had said, Wilt thou tell a Stranger the way? Any that has common Ingenuity in
4. They that are not only Strangers but Sojourners, do not abide long where they are. And thus it is with the Servants of God▪ they abide not long where they are: They are Sojourners, they are Travelling, there is none […] •iding for them here: Mic. 2.18. […] ⟨p. 129⟩[…], depart ye; this is not your Rest. So •ust it be said to the Lords Servants […] the Earth, This is not your Rest. […] must depart from hence, and that •eedily; and therefore their Life on ••rth is said to be a Pilgrimage; Gen. •.9. Jacob said, The Days of my Pil•••mage have been Few and Evil. The ••fference between a Stranger & a Sojour••• or Pilgrim is this; A Stranger may continue longer in a place than a Sojourner or Pilgrim. A Stranger one […] another Nation, may settle in a •and that is not his Native Country. […] is said to be a Stranger because […] Born in the Land. But a Sojourner or Pilgrim, is one that stays but […] a while: It may be he Lodgeth […] a Night, and is gone the next day. […] an one is a Way-faring-man, here […] day, and gone to-morrow; Jer. 4.8. Why should thou be as a Stranger, […] a Way-faring-man, that turns in & […] for a Night? Thus it is with […] Children here on the Earth, this world is only their Inn, not their […]. As we shall see further in the […] Proposition.
4. They that are not only Strangers but Sojourners, do not abide long where they are. And thus it is with the Servants of God▪ they abide not long where they are: They are Sojourners, they are Travelling, there is none 〈…〉•iding for them here: Mic. 2.18. 〈…〉⟨p. 129⟩〈…〉, depart ye; this is not your Rest. So •ust it be said to the Lords Servants 〈…〉 the Earth, This is not your Rest. 〈…〉 must depart from hence, and that •eedily; and therefore their Life on ••rth is said to be a Pilgrimage; Gen. •.9. Iacob said, The Dayes of my Pil•••mage have been Few and Evil. The ••fference between a Stranger & a Sojour••• or Pilgrim is this; A Stranger may ••ntinue longer in a place than a So••urner or Pilgrim. A Stranger one 〈…〉 another Nation, may settle in a •and that is not his Native Countrey. 〈…〉 is said to be a Stranger because 〈…〉 Born in the Land. But a Sojour•er or Pilgrim, is one that stayes but 〈…〉 a while: It may be he Lodgeth 〈…〉 a Night, and is gone the next day. 〈…〉 an one is a Way-faring-man, here 〈…〉 day, and gone to-morrow; Jer. 4.8. Why should thou be as a Stranger, 〈…〉 a Way-faring-man, that turns in & 〈…〉 for a Night? Thus it is with 〈…〉 Children here on the Earth, this •orld is only their Inn, not their 〈…〉. As we shall see further in the 〈…〉 Proposition.
That men have but a Little Time to be on the Earth. Here their Days are as a Shadow, and there is non• abiding; here they don't dwell, bu• only sojourn. The comparison of • Shadow is used to set forth the Electing condition of men in this world. To the same purpose Solomon has […] Eccl. 6.12. His Vain Life which he spend• as a Shadow. Yea, the Life of man is compared to a Declining Shadow; Ps. 102.11. My Days are like a Shadow […] Declineth. When a Shadow begins t• Decline, it grows less and less by degrees, and is quickly gone. Or, a• the Original word imports▪ a […] that is Extended ▪ that is in Evening Shadow. You observe▪ that when ti• almost […] then is the greatest Shadow, and that Extended Shadow does in a very little time ••nish into Darkness. Truly so it is as to the Life of man here in this world; it i• a Shadow that soon vanishes away▪ And the Life of man now is very shor• compared with what once it was. […] ⟨p. 131⟩•n the Beginning or first Ages of the world▪ lived much longer on the Earth •han they do now, or have done for these many Ages last past. Before •he Flood some Lived Seven, Eight, •ea Nine Hundred Years and more▪ The first man that ever was made did •bide on the Earth Nine Hundred & Thirty Years. Methuselah lived Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Years. But within Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, the Age of man was wonderfully Contracted. In Moses's time, which was Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, & more than Three Thousand Years ago, Psal. 90.10. Our Days (said he) are Three-score Years and •en; and if they do amount to Four-•core, they are Sorrow and Trouble. •t is very rare for men to live longer •han that. Indeed, there have been •f Later Time some that have lived above an Hundred Years. Several in •ur own Nation, have lived above an •undred and Fifty Years. One that •yed lately in an Island belonging to Scotland, is said to have lived an Hundred ⟨p. 132⟩and Eighty Seven Years. But such instances are exceeding rare Nay, where there is one that lives to Seventy, there are many that attain no• to that Age. But if a man should live an Hundred Years and more, that is but a little while. Jacob when he was an Hundred and Thirty Years old said, Gen. 47 9▪ Few have my Da•es been. The Truth before us appears from several things.
