N02152:26
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.
THERE is one Change more to be Expected. And tho' I mention it the Last, yet I would pray my Hearers to Expect it the First of any. Death, Death, is the Change I mean. Oh! let us Live in a continual Expectation of Death. It is an awful Admonition, Prov. XXVII. 1. Thou knowest not what a Day may bring forth. When we go to sleep in the Evening, it should often be with such an Apprehension; It may be, this Night my Soul will be required. When we get up and go out in a Morning, it should often be with such an Apprehension; It may be, my Sun will set before Sun-set When we part with a Friend, it should often be with such an Apprehension, 'Tis possible, this may be the last Time of my Speaking to him. And when we hear a Sermon, why should it not be with such a Meditation? For ought I can tell, This may be the Last Sermon I shall hear throughout Eternal Ages.
BUT thus we are to manage the First Part of our Work. This is to be our Expectation; That we have nothing here, but what may soon be cut off. We proceed unto the Second Part of the Work. And certainly, Every one will readily grant it.
II 'TIS Reasonable for us to make a Religious Preparation for Troublesome Changes! To Fear Changes only with a Design to get into a fit posture for them. See, Psal. LV. 19. We will Explain this Frame of Christianity.