N02152:22
Tela praevisa. A short essay, on troubles to be looked for. A wise expectation…Tela praevisa. A short essay, on troubles to be look'd for. A wise expectation…
Tela praevisa. A short essay, on troubles to be looked for. A wise expectation of, and preparation for, troublesome changes, recommended unto the strangers and pilgrims in this present evil world / by Cotton Mather D.D. and F.R.S. ; [One line from Matthew]Tela praevisa. A short essay, on troubles to be look'd for. A wise expectation of, and preparation for, troublesome changes, recommended unto the strangers and pilgrims in this present evil world / by Cotton Mather D.D. and F.R.S. ; [One line from Matthew]
printed by B. Green for Thomas Hancock, 1724
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
WHATEVER our Estates may be, do not presume, That it is impossible for us, to be stripped of these Estates. A Job, a Rich, and a Great Man, may soon be Poor to a Proverb. Tho' we may swim in Riches, yet we must live in this Expectation; These Riches may soon take themselves wings, and flee away. We are guilty of Trusting in Uncertain Riches, if we lay aside all such Expectation. Of all Riches on this side Heaven; we are advised unto what they are obnoxious; Matt. VI. 19. Moth and Rust, and Thieves. Suppose, that the Fair House may be laid in Ashes, or a Stranger may become the Owner. Suppose, that the most boarded Cash, may become Running Cash, and Run quite away from the Owner. When we are sending any Interest abroad, suppose it may come short home; and the Sum Total of the Gains of the Voyage, may be that; Hag. 1.9. Ye Looked for much, and, lo, it came to little. Suppose all that we have to be liable unto Innumerable Casualties. All the Elements may prey upon us; and Enemies may have a commission to seize upon what we have. ⟨p. 9⟩We shall not be the first, if we must come to say, I was full, I am Empty; the Almighty has Afflicted me.
WHATEVER our Estates may be, do not presume, That it is impossible for us, to be stript of these Estates. A Job, a Rich, and a Great Man, may soon be Poor to a Proverb. Tho' we may swim in Riches, yet we must live in this Expectation; These Riches may soon take themselves wings, and flee away. We are guilty of Trusting in Uncertain Riches, if we lay aside all such Expectation. Of all Riches on this side Heaven; we are advised unto what they are obnoxious; Matt. VI. 19. Moth and Rust, and Thieves. Suppose, that the Fair House may be laid in Ashes, or a Stranger may become the Owner. Suppose, that the most boarded Cash, may become Running Cash, and Run quite away from the Owner. When we are sending any Interest abroad, suppose it may come short home; and the Sum Total of the Gains of the Voyage, may be that; Hag. 1.9. Ye Look'd for much, and, lo, it came to little. Suppose all that we have to be liable unto Innumerable Casualties. All the Elements may prey upon us; and Enemies may have a commission to sieze upon what we have.