That men have but a Little Time to be on the Earth. Here their Dayes are as a Shadow, and there is non• abiding; here they don't dwell, bu• only sojourn. The comparison of • Shadow is used to set forth the Electing condition of men in this world. To the same purpose Solomon has 〈…〉Eccl. 6.12. His Vain Life which he spend• as a Shadow. Yea, the Life of man is compared to a Declining Shadow; Ps. 102.11. My Days are like a Shadow 〈…〉 Declineth. When a Shadow begins t• Decline, it grows less and less by degrees, and is quickly gone. Or, a• the Original word imports▪ a 〈…〉 that is Extended ▪ that is in E•ening Shadow. You observe▪ that when ti• almost 〈…〉 then is the greates• Shadow, and that Extended Shadow does in a very little time ••nish into Darkness. Truly so it is as to the Life of man here in this world; it i• a Shadow that soon vanishes away▪ And the Life of man now is very shor• compared with what once it was. 〈…〉⟨p. 131⟩•n the Beginning or first Ages of the •orld▪ lived much longer on the Earth •han they do now, or have done for these many Ages last past. Before •he Flood some Lived Seven, Eight, •ea Nine Hundred Years and more The first man that ever was made did bide on the Earth Nine Hundred & Thirty Years. Methuselah lived Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Years. But ithin Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, the Age of man was wonderully Contracted. In Moses's time, hich was Eight Hundred Years after the Flood, & more than Three Thousand Years ago,
1. The Duration of this world as to the […] F•rm o• it, will soon be at an end: 1 Cor. 7.31. The fashion of this world […] away. The Scripture often speaks of a wonderful Change which this Visible world shall be subject unto; Mat. 24.35. Heaven an• Earth sh•ll pass away: 2 Pet. 3.10, 11. The Heavens shall pass away with a great […]; the Elements shall melt with Fervent Heat: The Earth and the Works of it shall be bur•t up. All these things shall be Dissolved. It will be so, and within a little time too. Some Divines have thought▪ […] as the Earth is the place […] men have Sinned, ⟨p. 133⟩[…] that they who Dye with their Sins •npardoned, shall be Punished there: •hat the place of their Sinning shall […] the place of their Torment; and •hat therefore this Earth shall be turned into Hell. And many Writers, •ot only Christians Ancient & Modern, but the Jews also, have thought •is present world should not last a•ove Six Thousand Years, as it was •ade in Six Days; and if so, within • few Generations it comes to an end. however, it is but a few Days compared •ith Eternity. What is Six or Seven thousand Years, compared with Eternity? It is but as so many Days, nay […] a few Hours; Psal. 90▪4. A Thousand Years is as One Day in the sight of […]. Yea, as a Watch of the Night. • Watch of the Night, it is but for ••ree or Four Hours; a Thousand •ears compared to Eternity are but as […]: yea, less than that. David ••erefore says concerning his own […], Psal. 39.5. Thou hast made mine […] as Nothing. So may we say of […] Age of this present World, it ⟨p. 134⟩is as nothing before the Eternal God.
