MY Text is found in a Book Entitled, The Preacher. It seems, the Things which are in this Book insisted on, are such as it well becomes a Preacher to insist upon. We have here the Retractations of a Solomon, writing a Treatise upon, The Chief End of Man; An Aged Solomon, after much Experience, confessing his own Errors, and correcting of ours, upon that Important Subject. The Word which we render, The Preacher, carries in it some Intimations of, A Soul upon Recollection. We have here that Enquiry managed, What is ⟨p. 3⟩true Happiness? And, How, or Where, is true Happiness is to be met withal! Upon a Serious Recollection, it is here pronounced, That our Temporal Happiness is to Enjoy Cheerfully what we Possess Honestly. But, Woe to that Man, who Stops here; who is put off so; who knows none but a Temporal Happiness. There is an Eternal Happiness, which a Man ought always and chiefly to be concerned about : An Happiness to be found in the Day when G O D shall bring every work into Judgment. And the way to obtain this Happiness is for a Man to Fear G O D and keep His Commandments. In the prosecution of these things, very pertinent are the Remarks made in this Book, upon the Diverse Vanities, whereof Men do in this Life undergo the grievous Vexations. One of those Diverse Vanities, is Remarked in the Text before us; Man knoweth not his Time. It refers to such occurrences, as the preceding Verse takes notice of. Time intends the Changes which befalls us in Time; The Changes which are also called Chances, because we see not the Causes of them. The Reasons as well as the Seasons are secret unto us. But above all, Time intends the end of our Time. It is our Death which is our Time : The Time wherein we are to Die, and we are to have no more Time allowed unto us. The uncertainty of this Time, wherein it pleases the Holy Lord of Time, who Inhabits Eternity to keep us, has here some elegant Illustrations and Resemblances. The Fish Knows not the Time of its being taken in the Nett. The Bird knows not ⟨p. 4⟩the Time of its being taken in the Snare; So are Men Suddenly taken by the Evil-Time of a Dying Hour. The Netts of Death are spread for us. The Snares of Death are laid for us. Man knows not the Time of his being taken in them.
MY Text is found in a Book Entituled, The Preacher. It seems, the Things which are in this Book insisted on, are such as it well becomes a Preacher to insist upon. We have here the Retractations of a Solomon, writing a Treatise upon, The Chief End of Man; An Aged Solomon, after much Experience, confessing his own Errors, and correcting of ours, upon that Important Subject. The Word which we render, The Preacher, carries in it some Intimations of, A Soul upon Recollection. We have here that Enquiry managed, What is ⟨p. 3⟩true Happiness? And, How, or Where, is true Happiness is to be met withal! Upon a Serious Recollection, it is here pronounced, That our Temporal Happiness is to Enjoy Chearfully what we Possess Honestly. But, Wo to that Man, who Stops here; who is put off so; who knows none but a Temporal Happiness. There is an Eternal Happiness, which a Man ought always and chiefly to be concern'd about : An Happiness to be found in the Day when G O D shall bring every work into Judgment. And the way to obtain this Happiness is for a Man to Fear G O D and keep His Commandments. In the prosecution of these things, very pertinent are the Remarks made in this Book, upon the Diverse Vanities, whereof Men do in this Life undergo the grievous Vexations. One of those Diverse Vanities, is Remark'd in the Text before us; Man knoweth not his Time. It refers to such occurrences, as the preceeding Verse takes notice of. Time intends the Changes which befalls us in Time; The Changes which are also called Chances, because we see not the Causes of them. The Reasons as well as the Seasons are secret unto us. But above all, Time intends the end of our Time. It is our Death which is our Time : The Time wherein we are to Dy, and we are to have no more Time allow'd unto us. The uncertainty of this Time, wherein it pleases the Holy Lord of Time, who Inhabits Eternity to keep us, has here some elegant Illustrations and Resemblances. The Fish Knows not the Time of its being taken in the Nett. The Bird knows not ⟨p. 4⟩the Time of its being taken in the Snare; So are Men Suddenly taken by the Evil-Time of a Dying Hour. The Netts of Death are spread for us. The Snares of Death are laid for us. Man knows not the Time of his being taken in them.