1. The Duration of this world as to the 〈…〉 F•rm o• it, will soon be at an end: 1 Cor. 7.31. The •ashion of this world 〈…〉 away. The Scripture often speaks of a wonderful Change which this Visible world shall be subject unto; Mat. 24.35. Heaven an• Earth sh•ll pass away: 2 Pet. 3.10, 11. The Heavens shall pass away with a grea•〈…〉; the Elements shall melt with Ferven• Heat: The Earth and the Works of it shall be bur•t up. All these things shall be Diss•lved. It will be so, and within a little time too. Some Divines have thought▪〈…〉 as the Earth is the place 〈…〉 men have Sinned, ⟨p. 133⟩〈…〉 that they who Dye with their Sins •npardoned, shall be Punished there: •hat the place of their Sinning shall 〈…〉 the place of their Torment; and •hat therefore this Earth shall be turn•d into Hell. And many Writers, •ot only Christians Ancient & Mo•ern, but the Jews also, have thought •is present world should not last a•ove Six Thousand Years, as it was •ade in Six Dayes; and if so, within • few Generations it comes to an end. owever, it is but a few Days compared ith Eternity. What is Six or Seven housand Years, compared with Eterty? It is but as so many Dayes, nay a few Hours;
2. The Experience of all Ages d•es Confirm the Truth before us. One Generation goeth, and another comes; but there is no man does live throughout all Generations. How many have there been in the world that are dead and gone out of it? Some have made their Conjecture, that there have been besides those now living▪ Twenty Thousand Millions of men in the world since the Creation. But of all those Thousands of Millions, there is not one of them to be seen upon the face of the Earth. And how many Millions are there now living? Some late Writers have made their Conjectures about that also. The Learned V•ssius supposeth Two Hundred Millions▪ Another Three Hundred & Twenty Millions. Another, that there are Nine Hundred and Sixty Millions o• men in the world. How many there are is known to God, and to no man; but be their Number more or less they will all be gone in a very little time. Hence Jo• speaking of the Grave ⟨p. 135⟩says, Innumerable are gone before, and •very man is following, Job 21.32. A Famous Emperor having a mighty Army▪ consisting of Seventeen Hun•red Thousand Soldiers, he ascended […] Hill to view them, and when he •pok'd on them he fell a weeping▪ because (said he) in less than an Hun•red Years every one of ••ese men •ill be Dead. So that the Experience of all Ages convinces men that •hey are but Sojourners on th• Earthpunc; Yea, and Experience teaches us, that Gods Servants are but Sojourners here. •hey as soon go out of the world as •ther men; Psal. 49.10 Wise men Dye as well as the Fool and Brutish person. Not only Brutish persons, that live as •f they had▪ no immortal Souls; that •ive as if there were no world bu• this▪•ut Godly Wise men are subject by Death, to be removed ou• of this world as well as others: Your Fathers •here are they? And the Prophets▪ d••hey Live for Ever? The Prophets, the servants of God do they live •or ever? No, on this Earth they are sojourners ▪⟨p. 136⟩and quickly remove. Men can not possibly preserve either their own life, or of those that are dear unto them, when once their appointed time is come. He can't by any means Redeem his Brother, that he should live for ever, and not see Corruption. A man has not power in the day of Death, he can't retain his Spirit; he can't keep his immortal Soul in his Body any longer when once Arrested by Death.
2. The Experience of all Ages d•es Confirm the Truth before us. One Generation goeth, and another comes; but there is no man does live thro'out all Generations. How many have there been in the world that are dead and gone out of it? Some have made their Conj•cture, that there have been besides those now living▪ Twenty Thousand Millions of men in the world since the Creation. But of all those Thousands of Millions, there is not one of them to be seen upon the face of the Earth. And how many Millions are there now living? Some late Writers have made their Conjectures about th•t also. The Learned V•ssius supposeth Two Hund•ed Millions▪ Another Three Hundred & Twenty Millions. Another, that there are Nine Hundred and Sixty Millions o• men in the world. How many there are is known to God, and to no man; but be their Number more or less they will all be gone in a very little time. Hence Io• speaking of the Grave ⟨p. 135⟩sayes, Innumerable are gone before, and •very man is following, Iob 21.32. A Famous Emperor having a mighty Army▪ consisting of Seventeen Hun•red Thousand Souldiers, he ascended 〈…〉 Hill to view them, and when he •pok'd on them he fell a weeping▪ be•ause (said he) in less than an Hun•red Years every one of ••ese men •ill be Dead. So that the Experi•nce of all Ages convinces men that •hey are but Sojourners on th• Earthpunc; Yea, and Experience teaches us, that Gods Servants are but Sojour••rs here. hey as soon go out of the world as ther men;
3. The Scriptures do abundantly Testify concerning the Brevity of Life. Considering that common Experience may convince men, one would be apt to think there should be no need of the Scriptures saying any thing about it▪ Aye, but Sinners are exceeding apt to Dream of a long time in this world, especially if they live at Hearts case▪ and have the world about them▪Amos 6.3. Th•y put far away the Evi• Day, and drink Wine in Bowls. The day of Death will be an Evil day to Sinners that shall be found without an• Interest in Christ: But they put far ⟨p. 137⟩•way this Evil Day. As the Rich •ool said, Soul be merry, thou hast Goods […] up for many Years. I shall live a •ong life and a merry, thought he! Now because men are so apt to be ••cure, & to build their Nests here, as •ho' they should never be removed out •f this world, the Scripture therefore often puts them in mind of their •wn Frailty, and that they must soon […] gone; 1 Cor. 7.29. This I say, brethren, the Time is short. The time •f your being here on Earth is but ••ort. And thence the Time here is ••ckoned by that of Days, Psal. 90.•2. Teach us to Number our Days. •he longest liver in the world does •ot live so long, but it is an easy matter to number all his Days; to tell •ow many Days his Life has been. •he Scripture Illustrates this by Comparisons. Hence David says, Psal. •9 5. that his Days are but an Hands-breadth. My Life (says he) is bu•• Span long. The life of man is com••red to a vanishing Vapour: Jam. • 14. What is your Life? It is even a ⟨p. 138⟩Vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Therefore men are compa•ed to Flowers, yea, to the Flower of the Field, Psal. 103▪15▪ A Flower is soon nipped and bl•sted an• the Flowers in the Field are more exposed to blasting than the Flowers in the Garden. The Life of man is said to Flee away, Job 14.1, 2. Man that is Born of woman is of few Days, •e comes forth as a Flower, and is cut down▪ he fleeth also as a Shadow, and continues not. The Sojourners on the Earth are posting, yea flying out of it; Job 9.25, 26. My Days (says he) are swifter than a Post, or a Ship under Sail, or an Eagle hasting to the Prey. A man that goes Post quickly comes to his Journey's end. Ships at Sea, if they have a fair wind, and Sail Day and Night, quickly comes to the desired Haven.
3. The Scriptures do abundantly Testify concerning the Brevity of Life. Considering that common Experience may convince men, one would be apt to think there should be no need of the Scriptures saying any thing about it▪ Aye, but Sinners are exceeding apt to Dream of a long time in this world, especially if they live at Hearts case▪ and have the world about them▪Amos 6.3. Th•y put far away the Evi• Day, and drink Wine in Bowls. The day of Death will be an Evil day to Sinners that shall be found without an• Interest in Christ: But they put far ⟨p. 137⟩•way this Evil Day. As the Rich •ool said, Soul be merry, thou hast Goods 〈…〉 up for many Years. I shall live a •ong life and a merry, thought he! Now because men are so apt to be ••cure, & to build their Nests here, as •ho' they should never be removed out •f this world, the Scripture there•ore often puts them in mind of their •wn Frailty, and that they must soon 〈…〉 gone; 1 Cor. 7.29. This I say, •rethren, the Time is short. The time •f your being here on Earth is but ••ort. And thence the Time here is ••ckoned by that of Dayes, Psal. 90.•2. Teach us to Number our Dayes. •he longest liver in the world does •ot live so long, but it is an easy mat•er to number all his Dayes; to tell ow many Dayes his Life has been. he Scripture Illustrates this by Comrisons. Hence David sayes, Psal. 9 5. that his Dayes are but an Hands-eadth. My Life (sayes he) is bu Span long. The life of man is comred to a vanishing Vapour: Jam. 14. What is your Life? It is even a
But then a Bir•••yes swifter than a Ship can Sail, or […] Post can run or ride; and the Eagle is the swiftest of all Birds, and whe•• hastening to the Prey flies more swiftly than ordinary. These Scriptur•⟨p. 139⟩similitudes are used to set forth the shortness of mans time on Earth. And Job has another Comparison, Job 7.6. My Days (says he) are swifter than Weavers Shuttle. The Weavers Shuttle ••ies from one end of the Web to the •ther in a moment of time▪ This is spoken to show how men are hastening out of the world; that they are Sojourners on the Earth, that their Days •re as a Shadow, and that there is none abiding.
But then a Bir•••yes swifter than a Ship can Sail, or 〈…〉 Post can run or ride; and the Eagl• is the swiftest of all Birds, and whe•• hastening to the Prey flies more swiftly than ordinary. These Scriptur•⟨p. 139⟩•imilitudes are used to set forth the •hortness of mans time on Earth. And Iob has another Comparison, Job 7.6. My Dayes (sayes he) are swifter than Weavers Shuttle. The Weavers Shuttle ••ies from one end of the Web to the •ther in a moment of time▪ This is spoken to shew how men are hastening out of the world; that they are Soj•urners on the Earth, that their Dayes •re as a Shadow, and that there is none abiding.
The Servants of God are very Sensible of this. They are sensible that […] is not their Home: That there •s another Country, and indeed another World that they are hastening •nto▪ They Esteem Heaven and not […] as their Country. And therefore they do on all occasions make a •ree open Confession of it. They are •ot (as they have no cause to be) •shamed of their Country. It is said of the Patriarchs, that they Confessed they were Strangers & Pilgrims on the Earth, Heb. 11▪13. Abraham made that Confession ⟨p. 140⟩before the Children of Heat, Gen· 23.4. And Jacob made that Confession before King Pharaoh and all his Courtiers, Gen. 47 9 The Years of my Pilgrimage: I have not attained to the Years of my Fathers in their Pilgrimage. I (says he) and my Fathers before me, Abraham and Isaac were Pilgrims here on the Earth, confessing their being bound for another Country. And David did often make this Confession: Not only in the Scripture now under our Consideration; but in Psal. 39 12. I am a Stranger and a Sojourner, as all my Fathers were▪ And, Psal. 119 64. Thy Statutes have been my Song in the House of my Pilgrimage. He did not look on this world as his Home, but only as the House of his Pilgrimage. And therefore the Servants of God are very sensible that they have but a little Time to be in this world. Thus Job, Job 16. ult. When a few Years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return. And as Age comes upon them, the sense of this does and may well increase ⟨p. 141⟩in them. Therefore Old Bar••llai said, 2 Sam. 19.34. How long […] I to Live? That is to say, I have […] long to live: I have but a very ••ttle Time more to be here in the world The like we see in Isaac, Gen. •• 2. I am Old, and know not the day of […] Death. He did not know but that •e might Dye before another Day, […] therefore would dispatch a matter […] was of great moment that very […]. It is true, that Isaac lived Forty Three Years after that, nevertheless •hen he considered his Old age, he […] not expect to have lived so long. •nd we find that David Prayed that […] might have more of the sense of […] upon his own heart, Psal. 39.4. Make me to know mine End, and the •easure of my Days, and how frail I am. […] is Faith in the Servants of God, that […] them to have a sense hereof. […] is said of Abraham, Heb. 11.9. That […] Faith he Sojourned in the Land, as in […] Strange Country.
The Servants of God are very Sen••ble of this. They are sensible that 〈…〉 is not their Home: That there •s another Countrey, and indeed another World that they are hastening •nto▪ They Esteem Heaven and not 〈…〉 as their Countrey. And therefore they do on all occasions make a •ree open Confession of it. They are •ot (as they have no cause to be) •shamed of their Countrey. It is said of the Patriarks, that they Confessed they were Strangers & Pilgrims on the Earth, Heb. 11▪13. Abraham made that Confession ⟨p. 140⟩before the Children of Het•, Gen· 23.4. And Iacob made that Confession before King Pharoah and all his Courtiers, Gen. 47 9 The Years of my Pilgrimage: I have not attained to the Years of my Fathers in their Pilgrimage. I (sayes he) and my Fathers before me, Abraham and Isaac were Pilgrims here on the Earth, confessing their being bound for another Countrey. And David did often make this Confession: Not only in the Scripture now under our Consideration; but in Psal. 39 12. I am a Stranger and a Sojourner, as all my Fathers were▪ And, Psal. 119 64. Thy Statutes have been my Song in the House of my Pilgrimage. He did not look on this world as his Home, but only as the House of his Pilgrimage. And therefore the Servants of God are very sensible that they have but a little Time to be in this world. Thus Iob, Job 16. ult. When a few Years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return. And as Age comes upon them, the sense of this does and may well increase ⟨p. 141⟩in them. Therefore Old Bar••llai said,
It was his Faith […] made him sensible of his being […] a Sojourner in the world as he ⟨p. 142⟩was. Faith in Gods Children hath • Three-fold Good Effect upon them.
It was his Faith 〈…〉 made him sensible of his being 〈…〉 a Sojourner in the world as he ⟨p. 142⟩was. Faith in Gods Children hath • Three-fold Good Effect upon them.
Increase Mather
1639–1723
PuritansNew England
Minister of the Second Church in Boston and President of Harvard College.
Transcription key
•
an illegible letter
〈…〉
illegible words
〈non-Latin alphabet〉
Greek or Hebrew the transcribers did not key
▪
illegible punctuation
⟨p. 12⟩
a page break in the printed book
•
••
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
•••
〈…〉
•
•
〈…〉
⟨p. 122⟩
Strange Land. But Heaven is thei• Countrey. It was well replied by one o• the Ancients▪ who when he was threat•ned with Banishment for his Religion You (said he to his Persecutors) can•not Banish me out of my own Countrey Not Earth but Heaven is my Countrey and Banish me out of that if you can▪ You may hasten me to my own Countrey but you can never turn me out of it.
••
〈…〉
〈…〉
•
▪
••
••
••
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
••
〈…〉
〈…〉
••
⟨p. 124⟩
Christ sayes, Psal. 69.8. I am a Stranger to my Brethren, and an Alien to my Mothers Children. Had the world known that He had been such an One as He truly was, they would never have dealt by Him as they did▪ If they had known that He had been the Lord of Glory, they would not have Crucified Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to His Person is the Eternal Son of God, but there were very few that knew Him to be so, while He was a Stranger and Sojourner on the Earth. The Iews when they saw Him hanging on the Cross, mocked and derided at His being the Son of God, Mat. 27.40▪ He said He was the Son of God, Le• Him come down from the Cross, and we will believe Him. Thus did they mock Him.
〈…〉
⟨p. 126⟩
Cloathes, tis said▪ the world was not worthy of them. This evil world was not worthy that such men should live long in it. The holy Prophets were the worthiest men that lived on the Earth in their Dayes, and yet the world did despise them, and treat them very unworthily. The world did revile them, and speak all manner of evil of them. The holy Apostles were among the Worthiest of men in the world in their Dayes, and yet they were not esteemed as such, but were treated as men of no worth; 1 Cor▪ 4.13. We are made the Filth of 〈…〉 world, and the Off-•••ring of all things▪ So then they were l•ke Strangers and Sojourners, whose Worth was no• known.
〈…〉
〈…〉
〈…〉
⟨p. 128⟩
him if a Stranger ask the way, he will tell him. I am a Stranger, and wilt thou not tell me the way to Heaven? Surely thou wilt. Oh! hide not thy Commandmens from me▪ since that is the way. These are the Desires of a Child of God. And when once they are set in the right way, they are very solicitous that they may not go out of it again: As in ver. 10. O let me not wander from thy Commandments. And if they have missed their way & gone astray, then are they exceeding desirous (as Travellers are won't to be) that they may be returned into their way again: Last ver. I have gone astray like a Lost Sheep, seek thou me. He Prayeth that he might be sought out, and set in the way in which he shoulds• go.
. Our Dayes (said he) are Three-score Years and •en; and if they do amount to Four-•core, they are Sorrow and Trouble. •t is very rare for men to live longer •han that. Indeed, there have been •f Later Time some that have lived •bove an Hundred Years. Several in •ur own Nation, have lived above an •undred and Fifty Years. One that •yed lately in an Island belonging to •cotland, is said to have lived an Hundred
⟨p. 132⟩
and Eighty Seven Years. But such instances are exceeding rare Nay, where there is one that lives to Seventy, there are many that attain no• to that Age. But if a man should live an Hundred Years and more, that is but a little while. Iacob when he was an Hundred and Thirty Years old said, Gen. 47 9▪ Few have my Da•es been. The Truth before us appears from several things.
▪4. A Thou••nd Years is as One Day in the sight of 〈…〉. Yea, as a Watch of the Night. • Watch of the Night, it is but for ••ree or Four Hours; a Thousand •ears compared to Eternity are but as 〈…〉: yea, less than that. David ••erefore sayes concerning his own 〈…〉,
Wise men Dye as well as the Fool and Brutish person. Not only Brutish persons, that live as •f they had▪ no immortal Souls; that •ive as if there were no world bu• this▪•ut Godly Wise men are subject by Death, to be removed ou• of this world as well as others: Your Fathers •here are they? And the Prophets▪ d••hey Live for Ever? The Pro••ets, the •ervants of God do they live •or ever? No, on this Earth they are •ojourners ▪
⟨p. 136⟩
and quickly remove. Men can not possibly preserve either their own life, or of those that are dear unto them, when once their appointed time is come. He can't by any means Redeem his Brother, that he should live for ever, and not see Corruption. A man has not power in the day of Death, he can't retain his Spirit; he can't keep his immortal Soul in his Body any longer when once Arrested by Death.
•
•
••
•
••
•
•
••
•
⟨p. 138⟩
Vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Therefore men are compa•ed to Flowers, yea, to the Flower of the Field, Psal. 103▪15▪ A Flower is soon nipt and bl•sted an• the Flowers in the Field are more exposed to blasting than the Flowers in the Garden. The Life of man is said to Flee away, Job 14.1, 2. Man that is Born of woman is of few Dayes, •e comes forth as a Flower, and is cut down▪ he fleeth also as a Shadow, and continues not. The Sojourners on the Earth are posting, yea flying out of it; Job 9.25, 26. My Dayes (sayes he) are swifter than a Post, or a Ship under Sail, or an Eagle hasting to the Prey. A man that goes Post quickly comes to his Journey's end. Ships at Sea, if they have a fair wind, and Sail Day and Night, quickly comes to the desired Haven.
. How long 〈…〉 I to Live? That is to say, I have 〈…〉 long to live: I have but a very ••ttle Time more to be here in the •orld The like we see in Isaac, Gen. •• 2. I am Old, and know not the day of 〈…〉 Death. He did not know but that •e might Dye before another Day, 〈…〉 therefore would dispatch a matter 〈…〉 was of great moment that very 〈…〉. It is true, that Isaac lived Forty Three Years after that, nevertheless •hen he considered his Old age, he 〈…〉 not expect to have lived so long. •nd we find that David Prayed that 〈…〉 might have more of the sense of 〈…〉 upon his own heart,
. Make me to know mine End, and the •easure of my Dayes, and how frail I am. 〈…〉 is Faith in the Servants of God, that 〈…〉 them to have a sense hereof. 〈…〉 is said of Abraham,
